By Rebecca Drew
THIS incredible mum despite who giving birth to SEVEN CHILDREN looks twenty-years younger with a six pack to die for after transforming her lifestyle in just six months.
When registered nurse, Jessica Enslow (43) from Salt Lake City, Utah, USA gave birth to her first child, Alyssa, now 23, she was shocked by how much fat she had gained when she couldnât fit into her pre-pregnancy jeans straight away.
She soon realised she would have to eat properly and exercise regularly to burn off the extra pounds. Jessica used a fitness DVD to get back in shape after her first few pregnancies but it wasnât until she gave birth to her seventh child in 2013 that she started her fitness account on Instagram and became invested in weight training.
Post-pregnancy, Jessica weighed 9st 9lbs and is now a super lean 8st 3lbs. Pictures of her training with Alyssa show how the pair look just like sisters of a similar age, rather than mom and daughter with twenty years between them.
âI was shocked at the amount of fat I had gained with my first pregnancy. I remember coming home from the hospital expecting to jump right into my pre-pregnancy jeans, but couldnât get them any higher than mid-thigh,â she said.
âIt was so depressing and I didnât feel great about myself. I realised this was more than just âbaby weightâ and that I would have to start exercising regularly to shed the extra pounds.
âAfter the second one, I kind of knew what to expect, so I wasnât as surprised or depressed. I knew I would just have to put in the work.
âAfter my fifth and sixth children, I just ran on the treadmill and did crunches. I didnât really become aware of body composition until after my seventh and final baby when I started my fitness account on Instagram.
âI started with a couple programs I found on Instagram, Alexa Jean and Kayla Itsines, but I began adding weight training to help shape my physique more. After losing some progress last winter, I decided to hire a fitness coach for four months.
âIt was pretty intense, but my body changed pretty drastically in just a few months. For the past four months Iâve only been working out two-three days a week, and have been eating intuitively.
âUnderstanding how to count macros has really helped me with maintaining my physique because I know general portion sizes and what type of foods will best nourish my body for maintaining my physique.
âI think consistency is key. Understanding how all the snacking and cheat meals can add up and sticking to a diet where Iâm making sure to get enough protein for muscle growth and maintenance has been fundamental.
âMy husband always says Iâm beautiful, and most people are kind and positive on Instagram, but there are those few people that have their own negative opinions. I feel like itâs more of reflection of who they are than how I look though.â
Despite having a figure that most people would die for, Jessica says that she still sees some flaws when she looks in the mirror. Her advice to other mums is to start by making small changes and then add more once they start to see results.
Jessica has been inspiring her 64.3K Instagram followers under the handle @jessicaenslow.
âI still see flaws, but I love having balance with my family and other interests rather than spending hours at the gym to have a perfectly chiselled body and having no energy for anything else,â she added.
âI would say just start somewhere. It could be making positive changes in your diet or committing to a certain amount of exercise and sticking to it.
âUsually, when you see results, it becomes a motivator and once you get used to mastering one or two changes, itâs easier to add more elements. Also, following people you admire on social media can be very motivating and help with giving ideas and tips to help you in your fitness journey.
âThat is what really got me inspired to get my fitness journey started. And getting âfitâ is not linear. There will always be fluctuations.
âRealising that your weight or body composition has nothing to do with your worth as a person is vital.
âHappiness cannot completely depend upon your physical appearance, so making sure to nourish yourself emotionally and spiritually is just as important, if not more important.â
For more information see https://www.instagram.com/jessicaenslow/
