Trying not to let myself go

Sarah M. · **Trying not to let myself go**

I never had to work at losing the baby weight after DS was born. I just kept coming off as I was breastfeeding, and I even went below my pre-pregnancy weight in the fall. So I just kept eating whatever I wanted, and never worried about it... and loved stepping on the scale.

But the weight is creeping back. I've gained 5 or 6 pounds since Thanksgiving. Pants that had been way too big for me then are feeling tight around the tummy now, and that seriously bums me out and makes me feel like a slob, even though my current weight is just about what it was when I got pregnant. I am not fat by any means, but all those uncounted calories are congregating around my middle. I feel gross.

My first resolution is to drink more water. I'm hoping that will make me feel fuller (I always want to eat. I love eating. I love sugar. Denying myself is so, so hard.), as well as help my skin not to be so dry on my hands all the time, and to maybe help out my complexion a little bit. I am also going to eat smaller portions, and plan on snacking on some fruit in the mid-morning and some veggies in the mid-afternoon.

The other thing that would make me feel better is some new clothes. Not in the sense that shopping is therapy (because it isn't for me!) but because almost all of my clothes are so worn out, faded, ripped, and out-of-style. I do not have one single pair of pants that looks good and fits me well. Looking good goes a long way towards feeling good. Unfortunately, I have $0 with which to go shopping. Not sure what to do about that.

I can't wait until the snow melts and I can take walks outside and work in my garden. I just ran on the treadmill for a bit and tried to motivate myself to get on there in the early mornings before heading out to my babysitting job. I just can't see it happening, though. I have a hard enough time getting out of the door on time as it is.

Well, these are just my musings for today.

mamaof3kiddies · 03-27-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah M.

I never had to work at losing the baby weight after DS was born. I just kept coming off as I was breastfeeding, and I even went below my pre-pregnancy weight in the fall. So I just kept eating whatever I wanted, and never worried about it... and loved stepping on the scale.

But the weight is creeping back. I've gained 5 or 6 pounds since Thanksgiving. Pants that had been way too big for me then are feeling tight around the tummy now, and that seriously bums me out and makes me feel like a slob, even though my current weight is just about what it was when I got pregnant. I am not fat by any means, but all those uncounted calories are congregating around my middle. I feel gross.

My first resolution is to drink more water. I'm hoping that will make me feel fuller (I always want to eat. I love eating. I love sugar. Denying myself is so, so hard.), as well as help my skin not to be so dry on my hands all the time, and to maybe help out my complexion a little bit. I am also going to eat smaller portions, and plan on snacking on some fruit in the mid-morning and some veggies in the mid-afternoon.

The other thing that would make me feel better is some new clothes. Not in the sense that shopping is therapy (because it isn't for me!) but because almost all of my clothes are so worn out, faded, ripped, and out-of-style. I do not have one single pair of pants that looks good and fits me well. Looking good goes a long way towards feeling good. Unfortunately, I have $0 with which to go shopping. Not sure what to do about that.

I can't wait until the snow melts and I can take walks outside and work in my garden. I just ran on the treadmill for a bit and tried to motivate myself to get on there in the early mornings before heading out to my babysitting job. I just can't see it happening, though. I have a hard enough time getting out of the door on time as it is.

Well, these are just my musings for today.

Sarah - first congrats on taking the steps to making yourself healthier! I found that I was constantly snacking on large portions and eating way more than I should be eating on a relatively sedentary lifestyle. So by starting out with your water intake & watching your portion sizes you will be on the right road.
Regarding your clothing - is there a way you can make some extra cash so you can buy even a few new things? Do you have a bday coming up? Or even Mother's Day? I always make suggestions like that to hubby.
And I agree I cannot wait for the nice weather to get outside more to garden, walk and just play with the kids!!!
Ask any questions you might have - I have been down the road you are on! I know what you are going through! I have lost 31lbs and have completely changed my life & my body! You can do it too!

MelodyRose · 03-27-2008, 10:59 AM

I think we would be friends if we met, b/c I'm having many of the exact same problems!

I was 150 lbs when I got pregnant and only gained 20 lbs during my pregnancy. But now, due ONLY to breastfeeding, I'm 130. I have a fierce sweet tooth, can't put down the sugar, and due partly to the weather (but mostly to my inertia and procrastination) I do not exercise. First of all, I don't like to. I have to find things that are fun to me that I won't get bored with to work up the motivation to do it, and then I have to find the time. Both those things rarely happen in the same week!

But now, unlike before, when I gain a pound or two, not only do I feel it but I see it, packing in right around my belly button into a little donut! When I was 150 lbs, I didn't see that Easter candy! Now I absolutely do. The bright side of that is, also unlike before, I can see when I lose those couple of pounds, too. But sometimes that's not quite enough to ward off the ice cream cravings!

Sometimes, to drink more water (which I really need to do), I'll get those 2/$1 flavored 1L bottles of water. But even 50 cents/day will not do fun things to your grocery bill, so adding a little fruit juice can be a better way to go about making the water more interesting, and therefore more drinkable! And I found that I drink more when I use a straw.

And I'm SO right there with you on the clothes! Once maternity leave was over and I started going out to things, like gatherings with friends, I realized that I literally had nothing to wear that fit. I had a couple of shirts I had kept from my early college days, but I don't go to the places I used to wear those shirts anymore, so they really aren't appropriate! I sew, and that's the only thing that's saved me from constantly wearing pajama pants. I have never worn a lot of baggy clothing, and wearing clothes that are too big doesn't make you look or feel thinner. I also prowl clearance racks, WalMart, and consignment shops, b/c replacing a wardrobe--esp. for all seasons--is expensive, no matter how you look at it.

I think it will be easier for me--as I hope it will be for you--once the weather warms up a bit. I'm planning to grow a vegetable garden this year, and dd and the boy I'll be watching will be able to be outside with me and keep each other company. It's hard to change a routine, but those walks will have to be fit in somewhere! If you want, we can be accountability buddies when it comes to committing to some sort of exercise! Even just a brisk walk once a week will help to get the ball rolling. I think it would be easier to do it if you tell someone else that you will, not just yourself. I know I've brioken lots of those promises to myself to start exercising!

Sarah M. · 03-29-2008, 04:25 PM

Thanks for the encouragement, ladies!!

mm1970 · 03-29-2008, 07:14 PM

I have some friends who were like that...below pre-pregnancy weight while breastfeeding. My body held on to an extra 10 lbs while I was breastfeeding.

It took me until my son was 19 months old (6 months after I stopped nursing) before I really sat down & worked at losing the weight. It was overwhelming to me before then.

But shopping as I lost really did help. I bought a few new items while pregnant. Then after the baby, back in my "old" clothes, I just couldn't wear them anymore. Turns out I *like* stretch boot cut jeans...the levi's relaxed fit 515 just aren't cool anymore. It is very nice to have comfy, new clothes. You don't need a lot of them. The old stuff is fine...I just have a few items that I wear "out".