Postpartum: Weighing In

<-------1 week postpartum 

6 weeks postpartum-------> 

Let me first start off by saying that I am not a health/fitness expert, I'm far from it. The information that I'm about to share with you is based purely on my own experience.

I'm not much of an exerciser, that's one facet of my life where I seem to be extremely lazy. I will get into a routine usually around this time of year to tone up and prepare for bikini season but my interest slowly dissipates the further into the season we get. So I guess you could say I exercise, but in cycles, and quite sporadically at that.




I told myself when I first got pregnant that I would incorporate some mild exercise into my routine but the extreme tiredness and constant nausea that I had during the entire first trimester prevented that plan from taking off. Then the second trimester came and I felt a lot better, the nausea was gone and I wasn't nearly as tired but I just didn't have the motivation to start any sort of an exercise routine. Then toward the end of my second trimester I found out that I had gestational diabetes. You can read more about that in my post here.

That diagnosis was the game changer for me. This was all the motivation that I needed because not only was my own health at stake but the health of our sweet baby girl. I saw a nutritionist, followed a low-carb diet and was able to keep my levels under control without any medication or insulin. That was an accomplishment in itself but I got there by not taking anything lightly. I stuck to a strict diet and only gave in here and there to my intense chocolate & sweets cravings. In addition to following a diet plan, I walked a mile and a half or two miles every.single.day. right up to the day that I went into labor. I actually walked two and a half miles every day for a week leading up to her arrival in hopes of getting the labor process rolling.

Exercising and watching what you eat during pregnancy will put you ahead of the game after you deliver. I gained 29-30 pounds while I was pregnant and three days after delivery I had already lost 10 pounds and by a week and a half postpartum I only had 5 pounds to go until I was at my pre-pregnancy weight. I guess the word "had" isn't really appropriate though because that 5 pounds is still lingering. I need to tone up my stomach a bit and loose the last 5 pounds.

My plan of attack? Well it's hard enough to find time to wash my hair let alone squeeze in some "me time" so I hope to find some time to get back on the treadmill and get some ab exercises in in the near future. I'm also banking on the arrival of the nicer weather so Aubrey and I can get out and take some nice, long walks.

I don't have the answers to speedy postpartum weight loss but I can leave you with some tips to get you there:
1. Water. Drink lots and lots of water. Sometimes when you think you're hungry you're really just thirsty. Plus you need to drink lots of water if you're breastfeeding, anyway. Which brings me to number two...
2. Breastfeed. It's not for everyone but it is the healthier way to go for both you and your little one(s) and it burns calories! Oh, and it speeds up the process of shrinking your uterus back down to size.
3. Watch what you're putting into your body. Also remember what you are eating can affect your baby if you're breastfeeding- So, hold the broccoli! Also, if you're breastfeeding remember how important it is to get all of your calories in (and then some) because that keeps your milk production up.
4. Keep temptation out of sight. You know that expression "out of sight, out of mind?" I need to have something sweet after I eat dinner, it's my thing but I keep my sweets out of plain view (ie.: in cabinets, drawers, etc) that way I'm less likely to grab something sweet when I'm looking for a snack.
5. Don't drink your calories. It's a waste, we all know that.

*Next Postpartum Check-In post: Going Back to Work (as requested by a few readers)*