Losing the Baby Fat
Losing the baby fat has always been a challenge that I have "enjoyed," in a manner of speaking. The first couple of weeks post-partum are exciting to experience as your belly shrinks and you can lose up to 15 or 20 pounds in a matter of days. I'll never forget my experience with Joseph, though. He was born weighing eight pounds even, so when I returned from the hospital I got on the scale, eager to see the numbers plunge. BIG MISTAKE. I had lost just seven and a half pounds! WHAT? I'm not a mathematician, but somehow I don't think the numbers added up. Well, eventually I made it back down.
I have always made it back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and, most importantly, back into my old jeans. It was never easy, and it did take months of watching what I ate and dedication to exercise. But it did happen sometime within that first year, and I was always able to maintain it.
Until now.
This time, I'm more than fifteen months post-partum, and I'm still fifteen pounds too heavy. I have been patiently "waiting" for those pounds to melt away, and I have been giving myself everyexcuse reason not to officially diet. It started just after Zachary was born, while we were still in Michigan. I'm stressed. I just gave birth to a sick baby, and as long as volunteers provide those yummy dinners at the Ronald McDonald House, I told myself, I will not let their kindness go unnoticed. Then when we got home, it was more of the same. Special needs newborn, little time to cook, and so many gracious souls bringing fabulous meals to our house.
My workout routine was disrupted as well. I have long been a big fan of the group exercise classes at our local YMCA. Upbeat music, excellent instructors, and fun choreography! I'm not your treadmill or runner type, and I enjoy the Y especially because I can stick my Little Distractions in the KidZone for an hour or so. But it was winter, and I was dreadfully wary of exposing my high risk newborn in an infectious germ breeding ground. And my fears were confirmed when Zachary got sick anyway, and spent almost two weeks in the hospital with bronchiolitis. So I went to the gym on some evenings, but there was nothing routine or dedicated about my exercise because it was just too inconvenient.
After another virus landed Zachy in the hospital twice more last spring, the flu season finally broke and I felt comfortable taking the kids to the Y. I started my exercise again, but fell off the wagon when Zachary went for his second open-heart surgery and spent the following weeks at home in recovery. Finally, towards the end of summer, I started back up and religiously worked out three days a week (my goal! any more and household chores don't get done; any less is just not effective.) I was feeling good and actually seeing results, but not enough to get me back into those beloved jeans or tip the scale more than five pounds in the right direction.
By now, I thought, I should be "back." I always was with my older four. Maybe, I told myself, it's a side effect of that new medicine I had to start taking. Or maybe my body doesn't want to let go of the "reserves" it stocked up for breastfeeding. Perhaps my metabolism slowed because, afterall, I have hit the ripe old age of 36. Could it be... could it be... that I'm losing track of healthy eating habits? Oh, but those Taco Bueno muchacos are just too good!
Zachary's first birthday came and went. We celebrated the holidays and started the new year. And I knew--just knew--that during Lent I would see those pounds melt away. Afterall, Lent is a time of year that we practice self-denial and make sacrifices to unite ourselves with Jesus on the cross. And for me, limiting foods--particularly sweets--is a BIG sacrifice! But we were struck with another round of colds, I fell off my workout wagon again, and yeah, you betcha--my tummy roll is still there.
So yesterday I said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I laced up my gym shoes and got back to the Y. And I signed up for Weight Watchers. For the first time ever in my life I'm officiallyon a diet making better choices about what I eat. I decided on this program after witnessing the incredible success that my mom, sister, and aunts have had on the plan. And I love the idea that you can eat anything you want; moderation is key. I still get the chance to indulge every now and then!
Steve wants to start eating healthier, too, and is adopting his own "modified" version of the plan. I would like to get the whole family involved to a certain extent. David is also in need of shedding his, um, winter layer. And we really need to be promoting a heart-healthy diet with little Zach. So with all of us in the boat, perhaps I can keep temptations to an endurable level. But still, it's going to take a lot of discipline and willpower. And that's not easy when you're always on the go and have a household of little ones. Those convenience foods will just have to go!
I'm not overweight right now, and I feel good about myself. But I want to feel better! Shorts weather is just around the corner, and this summer I don't want to be "afraid to come out of the water." I know I can get back into those old jeans... it's about time I set excuses aside and work a little harder!
