Fitness

Alison Dyer for PEOPLE for use on CBB

It’s hard to make time to exercise while chasing after two small children, but after giving birth in January, Alison Sweeney felt like she had to. Why? The host of The Biggest Loser felt a responsibility towards the show’s contestants.

“People ask me why I was so committed to losing weight after Megan was born and why I wanted to do it quickly,” explains Alison. “I felt that I owed it to the contestants, to every person that stood on that scale next to me and given it everything they had all week long to get there. I owed it to them to show them I honored what they did and how brave they are and I wanted to be a part of that.”

The show taught Alison “that you are worth it. You’re a role model now, so spending time on yourself to get healthy, spending time to go to the gym, is actually the best gift you can give your kids.” Alison recommends “cooking at home more often and [packing] snacks with you. The first step you can take to cut out unwanted calories is to make sure you know what you’re eating and putting it in the food yourself.”

The Days Of Our Lives actress and her husband, Dave Sanov, are also parents to son Benjamin Edward, 4.

Source: TV Guide

– Angela

Courtesy Life & Style for use on CBB

When it comes to gaining — and losing — baby weight, Carnie Wilson is a realist. The 40-year-old songstress tells MomLogic that “when someone has a weight problem when they’re pregnant, they will struggle before, during and after to lose weight”… and she’s been no exception. Currently expecting her second daughter — Luciana, due in June — Carnie admits that her first trimester was not optimal. “I did put on [a] chunk of weight in the beginning because I was feeling so sick,” she explains. “And like the only thing that helped me at 2:00 a.m. was an English muffin.” There isn’t remorse, though — only acceptance. “All I can do is listen to what my body needs and feels,” she says, adding:

“With someone who doesn’t struggle with weight before or after pregnancy, it’s different. Look at someone like Milla Jovovich — she was a toothpick. She was a model before, gained a lot while pregnant — but lost a ton of weight right after her pregnancy. Or someone like Kate Hudson — they blow up and then shrink right down right after. But I’m not like that. I’m not that athletic type.”

Pointing out that the average woman in the United States is a size 14, Carnie says that women do themselves a disservice by comparing themselves to a select few celebrity moms. “What is normal?” she asks. “Being anorexic is not normal. It’s normal to gain weight during pregnancy. It’s something that has to happen to your body,” she observes. What’s not normal, she adds, is the “added pressure” women put on themselves to be something they’re not.

“I think the focus is twisted. Look, it’s not healthy to be too skinny or too overweight. You have to be happy with yourself though, and if your ass is too big (for you), then work out. But it has to be a personal thing, not about what the rest of society says you should be.”

Click below to read Carnie’s thoughts on working motherhood.

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Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Unlike many women who struggle to shed the pounds after delivering, “naturally skinny” actress Angie Harmon had no problems losing the baby weight following the birth of daughter Emery Hope three months ago.

The mom of three credits “breastfeeding and stress” with making it happen because she “can’t even imagine” going to the gym any time soon! If she does decide to exercise eventually, Angie says it will be in the comfort of her own home –”I’ll probably try to do some sit ups on the floor!”

While the weight may have disappeared, certain extras that come with motherhood did not — much to the delight of Angie and her husband Jason Sehorn. “All of these curves and boobs and things are really fun,” the actress laughs.

Angie, 36, and Jason, 37, are also parents to Finley Faith, 5, and Avery Grace, 3 ½.

Source: US Weekly

– Angela

Alison Dyer for PEOPLE for use on CBB

People were amazed when actress Alison Sweeney returned to the Days of Our Lives set just two weeks after giving birth to daughter Megan Hope — now 10 weeks — looking great! The Biggest Loser host claims that one of the reasons for her fabulous post-baby body is the fact that she was careful not to gain too much weight during the pregnancy. “Knowing how you’re going to have to work to get yourself back into shape afterward, you’re a little more careful, so I didn’t gain nearly as much weight” as with son Benjamin Edward, 4. Helping keep the weight gain down were some tough pregnancy symptoms. “I had morning sickness for more than six months and it was really bad,” says Alison, adding that “some days, all I could eat was cereal. I went through Cheerios by the box.”

