stay-at-home mom – Page 3 – 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.

Parenting

Life of a SAHM (Stay-at-Home Mom)

Posted on January 14, 2020January 14, 2020 by sherwinelaine

It has been more than a year since I have been a full time mom. It is an entirely different experience from being a career woman for 13 years. I am thankful to my supportive husband because not all moms are given the chance to stay-at-home and care for their child. It was a long and hard decision for us because I am on the peak of my banking career and it would also affect our finances. But all things lead us to making that decision — we could not find a suitable househelper/yaya for Reilly and Gheoff got promoted.

Gheoff took me on a date on my last day of work – November 29, 2018.

The first few days of being a SAHM is very tiring. I usually start my day at 5am to cook breakfast and Gheoff’s baon then my day ends at 1am the following day. House chores are unlimited! Then I got used to it and was able to follow a schedule. Days passed and I was able to squeeze in working out at the gym while Reilly is in school. This kept me sane and became my ‘me’ time amidst all the house work.

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Few months into being a SAHM, the biggest surprise of our life happened — I became pregnant with baby #2 without any medication (read: details on a separate blog)! I think this became possible because I got rid of work stress and I became active in working out. I also lost a few pounds which is good for PCOS individuals who are trying to conceive.

Being a working mom and being a stay-at-home mom has its own pros and cons and should not be compared as to which is better. Both moms do their work for the love and for the future of their family. My favorite part of being a SAHM is not having free time, but being able to take care of my family, spend time with my children and witnessing every milestone in their lives. Giving up my career in exchange of everything I have now is definitely worth it.