pre-pregnancy

Dear C-Section Mama

March 6, 2018 By Joceline Raad

Today I cried. At 3+ months postpartum, I’m feeling like Regina George because sweatpants are all that fit me right now! This is my second baby in under 15 months and I guess it is taking a little longer for my body to recover after 2 c-sections. I am learning to accept it, although I try to fit into my pre-pregnancy ultra skinny jeans once a week and I get a little sad when they don’t fit. And yes, it is a little frustrating sometimes to look at myself in the mirror and see a wide waist that once was 24 inches and see flabby skin with stretch marks across my lower abs.

I cried, not because I feel ugly or overweight, I cried because it can be discouraging when you don’t fit into clothes that once did. But Dear C-Section Mama: It is OK to cry! At least for a minute, let it OUT. Because unlike many women I’ve heard of that fit into their jeans right after their natural birth, we simply won’t be able to fit into our jeans for a couple of weeks AND that is OK.

Why? Because a c-section is a surgery that leaves you swollen for a couple of weeks or months. It takes us mamas longer to recover our body because our bodies take a moment to realize that there is no longer a baby inside. Yes, you may be sore for a couple of weeks but this too shall pass! And THANK the LORD for c-sections, because without it, I don’t think my firstborn son would be here.

So what can you do in the meantime instead of moping around? Embrace your superwoman body that hosted a tiny human for 9 months. View those stretch marks as a lovely reminder of growing a strong and healthy baby. However, if you feel like crying once in a while, it is OK, but then wipe your tears away, look in that mirror and say THANK YOU belly for bringing me the joy of mamahood!

Before we know it, you and I will fit into those skinny jeans. Until then, rock dresses, yoga pants (typical #momlifer), cool mom tees, etc. But best of all, don’t forget to rock a big ol’ smile, that shows off your pearly whites because being a mom is the most rewarding unpaid job title this world has to offer.

Below are photos from a Sunday after church with my big “baby”, Caleb Beau. Special thanks to my husband for making me feel like the sexiest woman alive in all of my phases and big thanks to Pink Blush for making me feel lovely in all their clothes in every stage of motherhood! (Black Dress by ShopPinkBlush.com)

Disclosure: I have been gifted clothes by PinkBlush as part of being a brand ambassador. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.

South Florida Bloggers Awards 2017

December 11, 2017 By Joceline Raad

***Floral Print Dress by ShopPinkBlush.com***

A Raad Story was nominated for Best Parenting Blog for 2017 at The South Florida Bloggers Awards. We were honored to be semi-finalist in this wonderful category. I knew this was an event I could not miss even though I am just 1 month postpartum! There were dozens of sponsors and amazing bloggers all in one room. We were able to meet with fellow inspirational bloggers to work together in the upcoming year in kind collaborations.

I am grateful for my husband – my number 1 supporter and best friend – who accompanied me. Without him there would be no “Raad” in this “Story”. Oftentimes, he’s the man behind the lens and a huge chunk of the heart of this blog. We both are looking forward to what 2018 has in store for our family.

Below are photos from the Awards held in Coral Gables Museum, South Florida. (Floral Print Dress by ShopPinkBlush.com)

The perfect dress for postpartum! ***Floral Print Dress by ShopPinkBlush.com***

*My forever boyfriend – the “Raad” behind our Story!*

*Where are you supposed to place your hands now that there’s no belly?!*

*My favorite Miami stylist & blogger, Isabella Lasso from Wear the Best You!*

4 Ways to Fit into Your Pre-Pregnancy Jeans

November 29, 2016 By Joceline Raad

At 4 months postpartum c-section, I FINALLY fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans! No one tells you how your body will look after birth, especially after a c-section. Being a first time mom, everything was completely new to me. I remember failing to fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans and staring at myself in the mirror, feeling wide and flabby all over. I had never seen my body like that before (obviously!) and I had to remind myself that I carried a 7.5 lb. baby for 9 months which in turn made me feel like a superwoman because pregnancy is one of the most beautiful experiences I ever lived. There will always be imprudent people that will ask how much weight you’ve lost after birth but quite frankly, I paid them no mind. My loving mother told me, “Before you know it, everything will go back to its place and you will fit into your clothes again!” And just like that, I was determined to not step foot on a scale nor obsess with losing the postpartum weight. Here we are 4 months post-baby and I did it! Without trying, I managed to fit into those jeans, all by living a regular lifestyle. Here’s how:

1. Breastfeeding

They say breastfeeding is nature’s natural liposuction! If you are currently breastfeeding, you are ahead of the game and will quickly drop to your pre-baby size. If you do not breastfeed, don’t worry, below are other ways to drop weight in no time!

2. Healthy Eating Habits

Here’s a little secret about me: I ALWAYS eat anything I want as long as it’s a small portion. There are currently only 2 “Don’ts” in my nutrition:

1. No dieting nor starving. I do not believe in diets. I have seen people “diet” for weeks and drop weight but then a few months after, they regain the weight or even gain more than before. This is because there is no change in their lifestyle. If you want to see permanent results, experience a lifestyle change in your eating habits. On the other end are those who starve to lose weight. This is worse than dieting because you are not nourishing your body and this can have long-term effects. Especially, if you are breastfeeding, you need to nourish your body with proper nutrients in order to have enough milk supply for your little one.

2. Don’t eat after 8PM. I lived by this rule before I got married. Then after marriage, I discovered that men love to eat and like to do it more frequently than (most) women. I noticed I gained 3-4 pounds after our wedding, which is not that bad but I can primarily blame it on eating after 8PM (since I never used to before). Now that I am no longer pregnant, I have reapplied this rule. Yes, there are exceptions, for example, Thanksgiving day – I pigged out like a true American!

3. Water

I may truly be water’s number 1 fan! I drink more than 8 cups a day because I simply love water. I am not one to drink my calories, which is why at restaurants, my drink order is water with no ice. Drink lots water!

4. Powerwalking

I love nature and I love trees. I prayed for a house close enough to a park filled with trees and voila! I take our baby boy for a stroll almost daily and as we stroll, I power-walk (since I am unable to run with our stroller). If you live close to a park, take your baby on a daily stroll. It’s not only a great enjoyable activity, it’s a form of light exercise.

Here are a couple of photos we took celebrating!

DISCLAIMER: Please keep in mind that this is what worked for me. I am not a doctor nor a nutritionist. Consult your physician if you are thinking about making any changes to your eating habits and exercise.