Paging Kristin McGee, Celebrity Fitness Expert: Why Your Tummy is Good For Breastfeeding

I am so happy to introduce you all today to the lovely Kristin McGee, aka “The Bendi Girl” (love this name!). Based in NYC, Kristin is a certified yoga and Pilates instructor who teaches group classes and trains elite athletes, models and celebrities, including Tina Fey, Steve Martin and Bethenny Frankel.  She’s also an all-around fitness expert who has been featured on oodles of television programs and magazines from CNN, FOX , the CBS Morning Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, and the Tyra Banks Show to Fitness, Self and In Style, and she is a Contributing Editor for Health Magazine.  On top of all of that, Kristin is a brand new mom who just gave birth to the beautiful Timothy Grayson.  For her first post, Kristin is going to give us the scoop on why we shouldn’t be so eager to transform our post-baby bodies.  

 Why A Tummy is a Good Thing for a Breastfeeding Mom

I gave birth to my first baby boy on July 31^st. I am an instructor of yoga and Pilates, as well as a personal trainer to the stars. I am also regularly on television and in fitness magazines. My job is to be super fit, not only for aesthetic reasons, but so I can maintain a grueling work schedule running around Manhattan teaching and working out.

When I wanted to get pregnant, I had to slow down my activity level and start eating more calories, especially healthy fats and proteins. I felt so very blessed when I found out I was pregnant. I continued to teach and stay active throughout my entire pregnancy and gained around 27 lbs.

Timothy Grayson arrived and after a few weeks I lost a majority of the weight I had gained. I credit the post pregnancy weight loss to my working out throughout my pregnancy and breast-feeding. I still had (and have) a bit of a tummy and fuller hips, though, as well as some huge boobs!

I really cherish my little belly and I feel in no rush to lose the rest of the baby weight. I plan on nursing for at least 8 more months and I know how important it is to keep some body fat. Breast milk is primarily made of fat and protein. Women tend to store fat in their hips and bellies, where it is available for milk production. I know if I lose too much weight, I may lose my milk supply.

I absolutely love the bonding experience of breast feeding and I wouldn’t trade it for the world or a super fit body. My priorities have changed ever since Timothy came in to my life. I love that my post-pregnancy body can now show that it’s performed the miracle of giving birth. Having a little belly fat is the least of my worries.

I’m still exercising to maintain muscle tone and because it feels great. I love going for walks with Timothy in Central Park, doing mommy and me yoga, toning with Therabands and taking bike rides with my husband when we have someone to watch baby Gray. While I make sure I’m eating enough, I also make sure to eat healthy foods and portions. I incorporate healthy fats such as avocados, fatty fish, nuts and dark chocolate, low fat dairy such as greek yogurts and cheese, whole grains, lean proteins and tons of fruits and veggies.

Before you had a child, when you woke up in the morning, what was the first thing you thought about? Chances are yourself in one way or another. Now what’s the first thing you think about?

If you want to hear more from Kristin, be sure to visit her at http://kristinmcgee.com/.  You can also watch Kristin’s videos on her youtube channel, follow her on Twitter or Facebook, or buy her new app, Yoga & Pilates wtih Kristin McGee in the iTunes store.