I realize I just had my son only eight and a half short weeks ago - and I realize I'm going to look like I just had a child. But the truth is, I was hoping I would be one of the small percentage of people who can leave the hospital in their pre-pregnancy jeans. Truth is, I am not one of those people. But my next thought was, I can use nursing to my advantage - effortless calorie burning! Unfortunately, nursing was not possible for us.
So here I am, two months later, and still looking five or six months pregnant. Ryan and I have started trying to power walk almost every night. I also have been trying to watch my calories; but that's not enough. My weight hasn't budged.
First of all, let me just say, calorie counting is very difficult. I am not one of those people who can see that I've reached my limit for the day (even though it's only 2 o'clock in the afternoon) and then simply not anything until the next day. I have a horrible case of the munchies - and I don't even do drugs! I just LOVE food. I am IN LOVE with food. I love the smell, the taste... everything.
This is a large problem. Especially when every kind of food made available to Americans has enough calories to equal virtually my ENTIRE caloric intake for ONE day. And then, to buy healthy foods, one must be a millionaire.
So what is a person to do? I haven't gotten it all figured out just yet. I am, however, determined to feel better about myself. I don't need to look like a supermodel. And I don't need to be a size zero. Those things are unrealistic. I want goals that are actually achievable.
I have realized about myself that when I set the bar too high, I tend to give up more quickly. So I am going to work my way up to where I would like to be. For now, I will start small.
So here are my goals for this week:
1) Don't worry about having an elaborate workout routine just yet - just focus on getting up off the couch and GET MOVING!
2) DRINK MORE WATER!
Setting small goals is the best way to go about it! If you only set large goals for out in the future, your more likely to give in and give up. Post pregnancy is hard. I remember being so discouraged after having Abigail because I had to wear maternity clothes for MONTHS afterwards. Anytime you feel bad about yourself, look at that sweet baby, and remember it was worth it. I don't necessarily count calories but I will say that having a light, healthy snack when you are hungry is more beneficial than not eating and then overeating later. Hope some of this helps!
ReplyDeleteI like your ideas - you don't want to be extreme about the diet or the exercise, I don't think that's healthy....but I don't think any kind of extreme is healthy or beneficial. I know how you feel about wanting to be one of the ones leaving in pre-pregnancy pants... my mother bragged on and on about how she did that with me and my sister and made me feel like crap for not being able to do that myself... Some people really just don't understand what its like. MOST of us have to work to lose that baby weight and it takes a while - the small percentage with lucky genetics need to shove it! lol But hang in there with your chin high, because the weight loss WILL happen. Remember how long it took me with Liam? And I wasn't very active...BUT it did eventually happen and I got back to being smaller than ever. But, I'm in the same boat as you right now so we can encourage each other. Love you!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how open you are with your struggles. I have always "watched my weight" so now, I am scared about what will happen to my body. I know it will be worth it, but it is nerve wracking. I already feel people checking our my stomach to see if I am showing yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks you for sharing, I know you can do it. Small steps!