I have always made it back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and, most importantly, back into my old jeans. It was never easy, and it did take months of watching what I ate and dedication to exercise. But it did happen sometime within that first year, and I was always able to maintain it.
Until now.
This time, I'm more than fifteen months post-partum, and I'm still fifteen pounds too heavy. I have been patiently "waiting" for those pounds to melt away, and I have been giving myself every
My workout routine was disrupted as well. I have long been a big fan of the group exercise classes at our local YMCA. Upbeat music, excellent instructors, and fun choreography! I'm not your treadmill or runner type, and I enjoy the Y especially because I can stick my Little Distractions in the KidZone for an hour or so. But it was winter, and I was dreadfully wary of exposing my high risk newborn in an infectious germ breeding ground. And my fears were confirmed when Zachary got sick anyway, and spent almost two weeks in the hospital with bronchiolitis. So I went to the gym on some evenings, but there was nothing routine or dedicated about my exercise because it was just too inconvenient.
After another virus landed Zachy in the hospital twice more last spring, the flu season finally broke and I felt comfortable taking the kids to the Y. I started my exercise again, but fell off the wagon when Zachary went for his second open-heart surgery and spent the following weeks at home in recovery. Finally, towards the end of summer, I started back up and religiously worked out three days a week (my goal! any more and household chores don't get done; any less is just not effective.) I was feeling good and actually seeing results, but not enough to get me back into those beloved jeans or tip the scale more than five pounds in the right direction.
By now, I thought, I should be "back." I always was with my older four. Maybe, I told myself, it's a side effect of that new medicine I had to start taking. Or maybe my body doesn't want to let go of the "reserves" it stocked up for breastfeeding. Perhaps my metabolism slowed because, afterall, I have hit the ripe old age of 36. Could it be... could it be... that I'm losing track of healthy eating habits? Oh, but those Taco Bueno muchacos are just too good!
Zachary's first birthday came and went. We celebrated the holidays and started the new year. And I knew--just knew--that during Lent I would see those pounds melt away. Afterall, Lent is a time of year that we practice self-denial and make sacrifices to unite ourselves with Jesus on the cross. And for me, limiting foods--particularly sweets--is a BIG sacrifice! But we were struck with another round of colds, I fell off my workout wagon again, and yeah, you betcha--my tummy roll is still there.
So yesterday I said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I laced up my gym shoes and got back to the Y. And I signed up for Weight Watchers. For the first time ever in my life I'm officially
Steve wants to start eating healthier, too, and is adopting his own "modified" version of the plan. I would like to get the whole family involved to a certain extent. David is also in need of shedding his, um, winter layer. And we really need to be promoting a heart-healthy diet with little Zach. So with all of us in the boat, perhaps I can keep temptations to an endurable level. But still, it's going to take a lot of discipline and willpower. And that's not easy when you're always on the go and have a household of little ones. Those convenience foods will just have to go!
I'm not overweight right now, and I feel good about myself. But I want to feel better! Shorts weather is just around the corner, and this summer I don't want to be "afraid to come out of the water." I know I can get back into those old jeans... it's about time I set excuses aside and work a little harder!
Good for you, sis! You're right...you're NOT overweight, and this is the kind of thinking that will keep you from it! Good luck, honey! You can DO this, and I know you will! Love, Mom
ReplyDeleteI remember reading Body by God (by Dr. Ben Lerner) a few years ago. The most important things I learnt - eating natural, fresh & healthy diets in moderation combined with regular workouts and prayers are essential to a healthy life.
ReplyDeleteI quit heavy weight training in 2008 to learn yoga (partly to relieve my back pains). Without any expectation to loose weight, I lost 5 kg/11 lb gradually within 2 years in addition to gaining better muscle tone and flexibility. Maybe I experienced better metabolism. One thing I like about yoga is its convenience. After learning the right techniques from certified teachers, I can practice anywhere where I can spread a yoga mat. Perhaps you can try a yoga class at YMCA (if they offer any) to determine if it's for you. Though yoga is not a cure-all exercise, it's definitely something anyone can practice on his/her own convenience.
You are going to love Weight Watchers! It's the only plan I know that let's you eat whatever you want (in moderation). It's good for the whole family, too. I know you will do great!
ReplyDeleteKathy in Carolina.