Secrets of a hot mom – Leslie Lancaster is on a mission to inspire moms everywhere to become healthy and fit.

Age: 38
Husband: Gabriel, mechanical engineer
Children: Ty, 10, and Lane, 9
Websites: thehotmombod.com, momsandfitness.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/thehotmombod
Twitter: @TheHotMomBod
The skinny: After having her second child, this local mom got fed up with her flabby post-pregnancy body. She hit the gym and became a student of nutrition, eventually documenting her experience in the e-book The Hot Mom Bod, which went live in 2012 and is now approaching 1,000 readers. You can download the book at her website.

How did you come to adopt fitness as a lifestyle?
I became fed up with my body after having kids. I was skinny-fat and flabby and I wanted to be toned and tight. Plus, I was a stay-at-home mother and needed a social outlet away from the confines of my house all day. The gym was that outlet for me. It was a place that allowed me to shift my focus from day-to-day household chores and responsibilities to myself. It became a place where I re-established social ties, exercising helped release stress and I slowly began to see changes in my body. All the positive effects kept me coming back.

What are the key takeaways from The Hot Mom Bod?
1) 70 to 80% of the way your body looks is based on what you eat. (2) Eating meals with the proper ratios of carbs, fats and protein assists in weight loss and helps keep blood sugar levels in check. (3) Diets suck. Diets fail. Eating real food and in the right combinations is how we are supposed to eat. Fad diets that drop weight fast are unhealthy and are not sustainable. They lead to people being more fat after the diet is over and lead to yo-yo dieting.

What is your current workout routine?
I usually go to the gym 3-4 times a week and perform weight training, and I also do workouts at home. In addition, I try new workouts that come out.

Lots of new moms think they will never look great again. What is the hardest thing to overcome, and what is your advice for dealing with it?
The hardest thing to overcome is changing your eating habits. It sounds easy, but that part is very difficult. Tell someone that they have to alter their diet and you will often be met with resistance and even anger. Food is a very personal topic. More than anything, it’s a mental challenge. People seeking body changes often focus primarily on the outside, physical changes, not realizing how much the mental challenge comes into play. Accepting that past food choices were not healthy and learning how to manage cravings is a big part of a body transformation. It takes wrapping your mind around saying goodbye to foods you may have eaten your whole life that are unhealthy.

You’re also a nutrition coach. What nutrition tips or habits are you excited about right now that would apply to either sex and any age?
Right now, I love juicing and blending. When I juice, I use fresh vegetables and small amounts of fruit, if any. They are super healthy and full of vitamins and minerals. I also like making smoothies in my blender. I often make either a fresh juice or smoothie in the morning for breakfast. In addition, kids love smoothies and it becomes an easy way for them to get involved and eat a healthy meal or snack.

What’s your favorite healthy meal when you go out to eat in Baton Rouge?
I like going to Whole Foods and eating one of their freshly prepared soups at the bar or eating their sushi. I try and stay away from all fast- food restaurants. For dinner out, Tsunami is one of my favorites.

What three things are always in your fridge?
Real butter, sprouted bread and soy free eggs

Describe your fashion style.
If I could live in workout clothes, I would. However, I do enjoy getting dressed up at times. I would say my style is classic with a hint of sexy.

Women are thinking about beach/bikini season. What one tip would you give to them to be ready?
Start now to make changes. Don’t wait until summer gets here. First thing I would say is eat breakfast. Don’t skip this meal. It will activate your metabolism and help set you up for fat loss to occur.

What is one beauty product or habit you rely on?
I try to stay away from chemicals in my home as much as possible. I’ve shifted away from standard deodorants and only use the Crystal. It’s simply that: a crystal. I’ve also switched to a chemical-free makeup line.

Some people are going to look at this and say, “It’s just wrong to shame other women for not working out.” How do you respond?
This isn’t about shame. It’s about self-love and empowerment. If you’re not happy with your body, you are ultimately responsible for changing it, no one else. And comparing yourself to others is not what it’s about either. We are all different. We have different body types, different food preferences, etc. That’s the beauty in it; we are unique. We all have potential and we are all intended to shine. Are you shining? Do you love yourself? If not, analyze that. We can change, our bodies can change and the power rests inside each one of us.

Tell us about your upcoming classes.
I plan on starting fat-loss challenges that coincide with my book soon, as well as talks around town. Make sure to get on my email list by visiting momsandfitness.com to keep informed of local classes. Plus, I have a free fat-loss drink recipe for you there, too!