Waiting for the Weight (to fall off)

As a pregnant woman, you hear it all the time. You know, people telling you that somehow the extra 30-50+ pounds you put on to have a baby is just going to magically disappear once you start breastfeeding. I personally, think it gives us a false sense of security. Suddenly, that extra piece of pizza doesn't matter so much. I mean, you are creating human life, right?

Watching what I eat has always been an issue for me. My fat grams and my calories make me happy, at least temporarily. And, let's face it, when you're pregnant, it's easy to turn to food for comfort when you're not feeling so hot. It seems like the most natural thing to do since any serious movement leaves you panting for air.

During my pregnancy, I was foolish enough to think that my lack of overindulgence would prevent me from gaining too much weight. I mean, I have heard of women stuffing their faces with McDonald's cheeseburgers and chocolate cream pies on a daily basis. At least I wasn't doing that bad. But I wasn't doing myself any favors either. The day I went I went into labor, I weighed 203 pounds. I had gained 43 pounds during pregnancy. I missed my overall goal and was depressed. But, then again, I thought breastfeeding would make up for all of that. I was wrong.

Here's the thing. Even if you're lucky enough to lose the weight through breastfeeding, the odds of you getting your old body back are slim to none. Let me clarify. You can get a worse body... or a better body, but it's never going to be the same. You can sit there and wait for the weight to "fall off", or you can do something about it. It's your choice.

I distinctly remember standing in front of my mirror at about six weeks postpartum, buck naked. I hated the way I looked. None of my clothes fit anymore. My maternity clothes were too big (and when I wore them everyone thought I was pregnant) and my pre-pregnancy clothes... well, let's not go there. I weighed 18 pounds more than I did before I got pregnant. I was miserable. I was also caring for a newborn and recuperating from some birthing complications. This could have been a recipe for disaster.

I stood there, staring at my body for at least ten minutes. How on earth was I going to get out of this mess? Literally. For a brief moment, I actually conceded. I thought, well this is what happens after you have a baby. Guess I better go buy a good pair of mom jeans and granny panties. But then something happened. I instantly put a stop to my one-person pity party and made a promise to myself. Not only was I going to lose the weight, but I was going to change my nutritional habits altogether. And in doing so, I would not only help myself, but I would inspire my husband and encourage a healthy lifestyle for my six week old son.

I felt empowered, but I knew I couldn't do this by myself. So, I contacted my gym and scheduled some personal training sessions to get me started. I'm now 10 weeks postpartum and I've lost 10 pounds and at least one inch from all my measurements. I still have a long way to go until I reach my goal, but I'm on the right path. And, perhaps more importantly, I truly feel like a changed person- even if it is more mental than physical (at least at this point).

Here are some key things I've learned during this whole discovery process. While it's helped me become more successful in my personal goals, it may not work for everyone. So, like many elements of parenting, just use what works for you and your family.

• Acknowledge the Problem. If you need to stand buck naked in front of mirror to see every crevice of your body, then do it. It's ok to not like the way you look. Use that to your advantage. Remember how you feel and allow it motivate you the next time you open the refrigerator door, or decide that today isn't the best day to go the gym.

• Keep Yourself Accountable. Tell someone about your plans to lose weight and report back to them on your progress. This will help keep you focused. No one wants to disappoint a friend or loved one. If needed, get a workout buddy to help keep you motivated.

• Track Your Nutrition. Write down everything you eat, seriously. It helps for two reasons. First, you are less likely to cheat by sneaking in piece of candy or a can of soda. Second, you will learn the nutritional value of the food you are eating. You'll be amazed at how many calories are in a tub of movie popcorn or a Starbucks latte, and it will probably impact what you choose to eat in the future.

• Use What You've Got. When you have a baby, your whole life changes. So, don't be surprised if you no longer have the time (or money) to go to a gym. Just work with what you already have. Pushing a baby uphill in a stroller can actually burn a lot of calories. Oh, and you know all that extra laundry you now have? Put it in a basket and start climbing those steps. It's great for tightening the thighs and butt.

• Create a Reward System. We all loved getting stickers for our good deeds as a kid, right? So, why not reinstate some of those rewards? You may not want a sticker, but an hour long massage or pedicure might inspire you to stick to your goals. Oh, and don't use food as a reward. That kinda defeats the whole purpose.