While Alison has lost some of the weight, she is still trying to get rid of a few extra pounds. “I tried to stay active and stay with my workout plan, but having two kids, it’s a lot harder to get back in shape because your time is cut even more in pieces. Plus, I’m working two jobs and I was only working one after Ben,” she says. However, Alison is using one of those jobs — hosting The Biggest Loser — as motivation.

“It’s a nice reminder every week of what commitment does and how successful you can be when you work at it. And there are no excuses.”

Click below for more on Alison’s postpartum weight-loss!

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Elizabeth Messina for PEOPLE for use on CBB

Samantha Harris returned to her job as co-host of Dancing With the Stars just three weeks after the birth of her daughter Josselyn Sydney, now 17 months, and quickly returned to her pre-baby form. However, the entire experience put Samantha under a great deal of pressure, she explains. “The pressure was unbelievable, in that my baby was so new, being a mom was new for me, and then I knew I had to fit into gowns for the show under the watchful eye of a television audience,” she notes.

While trying to lose the weight, Samantha learned that “it is almost impossible for any mom to have that five minutes all to herself, but giving a little time for yourself is actually good for your family in the long run.”

“A few minutes can really go a long way. Taking care of yourself is a big gift for your family in the long run.”

That is why The Insider correspondent has partnered with Melba Toast to provide healthy advice for all women. Some of the 35-year-old’s tips include napping, eating healthy for mom and child, steam baths after exercising, fitness classes, walking with the family, playtime with children, incorporating your children into your fitness routine, make exercise a priority and most of all, have fun doing it.

Samantha is married to financial wholesaler Michael Hess.

Source: El Paso Times

Mel B. — solo artist, lingerie model and mother of two, former Spice Girl, and Dancing With the Stars alum — is now a fitness diva! Her new three-DVD set, Totally Fit, features fitness workouts and nutrition tips.

Incorporating her trademark spiciness (but none of the scariness), Totally Fit is not your typical exercise DVD. Her presentation, like her attitude, is a lot of fun and motivates you get rid of your “jubbily bits,” using the same routine she uses. She is in amazing shape and though you’ll be jealous of her six-pack abs, you’ll come to love her sassy style. The first disc contains a 60-minute fitness class split into 30-minute sessions that includes an aerobic workout and an up-tempo resistance workout, using everyday objects like soup cans and water bottles. The second disc includes four 10-minute routine that target “bums, tums, legs and arms” and a “Chill Out” stretch session. The third disco provides advice and tips on nutrition, including recipes that Mel and her husband eat.

I talked to Mel about her inspiration for creating Totally Fit, how she got her body back after giving birth to her second daughter Angel and her real-life no-trainer/do-it-yourself tips for getting into shape. She also answers reader questions about whether she’s had plastic surgery, how she finds the time to work out (she doesn’t have a nanny!), her favorite pig-out food and which Spice Girl would win in a race. Click to continue reading »

Tim Goodwin

Returning to her hosting duties on Dancing With the Stars only weeks after giving birth to her daughter Josselyn Sydney — who recently celebrated her first birthday — Samantha Harris credits her post-baby body to a bit of luck, her decision to nurse, and above all, her healthy lifestyle. Committed to an "intense and dedicated" workout routine before she was expecting, Samantha shares with Mom Logic that upon receiving the news that she was pregnant, the 34-year-old was able to control her weight gain with her choice to "basically…not eat for two." Says Samantha, "Hopefully [that] is what the key was to helping lose the weight afterward…and [Josselyn] was very good to me through the pregnancy, so I didn’t put on a lot of weight."

With her hosting responsibilities on DWtS and as an E! correspondent, Samantha is grateful for her flexible jobs that allow her to juggle both her career and motherhood. While little Josselyn "occasionally" gets to see her mom on set "for a little visit," her mornings are often spent napping to catch up on her rest and be "ready to play" when her mom comes home from work. Arriving home in the early afternoon, Samantha packs up Josselyn and spends the day with her all while finding the time to exercise!

"I put her in the Bjorn in front of me and do stairs with her because I don’t like to be without her, but I want to get my workout done."

Josselyn is Samantha’s daughter with husband Michael Hess.

Source: Mom Logic

Courtesy SELF

Although it has been only two years since Mariska Hargitay welcomed her first child, son August Miklos Friedrich, the actress cannot fathom life without a child. A "perfect night" for Mariska includes "putting August to bed and having a bath," as she shares in a new interview with SELF that her baby boy — who is "all light" — brings her a calming sense of happiness. "You look at babies and they’re full of joy. It’s a pure state, a place that can inform every part of your life. What is life without it," wonders the star of Law & Order: SVU, who considers her and her husband Peter Hermann "homebodies" after having a baby.

