Oh, those baby weight blues.

So I'm sure you thought it was Jayme about to write this post, and you were all, "Oh, you just had a baby a month ago!"  But no, it's not Jayme.  She's already back to pre-prego weight...maybe even less.  It's me, Amanda, just 4 days away from Aurora's first birthday and wondering why those pounds didn't just "melt off."

I breastfed for six months.  I exercise (not as regularly as I'd like).  I wasn't eating great--I was eating for comfort and convenience, which is really all a new mom can do until you figure out how to make a dinner with vegetables and lean meats and take care of feeding a child at the same time.

I started Weight Watchers a little before Thanksgiving.  The weight loss was steady at first.  Then, I had a pretty icky holiday gain.  Then it's been up and down, in little increments.  I feel like I'm in pudge purgatory.  It's too cold to motivate me to do the exercise I want to do (jogging, biking, longer walks).  But slow is better than nothing, I guess.  I am down 13 pounds as of Sunday.  The slowest 13 pounds ever.  My initial goal was to lose 19 pounds by this birthday (and my own 29th birthday next week), but I'll be happy with 15.

I know I've made progress based on my clothes.  I can wear some pre-pregnancy jeans and fit into things I couldn't.  I am trying to look at these photos and see the progress, but I'm blind to my own body (I thought I looked "okay" 15 pounds ago)...can you see a difference (besides the obvious haircut)?


I still have a long way to go.  I haven't talked a lot about it with anyone because...it's kind of embarrassing.  Embarrassing to say I let myself go.  Embarrassing not being able to eat or wear whatever I want.  I believe women of all shapes and sizes are beautiful, but for me, my body and self are not comfortable where I am.  So I work...and look to y'all to encourage and hold me accountable!  Hopefully, my struggles can motivate you to stick with those goals you have for your physical health post-baby as well.

Thanks for listening,
Amanda

Post-Baby Body Challenge, Week 2

Hello everyone!

Here I am, checking in with Week 2 of the Post-Baby Body Challenge!  I feel really good about the first week--I achieved (almost) all my goals.  I'm sticking with these goals, and adding new ones to them:

Eating
No snacks after 8pm
I did this every night, except last night, since it was the end of the week, I treated myself to a small cup of Trader Joe's pomegranate/blueberry sherbet. Yum!  This task was a little more difficult than I thought, not because I snack a lot late at night, but because I have been doing my workouts later at night, once Rora is asleep, and after a hard workout, I can get pretty hungry.
Drink a glass of water before any other drink
100% hydrated all week!  I have to say that I think I have had more energy ona regular basis because I'm drinking more water.

New:  One high-protein meal each day; breakfast (omelette or scrambled eggs w/ veggies), lunch (salad w/ protein), or dinner (protein main dish and low-starch side dishes).

Exercise
Two P90X workouts w/ Q
Q had a stressful week, so we ended up only doing one P90X workout together....but I went for two jogs on my own!  I hate running (and I can't go very far since I'm out of shape!) but good music will always motivate me.  Right now I'm running to:  Sleigh Bells' Treats, The Black Keys' Brothers, and Florence+the Machine's Lungs.  Tons of good beats.
Three walks with Aurora  
I only got two walks in--it's been tough to plan around naps and errands and weather.  But no excuses, we need to get out more!

New:  Toning exercises on off-workout days:  Arms.  Push-ups and weights.

Self-Love
Morning pages at least 4 days 
I only got 2 days of writing in...Aurora has been a little feisty in the morning lately and when she goes down for a nap, I have to work.  I need to do better!

New:  Two computer-free evenings once Q gets home...no email, no Facebook, no blogging, no grading!  It's harder than you might think.

And the pics I'm sure you've all been waiting for, Week 2:

God, I'm such a pear.  Textbook.

Trying to stay positive--I give Q credit for taking my pics because they always put me in a bad mood.  But we're going to lighten that cloud with a boxing workout now.

-Manda

Post-Baby Body Challenge, Week 1

I've never had a washboard stomach and now it's guaranteed I never will--which is okay because I like curves and softness on my own body.  The thing is, I'm almost 6 months out, and I am seeing too many curves and too much softness on my body.  After pregnancy, my figure is almost unrecognizable to me.  You always hear that even if you get back to your pre-baby weight, your body will be different (except for those rare freaks of nature who seem to pop them out then head ot the gym the following day--I'm talking to you Heidi Klum, Gisele Bundchen, etc. etc.).  My body is a little too different now for my liking, as are my habits.

Now, I know I wrote previously about giving your body grace.  I'm still doing that.  But I think I've been giving myself a little too much grace--or a little too much pasta.  And I sat up a lot of the night with a baby with an upset tummy and realized how much my eating habits affect her and how, when she's old enough, she will see and emulate my healthy--or unhealthy--habits.  I don't just need to get back into some semblance of shape for my own vanity, I need to do it for Aurora. 

We're going to the beach in 2 weeks. I'm honestly dreading it.  I can't tell you the number of cute coverups I have purchased so as not to be seen in a bathing suit.  I don't buy those Cosmo headlines of getting your "perfect beach bod" after a few weeks, but I could use a little tough love.  I also have a wedding dress to rock in about two months.  So here, dear readers, is where I've decided to bare my soul (and body).  I need some accountability and I also need a record of my goals and progress.  So welcome to the Post-Baby Body Challenge.  Each week I'll share a fun picture of myself (cringe) and a list of mini-goals for both my eating and exercise, as well as one self-love activity (to maintain that grace I referred to earlier).  Other hot mamas (with a little more to love), feel free to join me!

Here's where I'm starting (can't believe I'm actually sharing this, but (BUTT-hehehe), here we go).  Worse than I thought, but I suppose that's another strong motivator:

I'm not going to focus on "losing weight" because 1)there's no way in HELL I'd post my starting weight here and 2) we don't own a scale so I don't actually know (or want to know) how much I weight right now.  I'm focusing on getting toned up (I used to have fantastic arms and now they're so jiggly!) and energized.  Also, notice the fly pink and black sneakers:  I bought them to motivate myself (cute workout gear can't hurt, especially for a fashionista like myself).

This Week's Goals

Diet

Drink a glass of water with each meal(before drinking anything else)

No snacks after 8pm (Rora's bedtime)--a warm drink (tea or decaf coffee) instead.

Exercise

Do two P90X workouts with Q

Take three walks with Aurora

Self-Love

Morning pages at least four days

It's early as I write this--I already had my first cup of coffee (and no water!), so I must make up for that.  It rained yesterday, so while the air is hot, it isn't humid--looks like a great day for a walk with my two loves.

Cheers!
Manda