Hey Mama! 'Hot girl summers’ and ‘living our best lives’ hit differently when you’re navigating the wild ride of motherhood over 35, don’t they?

Even two years post-baby, I’m still trying to reconnect with my pre-IVF, pre-pregnancy mindset. But you know what? I’m throwing myself some grace because us mamas have earned it, and then some!

During my postpartum journey, I experienced pre-eclampsia, which wasn’t the end of the world. It seemed to fade away a few weeks after Annabelle made her entrance into the world, but I still dealt with some leg swelling from time to time.

One evening, while indulging in my Pinterest addiction, I stumbled upon an article about lymph-node drainage and its significance for new moms, particularly those who’ve undergone a c-section. It turns out some important lymph nodes are located in our pelvic area and get sliced through during the surgery. (Yikes, right?)

A clogged lymphatic system from c-section incisions can cause water retention… or as I like to call it, the not-so-chic and undeniably adorable swelling I was having. On top of dealing with postpartum hiccups like a stalled lymphatic system, many of us ‘geriatric mamas’ struggle to shed and maintain that baby weight due to the natural slowdown in metabolism that comes with our ‘advanced maternal age.’ Combine that with a myriad of other delightful and ‘geriatric’ surprises, and you’ve got quite the twist on what it means to rock a ‘hot mom Summer.’

…But I still want to have them! I want to slay the beach with my miracle baby girl this Summer feeling like the best version of myself! So, I’ve compiled a list of ways we can all embrace our ‘hot geriatric mom Summer’! Let’s dive in…

1. If you think you’re retaining water, go get yourself a lymphatic drainage massage! At the very least, you’re treating yourself to a great massage, and there’s no downside to that!

This experience has completely transformed my life! A Massage Therapist can assess the health of your lymphatic system, identify any blockages, and pinpoint where they're occurring, all while you indulge in a soothing massage. They can also provide you with simple, healthy solutions for home, such as sipping on ginger tea, practicing skin brushing, and enjoying lemon water to keep your lymphatic system flowing smoothly in between your massage sessions.

2. Focus on eating lean proteins.

To shed unhealthy weight the ‘geriatric way,’ my Massage Therapist shared some valuable eating tips tailored for women over thirty-five, especially those navigating the postpartum journey. From my own experiences and her expertise, I’ve found that the classic combo of intermittent fasting and cardio doesn’t yield the same results as it once did. Instead, she emphasizes that focusing on lean proteins and incorporating strength training is far more effective for us. Lean proteins come in various forms depending on dietary preferences; so, I turned to Google for plant-based options that suit my needs.

3. Build lean muscle to burn unhealthy fat faster.

My massage therapist shared some valuable insights about building lean muscle through strength training, especially for those of us navigating the challenges of advanced maternal age. She explained that focusing on increasing muscle mass is the most effective method for burning unhealthy body fat. Our bodies require fuel, and they tend to tap into fat reserves first! To maximize efficiency in fat burning, she recommended targeting the largest muscle groups—specifically, the legs. Leg muscles are the biggest in the body, which means they’ll work hard to torch that stubborn fat. Have you noticed how consistent squats can make the rest of your body feel a bit slimmer? I certainly have!

But here’s the kicker: my body now takes at least five days to recover from a tough leg session! Slow and steady seems to be the way to go if I want to avoid the agony of intense post-workout soreness. A little discomfort after a workout is expected, but we definitely need to be able to keep up with the demands of our little ones!

4. If all the previous stuff sounds boring, just do like the French and Korean women do… and eat an exciting variety of flavors in very small portions until hunger goes away. Here’s how:

They focus on the social aspect of eating:

During mealtimes, women from various cultures outside the US prioritize conversation and interaction over simply eating. For them, these moments are cherished social occasions spent with family and friends. As a result, they often consume fewer calories compared to someone who is singularly focused on their plate. When dining together, they relish the opportunity to socialize, using this engagement to distract from the urge to overeat. This natural interaction allows them to tune into their bodies' signals of fullness, helping them stop eating when they’ve had enough, well before reaching that uncomfortable stuffed feeling.

They only eat until their hunger goes away:

They set down their forks as soon as hunger fades. They eat when hungry and stop when satisfaction hits. Personally, I find this much easier said than done! However, they recognize that true satisfaction comes when hunger subsides. They understand that overeating to the point of discomfort isn’t healthy, so they choose to avoid that. In various cultures, feeling stuffed from overeating is simply frowned upon. This mindful approach spares them pain and unnecessary calories, and they won’t clear their plates if they’re already feeling full. If they truly savor a dish, they’ll save the leftovers to relish later when hunger returns.

