My unofficial motto during my pregnancies was “No calorie left behind,” so I gained about 40 pounds each time. Now, 40 pounds is a good (bad) amount of weight on anyone, but when you’re 5’2″ 40 pounds is a loooot.
Fortunately, after I had Eli, the weight came off really easily. I didn’t really have to do anything and I was back in normal clothes pretty quickly. I realize some people were kind of upset about that (sorry, not sorry!), but if it makes you feel better, this time wasn’t so easy.
I think there were a few things that helped after Eli was born.
First, I started out in better shape before getting pregnant. I had just run a half marathon and I was running about 20 miles each week. [Sidenote: I don’t even recognize that Erica anymore. Run? Is someone chasing me?]. My body was less fat and more muscular.
Second, we were completely immersed in being new parents. Who had time to eat? And when we did have a few minutes, who wants to eat when you can SLEEP? In the first few weeks of Eli’s life, we didn’t do a lot of eating (or much of anything besides keeping tiny human alive) so I lost a lot of weight quickly.
Third, Eli ate a lot. You guys remember his monthly pictures? He was a chubster. I was also pumping enough to feed another child, or five, because I was paranoid about not having enough milk.
SO that’s one way to lose baby weight, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
However, after Mercy was born, I was sorely disappointed to find that none of my clothes fit. Like zero. A couple of weeks passed. Still nothing. Mercy nursed well from the beginning, but apparently that wasn’t going to do it this time. I had to start doing some work *gasp*.
Basically what I’ve been doing is just avoiding too much of foods that are really delicious. Is it really yummy? Ok, two bites. Does it taste like boiled chicken sprinkled with cardboard? Ok, fill up!
I’m just kidding, mostly. Derek and I have been trying to have our family eat healthier (less processed food, more fruits and vegetables), so that has helped. When we do go out to eat, I’ve tried to choose options with less calories most of the time.
I’ve grown kind of accustomed to being a little bit hungry most of the time, which I don’t really mind too much if I’m trying to lose weight. I really don’t like going to bed hungry, though, so I usually eat more for dinner than I do the rest of the day. Don’t worry, I haven’t been starving. I don’t think you can starve with an extra 40 pounds on you!
As far as exercising, it’s been kind of hit or miss. I’ve worked out some, but nothing consistently so far. The kids and I do like to go for walks though, and try to go at least a couple miles 3-5 times a week. And Mercy’s still nursing (and apparently has been starving this week) so that helps too.
Sooooo after a little over 4 months, I’m back to my pre-prego weight. Since I first weighed myself a few days after Mercy was born, I’ve lost almost 25 lbs. Eli and I made some cookies yesterday that might make me regain all the baby (food baby?) weight though, so we’ll see :).