18 Again

By Kareen Lai

Do you want to stay fit and feel SEXY? 

Do you feel like a STAR at home and at work?

Do you feel like you rock the world with unstoppable CONFIDENCE?

What would it take for you to achieve all these? Welcome to the world of motherhood: with many roles and multiple stress points, you can easily overwhelmed by the feeling that everyone wants a part of you. Your maternal instincts want you to look after it all, but they're also stopping you from becoming the Sexy Fit Mummy you deserve to be.

18 Again offers brilliant and inspiring alternatives to help you lead the sexy, fit and confident life you deserve after baby. With simple yet powerful strategies, it will bring you through an amazing transformation that will help you look and feel your best. And you will discover how your life change immensely once you shift your outlook and 'lean in' to the transformation.

Refreshingly direct, witty and realistic, Kareen Lai will fill you with the enthusiasm, attitude and energy you need for an enriching motherhood - a lifestyle that you deserve while rocking your body with renewed confidence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Faris Digital Solutions Pte Ltd
• Release date: Apr 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9789814645942

Book preview

PRAISE FOR 18 AGAIN

Frank and to the point yet full of empathy, Kareen shares her deep understanding of how weight gain and change in body shape after childbirth can affect our self esteem, mindset and ultimately our happiness.

The importance of getting fit and staying fit, explained by Kareen in her book 18 Again is written in such a heartfelt way, the task of 'bringing out the Sexy Fit mummy in you' feels more like a compelling pursuit rather than a burden or chore.

If you have been having difficulty coming to terms with changes in body shape after childbirth – there's no need to suffer in silence or alone. No gimmicks, no crazy promises, 18 Again is packed with the sincere, practical advice and the motivation you need to get you back on track.

GINA ROMERO

Founder of Athena Network

Mother of 3

Kareen is a ‘super-mummy’ – fit, dedicated, and driven. This book is an extension of Kareen’s drive to make fitness a priority in all women’s lives. Too often, after giving birth, many mothers are embarrassed by their lack of fitness or weight gain, but it does not have to be this way. Kareen shows us (through honest sharing, useful tips and very down-to-earth methods) how we can learn to be in control of our physical body again. I am excited for Kareen and for the thousands of mummies that this book will reach out to. Let’s begin our journey to being 18 Again!

SHER-LI TORREY

Founder of Mums@Work Singapore

Mother of 2

From the first meeting with Kareen it was clear that she is without doubt one of the most passionate, dedicated, heartfelt and determined women I know. She walks the talk and is constantly seeking to upgrade and educate herself, to ensure mindful physical fitness and great health for women. I am a Physiotherapist and I really enjoy working with empowered women like Kareen, who keeps me on my toes, with numerous well-thought-through questions. The women of Singapore, mums and those aspiring to be mums need you!

DANIELLE BARRATT

Physiotherapist Specialising in Women’s Health

Mother of 2

Having gained a significant amount of weight following the birth of her twins, Kareen gives readers insight into how she dealt with it and restored her body and her confidence by eating right and tailoring her exercise regime to suit. A must-read for Mums who struggle to lose weight.

BETTY NG

Founder of Expat Fairs Pte Ltd

IWFCIS Best Community Social Leader Award 2014

Mother of 1

Love yourself first before your kids because a happy mum is a good mum. 18 Again is the perfect book to show you exactly how and why it should be done.

JENNY WEE

District Councillor with South West Community

Winner of IWFCIS Xtraordinary Woman Award 2014

Mother of 3

First published April 2015

Copyright © Kareen Lai

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except for inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

18 AGAIN

BRINGING OUT THE SEXY FIT MUMMY IN YOU

Published in Singapore

P7

The purpose of this book is to educate. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher and author shall have neither liability nor responsibility for any injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, the book’s contents should not be construed as medical advice. Each person’s health needs are unique. To obtain recommendations appropriate to your particular situation, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.

CONTENTS

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Introduction

SECTION 1 - TAKE THAT FIRST LEAP OF FAITH

Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars

Doors Are Meant To Be Opened And Walked Through

Sexy Fit the Mummies’ Way

Better To Be Humiliated Than Stay Frustrated

Rock the World with Renewed Confidence

Somebody Is Looking

SECTION 2 – YOU HAVE TO MOVE RIGHT

Built To Move

The Law of First In Last Out

Squishy Butt Syndrome

Throw That Gym Membership Out!

The Six-Pack Myth

SECTION 3 – ABS ARE BUILT IN THE KITCHEN

Eat To Burn

Stop Counting Calories!

