By Tania Reuben
Lil Dude was born 3 years ago!
I think I’m considered lucky; during my first pregnancy I gained 22 lbs and for my second 17 lbs – ducking to avoid incoming flying objects. I was nauseous and queasy for all of both of them, but most people still consider me fortunate because I didn’t gain, 30, 40 or more pounds.
However, 3 years later. I’m still carrying 8 of those pounds and had the muffing top to prove it! My new size 6 frame is just fine, especially since I’ve given birth twice! I get it. My self image and esteem is perfectly healthy. I know I can do better. I can eat more regularly and step up my exercise. I don’t need to be a size 4 again, but see no good reason why I can’t get back to my pre baby weight… full disclosure… 128lbs.
Image Courtesy of Aussiegall
I’ve been fortunate in that throughout my life I’ve never been a dieter. I’ve eaten carefully with moderation, limit my snacking and whenever the scale creeps up a little – I’d reign it in a little. That would take care of keeping me trim – ducking again.
Then I had babies!
Pretty much weeks after my delivery I was a few pounds away from my current weight. I figured that a little exercise and moderation would get me back. Not so much. But I was still a size six, so not all was lost.
Last fall I decided I wanted to get back to my pre baby weight, so I started working out consistently and watching my evening snacking. Nothing – well almost nothing. I dropped 1.5 lbs. So… I’m stepping it up. Not sure where the motivation is coming from. Perhaps I figure if I head into my forties with this weight… a bad precedent could be set. Not cool.
I am determined to shed the final 8 lbs. DETERMINED.
THE PLAN
I’m working out with friends 3 times a week at mommy bootcamp adding
wii Yoga on off days
Stairmaster, with some strengthening exercises if I miss a bootcamp.
I’m being diligent about my diet. Most notably eating. Breakfast. Lunch and Dinner.
The experts seem to agree that if you state a goal and declare it publicly you are statistically more likely to achieve that goal.
I’m keeping a food diary, but not so much for calorie counting or diet modification… more to make sure I don’t skip meals! I need to get my metabolism stepped up . I’m using the free iphone application – www.myfitnesspal.com to track my eating. I like that it comes with me wherever I go. I’m talking with the folks at at myfitnesspal to see if there is a way I can share my diary on PND.
By the way. Dr. Oz is really focusing on healthy weight loss on his show. Tivo it for great whole living advice!
FULL DISCLOSURE:
I weigh 136 pounds and my BMI is 26% (pinch test) or 22% (wii).
My goal weigh is 125 (3lbs less than my 128 pre baby weight) by April 5.
Measurements: Waist 34″ Hips 41″ Arms 12″ Legs 22″
WEIGH IN FEB 2, 2010
I weigh 130 pounds and my BMI is 25.7% (pinch test) or 21% (wii).
Measurements: Waist 31″ Hips 40″ Arms 12″ Legs 21.5″
Down a Total of: 6 lbs and 3.5 inches
WEIGH IN MARCH 4, 2010
I weigh 128 pounds and my BMI is 25.7% (pinch test) or 20.9% (wii).
Measurements: Waist 30.5″ Hips 38″ Arms 12″ Legs 21″
Down a Total of: 8lbs and 7 inches
I figure if I’m going to put some effort into this I might as well bump up my goal a little bit too! I could have been a few pounds trimmer when I got pregnant the fist time!
Anyone want to join me in their fitness and health goals?
They always say the last few pounds are the most difficult!
If you want to see exactly what I’m eating my food diary is being posted on: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/PureNaturalDiva
Access using code: PND
When keeping the diary. I’ll choose the food that is closest to what I ate, perhaps not the actual brand. If it’s pasta, I’m eating whole wheat.
MyFitnessPal – Free Calorie Counter
{ 12 comments… add one }
Thanks for sharing! Great blog:) I’m right there with you…let’s enjoy this torture, oh I mean journey together!!! XOXO
Wow. I haven’t weiged 128lbs since I was about 12! And I won’t throw anything at you, as I actually LOST 40lbs during pregnancy. I was very ill. But good luck with your resolution and determination. I’m sure you’ll be thrilled when you get back to that weight!
Thank You.
Sorry you were sick while you were pregnant. That couldn’t have been fun.
In my experience (17 month old daughter) breast-feeding really helped with losing baby weight. Not only does it help your uterus tone up immediately after giving birth, but it seems that all fat is used up in milk-energy!
Im more concerned about all the cholesterol in all the butter im eating, and the fact that I am having to take pre-natal vitamins to avoid potential osteoporosis. yikes!
Hi, nice article. I wouldn’t cut your calorie ingestion all the way down to 1300. That’s for people that are sternly tubby, and is a really low come. Such low calorie consumption will plausibly make you feel sluggish and you won’t be up to drilling. 1500 calories a day should be fine, and if you’ll be practicing with Pilate’s and leading, then 1500 is a good number. Just make a point to compact in the veges and fruit, drink much of water, and eat breakfast. Also, stick to chicken and fish or else of red meat and fix your dairy ingestion, as dairy is high in fat. If you are really delicate about losing weight. You should have a see diet right direction. It will work for you if you do it right. I lost 17 pounds in 6 calendar weeks with this direction.
Thanks for the suggestions!
I haven’t really been “cutting” calories at all. My main focus is not skipping meals. Which is proving to be challenging this week in particular! The busier I get the more challenging it is not to skip meals! I need to plan better. The myfitnesspal allots extra calories when you are working out, so then you are consuming 1500.
Very inspiring~great post. I’m working on it too ‘cept my “babies” are 14 & 16.
I should have an update soon with my January results! Down 3″ around my waist!
You go sexy Mama!
.-= Andrea Fellman´s last blog ..Child Hunger Ends Here! =-.
you go!! i am on it too.. just started going to gym.
I have cut my calories right down to 1300 and have cut out certain foods eg crisps and all that….and any other foods high in calories but low in nutrition… eg swap potatoes for lentils….
and i make sure i do some weights to get the calories burning…
I wrote about it on my blog too… i have to loose 18 kg (i think about 45lb?) and i am determinded to do it too. its all baby weight.
but the difference in energy levels after just one week is amazing. i sleep better, i am not hungry and I feel happier in my soul. must be those endorphine thingys.
Way to go.I wish you all the best.I am 59 and 2 years ago I weighed 175,waist 34,pumped bicep 15 inches and on blood pressure pills.Both parents died of heart attacks around 60 .I decided not me so I started to work out seriously and watch my diet.I workout 6 to 7 days a week.To-day I weigh 153 and have a 4 pack,waist 30,pumped bicep 16 inches.I am in better shape now than when I was 30 and the wife appreciates the new bod.Keep at it if I can do it you definitely can.Jim
Good job! I am so blessed that breastfeeding helped me to shed all of my baby weight, I know that doesn’t always work for everyone.