So here's the scorecard:
Pregnancy weight gain: 39 pounds
Weight loss so far: 34.5 pounds
Pounds to lose: 4.5!!!
Here is the before & after. The before was me on my due date. At that point I didn't even attempt to wear anything other than sweats. Bear with my after photo, I took it at 7am when I got to the office.
Ahh, it does feel so good to have most of the weight off! But the sad part about it is, I still don't fit well into my pre-pregnancy jeans. My stomach just isn't what it used to be. It will get there, I just need to exercise & tone, But for now, any pair of pants I put on has the gush coming over the waistband. It's so depressing! :( Brandon came home Friday night to find every single pair of pants I own on our closet floor, and me pointing with both hands at my gush, saying, "do you see this situation right here?" to which he responded, "yes, I do see it. You just had a baby 4 months ago, it'll be ok, just deal with it." Yeah, he's never been the type to sugar-coat things. If I ask him, "Does my butt look fat in this outfit?" If my butt looks fat, he will tell me, "Yes, it looks fat." And while I might not want to hear it, at least I know he'll always tell me the truth.
So, what I was getting dressed for on Friday was a friend's birthday party. We went to a pizza place that I love! So I did the best I could - I probably should have ordered a salad, but I knew I'd end up picking off my husband's plate if I did that & end up eating more calories, so I just ordered my own pizza anyway. It was on the "healthy options" menu - a vegetarian pizza with whole wheat crust. Now, it's a restaurant's version of "healthy", and I did eat a cupcake after, but at least I didn't order the meat lover's supreme, right? And yes, I do realize it's a problem that I complain about my miniature muffin top, a.k.a. "the gush", and then I order a pizza. Just like I realize the irony of me ordering a sugar-free vanilla americano, with a blueberry scone! I get it, and I'm working on it...and I have to face facts that the gush will be around as long as my taste for carbs is. Sigh...
Moving on - I also exercised last week, for the first time in a while. I was doing pretty good with exercise when I was on maternity leave, but that all went downhill when I started back at work full time. It's so hard to make time for work, baby, husband, cooking, cleaning, caring for the kitties, showering, oh yeah & exercise!? What's that? But I had a sit down talk with the husband (tears may or may not have been involved) and told him that I NEED to run at least 3 times a week. It's best for all of us really. I've realized I'm not sane unless I have some sort of physical outlet. So we put it on the calendar - every Wednesday/Thursday he will get home in time for me to run, then I will also run on the weekends. So on Thursday, I went out for a jog. I have to admit, I really didn't feel like it, but I knew since my husband had done his part & sacrificed his workout time to get home for me, I'd better go for that run I tearfully begged & pleaded for.
And you know what? It was awesome! I forget how much I LOVE running! It feels SO good, I can't really describe it. Not only does the exercise itself feel good, but it's my time to let the world go, to not think about anything except for running. I can focus on making it to the next stop light, or the tree up ahead. I don't have to think about what is for dinner, or why the baby is fussy, or how am I going to get the house clean before people come over tomorrow & didn't I just clean it yesterday (we are such slobs! we can & will dirty a room in 5 hours or less, every time!)? When I'm running I don't have to think about all of life's obligations. I can feel my body working, pushing itself to go a little further & then a little further after that. And when I'm done, it feels wonderful to have accomplished my goal.
Now I talk like I ran a marathon, but in fact I only ran 2 miles. However, I did run those 2 miles in just over 15 minutes!! Which might be why it felt like I ran a marathon! haha! SLOW it down, Meg!
And speaking of marathons, as if I didn't have enough going on in my life, I have decided that I need a goal so that I will keep up with my running. My BFF & I have agreed to register this week for the Seattle Rock N Roll half marathon! Yeah, ONLY half. After watching Biggest Loser last season & how they all ran full marathons, I told all my friends if those fatties could do it, I could! But then I had a baby & I now realize that the amount of time a person must commit to training for a full marathon is just not feasable for me right now. But I can definitely train for a 13.1 mile half marathon! And I know it's possible, because this will be my 3rd half marathon. This half marathon takes place at the end of June & goes from Tukwila to downtown Seattle. I'm so incredibly excited! I am so happy that I can be a healthy example for my baby girl. Maybe in a few years she will want to run with mom & we can do some mother/daughter races. ::visions of matching pink nikes & ponytails bobbing::
And because I'm so dedicated to running, my husband has agreed to buy me a new friend, his name is Bob! Let me introduce you to Bob:
Bob is the best jogging stroller on the market, and my future running BFF. Bob will enable me to jog with Abigail, this way I can take her out for runs, even if B isn't around to babysit. I'm so very excited to meet Bob! I have to make sure with the pediatrician that it's ok to run with Abigail in this right now. Because they recommend not using a jogging stroller until baby is 6 months old. But this stroller has an optional carseat adapter, so I think Abigail will be perfectly safe. I will confirm on Thursday, at Abigail's 4 month appointment & then I will immediately order Bob :) Side note - what do you think of the color? This is the "Mesa Orange". You like? Yes, No? I'd like your thoughts. The other color option I'm considering is black with tan - which would match Abigail's carseat, but it just seems a tad boring & I kind of like that the bold orange color would stand out, so cars would see the stroller easier at night time.
And as if B coming home from work early once a week, the Bob, and the half marathon goal weren't enough motivation for me, my husband purchased his very first pair of running shoes this weekend! That's right, my husband who never ties his shoes, who hasn't worn a running shoe in probably over 12 years has decided to try the running thing out. He's so competitive, I think it really bothers him that there is something physical that I am actually better than him at. So, thanks to B's competitive nature, now our entire family can go out jogging together! I can't wait!
In conclusion, I think this week ROCKED! Such an opposite check-in from last week, and I have renewed hope that someday I will be able to fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans sans gush.
No comments:
Post a Comment