10 Questions with Lydia Rees.

Lydia Rees Fitness for Mums Expert.

Lydia Rees is a Personal Trainer and mother of two boys with over 13 years of experience in the industry. She is a pre and postnatal expert, Author of “Restore Your Core” and expert advisor for fitness publications. Lydia is helping mums ditch the diets for good. We chatted to Lydia Rees to find out how you can lose weight and get fitter all from the comfort of your own homes.

Read – 5 Simple Home Workout Ideas for Busy Mums.

1. Were you always into fitness?

I was always active as a child but I wasn’t into any particular sports. I loved being outside with my friends.

2. What do your clients struggle with the most? 

Before coming to me, some of my clients used to have an all or nothing mentality and think they should be “ perfect mums” I think that this can be the same with the majority of women. Frustratingly I see this a lot and in reality, what we see is not the reality and can make mums feel like they are not doing enough! 

“Why is that girl on Instagram always so beautiful, full of energy and committed and I’m just about getting through the day!!??”

Social media is like a promo to a movie, it shows all the best bits. “That girl” who you think is constantly “superwoman” doesn’t show you the days when she doesn’t feel like it. This isn’t about anybody else but you. I tell my clients to, be kind to themselves, as the constant swings of emotions can stop us from doing something altogether because we believe doing something isn’t worth it unless it is perfect.

If you can focus more on what you can do every day to be more active and eat healthier it will make you happier. Momentum is your friend, once you have got some the results to come quicker than you believed they could! I tell my ladies to be their own “superwomen” even on those days when they haven’t quite got it perfect.

3. Is it possible to lose weight just by doing home workouts?

Absolutely the majority of all my ladies work out from home, you do not need to spend hours working out either.  Most of my ladies exercise three to four times a week, for 20-30 minutes at a time and get amazing results. As a busy mum, you have to make your workouts fit around you and your lifestyle.

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4. What are the best exercises to do? 

Pick up the weights, when I say this I am usually met with “I don’t want to get bulky”, it’s ok, as I thought like that too. Building muscle won’t make you end up like the hulk. In fact, it is super beneficial to change your body shape and really helps with your fat loss goal.

As strength training helps you keep burning those calories throughout the day. This is thanks to that muscle you’re building, which increases your resting metabolism, aka your body’s ability to burn calories.

Muscle helps your body burn more calories when at rest. Lifting weights will add muscle to your frame giving you that “toned“ look, helping you feel strong and giving you the additional energy to chase after your little ones! So, don’t be scared to pick up those weights 

5. How long would it take for someone on your plan to see results? 

Giving birth to (my son) Tripp was a stark reminder of what pregnant ladies go through. It isn’t just the pregnancy or giving birth, it’s the months afterwards which is when we actually feel more pressure than ever to get our figure back.

A quick “Google” on post-pregnancy weight loss gives so many different answers you don’t know what to believe. One platform dedicated to mums promises a return to “normal” (pre-pregnancy) size within 6-10 weeks. – That’s crazy, I was still a sleep-deprived Zombie at that point!

Working with lots of new mums has taught me one thing, there are lots of ladies out there who never ever get back to their original shape. For most, 6-10 weeks is a tad ambitious, after giving birth. I’m not being negative nor do I want to put a dampener on things for you.

Take as long as you need, but start with a plan that suits your lifestyle. My clients who are not mums or have had children previously, begin to see results at 6 weeks.

This is why I love my job, as I love helping women see the potential they have within themselves. It is never too late to make a change, I am 42 and feel fitter than ever! Instead of rushing it, do it right your body deserves that!

Read – How to Easily Get Your 5 a Day With These Simple Tips.

6. What keeps you motivated?

My boys, trying to do a little better than I did the day before and keeping a routine! When I say routine, I mean staying consistent and having a daily routine (I need this as I have ADHD) and ensuring I enjoy the present moment and process. It is a bit like exercise, you have to enjoy it, to keep going.

7. What should a typical daily diet should look like?

Diets that only consider short-term results are really outdated, after having an eating disorder for 18 years and trying all the diets under the sun, I got to a point in my life where I wanted sustainability. That’s what I also find my clients want, not to just look fabulous in their favourite dress but to also keep their figure long term. 

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8. What is the secret to losing weight?

Being in a calorie deficit, you may have heard that word and thought what the heck is a “calorie deficit” and how does that affect losing weight?

Everybody in the world has a thing called a basal metabolic rate (BMR). This gives the number of calories you need on a day to day basis just to survive and maintain the shape you are. To lose weight, reduce your inches and look more toned you need to consume less than your maintenance number. This means going into a “calorie deficit” which is to consume less than you spend.

Staying in a calorie deficit can be done in a number of ways. It is so easy to go over a calorie deficit, hence putting weight on but try these tips to help you.

– Burn more energy. This can be done through exercise as well as increasing your non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). Basically day to day activities you do all burn small amounts of energy. Run up the stairs rather than walk, walk the kids to school rather than drive. You get the idea. DO MORE!

– Restrict your energy intake. Be more mindful of the times when you snack on the “little things.” They all add up. Have small designated windows during the week where you have a little treat here and there. Putting some sort of rules in place tends to help sustain a calorie deficit better. 

– Swap foods. Choose lower-calorie alternatives so that it becomes easier to stay in a deficit. Swap mayonnaise for low-calorie mayonnaise, have skimmed milk rather than semi-skimmed. These are really simple solutions that actually make a big difference collectively, over the course of a full week. 

9. How did your clothing range Asina Active come about?

As a busy mum and a pre and postnatal trainer, my gym wear choices had always been about comfort, support and looking stylish. When I fell pregnant I discovered that there was a distinct lack of activewear that did just that. I resorted to wearing my teenager’s T-shirts and joggers on a daily basis, just to feel comfortable.

Once I gave birth I found there was a lack of activewear leggings and breastfeeding bras that really made me feel supported and confident. My body had changed along with my confidence, I didn’t recognise the person looking back at me in the mirror and I wasn’t ready to get back to the gym. I wanted to wear clothing that made me feel supported on the school run or out walking I knew that I was not the only mum to feel that way.

My job was to help busy mums feel good about themselves through fitness. My aim was to design a pregnancy and everyday range that made mums feel fantastic, supported and soft to the touch. So, armed with a dream and a vision Ashina Active was born.

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10. What’s next year look like for Lydia?

This year is super excited I am launching more programmes for busy mums, growing Ashina Active but more importantly, spending time with my two amazing boys Louis and Tripp.

Lydia Rees

www.lydiarees.com

Lydia Rees 12-week programme which starts at just £6 a week

Facebook group for mums fitness for mums full of tips, support, nutrition and exercise advice 

Free downloadable guide – Top tips on how to stay motivated as a mum.

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