TESSA RAYANNE: swim spot

8 Months Postpartum

So I 've been 8 months postpartum for a couple weeks now but I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of my heart with you ladies. I've really been doing the same thing for the past 6 months that I've been working out since having my sweet angel: cardio & weight training. I do the precore for 45-60 mins 3 days a week and then a 50 minute weight training class 1-2 times a week. I haven't changed anything about my diet besides eating more because im always hungry while breastfeeding. I definitely have way more of a sweet tooth while EBF too. Which i've embraced to the fullest. For me I eat healthy because I enjoy putting delicious nutrition packed real food into my body because I care about my health and well being as a wife and mother. I appreciate that God has thus far given me a heathly body that doesn't have any handicaps or ailments, is pain free, a body that can be strong and idependent and get me to and from where i want and need to go, a body that can birth a child, feed a child, have fun and play! This body is a gift and that is why i take care of it. With that said, I definitely indulge at least once a day in something and its usually dessert after dinner or eating something less nutritious and more processed because lets face it, we gotta live a little and enjoy some delicious and naughty foods like nachos, pizza and bread and butter, YUM! I always say everything in moderation, but sometimes you go a little overboard and just have to let it roll of your back and get back to the grind of eating health and being active the next day or week as best you can. I hope that answers some of the questions I get asked about "what i eat", "what I do for work outs", and "what my mentality is about healthy eating and living".

I was asked to model for Swim Spot this past week and took the opportunity to get out there and feel free and confident in my postpartum body. There was a tiny distant voice inside tempting me to believe the lie that I wasn't a "good fit" or "what they're looking for" but they chose me and that reassured me that even though im a mom that doesnt make me less appealing, less beautiful, less free to be myself, less of a women, any less sexy, any less strong, or any less confident. It actually makes me even more proud of my body, and forces me to look at the evidence of my strength and feel empowered by this body God has blessed me with. So I said yes and I am so happy I did! Swim spot brought the best team of people who were so easygoing, fun, and sweet! I had a blast shooting with them yesterday and will be sure to share with you all the finished product once the article comes out in the Orange County Register at the end of the month. Check out their bikinis, they are the cutest!! I'll share more on that in a separate Swim Spot post. For now I just want to encourage you mamas to enjoy your healthy bodies, learn to love yourselves, it takes time and a TON of effort and fighting off negative thoughts and lies about yourself, but you CAN do it, you can live with self confidence and accept yourself the way you are. There is no such thing as perfection so if you are seeking it you will always fail and that is no way to live. We can always better ourselves, its a journey, not a destination..so get rid of the idea of wanting to achieve perfection and be accepting of your best self.. whatever that looks like it will be personal to who you are. You are God's creation, so you are exactly the way He wanted you to be, unique and beautiful.. a stunning image of His handy work.

This little guy and I make an effort to get outside everyday and go for a walk or hang at the park or pool.

Him and his daddy are my home and no matter what my day is like the path im on always leads me home.

Here are some behind the scenes snaps from the SwimSpot crew's Iphones. Cant wait to see the real photos and share them with you all! These cute bikinis definitely make a girl feel gorgeous and playful!