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Battle The Bloat

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I’ve partnered with Renew Life to create this post! Enjoy!

This summer, well every summer for the last 5 summers, it has taken “guts” to wear a swimsuit, as I am always having summer babies, and this summer is no different. I recently had my 4th baby a couple weeks ago. Questions like when is the new baby coming? And is it a boy or girl? Happens every single time we go swimming from the mouth of my babes. I recently found out there were safe ways to battle the bloat and look and feel my best in a swimsuit this summer.  I started by priming my body this swimsuit season with an herbal cleanse from Renew Life® to help me immediately feel better, lighter and more energized.


Renew Life® Herbal Cleanses promote regularity and support the body’s natural detoxification process. I plan on maintaining that good feeling all summer by taking a daily probiotic like Renew Life® Ultimate Flora Probiotics to help keep occasional bloating at bay and my gut in check.


Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. We usually think of bacteria as something that causes diseases. But your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy while keeping you “regular.”


I thought the little extra bloat was just “baby weight” I was holding onto but thanks to my daily & nightly dose of probiotics, I have learned it wasn’t just baby weight. It has been so refreshing eliminating extra waste I have been holding on to. In just 3 days I noticed a huge difference, mostly in my tummy area.  


I have also noticed a huge difference in my skin. My face has been so smooth & clear, an extra added benefit that I wasn’t expecting to happen. 


So how it works: for three days you take 2 pills in the morning and 2 more pills in the evening. It starts working instantly. The 3-Day Cleanse Total-Body Reset capsules work with your body’s natural metabolism to help eliminate waste and toxins and are a quick and simple way to help reduce occasional bloating and water retention. My skin felt clearer, and my belly felt flatter. Overall, I felt like I had a lot more energy. 
 
I want all of you to be your “best self” and have the “guts” to tackle whatever lies ahead for you this summer. Renew Life 3-Day Cleanse Total-Body Reset would be a great companion to take with you on all your summer trips and adventures, to help you stay regular and swimsuit-ready all throughout your trip.

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To learn more about 3-Day Cleanse Total-Body Reset and the full line of Renew Life® herbal cleansing programs, visit http://www.renewlife.com/herbal-cleansing.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The Big Fat Truth

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With four back-to-back pregnancies, Momma Bird is feeling the need to get her life and body back.

I’m tuning into Z Living’s newest show, The Big Fat Truth every Sunday at 8pm ET along with my own personal goals and health.

Every Sunday different sets of contestants are trying to break their poor health habits. For instance, one week will show a group of moms trying to get healthier and show what habits are getting in their way and why they aren’t reaching their goals.

The Big Fat Truth finds the real reasons people are having weight loss struggles, and gives them hope along with the tools they need to use to transform their lives.

After each episode, I personally have felt more optimistic about getting my body and life back after recently having my fourth baby. I have felt spread thin having four very dependent children and looking for energy anywhere I can get it.

For me, both my weight gain and my weight loss is 90% on what I do & don’t consume, and 10% dependent on how much I exercise.

So what causes me to eat poorly?

I have narrowed it down to two things:

Sugar & Sleep.

Sugar:

Misery loves company. When I eat sugar my body wants more sugar. It’s a vicious cycle. When I don’t eat it, I don’t crave it. 

Sleep:

Being a busy mom with children who still get up around the clock, sleep is a valuable thing; maybe the thing I value most these days and past couple of years. I have noticed that when I get adequate sleep I make healthier food decisions and vice versa.

I am not always the one dictating how much sleep I get, but I have made it a priority to make better eating choices no matter how many hours of z’s I get.

I want to ditch my quick solution of diet caffeinated soda, and find energy through exercise endorphins instead.

Tune in with me Sundays at 8pm ET and feel inspired to find out what’s holding you back in being your best self on The Big Fat Truth.

And don’t forget to join the FREE Big Fat 30 Day Challenge to get health and wellness tips from executive producer JD Roth!

Fathers Day Recap

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Celebrated Father’s Day a week late because our Papa Bird was under the weather the morning of the real Father’s Day.

Before he got sick he had asked for his special day for two things, that I go to church with him and to go on a family hike.

Both those things didn’t happen, we all slept in and then I took the kids to the park all afternoon so he could rest and not be bothered.

But, I am happy to report a week later, Daddy Dallin got his gifts. And both his requests were filled.

The hike was so beautiful walking along side the river, ending with a water fall and ice-cream. I think Father’s Day should be every Sunday 🙂

Losing The Baby Weight

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Feeling a little inadequate to write todays blogpost all about weight loss as I sit here & can still feel some loose skin and rolls creeping over my pants.

