And yet another reason why I don’t come out and play in blogland much these days: I’m spending four or five hours a week at the gym.
Sigh. I’m almost six months post-partum, and I still have 20 lbs to lose. That’s 20 to get to my pre-pregnancy weight, and another 10 lbs after that would be ideal. But I’m not so much looking at the scale for validation, I just want to fit into the clothes I used to wear and not have those awful folds of back fat anymore. Ick!
I didn’t do too badly with the pregnancy weight, I guess. I lost track at the end, but I think I gained 40 to 50 lbs overall. I’m surprised at how hard it is to get rid of what’s left, though. Yet another way in which the breastfeeding thing isn’t quite working out like I planned this time around!
I’ve finally started to see some results from my three-day-a-week gym habit, but the going is still slow. I started with weights two days a week and a 45 minute cardio on the third day back at the end of June, thanks to Beloved being home and able to take care of the boys. I’ve managed to reclaim one pair of shorts that were too tight for public consumption on Canada Day that are now just a little bit uncomfortable now.
Funny, though, rather than feeling energized by all the working out, I’m feeling so drained all the time lately. Makes it hard to keep as active as I’d like to be, let alone active enough to chase after the boys!
My cousin has recommended a doctor here in Ottawa who specializes in weight loss (no, not “Dr” Bernstein) and I think I’ll check him out after our vacation. For $100 you get a 60 to 90 minute consultation and body analysis, and you go for weekly or biweekly follow-up appointments at $15 each. Cheaper than weight-watchers, which never worked for me anyway, and with a real GP supervising. It’s about time I learned how to eat properly once and for all, because I really think that’s the root of my ongoing weight issues.
Because it feels like I’m always at the gym these days, I keep looking at myself in the mirror, expecting the fat to just me melting off visibly. Even though that isn’t quite happening it does feel great to be going to the gym every other day. At least I can feel those neglected muscles growing — under the protective layer of fat!
Yes, I was going to say, sounds maybe like you’re not getting enough proteind and iron. Especially if you’re working out AND breastfeeding. Protein with every meal!! And take your vitamin/mineral supplements.
Good luck!
I am struggling as well…would appreciate the dr’s name. Feel free to email me at storrie9540 (at) (rogers)(dot) (com). Thanks!
Hope you and the boys are having a great summer!
You might just want to keep in mind that nutrition is not covered in med school, so being an MD doesn’t necessarily mean s/he knows how to eat well. I learned that from Dr. Andrew Weil, who is both a naturopathic doctor and medical doctor… he has a book about hot to achieve optimum health, which I thought made great recommendations, like adding in healthier foods before you start subtracting… good luck!
Hey did you know that you make a mistake with the captcha and it still lets you comment? Oh wait — only a small error, like a letter missing, not a whole word.
you might want to see your GP to check your iron levels and thyroid if you haven’t already – both can go wacky after having a baby and can make you T I R E D…
Cheers,
As everyone agrees, it takes about a year to return to pg weight. Imagine if you were one of those nutheads that lost weight pregnant, who loved her maternity pants even after she was pg until……with both children…exactly on their first birthday…I had re-gained the entire 60 pounds each time. Talk about being pissed when you can’t wear your maternity pants anymore, lol…..I have some that I really really love.
Recently I was diagnosed with a thyroid disorder and I’m losing weight. I’m probably the only non-pg woman whose youngest child is 3 1/2 who is so happy she can wear her hip pg pants in the world…I’m certain of it.
Good for you for getting to the gym at all. I’ve been saying for 4 years that I’m going to join. Have I done it? No.
That diet doc sounds promising. I wonder if there’s anything like that in my neck of the woods…..
I’ve enjoyed checking out your blog! I’m sure I’ll be back for more. 🙂
Oops! That comment above is from me. I hit send too soon. Loser much? haha
Um…9 months on? 9 months off? Anyone?
Please also to remember that even if you get back to your PPW, you may no longer be the same SHAPE you were even after your first two.
HAES philosophy says to exercise and eat right just for your health’s sake. Judge your health on how you FEEL, not your weight or size.
(here endeth the soap-box portion of my post)
Only 20 pounds to go? That’s wonderful, you are doing great! My baby is just a month old, and I have 38 pounds to lose (I gained 50). I’m looking at a long, hard winter of weight loss ahead. Right now I am eating so much (breastfeeding seems to make me super hungry), that I wonder if I’ll ever lose any. Sigh. I am envious of you with just 20 pounds to lose.
On a not-so-related note, when can I expect this baby of mine to stop cluster feeding? She seems to cluster feed around the clock…approx when will she become more “efficient”? Feedings are taking from 60-90 mins a time at this point. She is happy and gaining weight…but it feels like she is attached to me 24/7…sorry to babble, love your blog. Gotta go, someone is hungry again!
I am in the exact same situation weight-wise, though only five months pp and, um, how on earth do you find time to get to the gym? I am counting on being able to start walking again when my two oldest are back in school. anyway, even if the pounds aren’t coming off, by getting regular exercise you are building muscle mass and giving a jump to your metabolism, which is definitely a good thing.
I am with the others in recommenidng you get your iron checked. It is so common for post preggy moms to be low. And it really can make you tired.
Sad to say, my youngest turned a year old last week and I still have at least 25 pounds to go before I’m back to pre-pregnancy weight. It’s going a lot slower this time around — I think the older you are, the harder it is! I’m amazed and impressed that you are getting out the gym. It’s inspirational…I really need to get my butt off the couch too, but like you, I’m just freakin’ tired all the time.
The one thing that is really helping me is a computer program called Diet Power (dietpower.com). It’s calorie counting software — you pick a target weight in a target timeframe, and it sets a calorie budget for you. Then you enter the food you eat — it has a massive library of foods, or you can input foods or recipes yourself — and it keeps track of your calories, as well as how much iron, calcium, and other vitamins you are getting.
I’m kind of into such anal record keeping, plus I keep my laptop in the kitchen so it’s easy and fun to enter my food all the time. Plus, you get a daily score — I kind of like shooting for that daily A+ in eating! The software has helped me lose the weight for my previous two pregnancies and I’m back on it again for this one. It’s also helped me keep track of my iron and calcium levels, so I know when I need to take a supplement.
Response to Annika – my LC told me that babies cluster feed at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Also, she said that feedings should be fairly fast and efficient. Once the baby has stopped actively swallowing milk (you can see and hear the baby swallowing), take the baby off, do the other side, and then that’s it! If you want to maximize milk intake, you can compress your breast as baby slows down on one side (put hands on either side of breast to squeeze that last bit of milk down, or use your fingers to “walk” from your armpit down to the aerola, getting those last milk sacs emptied). But, as she said, you’re a restaurant, not a snack bar! Hope that helps.
Dani-good for you for going to the gym. Even if progress is slow, you are amazing for getting there in the first place!
I was going to say it was a miracle you were getting to the gym at all, but I’m late to the comment party so that’s been covered. I struggled with pp weight loss and finally caved and gave up all sugar — and anything that converts to sugar, like breads, rice, crackers, pasta, alcohol (ouch), and some fruits & veggies, etc. All the running and fat-free food in the world didn’t work like that did. It wasn’t easy for me, though, and it took A LOT of weight creeping back on and a lot of failed gym routines (muscles, yes; fat loss, no) for me to admit that the sugar’s gotta go for good. And now the pounds are dropping again. Of course, we all know that different things work for different people, so I’m just puttin’ that out there as something to consider if the gym-related progress fails to please.
THanks Terry, I appreciate the good advice!