Now that my baby is nearing his first birthday, I figure that it's high time I lost this "baby weight". This has been a struggle for me the past 11 months, but I always just wished it away and hoped the pounds would miraculously disappear as I indulged in cheesecake, pot roasts, and loaded baked potatoes. I'm a pretty active person, who only occasionally sits on the couch with a bag of spicey cheetos. Why should I have to work hard to get my pre-baby body back when so many other moms get theirs within weeks after giving birth?
The truth is, I enjoy food. Alot. Who doesn't really? My fondest wish is to be able to eat what I want, avoid exercise and be fabulous looking with nice abs and buttocks. Alas, that plan hasn't worked out thus far. So I figured it is time for a new plan.
Cody and I purchased the P90X fitness regime in September of last year. We were too exhausted though to continue with it since Atrion still wasn't sleeping through the night (still isn't actually). Plus, it's a fitness program for people who are already in very good shape. So we put it off, and off, and...off. For like, 10 more months.
Then I was on a shopping trip with my gal pals recently and needed to find a nice Sunday outfit for church. Turns out, the only clothes that looked decent on my were from Motherhood Maternity. I'm not a humongous person or anything, but I need the flexi-waste bands and shirts that look slimming. Plus, they were basically the ONLY store to have modest clothes. I hate having to buy undershirts for everything due to the fact the majority of Americans love showing skin.
Well, needless to say I got a little bit sick of myself for two reasons: letting everyone tell me it was okay to eat crap all through my pregnancy, and not working hard enough to quickly lose the weight and feeling sorry for myself about it.
That next Monday, I started the P90X exercise and diet plan. It is really brutal but I lost 4 pounds in 4 days. I gained two back by the end of the week though, so it was most likely water weight. I also felt soo good eating healthy and exercising.
But, it only lasted a week. I allowed myself to take a "break" from my diet on the following Sunday and that sent me into a downward spiral. It's mostly because I watched Julie & Julia and decided that one of my favorite things to do is cook and try out new cuisines. Not to mention eat said cuisines. So in my head, I had already quit my diet and would have to start all over again building my resolve and motivation. I continued to do the exercises though, which is important.
Then after downing 7 or 8 beignetson Wednesday night, I vowed that I would control my eating and not let myself quit. So I joined Weight Watchers. It is a perfect fit so far. I am the type of personality that enjoys tracking my food and planning out meals (when I have the time). Plus, it allows for some indulgence and rewards you with activity points for exercising. Which you can use for food if you go over your weekly allotment of extra points. What more to get you motivated to work out then dreaming of the end of the week when you can eat that extra cheesecake slice or have a meal from your favorite restaurant (within reason of course)?
So, my overall plan is to lose 15 pounds in 3 months. The sooner the better.
5 comments:
I love WW. It makes losing weight doable. But at the same time, it's still just so hard! I just started again so I'm gonna need all your great ideas!
Tip #1 from me...
We have similar genes...kinda..well maybe not at all when it comes to weight because I swear you have always eaten way more than me...but maybe I am delusional. Anyhow...back to my tip...
Do not use your exercise points! If I used exercise points ever I would not lose a pound. My body just does not allow for that. There are others out there who can...so I guess you will have to try and see what works for you. For me I have to exercise, bank the points, but then never use them...so I guess I get the satisfaction of watching my bank account grow and grow and know I am rich in rewards??? Lame. blah.
I also love how so many women I know post "I am in my pre-prego clothes again...like a month later...and then to add salt to the wounds they later comment on how they had to do absolutely nothing to get back into the clothes. No exercise, no diet...and then brag about how they eat cookies and treats every night. haha! I am glad they can do that...but in my book you don't get to brag or deserve an award for doing nothing!! That just makes you a meanie.
now...if someone works their butt off and drops the pounds...well there is someone I want to talk to and deserve a pat on the back!
:) It may sound like I am being mean to the naturally skinny person...but I have nothing against them being naturally skinny...just don't like when they shove it people's faces...haha.
And oh my heck...you do not have to shop at Motherhood Maternity. I have seen sooo many cute outfits lately that would fit you and look great...Old Navy being one of the places...there is a really cute skit there that I was going to get for you...but didn't because I knew you would want to try stuff on and all that good stuff.
Anyhow... I think you are also misleading because you actually are not fat at all...you have a little flub left over on your belly...but that does not translate into being fat:)
Okay...this should have totally been an e-mail...and most likely we have already talked about all of this anyway...:)
I totally hear you. I was actually pretty big (for me) before I had Porter so, I got back to my pre-prego weight right after I had him, but I didn't listen to everyone saying "eat whatever you want"...because I wanted to be less than my pre-prego fatness when it was all over. Didn't work. I tried Power 90 (the older version of P90X) that worked well, but I got to the point I could quote the whole video and hadn't lost a pound. So, I promptly just gave up when we moved to Oregon. It took gaining 15 more pounds onto my already heavy weight to get me to start working out at the gym. And that has made all the difference. Plus, I ate way smaller portions, lowered my fat content and carb content and there it went. I still treat myself to a skinny cow ice cream bar every night. 100cal! perfect. Anywho, my mom also gave me "Eat this, not that" to follow and those have become my diet bibles. You can do it! Just kill yourself in a good way 5 days a week so you're sore every day. Worked and is working for me! Lost 30 pounds in a year...and hope to lose 10 more! :)
PS: Plan to post my excercise routine once I've reached my ultimate goal on my blog...but maybe I'll post it sooner since I haven't lost much lately.
Casey, I don't think there's any way you could look fat....never! :) While I agree that a person needs to be healthy and fit, I will never understand the obsession with having perfect stomachs and buns and thighs and what not. I mean, some people are just built curvy, some are meant to be big and some are meant to be small. In reference to your baby weight, it's not something you should be ashamed of. Yes, you can try to work it off if you want, make it smaller, but but if anyone else told you that you needed to work it down, you could just say "I got this from bearing children, what's your excuse?" ;) I have the same problem with weight. I've had two kids and it shows. I am working on being active, but I'm doing it by being active for at least an hour every day and eating what I want, just smaller portions. I too love food, but there is no way I could go on a "diet", and I don't really want to. I love my food too much. And as long as I am physically active for an hour a day and I don't gorge myself on my favorite foods, then I am happy with myself, whether I am losing weight or not. I think that's part of the dieting/exercising process...being happy with who you are where you are (^_^) Sorry if this seemed like a rant, but you are BEAUTIFUL Casey, baby weight and all.
Aaw thanks guys. I appreciate the comments and tips and support. I have lost 5 pounds so far. I am pretty happy with that. This has really helped me control portion sizes and to "just say no" to bored snacking.
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