But I have come a long way. 6 weeks ago I was 28 lbs heavier as I was pregnant with my sweet baby boy. I feel grateful as I only have a handful of lbs to lose. Which I tell my husband I might purposely hold onto for as long as possible because once the lbs are gone then what? I’m just skinny Shannon forever – knock on wood –

Losing a dramatic amount of weight might be the best feeling in the world. Throw a yummy newborn in my arms and I feel like Wonder Women, & I can do anything, hence hightailing to Vegas with a 2 week old.

So how do I lose the weight?

It’s a combo of things

Nursing/Pumping

I get water and calories out of me 5 ounces at a time every 2-3 hrs. I believe in breastfeeding with all my heart for the health benefits of both mom & baby. But please don’t feel ashamed if you chose not to. It is so hard and some babies don’t take to it. And that’s why formula was invented. No shame in using it.

Drink For Fuel

One of the best parts of having a baby is the hospital water bottle. I drink at least 8 of these a day for the first 6 weeks. It actually feels me up and makes me feel less hungry. So instead of eating when our body sends the hunger pain signal drink some water first and then eat. Its really helped me.

As I now start to work out I will post more about health and fitness along with my personal goals and how I plan to achieve them.

I hope you find this post helpful and it answered some of your questions. Have a great weekend friends!

Keeping Firm With Clarins

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Special thanks to Clarins for sponsoring today’s post.


I am just about 9 months pregnant gaining weight rapidly, about a pound a week. I don’t mind the number on the scale as long as I can keep firm and toned during my pregnancy. In my experience it’s been easier to get back to my pre pregnancy body if I maintain muscle tone. My theory is the more I can do before baby, the less work I have to do when he gets here.

Clarins’ new Body Fit is that extra step in your fitness routine that you never knew you needed. A couple weeks ago, I started using Clarins’ new Body Fit cream along with my treadmill (walking at an incline) to fight and target my stubborn unwanted cellulite to get me ready for my baby moon. I used my cream during my trip & have continued to use the cream even after in hopes to prevent cellulite.

I’ve noticed a major improvement since using Clarins’ Body Fit cream. My legs haven’t felt this healthy in a long time. They look smoother and feel more firm, especially behind my thighs. I also love the great cooling sensation and how it dries quickly.

My skin started looking and feeling smoother in just a week. Clarins’ Body Fit cream is a light, non-oily texture with a pleasant fragrance and does an amazing job at correcting and preventing  cellulite.

But how?

The ingredients in Clarins’ Body Fit stimulates fat release and limits fat storage. I have personally noticed the changes in my skin, especially in the thigh area, feeling lifted, smoother & firmer.  I will definitely be using Clarins’ Body Fit post baby to help me tone and to get swimsuit ready, again.

I highly recommend Clarins’ Body Fit for all of you who are like me, who hate fighting gravity and cellulite.

**Warning… you will get addicted to this product and you will see results!**

We Have To Stretch To Grow

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lilac & ivory tank (kate spade) / pink bow neck zip up (kate spade) / bow black leggings (kate spade) / black scallop activity tracker (kate spade) / yoga bag (kate spade) / adidas (nordstrom)

The word of the month is “Grow”. With each new blogpost I slowly stop recognizing myself as my baby bump starts filling out. Today I went to the Dr.s and he said by my next appointment my baby will double in size, how fun and wild is that! -I’ll be in my third trimester very soon!

These last couple of weeks are crucial in my babies growth, which is why I am highly encouraged to stop nursing Briton. This appointment was music to my husbands ears. And something he’s been trying to tell me for a while now.

But there is something about hearing it from a Dr. and hearing all the reasoning why has me determined to stop today! I haven’t nursed Briton since my appointment and put Briton to sleep by rocking him. I’m not in pain yet, praying I don’t get mastitis this time around.

We also spoke of my birth plan and travel plans. We got some good news. I’ve been so worried about traveling with the zika virus. I got the green light for Hawaii, so babe start booking 🙂 I also got the red light for Dallin’s off roading trip he and his brothers have planned middle of April. That is if he wants to be there for the birth. I was told to plan on my birth and delivery to be similar to that of my others. From 36 weeks to 37 weeks, and to get in the car as soon as I start feeling my labor signs or my water breaks because we live an extra 25 mins away from our hospital and it doesn’t take many contractions to get me to go from a two to a 10.

With my babies coming early, getting the little boy inside of me as big as possible is our goal. Boy’s develope slower (lungs) so we don’t want to risk Briton taking any nutrients and calories away from him.

Wish me luck, I’m going to need it! Everyone has their battles and this is definitely mine. I hate being capable of giving my child what they want/need (nursing), but having to say no and to make them cry while I painfully fill up with lechè is so hard for me. Since this is my second attempt to stop nursing the Britzy, I think/hope it will go a lot more smoothly than the first time 🙂

-Knock on wood-

*A special thanks to Kate Spade for my new workout clothes, they are perfect to “grow” in and one day, I will shrink in them. Seriously the softest, prettiest and most comfortable yoga pants I’ve ever worn.

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