After the birth of August, Mariska realized that her motives to lose the baby weight were not driven by the desire to be thin, but rather the necessity to keep up with her active son. "It’s not about being fat or thin. I’m a full-figured woman. It’s about how am I going to keep up my energy," explains Mariska. As the 44-year-old shares her secret of youth as staying away from "sugar, yeast, and wine," which she calls her "mack truck," Mariska also realizes that she is not prepared to "give up wine for life." The key? "Everything in moderation," says the actress who goes on to reveal that her healthy eating habits allow her to wake up with no "undereye bags" and perfect skin. "If I’m supporting myself, I’m supporting my kid. If I’m happy and healthy, I can be a better wife and mom, I can do a better job," says Mariska. In fact, the motivated mom also credits August for her return to her work-out routine — which includes 30 minute jogs and weekend sessions with her trainer — while her show is on hiatus.

"I want to be a fun mom. Not a gasping-for-air mom."

The built-up endurance may come in handy, not only for August, but for future children as well — Mariska shares that the couple are "trying" to add to their family. "It’s hard. I think a lot of it is up to God and nature and we’ll see what happens," notes Mariska, who also reveals that she would "definitely … love to" adopt one day.

Source: SELF

Courtesy OK! Magazine

In an appearance on the CBS Early Show last week, Laila Ali shared that she is "doing excellent" after welcoming her first child, Curtis Muhammad, on August 26. With the new baby — who Laila reports is "great" — at home with his proud papa, retired NFL player Curtis Conway, the 30-year-old first-time mom took the opportunity to share her birthing experience and her fitness plan during and after her pregnancy. A professional athlete, Laila stayed fit through her first two trimesters by hitting the gym about five days a week. Having previously shared that her workout routines were designed around her pregnancy, Laila told CBS morning anchor Julie Chen that she was "doing the elliptical for 45 minutes, walking for 15 minutes, doing lightweight training, [and] a little pilates." However, after seven months of steady exercise, Laila realized that "at a certain point, I needed to stop," and began resting up for the big delivery day. "[I was] making sure I was eating right [and] getting enough rest because giving birth is a lot of work and you need to have good energy," explains Laila, who goes on to say she "was prepared."

Only two weeks after giving birth, Laila explains that she was ready to begin exercising and getting back into shape. She alerted her doctor that she was "coming in for a check-up," hoping to get permission to return to the gym and start shedding the pounds. With a thumbs up from her doctor — and a warning to not "go 100%" — the new mom was ready. Now, four weeks later, Laila says that she is "in spinning and weight training" and agrees that getting back in shape is "a lot of work." Although Laila notes that she still has "about 25 lbs. to get off," she admits to wondering when her stomach will bounce back! Laila laughs,

"I always want to know when the gut’s going to come off. I guess that’s the last thing to go!"

Click ‘More’ to read about Laila’s delivery experience.

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Warner/WireImage

Olympian Dara Torres was well aware that competing in this year’s Beijing Olympics "against athletes who were young enough to be my children" meant that the 41-year-old mom needed an extraordinary workout plan designed especially for older women. While Dara had the ability to "put together a team of experts," she knows that most people can not afford this luxury, but insists that working mom or not, "you can always try to find little ways to do a little bit of exercise each day." Mom to 2 ½-year-old daughter Tessa, the swimmer shares that simple choices to "take the stairs" at work, instead of the elevator, really can make a difference.

As for pregnant women, Dara shares that her pregnancy did not stop her in the least! After finding out she was expecting, Dara says she immediately developed a plan with a trainer outlining weights and routines she was able to do during those important nine months. Aside from the gym, exercise was key for Dara, who reveals she "swam the same day I delivered Tessa, before I went into labor!" Not letting any obstacles stand in her way when it comes to staying in shape, Dara — who was back in the pool a week after giving birth — hopes to instill the same healthy choices in her daughter.

"Exercise was very important to me growing up, and I am already trying to teach Tessa how important it is. The funny thing is, she already loves it."

Tessa is Dara’s daughter with partner David Hoffman.

Source: USA Weekend