Fats Do Not Make You Fat

Load Your Bullets

SECTION 4 – FIND YOUR TRIBE

The Superwoman Myth

Master The Art Of Tai Chi

Role Models – Perfect Imperfections

Your Kids, Your Essential Tribe

The Most Important Bit …

BONUS MATERIALS

A Wild-Caught Meal

Super Foods Breakfast Shake

Gluten Free Banana Muffin

3 Steps To Choosing Safe Skincare Products

3 Ways To Get Financial Protection For A Stress Free Pregnancy

FOREWORD

It is impossible to predict how you will feel after giving birth to a new child, whether it's your first, your second or your fifth baby. A number of issues come into play in the new-mum psyche: Some mothers combat feelings of postpartum depression, while others find the transition to be easy and natural. Some new mums enjoy uncomplicated births from which they emerge feeling tired yet invigorated, while others deal with lengthy recoveries.

Our bodies are important: They are the way we present ourselves to the world, and they have the ability to either enrich our lives and bring us confidence, or cause us to feel self-conscious about our appearances. There's no denying that pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding hold a number of changes for the female body. Learning to work with your body to embark on a healthy lifestyle is the key component to maintaining your confidence, enthusiasm and individual identity post-birth.

First, let's talk about the obstacles. Weight gain is natural outcome from pregnancy, and every woman will emerge from the delivery room a few kilos heavier than she was prior to conceiving. Abdominal wall separation is another common issue, and can have a major effect on a mum's self- confidence about her body. Women who deliver their babies via caesarean sometimes have to deal with scarring, while those who've given birth naturally may need to heal from tearing or episiotomy procedures. Many mothers also notice stretch marks on their bellies, hips and thighs, a result of the pregnancy. It is said that breastfeeding helps in weight loss, but it also brings upon changes to the breasts. All of these factors can affect mums in a variety of ways, and some women struggle to find their identities when they step into motherhood.

Now, let's talk about the solutions. First, to all the new mothers out there, hear me: The recovery period doesn't last forever. It takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, but eventually, you will begin to notice that you start feeling more like your old self. After which, you just need the physique to match!

Taking an inclusive, balanced and healthy approach to bodily issues is imperative for finding long-term solutions. Consulting a knowledgeable professional who empathises with the demands of motherhood, can be a great start. Kareen is a mother (of twins, no less!) who has first-hand experience in the physical and emotional challenges that accompany pregnancy, birth and new motherhood. Working with her is a bonus as she is also a certified fitness professional who specialises in helping mummies achieve their physical potential.

Kareen's book is reflective of the struggles that many users of our site, Mothernist, face; an unfamiliar physique, a new responsibility, a newborn baby and the new identity of a mother. Knowing that you are not alone is a great step towards embracing your role as a mum. Your identity may have been altered, but it has not changed fundamentally. You are still yourself. With an added bundle of joy.

Part of developing that healthy attitude towards your 'new and improved' identity involves living the healthiest lifestyle possible. It is important to learn to recognise the emotions within yourself that lead to unhealthy habits, and constantly seek inspiration to keep your outlook improvement-focused and body-positive.

After you have addressed these emotional components of a healthy post-baby lifestyle, it is timely to explore ideas to improve your health and physique in a progressive and sustainable way. Kareen's experience as a mum and as a women’s fitness specialist sets her apart from the rest. She educates about the importance of getting back into shape after birth and how a sexy fit motherhood can help you achieve wins in every aspect of your life. She advocates the importance of nourishing your body from inside out just so you can experience a better quality of life, while losing excess weight.

As you set out on this journey, you will undoubtedly come across some roadblocks. One of the biggest challenges that the modern mum faces is the demanding workplace. And Kareen recognises this struggle by addressing how a mum can effectively manage this challenge in this book. I appreciate how this book highlights the importance of learning how to overcome these struggles by prioritising eating well, moving right and gleaning support from friends, family and fellow mums.

The early motherhood period is not an easy one to navigate. It is commonly accompanied by mixed emotions, extreme highs and lows, tiredness, and physical changes. This book helps to address the central topic that accompanies all of these challenges: Maintaining a healthy, balanced attitude and approach to life. Through this book, I hope that you will discover the tools and inspiration you need to reinvigorate your workouts, scale the challenges of new motherhood, and emerge from the other side fit, healthy and empowered.

Dr Julie Goldstein BSc PhD PgDip

Psychologist and Gestalt Therapist

Mumpreneur, CEO Media Particle & Mothernist

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The birth of this book is only possible with the support and belief given to me by the most wonderful people.

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