Lest you came expecting no-fail weight loss tips, I warn you now that they aren't here. My philosophy for eating and living in the postpartum period is similar to my philosophy on many things. I tend to go the natural route. I let my babies nurse and eat and wean at their own pace. I potty train when my children show signs of readiness. I don't push learning to read at any magic age. And I let the baby weight come off when my body is ready. (That is what I do. I didn't say that I don't stress about it anyway.)
I believe that God gave us food to eat and to enjoy. I believe that most foods in moderation should be enjoyed without guilt. The key, of course, is moderation. I do not avoid butter or salt or all carbs or even chocolate cake because I know that an overall healthy lifestyle is what is important, not the exact number of calories I consume.
Instead of focusing on the scale (which I got rid of), I focus on healthy habits. I drink lots of water. I aim for 1 large glass at each meal and at least 2 more throughout the day. I allow myself one soda on the weekend. (Moderation.) During the day I (try to) snack on fruit or nuts or a granola bar. I enjoy dinner, limiting seconds as a general, but not strict, rule. I focus on eating a fruit or vegetable or both at every meal. In the evenings, I look forward to my special snack. (I buy M&Ms in bulk. No joke.) I eat when I am hungry. That is important while nursing because losing weight is not worth it at the expense of compromising my milk supply.
If I find I have abandoned my healthy habits, I go back to them one at a time. One week I might focus on guzzling the water again. (If you don't already drink a lot of water, try upping your intake to get a quick weight-loss boost as your body loses fluid build-up.) The next week, I may work on cutting back on excess snacking. The next week, I tackle another area until I'm back to where I want to be health-wise.
After Gavin was born, I did not lose weight quickly. I had heard that breastfeeding made weight loss easier, but it didn't work for me that first time. By the time I was pregnant with Maddie, I was still holding on to at least fifteen extra pounds, but after she was born (and I was nursing both a toddler and a baby), the weight melted off with no effort whatsoever. Each subsequent postpartum time was a little different. After Alaine was born, I had the normal weight loss immediately following the birth, but then I lost nothing for months! Not until she reached six months or so (and was still exclusively breastfeeding) did I begin to lose again. If I know that I am eating well, I content myself with my current size because a healthy lifestyle is better than a skinny body.
Why is it that chubby baby cheeks are so much cuter than chubby Mama cheeks? |
After Gavin was born, I did not lose weight quickly. I had heard that breastfeeding made weight loss easier, but it didn't work for me that first time. By the time I was pregnant with Maddie, I was still holding on to at least fifteen extra pounds, but after she was born (and I was nursing both a toddler and a baby), the weight melted off with no effort whatsoever. Each subsequent postpartum time was a little different. After Alaine was born, I had the normal weight loss immediately following the birth, but then I lost nothing for months! Not until she reached six months or so (and was still exclusively breastfeeding) did I begin to lose again. If I know that I am eating well, I content myself with my current size because a healthy lifestyle is better than a skinny body.
So what do you do about postpartum baby weight? Go see what the other Tri-Moms, Suzanne and Kathi have to say this week and link up your own postpartum weight loss ideas with Kathi who is the hostess for this week's linky!
Up next: Tri-Moms talk Coping With (Hubby) Working Long Days
May 17
Linky Hostess: me!
Coming Soon:
Coming Soon:
June 7: Beginning Homeschooling
June 21: Routine
July 5: Bulk Shopping
July 5: Bulk Shopping
Oh! So...easy, peasy, lemon-squeezy...I get it! NOT!
ReplyDeleteYou snack on M&Ms every night...and are still Skinny Momma!
Good thing I love ya, or I might be jealous :)
How's the new place?
Kathi