Well, I have been encouraged to do a post about this for about a month now and I just wasn't quite sure what I wanted to say yet, without having a complaint session. So, here it goes....be forewarned.
What's the statistic you ask? According to BabyCenter.com, 85% of women are about 5 lbs or heavier on their baby's first birthday, than what they weighed before they got pregnant.
I can't be for certain that those are the exact stats without looking it up; but, I remember reading it aloud to Heath and saying, "That's me!"
Is it awful that I take comfort in this statistic? That it makes me feel less bad about still carrying around those 5 lbs? In my case, it is really about 6.5 lbs...depending on if you go by the doctor's office scale or mine at home. I used to judge my weight on how my clothes fit and that was all. And, now-a-days, I am getting even better at that! My body has changed and I am losing weight differently than I ever have. Having Lucy was life changing in more ways than one...
As I have mentioned before, I gained a whopping 54. 6 pounds with Lucy! I basically stopped all physical activity and ate whatever the heck I wanted, plus a sausage croissant more! I paid for it too. I was the biggest I've ever been and the biggest I hope I'll ever be (fingers crossed!). I tried to stay active, somewhat, by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking far away, that kind of stuff; but, wow breathing is so much more difficult when you are pregnant! I even tried to do some pregnancy yoga and got too light headed; so, I quit that too. :( I got to a point where the most activity I would have was walking from the bed to the bathroom a hundred times a night.
I didn't really have a plan after I had Lucy, on how to lose weight. I was too busy thinking about Lucy. I knew that I would somehow get back to 'normal' - ha. I laugh at the word 'normal' because it is non-existent. This is the new normal!
I still ate pretty normal while I was breastfeeding. I didn't want to cut my calories too much. Then, when I stopped breastfeeding, I went hardcore dieting. I went back on Weight Watchers, which I had some success in the past with. (In college, I gained like 15 pounds and somehow went on WW and lost 20, in 2 months!)
I then started to exercise. My sister-in-law told me about kickboxing classes held at our local wellness center. I said, "What the hey!?" And, started them. It kicked my butt by the way...they still do, twice a week!
The pounds came off pretty quickly after that. I was motivated and somehow got down, a mere 11.5 pounds from my goal - in just 5 months! My gallbladder surgery helped me lose another 5 lbs...which I know, I know, isn't the healthiest way to lose weight. But, I'll take it!
My old clothes fit. My jeans fit again. Diet motivation? See ya!
I got to where I was only working out, toning my now-somewhat-existent-muscles, and eating pure crap (pizza, bosco sticks, mac & cheese, chips). I was eating whatever I wanted, just in small to medium portions. What this did for me was, keep me in the same place on the scale. I was stuck. Scratch that...I am stuck.
I am hoping with some spring weather that I will start running outside more, which I really enjoy. Sometimes on the treadmill I can't escape my own mind. I start thinking about wanting to quit and how much it hurts, or how much farther I need to go. Outside, I am relieving stress and I can physically see my progress flying past me. :)
The bad part about spring? The weather is nice and I want to get out of the house more. Going out to eat is more appealing, as is cooking out (hotdogs, polish sausage, and potato chips!).
Anyway, enough with the excuses. Kickboxing is going to be offered this summer; so, I have no reason to become unmotivated. And, I just have to get back to my previous weight before Heath and I consider having more children. What happens is moms don't lose the 5 lbs and then have another. Then, they have 10 lbs, and if they have another....well, you get the picture.
In the mean time, I want to stay positive - celebrate the good things! Like: I have come a long way. Although I have been 'stuck' for months now, at least I'm not gaining! And, I have been wanting to put together some 'Biggest Loser' type comparisons for a long time now. So, here they are...everyone loves a good comparison!
Far left: After my first weight loss, of 20 lbs.
Middle left: 14 weeks pregnant, and 1 lb down, due to morning sickness
Middle right: 11 weeks after having Lucy, in my friend wedding (I was so chubby for her wedding! I feel like I ruined all of her photos!)
Far right: This was last November, 6.5 lbs to go!
Left: The day before I found out I was pregnant
Middle: Again, at my friend's wedding, 11 weeks after having Lucy
Right: Again, me in November, 6.5 lbs to go
Looking at those pictures makes me realize how far I've come! I didn't realize I was so big at the time. I just knew I wanted to lose. When Heath, Lucy, and I watched a video of the day she was born Heath said, "Lucy, look at how much weight mommy has lost!"
Thanks hun......thanks a lot.....haha.
I think you look great!! I am very jealous! I actually gained the recommended amount, (25-30) 27 lbs. to be exact. However, I basically only went down as much as Jadyn weighed. I went to the fitness center at least twice a week and worked out at home before Adam & I's wedding, yet I only lost a couple pounds! I'm hoping I get some more motivation with Spring as well! Good luck on your last five pounds! :)
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