Before I got pregnant with my second baby in October 2009, I was in the best shape of my life. I was a runner, having completed three half marathons and a number of other races. Additionally, I did my best to stay on a weight-lifting routine at least a couple of times a week. I never felt or looked better in my life. And, I had never felt healthier. I really felt like I was in the best possible shape for another pregnancy. And, I was.
I want to get back to then. Back to when it was nothing to go out for a 4 or 5 or sometimes 6 mile run. I miss it. I feel weak to know that I can’t do that right now. Everyone keeps saying to me, “You just had a baby. It’ll come back.” I know it will. I just want it to happen today.
Aside from the loss of “fitness” that resulted from my pregnancy, there was the weight gain. I got pregnant, and guess what happened…. I became a baking freak! Homemade cakes, cookies, bars, pies, candies….. I couldn’t get enough! There wasn’t a recipe I didn’t want to try. I did, however, share. So, my friends and their families benefited from my fanaticism. Nevertheless, my newfound hobby helped along my 35 pound pregnancy weight gain.
Enter my vanity…. I want to be back in my pre-pregnancy clothes. The good ones – not the “I’m feeling bloated and fat” clothes. I want to put on my skinny jeans and cute dresses and not be concerned about back fat. So, this is what I’m doing…
First, I’m breast-feeding my baby. I personally think it’s the best thing for my child. Aside from that, I appreciate the 500 calorie burn it provides per day. However, this alone has not yielded the same weight loss that it did after my first pregnancy. I’ve pretty much stalled at about a 20 pound weight loss since I had this baby. That means I have about 15 pounds to lose. Well, let’s say 20 pounds for me to be in a really happy place.
When my doc told me that I could go ahead, at four weeks post partum, and resume my physical activity, I couldn’t wait to hit the road. But, after my first run, I was very sore and really sorry that I pushed it so early. I decided to wait a few more weeks before running again. And, even then, I really focused on walking/running to bring up my endurance. Running one mile, then two, were milestones for me. It’s a far cry from the bragging I used to do about the mileage I was running, but it’s a start.
I’ve also started loosely following the Body for Life weight training program. I’ve used it before with pretty good results. I feel like I’m starting to see some difference already, after just three weeks of lifting.
This is where I’m at right now: three days a week of weight lifting, and two or three days of some kind of cardio –either running/walking or elliptical exercise.
The toughest part for me has been the food. Because I’m nursing, I feel like I’m hungry ALL THE TIME!! I started counting calories for a couple of days, but that resulted in me ending one day feeling shaky and horrible! Also, I’m not into hunger. So, I’ve decided to just try to keep my portions reasonable and add more vegetables to what we’re eating (blech!).
Wish me luck as I take this journey back to then… to be Fit After Baby (FAB) once again. And please chime in and let me know what you are doing to lose your baby weight, get into better shape or just feel healthy overall!
