1. Postpartum Diet
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Darby says she was sensible about getting back into shape after having sons Dean (2019), and Dylan (2021). “The first thing I would say is to not pressure yourself,” she says. “There’s a lot of societal pressure to look a certain way, and you see these moms who have bounced back — even me, for example. I will say I’m a little more educated this time about fitness and about how my diet and everything impacts my body. “I ended up following this really good meal plan that is made for breastfeeding moms, and it worked so well for me that I’m actually back to my weight before I had Dean. The diet was first.”
2. Sleep Is Key
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Darby says quality sleep is the key to having enough energy to exercise and make healthy food choices. Sleep—or lack thereof—absolutely does impact health, experts say. “Lack of sleep may affect hunger-regulating hormones, which can lead to eating more food more often,” says Rebecca Stetzer, RD. “Cravings may increase for foods that are higher in added sugar, fat and sodium. Excessive intake of these nutrients can increase risk of developing health issues like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Inadequate sleep can also affect the way you think and the likelihood of grabbing quick/convenience foods and caffeine to 'push through.' Meeting your body's need for adequate sleep can mean you’re less likely to use food as a coping tool for fatigue."
3. Lemon and Honey
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Darby enjoys lemon water with honey and ginger first thing in the morning. “Ginger has a long reputation as a carminative, a substance that promotes the elimination of excess gas from the digestive system, and is known to soothe the intestinal tract,” says registered nutritionist Jo Lewin. “Colic and dyspepsia respond particularly well to ginger. A number of animal studies suggest ginger may help manage cholesterol levels, reduce damage to the arteries and lower high blood pressure – all of which benefits the heart and cardiovascular system.”
4. Addicted To Watermelon
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Darby loves delicious watermelon, and got through one a week during pregnancy. “The pink-red flesh of the watermelon tells us its rich in compounds called carotenoids, including beta-carotene, which we convert to vitamin A,” says registered nutritionist Nicola Shubrook. “Often called pro-vitamin A, beta-carotene, helps keep our eyes and skin healthy.”
5. Lots of Water
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Darby says drinking plenty of water throughout the day is a non-negotiable. "You should try to drink at least three liters of water a day," she says. "You have to stop drinking the wine... I’m saying maybe two glasses a week. The thing about wine is that it's made out of grapes, which are fermented, and it's basically sugar. You might as well be eating Pixie Stix after Pixie Stix."