They eat a lot of healthy foods and they don’t drink their calories:

They consume a variety of fresh, whole foods, with a particular emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and homemade brothy soups. Their preference for coffee leans towards it being black, and they have a strong affection for drinking water! They typically avoid calories in their drinks, choosing instead to savor them through high-quality food.

They do eat lots of flavorful foods in moderation:

It's all about mastering portion sizes! We can still savor those delicious burgers, chocolate, and other goodies if we enjoy them in smaller bites. Women from countries where folks tend to be naturally slimmer than in the US understand that it's not just about what lands on their plates, but also about how much they’re dishing out. Often, they’ll fill their dinner plates with tiny servings of a variety of foods, allowing them to relish a symphony of flavors without going overboard. Plus, with food being so abundant for most of us, they recognize that there will always be room for indulgent treats like chocolate, pastries, and potato chips whenever the craving strikes.

They’re not food focused:

They dive into their work and hobbies, keeping themselves occupied beyond just mealtimes. Snacking is usually seen as a hassle. When they need a pick-me-up, they absolutely adore iced Americanos and shots of espresso! Can we get a little shout out for those shots, please?!

They’re physically active:

They tend to be quite active, as their reliance on public transportation involves a good amount of walking. Aware of the importance of daily movement, they prioritize keeping their bodies in motion!

5. If you’re a Mama who needs to feel sufficiently ‘stuffed’ after a meal to be satisfied, no worries! This part is for you… You can always ‘pre-load’ before meals:

Pre-loading is an approach popularized by esteemed plant-based physician and nutrition guru, John McDougall, MD. In his Maximum Weight Loss Program, the first step involves starting each meal with a watery, non-starchy vegetable soup, an oil-free salad, or some juicy, watery fruit; this is what he refers to as pre-loading. The principle behind pre-loading is simple: by filling up on low-calorie density foods before you dive into the rest of your low-calorie, high lean protein meal, you can help lower cholesterol levels, stabilize high blood pressure, and shed unwanted pounds in a nutritious and healthy manner.

6. Before digging into snacks when you feel hunger coming on, double check to make sure it’s not thirst that you’re feeling.

I once came across the idea that many of us struggle to distinguish between hunger and thirst. A helpful trick is to drink a full glass of water, then wait fifteen minutes. If we're still feeling hungry after that, it's a sign it's time to eat. If we're satisfied, then we were likely just thirsty.

hot mom summer, loosing baby weight post-partum

7. Embrace flattering Summer wardrobe pieces:

Let’s embrace our fabulous Summer beauty, imperfections and all… and get shopping! Treat yourself to some post-pregnancy and mama body Summer essentials that highlight your favorite features, so you can feel like the best version of yourself with minimal effort. (My body has transformed so much since welcoming Annabelle, so I’m incredibly grateful for one-piece v-neck swimsuits and midi wrap skirts!) Indulging in guilt-free shopping while bonding with fellow ‘geriatric mama’ pals by sharing late-night links to adorable outfits, along with hilariously on-point ‘Summer mom bod’ reels, is a delightful silver lining to the changes our bodies undergo during and after pregnancy… and even during ‘sexy menopause’!

hot mom summer, losing baby weight post-partum

And last...

The ultimate perk of having a Hot ‘Geriatric Mama’ This Summer? Soaking up the sun with the little humans we longed for and waited patiently to cherish. Let’s enjoy every single moment of it, gorgeous Mama!

Here are some of my favorite flattering post-baby Summer pieces:

Firpearl Women's Tummy Control One-Piece Bathing Suit- V Neck, Hand-Braid Macrame Ruched Slimming Swimwear. (So cute! Jessica and I both have this one. Ordered it twice because I accidentally left it in a hotel room on my Birthday getaway last year.)

CUPSHE Twist Front Cutout Adjustable Straps Ruched Swimwear- I love that the details on this one draw more attention upwards than at the tummy. It’s also really cute.

CUPSHE Women's Solid Hollow Out Sleeveless V Neck Cover Up- Just about anything mid-length and cropped works for my height; and this cut is very forgiving.

Long Skirt for Women's High Waist Summer Beach Boho Tie Waist Wrap Skirts- I now live in skirts like this one on summer days at the beach, and for evenings out.

Midi Skirt for Women Summer Elastic High Waisted Side Slit- And like this one.

This article was originally posted on June 9, 2023 and was last updated by Sonia on April, 26 2024.

… And here are my additional tips for accelerated results, just in case you’re in a hurry to lose the unwanted weight for a special occasion, and then maintain with the tips above:

Additional tip #1:

Intermittent fasting for fat loss; here’s a video to explain:

Additional tip #2:

Drink green tea and/or black tea as ‘Nature’s Ozempic’. This is a reel that I’ve shared on the podcast by Maggie Hennigan who is a Fat Loss Dietician with the instagram handle: @BringingBalancedBack.