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The Ultimate Body Plan for New Mums: 12 Weeks to Finding You Again
The ultimate holistic fitness guide for new mums, including a gentle 12-week Baby Steps Body Plan, 75 nutritious and simple recipes, and tips on self-care.
'I assure you that the phrase "snapping back" does not appear within these pages in anything other than an angry way! Instead, this is a "feel stronger, healthier and more confident" plan.'
The Ultimate Body Plan for New Mums is the second fitness and recipe book from actress, presenter and fitness guru Gemma Atkinson. Based on her own experiences, Gemma wants to help other new mums ease their way back into exercise and nourish themselves with the right kinds of food.
This is not about weight loss or dieting, or unachievable workout routines. Instead, it's a book that keeps things real, with a focus on safe post-natal exercises that have been divided into those you can do at home and those you can use to build your confidence when returning to the gym. These exercises form the 12-week Baby Steps Body Plan, which can be started six weeks after giving birth.
Along with 75 nutritious and simple recipes, perfect for fitting around a newborn baby's routine, the book will also include self-care advice for being kind to yourself during those early weeks and months of getting used to being a new mum.
Gemma will share her own experiences of giving birth and caring for her new baby, including the impact on both her body and her mental health. Crucially, she didn't put herself under any pressure to lose weight or to follow a diet regime after giving birth to her daughter; instead, she gave herself time to find her way back to herself, through carefully structured post-natal fitness routines and eating well - and now she wants to help other new mums to do the same. Alongside the recipes and fitness plan, Gemma will also share the secrets behind her seemingly boundless energy and positivity!
'I assure you that the phrase "snapping back" does not appear within these pages in anything other than an angry way! Instead, this is a "feel stronger, healthier and more confident" plan.'
The Ultimate Body Plan for New Mums is the second fitness and recipe book from actress, presenter and fitness guru Gemma Atkinson. Based on her own experiences, Gemma wants to help other new mums ease their way back into exercise and nourish themselves with the right kinds of food.
This is not about weight loss or dieting, or unachievable workout routines. Instead, it's a book that keeps things real, with a focus on safe post-natal exercises that have been divided into those you can do at home and those you can use to build your confidence when returning to the gym. These exercises form the 12-week Baby Steps Body Plan, which can be started six weeks after giving birth.
Along with 75 nutritious and simple recipes, perfect for fitting around a newborn baby's routine, the book will also include self-care advice for being kind to yourself during those early weeks and months of getting used to being a new mum.
Gemma will share her own experiences of giving birth and caring for her new baby, including the impact on both her body and her mental health. Crucially, she didn't put herself under any pressure to lose weight or to follow a diet regime after giving birth to her daughter; instead, she gave herself time to find her way back to herself, through carefully structured post-natal fitness routines and eating well - and now she wants to help other new mums to do the same. Alongside the recipes and fitness plan, Gemma will also share the secrets behind her seemingly boundless energy and positivity!
304 pages, Paperback
Published July 19, 2022
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 12, 2023
I've had mixed feelings about this book. The first few pages really inspired me and I was raring to go! If I'd rated this book when I read it, I may possibly have given it 5 stars, but within a few weeks I lost motivation and it quickly started gathering dust on my kitchen shelf. The Workouts are split between home and the gym. As I'm on Maternity Leave and have no money, I do not currently have a gym membership and I feel that a lot of women would be in the same boat as myself. Therefore half the workouts aren't able to be completed. The Home Workouts need apparatus too, but only a few, however I don't have them and don't want to spend money on them.
The Recipes that I've tried have been mixed. The Speedy Rice with Prawns is CRACKING and has become a go-to meal, however the One-pot Sausage Stew was an absolute disaster and I'm not sure where I went wrong (causing a lot of tears and snot - Stupid hormones). I've found cooking in general difficult to do since baby has arrived, as I just don't have the time. Therefore I assumed that the recipes would be quick but found that they weren't a whole lot different from standard recipes. E.g. the Sausage Stew is 35-40 mins (I fully appreciate that 20 mins of that is simmering but you have to keep an eye on it and stir it, and look after the baby at the same time...)
(Tangent (sorry): Since having baby, I've used my Slow Cooker so much! Would highly recommend cracking it out as it is so, so useful. Just bung stuff in and leave it. No anxiety about looking after baby and watching the hob!)
I really liked the honesty and the language used, such as not using words such as 'snap-back' etc. There was also talk about how this is a process, not a race, and Gemma took up to a year to go through this process. This kind of language is great to hear, however, I don't like the book being called a 12-Week Plan and the language used in the 'Motivation Table' suggesting that the process will be all done and dusted in that time e.g. How will you reward yourself at the end of the 12 weeks? etc.
Overall, I liked how honest it is and how modern it is with the message that a strong and healthy Mum is best for your Family and Child, however I was slightly disappointed with some aspects and will probs be donating my copy. Hopefully, someone else will find it better for them :)
The Recipes that I've tried have been mixed. The Speedy Rice with Prawns is CRACKING and has become a go-to meal, however the One-pot Sausage Stew was an absolute disaster and I'm not sure where I went wrong (causing a lot of tears and snot - Stupid hormones). I've found cooking in general difficult to do since baby has arrived, as I just don't have the time. Therefore I assumed that the recipes would be quick but found that they weren't a whole lot different from standard recipes. E.g. the Sausage Stew is 35-40 mins (I fully appreciate that 20 mins of that is simmering but you have to keep an eye on it and stir it, and look after the baby at the same time...)
(Tangent (sorry): Since having baby, I've used my Slow Cooker so much! Would highly recommend cracking it out as it is so, so useful. Just bung stuff in and leave it. No anxiety about looking after baby and watching the hob!)
I really liked the honesty and the language used, such as not using words such as 'snap-back' etc. There was also talk about how this is a process, not a race, and Gemma took up to a year to go through this process. This kind of language is great to hear, however, I don't like the book being called a 12-Week Plan and the language used in the 'Motivation Table' suggesting that the process will be all done and dusted in that time e.g. How will you reward yourself at the end of the 12 weeks? etc.
Overall, I liked how honest it is and how modern it is with the message that a strong and healthy Mum is best for your Family and Child, however I was slightly disappointed with some aspects and will probs be donating my copy. Hopefully, someone else will find it better for them :)
Displaying 1 of 1 review