Motherhood – Page 4 – sherwinelaine.blog

Life

My weight loss journey (losing weight after giving birth)

Posted on June 4, 2021March 12, 2025 by sherwinelaine

I grew up skinny. I am one of those lucky ones who can eat buckets of rice and never get fat. I was 93 lbs. and 5’5 feet tall, bet you can imagine how I look like a bamboo pole. But when I got pregnant, it became a different story. I’m a stay at home mom and it was hard for me to look after my active kids hence the start of my weight loss journey.

Sherwin how to lose weight — *See how stick thin I was? This was for a pictorial in 2006.*

*I never got my pre-pregnancy body back after I gave birth to Reilly*

I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which made it hard for me to get pregnant. I had irregular menstrual cycles due to hormonal imbalance. PCOS makes it more difficult for the body to use insulin, which helps convert sugar and starches from food into energy. The result? Weight gain.

Before I got pregnant with Reilly, I weighed 113 lbs. My full term pregnancy weight before giving birth was 155 lbs. Since I was working that time, it became hard for me to find time to exercise. I never got back to my pre-pregnancy weight. After resigning from my work in 2018, I had time to go to the gym again while Reilly is in school. I got pregnant, this time without any medication. My pre-pregnancy weight before Eliana was 123 lbs. My full term pregnancy weight this time was a whooping 166 lbs! How did I manage to lose all that weight?

Tips to help lose baby weight after giving birth

1. Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding during the first 6 months (or much longer in our case) has many benefits for both the mom and baby. Aside from providing nutrition and supporting the baby’s immune system, breastfeeding can support your postpartum weight loss according to research.

2. Exercise

I started exercising little by little 5 months after giving birth (I’m a CS mom). What worked for me is doing at least 30 minutes of brisk walking or 5,000 steps using our Xiaomi Walking Pad. Aside from this, I purchased an exercise plan from Mama Fit Mindy Lagdameo (IG : @mamamindy.fit) for my diastasis recti to help keep my abdominal muscles back on track. I weigh myself everyday each morning.

3. Eat healthy foods and in moderation.

Do not deprive yourself. Eat that cake. Munch on that donut. But always see to it that you eat in moderation. Load up on fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed foods.

4. Hydrate.

Stay hydrated especially if you are breastfeeding. Drinking enough water is vital to those trying to lose weight. It can increase your sense of fullness and amp up your metabolism.

5. Healthy gut.

I started taking Bifina S for my gut health after giving birth. This helps regulate your bowel movement, which is also important if you are trying to lose weight. I also drink one sachet of Luxe Organix Love Supplements Superfood Liquidshot per day and two Goli Apple Cider Vinegar gummies.

6. Move, move and move!

Cleaning the house, running after your kids. This make up the days when I can’t exercise! And it burns more calories too!

For tired Moms with little kids : It’s just a phase, Momma.

It is just a phase, Momma.

Someday soon, the kids will grow up and will be on their own. No more mess, no more running and shouting in the house. No more ouchie feet caused by stepping on toys scattered on the floor. No more calling Mom 3000x for no reason. No more asking for help to get some water to drink. No more asking to be held just for no reason.

The house will be clean and organized as you please. You can enjoy long baths and uninterrupted sleep.

For now, endure the sore muscles and sleepless nights. During the times you want to cry because you are too tired, just think that it won’t be long. So just enjoy the moment and enjoy this phase. ❤️

Life

Being a Stay At Home Mom is not rewarding

Posted on May 29, 2021June 10, 2023 by sherwinelaine

I always envisioned myself to be on top management position of a big company by the time I was 35 years old but here I am, in sweatpants and my hair in a bun. When I was still working, I secretly hoped that I would just be a stay at home mom and take care of my toddler. Finally when that opportunity came, it was a tough decision for me to leave the career I love to fully dedicate myself to our daughter and family.

Three years later and I realized that being a stay at home mom was not rewarding like I thought it would be. It won’t give you the time to do the things you like and definitely not full of smiles and laughters. Whether you are a working mom, work at home mom or stay at home mom, it’s not easy. Being a MOM is hard.

It took me months to adjust to my new “job”. Being a stay-at-home mom is not like working at all. It’s a 24/7 job without salary, promotion and there are times you are unrewarded and unappreciated.

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4 Reasons why being a Stay-At-Home Mom is not Rewarding

1. Vacation leaves and sick leaves are non-existent.

You cannot call in sick and definitely no vacation leaves. I cannot get away from it. And I can’t pee without an audience. I can’t take a shower without hearing a crying toddler and little hands banging the bathroom door.

Some days I am just physically and emotionally exhausted that I would just sit and pause and close my eyes for a while. Suddenly my youngest daughter will crawl into my lap and call me “MOM” then hugs me tight and then everything will magically feel alright.

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2. The days when nothing in the world could ever satisfy your child.

In the workplace, when I see a problem or a loophole, amending the policy can solve it. To motivate a staff, incentives and promotions can be given to boost their morale.

It is not applicable as a mom. There were days when your child is cranky that she does not want anything, not her favorite toy or even letting her watch Youtube or giving her screen time to distract her.

