Ciara Is Done With Extreme Diet Plans

Ciara has accomplished a lot during the pandemic. She launched a company with husband Russell Wilson that includes a fashion line for Kohl's and a fragrance; she's been hard at work creating new music for her upcoming album and hopeful 2021 tour (perhaps you caught her high-energy dance performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve); and she also gave birth to her third child, Win, in July. Somehow, she also found time to lose nearly 30 pounds using WW (the program formerly known as Weight Watchers) after joining Kate Hudson as an ambassador for the wellness brand.

We talked to Ciara about finding time for her wellness routine as a mom of three, why she's done with traditional restrictive diets, and her unique definition of self-care that's all about 'keeping it sexy'.

You recently posted you're more than halfway through your weight-loss goal after giving birth to your third child. How have things been different this time around compared to with your first two?  

"I've been working now more than ever and even though we're in quarantine my hands are full non-stop. I definitely can say having three babies now and still breastfeeding my newborn is definitely a balancing act. There's a lot more to juggle and time management is definitely a great challenge because there are the random moments where you have to breastfeed and then you're trying to take care of the other littles." 

You've said that in the past you used to be an 'extremist' when it came to losing weight. How is being on WW different than diets you've tried in the past? 

"The WW program has been really fun because you realize you get to eat all the good food that you like, you know? I'm from Atlanta, Georgia, I'm a Southern girl and so I love food. I want to eat [the foods] I grew up loving. And when you're able to have those meals, it just brings you joy and it's game-changing. I think the discovery that you can enjoy all the good food that's out there is always kind of eye-opening and enlightening for people because typically you think you have to do these extreme plans, where you're basically only eating grass or you're not eating much besides celery and carrots, you know?

There's also a community with WW, the 'Dub-dub club' I like to call it, where there are people on the same journey as you … For me personally, I'm competitive, so I get satisfaction and enjoyment from the point system. It's just convenient and I believe it can help set you up for long-term success for your health and wellness — and that's the best gift we can give ourselves, taking care of our mental and physical health. Health is wealth."

What kinds of workouts have you been trying lately?

"Our family's trainer Decker Davis has done a good job with keeping it creative. I show up and I let him do his thing, honestly, but he's always finding ways to challenge me and throwing curveballs, which keeps it fun and keeps me on my toes. It allows me to never get complacent with the process. I also had a diastasis recti [a common separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy] since having all my babies. Once I discovered that, we had to create a new plan to focus on my core. So we do a lot of unique core exercises which makes it more fun [than just crunches]. It can be a little challenging, but I like the challenge."

What keeps you motivated on the days when you don't feel like working out? 

"You know, it's a blessing to wake up and have my beautiful babies and my family. And so I think because of that, I just always find ways to find joy and be encouraged and to feel motivated. There's no better feeling than achieving your own personal goals, you know? I am now down 28, well actually now 29 pounds — it really works. I believe you just have to do your best, stay positive, keep your faith strong, and stay focused. Even if it feels like it's taking longer to get there, the only way is still up."

What does self-care look like for you these days as a very busy mom of three?

"I've been saying self-care is the best care. For me it's making an effort to get up, do my hair, put on something that looks decent, and make sure I've got my eyebrows brushed good, you know, making sure I'm keeping it cute! I think it's important that we feel like our best self, even though during quarantine we don't really have anywhere to go really. But it still feels good as a mom and a woman, you know? It feels good to take care of myself and keep it sexy. You get an extra pep in your step when you're feeling good. When you look good, you feel good."

Source: Read Full Article