Another month down and another “Body After Baby” update. Losing weight is tough. It takes hard, intentional work and commitment. It is also a journey and takes time- that time period is different for everyone. Some people lose their weight right away and some it takes much longer. It took me 6 months to lose all my weight with my first and I fully expect it to take that long or longer this time. Here I am at month 4 and I am not there yet, but I know I will get there.
Little Munchkin, M
Happy 4 months to my handsome little guy! He is getting to be so much fun.
He is laughing and making all kinds of noises. He can now roll both ways and really enjoys his exercauser that we got this weekend. He is sleeping ten hours every night: he goes to bed around 7:30, gets up at about 5:45 to nurse and then goes right back to sleep until about 7. He nurses every 3-3.5 hours and is exclusively breastfed. Although he is 4 months old we will wait to start any type of rice cereal.
My Weight
My pre-pregnancy weight: 129
My healthy, comfortable weight: 130-133
My weight at 40 & 4 days weeks: 174
My weight 1 week postpartum: 161
My weight 2 weeks postpartum: 155
My weight 1 month postpartum: 149
My weight 2 months postpartum: 146
My weight 3 months postpartum: 142
My weight 4 months postpartum: 139
I knew setting a goal of 5 lbs. during the holidays was going to be tough and I was right. I will take a 3 lb. loss after the holidays, especially since when I returned from our ski trip I weighed in at 143. I like to look back at my fitness journal from after I had C to see how I am doing in comparison. My weight is almost the exact same now as it was 4 months postpartum with her. The difference this time is that I have lost more weight (because I started out heavier when I became pregnant with her) and my composition and measurements are different. After C I didn’t fit into my pre pregnancy jeans until she was 6 months old… with M I fit into them this weekend!
My Fitness Level
I feel stronger than ever before at just four months after having a baby! I teach 4 times a week and lift and run on my own outside of my teaching. My favorite days are Fridays when I meet some girlfriends at the gym for a heavy lifting session.
Running: I have been slacking off on my running in the last month and only have been getting in 1-2 runs per week on the treadmill. I did run 7 miles on Saturday at an 8:40 pace, which is a little slower than last month. It was tough and I could tell I haven’t been logging as many miles. I will start training for a half marathon soon and will increase my mileage and speed work.
Strength: I can tell I am getting so much stronger. I usually use 12-15 pound dumbbells when I am teaching (we do a lot of reps) and I used to use 8 & 10 pound dumbbells. When I am in the free weight area I am always going for the 20-30 pound dumbbells. Assisted pull-ups are getting much easier and I am still bench pressing anywhere from 85-95 pounds depending on the number of reps. The only thing that has decreased is my push-ups: when I did my fit test I was able to get 31 and this month I was only able to get 24.
My Food Intake
I eat about 2400 calories per day and I am still losing weight! My nutrition coach increased my fat macros because we have found that my body does better with good, healthy fats. I believe it is because of the fat my body is using to nurse. I am fine with this because it means more nut butter throughout my day.
I am doing much better on my pre & post workout eating. I usually eat oatmeal, egg whites and a banana before my workout and pancakes and protein powder after. I have noticed that by adding these carbs and protein right after my workout I don’t feeling like I am absolutely starving at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.
I was eating a tons of sweets throughout the holidays but have really cut back. My food prep Sunday is helping with this as well because I have been making pancakes and homemade granola bars that satisfy my sweet tooth, The recipes I use contain real, whole food and no white sugar.
Review of Last Month’s Goals
- Cut back sugar: With the holidays this goal did not happen.
- Lift heavy: I am doing a great job with this.
- Nutrition timing: doing great on this as well.
- Spring Half Marathon: need to work on my mileage.
New Goals:
- Limit desserts to only 2 per week. This means I have to cut it out with the handful of dark chocolate chips.
- Run 2-3 times per week: 1 long run, 1 day of speed work, and one 3-4 mile run.
- Pre & post workout nutrition timing (I am keeping this a goal because I don’t feel like I have it down yet.)
- 31 push-ups by my 31st birthday!
- 3 reps of 100 pounds on bench press.
- Complete a Piyo workout once a week. I really need this and have to make it happen. I noticed my hips were extremely tight when I was running this weekend and this will help.
- Keeping my Spring Half Marathon goal from last month since I won’t run it until April or May.
Losing weight is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes intentional work, careful planning, and the will to want it for yourself. For me, it has become more than a number on a scale. I let the way I feel, the strength I have and the way my clothes fit be the ultimate judge. If I don’t ever get back to that magic number, I am okay with it as long as I feel healthy.
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