1. Is my tiredness just mommy syndrome?
2. Do cellulite-reduction supplements work?
3. Can I avoid exercise and still lose?

Is my tiredness just mommy syndrome? After my baby was born, I felt sleep deprived, scattered and anxious. That’s to be expected, I  know. But three years later I haven’t returned to normal. My Doctor says this is what being a mom is all about, but I think there’s more to it. What might be causing this?

It could be postpartum copper overload. Copper production and storage increase during pregnancy to complete the baby’s heart and blood vessels, then wane two to three months after giving birth. But for one out of five mothers, a glitch in the mechanisms that release cellular copper causes levels to remain up to 80 percent higher than normal. This leads to migraines, anxiety and extreme fatigue. The fix: Cut out copper-rich foods like shellfish, all soy products and dark chocolate. Also, consume more zinc, which helps the body release excess copper. Enjoy three to seven daily servings of zinc-rich foods like lean beef, beans and eggs, and every day take a 50 mg zinc supplement . You’ll notice a marked improvement in well-being in three to our weeks.

Do cellulite-reduction supplements work? Since having my twins two years ago, I’ve dreaded shorts season. During pregnancy my thighs became covered in cellulite all the way down to my knees, and it never went away. I found an herbal supplement that promises to get rid of the dimples, but can pills like these really help?
 
Many herbal cellulite products contain powerful diuretic ingredients that flush water weight, thereby reducing the appearance of cellulite. But these diuretics also wash away valuable minerals such as potassium and magnesium. This can leave you tired and foggy, plus cause blood sugar imbalances that I lead to weight gain. The healthier way I to go: Try a one- or two-day watermelon flush once a week. Watermelon is a safe, mild diuretic that flushes the trapped lymph fluid just under skin that causes orange-peel puckering. To do the flush, simply eat as much fresh watermelon as you like and drink only water. Women often see smoother skin after just two cleanses.

Can I avoid exercise and still lose?  The only exercise I ever get is running errands and doing housework. But I keep hearing that exercise is the best way to create lean muscle so the body burns more calories. Do I really have to make myself work out, or is there another way to get the benefits?
 
You can put down those dumbbells: New research shows that vitamin D increases the body’s percentage of lean muscle mass to help keep metabolism high. The vitamin also helps shuttle glucose into cells (as exercise does), so the sugar isn’t left in the bloodstream, where it can trigger fat storage. To get the benefits, I advise women to aim for 2,000 IU to 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily. To do, get 30 to 60 minutes of unprotected sun exposure weekly. (Take care not to burn since D production slows when skin gets pink.) And consume cod liver oil like Carlson Laboratories Norwegian Cod Liver Oil ($24 for 16.8 oz., at www.amazon.com), which has 1,200 IU of D per tablespoon. I prefer it to D pills because it’s more bioavailable.