Over the past 4 weeks of weighing myself on Wednesday mornings, my weight has stayed put around the 163.6-163.9 mark. It makes sense things aren’t moving since I’m not actually trying to lose weight right now, but it’s still frustrating to have seen really no change from 2 weeks to 6 weeks postpartum. It’s so hard for me not to compare to my time postpartum with Stella, and at this point I was back at 161# with her, even though I had gained 5# more with her than I did with Harvey. I’m pretty solidly sitting about 3# above that now with a lot more squishy belly hanging around than I had last time. My uterus has definitely contracted and moved back down into place, so now I’m just left with the dreaded beer belly & love handles look. Ugh.
12 hours postpartum – 1 week postpartum – 1 month postpartum – 6 weeks postpartum
At any rate, that’s enough whining for now. Here is a check in on my toning goals for the month:
- Complete Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred program. – I was 5/7 on doing the 30 Day Shred this past week. I moved up to Level 2 on Monday (not at all because I’ve mastered Level 1, but just because I usually do 10 days of each level and then repeat). It is still hard for sure, but I can feel myself getting a little stronger every day.
- Track calories in MFP & stay within my limit. – I was within 100 cals every day, sometimes a little under, sometimes a little over, but usually right about on track. I really like having MFP & FitBit linked. It’s a good reminder to me that if you move your body less you should be eating less because you obviously haven’t burned as many calories!
- Drink more water – at least 100 oz per day. – Still working on this! I’m carrying my 24 oz / 750 mL Cambelbak around with me everywhere which is helping a little.
My goal this week is to really focus on the quality of foods I’m eating every day. I just have to stick with it…
You are doing great! I think our bodies take longer to bounce back with each pregnancy, or at least it seems like that’s the case with me as well. Finding foods that keep me full, longer, and that are healthy has been hard, but I’m working on that as well!
I wanted to share with you that it’s only been the last couple of months that I’ve seen the scale move in the direction I wanted. Following delivery, I dropped down to about 30 lbs over my goal weight (15 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight), but then gained 15 lbs during those first months at home. It was shocking and depressing, as I was lead to believe that breastfeeding would help me lose the weight. It wasn’t until I started back at work that the weight has finally started to come off. And I think a lot of it has to do with catching up on sleep as well as a hormonal shift in my body.
Anyway, keep sticking with you plan. You’re doing a great job and though you may not be seeing the results you want at the moment, it will pay off. In addition, you’ve inspired me to get off my butt and start exercising again (actually, it was all Stella . . . I have no excuses if a 2 yr old can do this).
Thanks, Cristy. I gained weight back with Stella too, but not until I had first dropped to 5# under my pre-preg weight. Gah. I know I just need to stick with it though.
Stella worked out with me again today – she’s starting to ASK to do it now, which is great motivation for me for sure! Silly girl. “This is fun, Mommy!!” Hahah.
So, after your barcode post, I booted up MFP again. I say “again” but really I tried it for about 3 days 8 months ago. I clearly was not ready then. For the last 5 days, I have logged ALL THE THINGS. Like. measured everything. My eyeballing was no bueno. I naively thought if I was coming close to my FitBit steps, I was A-OK. And by “close” I really mean 2k under. NOPE. I have gained almost 10 pounds since Sept for a reason. Well, a few reasons, but I am blinders off about them now.
At any rate, I just wanted to say thank you for this series. With your help, Carla’s help, tweeps help, etc. I have done the Shred 4 times in 5 days. BJB and I had a big Come to Jesus talk about our health last night as well. Part of our lethargy is MJB neverevereverever sleeping, but part of it is poor diet choices and inactivity. I also took photos of my body like yours above and it was SHOCKING. I do not look like I thought I looked. BLAH. Anyway… I should probably write my own post about all this, but girl, you have kicked my ass up off the couch.
Ya, my favorite health quote is “you can’t out work a crappy diet.” Like we were talking about on Twitter, it’s not that you’re necessarily eating crap foods even, but portions… they get us all, especially living in a super-sized society like ours. (well, USA for sure, and I’m guessing Canada is similar)
I’m glad you’re giving the Shred a shot! It really does help if you push yourself to do proper form. Bit by bit, day by day, you’ll get stronger and leaner and just feel BETTER about yourself. Thanks for reading and commenting and helping to keep me accountable too1
Taking pictures – yes. This is why I do it – b/c I can convince myself I look okay in XYZ clothes…but when I see pictures is when I have to objectively look at myself and acknowledge what’s really happening!
Good for you for getting started, and I’m glad BJB is on board with you too! It’s hard sometimes for me b/c Charlie is annoyingly good about not overeating from stress/emotions, plus he has a great metabolism and he’s really active at work…so ya, he’s 6’3″ and 185# and fit as a fiddle — it’s equal parts annoying and inspiring. Being a healthy, fit inspiration for my kids is a huge part of why I’m doing this too.
You’re doing great!!! Sounds like a solid plan.
Great work! Sounds like you’re doing really well sticking to your goals.
It sounds like you are doing great all around… and looking great too!! Also, it definitely looks like your post baby belly is going down a bit in each photo and you are still only 6 weeks past birth! You will get there soon! 🙂
I still think you look lovely!
Let me start by saying that you look awesome J!!! But you mentioned the squishy belly, so I thought I’d let you know that i have found that splinting makes a huge difference. I think it helps all the organs that have moved out of place get back to where they should be that much faster. I’m *still* wearing mine to hopefully get rid of my darn diastasis once and for all – but I think even without that, a binder of some kind can be helpful. xox
Do you have a brand you’d recommend?
Also, Cam is so big! Just read his new posts on my phone. How is he nearly two?!
You look pretty great to me! I’ve had the fitbit for two weeks and have walked an average of five miles a day, and I’ve lost exactly 0 pounds in those two weeks. I’m just waiting it out for now and seeing where I am at six months PP. :/
Are you tracking food? “You can’t outwork a crappy diet” is one of my favorite quotes. Then again, it could be hormonally/breastfeeding based too. Also, 5 miles a day? you’re a rock star!
No, I’m not tracking food. It’s beyond my capacity at the moment. I’m a reasonably healthy/balanced eater though by long habit. The only time I’ve ever been unhappy with my weight was due to hormonal issues. With my supply issues, I can’t cut calories anyway, so I’m just trying to be responsible about limiting junk and waiting.
Actually, I think the fact that the only time I’ve ever cut calories I didn’t lose weight and then found out it was all my thyroid gives me a bit of an aversion to “dieting.” It was a pretty effed up time, and I don’t want to go back there in any way, you know?