Getting ready for the next step
Patience, preparation key in long run
(CNN) -- Becoming a new mother can be many things -- satisfying, exhausting and challenging, to name a few. But easy is not one of them.
Thekla Fischer came into the "New You Revolution" intent on getting herself prepared for pregnancy. By exercising regularly and taking prenatal vitamins, she appears on her way -- at least physically. (Fischer's profile)
But is she ready for what happens once the baby is born? Fischer is not so sure.
"Little babies still make me very nervous, because they seem so fragile and delicate," she said.
Last week, Fischer met up with a "playgroup" of working mothers and their babies.
Getting parenting tips, pooling resources and emotional support from others in the same position can help make a difficult responsibility -- being a mother -- more manageable, said Susan Kane, editor-in-chief of Babytalk magazine.
"You have to find a network of 'Mom' friends," said Kane. "The support is absolutely crucial." (E-mail Fischer)
From preparing meals to finding day care to keeping track of schedules, parenthood means many more details to juggle and even more reason to get organized, said Julie Morgenstern, author of "Making Work, Work."
"Once you have a baby, you can't hold all this stuff in your memory," Morgenstern said.
While Fischer's training as an attorney might help her in some cases -- like knowing her rights, in terms of maximizing her maternity leave -- she says that her organizational skills leave much to be desired. (Fischer's journal)
"This is my idea of organization," Fischer said, pointing to her cluttered work desk and address book. "This is really bad."
The New York resident says she knows she needs to better organize her time and space, and ideally before she becomes a mother.
"Having children will just infinitely multiply the number of appointments and tasks that I have to keep track of during the day," Fischer said.
Sandra Garth
Sandra Garth defined success with a number -- 15 pounds -- when she began the "New You Revolution" six weeks ago. (Garth's profile)
Since then, Garth has exercised regularly and carefully regulated her diet, cutting down on high-calorie foods. (Garth's journal; e-mail Garth)
And she's gotten results. With two weeks still remaining in the program, the Michigan resident has shed 13 pounds, just two shy of her stated goal.
Jonathan Karp
For Jonathan Karp, the significant progress he's made in recent weeks sometimes makes his challenge more difficult. (Karp's profile)
For years, the New Jersey resident bit his fingernails regularly, sometimes so much that they bled. But he's had considerable success of late in halting this habit, with his growing nails serving as glowing proof. (Karp's journal)
 Garth, shown here cooking, has lost 13 pounds in six weeks -- two shy of her "New You" goal. |  |
"I was able to open up a box of candy for the first time, the plastic seal around the candy," Karp said in a recent video journal entry. "It was nice to see what I could finally do, that I have been missing out on all these years."
Karp sometimes uses a file to channel his urges to cope with his nails, without putting his hands in his mouth. But as his fingernails get longer, at times he has gone too far. (E-mail Karp)
"It's getting much harder, because my nails are starting to grow," he said.
Leigh Ann Raynor
For Leigh Ann Raynor, the beat goes on -- in her exercise routine, improved eating regimen and overall quest to improve her health.
That's not to say she hasn't had setbacks.
While she continues to do cardiovascular exercise, the minister stopped one recent session because her heart rate had gotten too high. Given her history of heart problems, including a procedure last April, Raynor has been particularly careful not to overexert herself and her heart. (Raynor's profile)
But the Georgia resident returned to the gym the next day, and continues to see progress. (E-mail Raynor)
While noting that the weight "doesn't come off as fast as I put it on," Raynor has dropped about one pound per each week of the "New You" program, as well as 4 to 5 inches off her waist. (Raynor's journal)
Harald Fricker
Nowadays, Harald Fricker is more likely to be seen playing with a basketball and shooting baskets, than eating baskets of french fries.
This turnaround in his exercise routine -- more varied than it was last year -- and his diet has helped Fricker shed 20 pounds in six weeks. (Fricker's journal)
Meanwhile, the Colorado resident has picked up a key quality: patience.
He says he realizes he might not be able to lose weight at this pace forever, and just making sure he doesn't regain the lost pounds will require sustained attention to his diet and fitness. (E-mail Fricker)
"In the past, I've lost 40 pounds in 40 days, but ... regained it," Fricker said.