After giving them everything, you know what they want? All they want is you. They want you to hold them close, tell them stories and play with them. They want to spend the day with you and not just being around you while you are busy doing household chores.

3. Being a Stay-At-Home Mom means constantly being on the verge of burn out.

When I was working, I often felt stressed out but never burnt out. I love my job and enjoy doing it despite it being challenging and hard.

There are moments that I just wanted to shout and cry my heart out, because I can’t seem to finish all the chores that I need to do despite working nonstop. I just finished vacuuming and mopping the floor, only to find out that my toddler has opened her tumbler and spilled out her juice. You forcefully take the kids to the bathroom to give them a bath. Fifteen minutes later, they do not want to go out because they still enjoy playing in the shower. The constant shouting of don’t do that and no you can’t, but nobody listens.

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There are high expectations of being a stay at home mom. Expectations brought about by the unrealistic near perfect world of social media. Expectations are high because there is now a single bread winner to provide for the family, who typically expects all chores to be done regardless of how crazy the kids were that day. Family and friends think you are available at any given moment because you don’t have work, always assuming that you are not busy and just lounging at home all day. Expectations are high because I know myself and the things I am capable of.

4. There is lack of feedback.

In a company, you have yearly evaluation and you have a boss who tells you that what you are doing is right or wrong. There are clear policies and procedures on how things should be done.

Being a stay at home mom has no guide book. No child and parenting style is the same. Your child leaves you clueless and you have to figure out things on your own. You have no one to talk to all day who will understand what you are feeling at the moment.

And at the end of each day, your children sleeps with smile on their faces and you know that you have done good enough.

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And then I realized how lucky I am to have the opportunity to raise my children. How I wouldn’t want to miss out on their life’s milestones and being there to hug and kiss them when they need comfort. I’m blessed to see them grow day by day and put up with their craziest days. It uped my creativity. And forced my patience. It pressed my ability to sacrifice for the good of my family. If it weren’t for the days of almost losing it, I would never have time to think how much I loved being a Mother, much more being with my children 24/7.

And then I understand that being a stay at home mom is more rewarding than I ever realized. It just takes more sacrifice and a whole lot of patience.

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Parenting

To my firstborn — I miss you even you’re here with me.

Posted on January 27, 2020March 12, 2025 by sherwinelaine

Dear Ate Reilly,

I was staring at you as you sleep while I was feeding your baby sister. I remember not so long ago, we had quiet mornings of just you and me after Papa left for work. You hug me tight and kiss me good morning as soon as you wake up before asking if you have to go to school today. You fall asleep in my arms at night after whispering goodnight mom, i love you. I drive and fetch you to/from school. We had time to play during bath time. We have unplanned trips to the mall or to the nearby coffee shop to just eat, chat and bond.

It was a different story now.

When Eliana was born, I had fear that the love in my heart will not be enough for the both of you. But I was wrong. I love you as much as I love Ellie but it was my time and my body that I cannot split. Nowadays, you do things on your own. You wake up, wash your face, eat breakfast, take a bath alone with minimal supervision. We cannot take the bus and commute to the mall if we please, oftentimes it is Papa who goes with you and takes care of your needs.

I miss you. I miss our time together in the world of our own. I believe that we will just wait a little more time my Ate Reilly, and everything will go back as it was before. I am proud because we were able to train you before you became a big sister. But for now, let Papa hug you as you sleep.

Life, Parenting

On Motherhood

Posted on April 14, 2016March 12, 2025 by sherwinelaine

For me, being a mom is the most wonderful thing in the world. I remember the moment when I learned I was pregnant with our daughter, Reilly. I am so overjoyed that I cried especially since my husband and I went through a lot to have a baby because I was diagnosed with severe Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Having a child is really a blessing. Being a mom for more than two years (from the time I was pregnant) has taught me life’s greatest lessons as well.

Motherhood is beautiful, but it is not always easy. You will laugh. You will cry. You will become paranoid and upset. Looking at your newborn sleeping is heavenly. Going through the first weeks of breastfeeding is a struggle.

Motherhood is a lifetime commitment. I see myself guiding my daughter as long as I live. I know she will need me even if she will have a family of her own. I know it because when I became a Mom, that’s the time I realized that I need my mom more than anyone in the world to ask for help and advices.

Motherhood is a 24/7 job. Someone will be waking you up in the middle of the night to ask for milk. Never having to go night trips to the bathroom to pee without hearing a little girl cry at the top of her lungs. No matter how tired you get, you still have to attend to all of her needs. More than having a 9 to 5 job, being a mom entails giving all of your time to your little one. Even if it means never having time alone for yourself.

Motherhood is discovering strengths you didn’t know you had. I need to be strong for everything. She needs to see that I will be her source of strength too.

Motherhood is being selfless. It’s about not eating that last piece of fries because it’s her favorite. Telling her it’s ok to eat more of your food because you are already full even when you’re still hungry. Passing on a gathering with friends because no one will take care of your child. It means putting your child first before your own self.