Belinda Norton - Fit Mama

EXERCISE ANYWHERE AND EAT RIGHT, AND YOUR FIT MAMA BODY WILL REVEAL ITSELF.
BELINDA NORTON

Many of us believe were stuck with the body we get after having children, blaming changing hormones, lack of time and a slower metabolism. Belinda Norton is proof that with a bit of effort we can still look amazing and have all the energy we need. Devised in response to Belindas own changing body after having children, the Fit Mama program shares hundreds of practical tips for achieving total body and mental wellness.

Created to work within Belindas emotional, financial and time limitations as a single mum, the Fit Mama program includes:

Body-weight exercises that can be completed on the go

Delicious, simple recipes

Loads of tips for juggling kids, family, work and your health.

The result is an inspirational, body-positive and practical training and eating plan to get you moving and feeling great.

Belinda Norton is a health and fitness educator, certified personal fitness trainer and alignment specialist. She is a sought-after advocate for anything related to wellness, womens and childrens health and fitness, and ambassador for brands such as Nike, StyleRunner and CottonOn Body.

This book is dedicated to all the women who are living the mum life and trying to be true to themselves; to those who are doing their best, even when they feel like they are failing; to the women who cry; to the women who try; to the women who refuse to apologise for who they are and who theyre striving to be; to the women who are strong, and to those who are just discovering their strength; to the real women who make mistakes; to those who, no matter what, will not give up; to all the women who are scared; and to those trying to figure out how to do it right.

Love yourself. Trust your instincts. You are enough. You really are beautiful in every single way.

Health and happiness, always.

b. x

Contents

We are all doing our best. Some of us are mums who hardly have time to get dressed and barely get any sleep. Some of us are caring for ageing parents or a houseful of pets while also juggling a career. There are only 24 hours in a day: who has time for exercise?

The fact is, we all do. And its not just about trimming down or toning up, its about taking care of ourselves mentally and physically so we can function at our best.

Being a single working mum of two growing children, I know how important it is to get things done quickly and well. I also know how defeating it can feel to dislike your post-child body, to feel out of shape and overtired, to no longer feel comfortable in your own skin.

My personal transformation from frumpy to fit after having children involved not only a physical transformation, but a mental and emotional one, too. People say that getting fit will not make you happy, but I totally disagree. I was happy before, but getting fit allowed me to discover a whole new level of happiness and a sense of wellbeing. I never have to bargain with myself to exercise, and I never have that oh, I wish I hadnt ... feeling. As I wrote this book, my goal was to offer a path that felt possible, inspiring and motivating for anyone who wants to turn back the clock and feel fit and gorgeous again after having children.

The Fit Mama program is designed to be achievable within a busy and demanding lifestyle. There are bodyweight exercises that can be completed on the go; simple food advice, recipes and menus; tips for organising your time; and easy-to-follow workout plans. It is an inspirational, body-positive and practical training and eating plan to get you moving and feeling great.

I have always been involved in fitness one way or another. From my days as a triathlon competitor to teaching children PE, becoming a fitness expert has helped me overcome most of the difficulties in my life, from the trauma of birth to hormonal imbalances and postnatal depression and I wanted to share this insight with others. In particular, I wanted to remove the guesswork for mothers, sharing simple food; easy, accessible workouts and good nutritional information. This is my way of helping women make good, sustainable lifestyle choices to improve mobility, confidence and energy. Its about encouraging you to discover the best version of yourself, both for yourself and your family.

I am grateful for the life I lead, for the steps I have taken to be where I am now and for the opportunity to help others.

The best way to describe my life now is complete. I feel happy with my body and have devised a way to keep my fitness on track. I dont fear food, or my choices around food, because I have found a way of eating that works for me. I hardly ever get sick and I barely use any medications, which means Im able to spend this money on other things, such as great produce and interesting new ingredients that excite my family.

Family life is easier now, too. We all know exactly what we are eating, so there is no guesswork. I set up weekly menus on a two-week rotation and add new recipes every six months. This might sound boring, but it makes life so much easier and, when we are in the mood for something new, we go out to a restaurant or I find new recipes to try out.

Countless people transform their bodies, but the ones who do it successfully focus on health, energy and longevity. They find ways to train and ways to eat that suit their lives, and they stick to them. Simply focusing on nourishing the body and eating wholefoods that feel good becomes addictive in its own way. The better we nourish ourselves and our families, the better we function, giving us the confidence to overcome lifes challenges and feel happy and energised while doing it.

Once you are armed with the information you need to train and eat like a Fit Mama, youll have the tools to go forwards and achieve the kind of body you have always dreamed of. This life is for living, and living well. And now is the time to put your fears, distractions and excuses aside and commit to working towards a happier and healthier future. It wont always be easy, but it is definitely worth it and, before long, you will be enjoying your new-found energy, vibrancy and a healthier outlook on life. I promise, you wont look back.

I want you to achieve your most enviable body transformation. Are you with me?

Belinda

I, too, have been where you are right now: stuck in a post-baby body rut that is hanging around a little longer than you expected.