Now that I’m 4 weeks postpartum, I’m ready to start back in to losing weight. Many of you may remember that I had a goal to lose 50 lbs. in 2011. I started well…and I was on track to make my goal of losing all 50 pounds, but then something wonderful happened.
I found out that I was pregnant.
And all weight loss ceased the very moment I saw that positive pregnancy test. Or at least it seemed that way. But seriously, I didn’t lose another pound. I actually seemed to have instantly gained 4 pounds. Or so it seemed, because of all the bloating I experienced early in the pregnancy.
Fast forward to 9 months later. I have a beautiful, healthy newborn daughter, and it’s time to get back to losing those 50 lbs.
Here are some of my “weight stats” to give you an idea of where my weight has been the last 9 months, and to show you where I’m at today.
Official pre-pregnancy weight in April 2011: 213.5 lbs.
Total amount of weight gained during my 9 month pregnancy: 31 lbs.
Official delivery weight: 244.5 lbs.
My weight the day I left the hospital after the c-section: 248.5 lbs. (Yes, you read that correctly. My weight went up after delivery. Hard to believe considering I HAD a baby, but I’m pretty sure I actually gained the 4 extra pounds due to the massive amount of swelling in my legs and abdomen after the baby was born.)
Current weight 4 weeks & 1 day postpartum: 220 lbs.Β
I’ve lost a total of 28.5 lbs. since I came home from the hospital. And I’m currently 6.5 lbs. from my pre-pregnancy weight.
While I’m happy with my weight loss in the last 4 weeks, I know it’s very common to drop 20-30 lbs. after you’ve given birth and then STOP losing weight. I’m pretty much at that point now. I’ve lost most of the pregnancy weight, and now I have to work hard to get the rest of the weight off and get to my goal of losing 50 lbs. this year.
Oh, and the 50 lbs. I want to lose does not include the pregnancy weight I’ve lost up until this point.
This means that being 220 lbs. right now, to lose 50 lbs. would mean I need to end the year weighing 170 lbs.
I think it’s a doable goal, and I’ll be blogging my progress each week for accountability.
I’m calling this the “Losing the Baby Fat” challenge because I will literally be losing the weight I put on from my very first pregnancy – 11 years ago.
To show you what I mean, just take a look at my “weight stats” for the past 11 years.
In 1997, I met the person that would be my husband and weighed: 125 lbs.
We started dating in 1998, and I still weighed: 125 lbs.
I became pregnant with our firstborn child in 1999 and weighed: 155 lbs.
Yes, I had gained 30 lbs. while dating my husband and before I got pregnant. Looking back, I know it was because of all the eating out we did.
Fast forward to the day I gave birth to our firstborn, I weighed: 252 lbs.
Yes, I gained almost 100 lbs. while pregnant. Seriously. I was going to school and working part-time, and fast food was very convenient. I distinctly remember getting off of work one day and going through the Burger King drive-thru, because I had to get to school. I didn’t have time to go home and make a meal, and, of course, I hadn’t packed a lunch. No, instead I went through the BK drive-thru, and I must have had a coupon or something, because I ended up getting 2 chicken sandwiches (Buy One Get One Free). I ate them both. I remember. Don’t do this, friends. Learn from my mistakes.
All this to say, I really am “Losing the Baby Fat”.
Do you want to join me? I’m going to be updating my weight loss progress every Tuesday. First up, next Tuesday, will be my “Before” pictures.
I can’t wait! π
What about you? Do you have any weight loss goals this year? Let’s encourage each other!
I’m on a goal to lose about 40 lbs!!
You can do it, Gina! I’ve found that by walking on the treadmill at least 3-4 times a week (at home – no gym membership) and eating more organic and whole foods helps the weight to come off at a steady rate of about 1 lb. per week for me. π
40lbs was my number in the weight I gained with all of my children. After the birth of my twins, I lost 20 lbs and carried the remaining weight around with me. Breastfeeding didn’t help but finally when I got “motivated I lost the remaining weight” Then with my last pregnancy I dropped 15 lbs after the birth and have been carrying that weight ever since. (BTW my youngest is 4 now) Needless to say I’m DONE with it. I’ve set my mind to accomplish this goal. (Though I want to eat ever carb and sweet in sight) I’m Disciplining myself which is whats going to get me through.
You can do it, Gina!
Good for you, Sandra! How completely transparent and honest – and, you have set a ‘doable’ goal by giving yourself one year to do it! I will be praying for you for encouragement and success!
Thank you, Gini! As always, it is much appreciated!
It was so nice catching up with you the other day, too! π
sandra,
You are so inspiring and motivating! And I know you are going to have great success on your weight loss journey! i will be praying for you along the way.
I would love to lose another 8 pounds, but for me, more importantly, I need to get back to exercising. I feel so much better when I do.
A friend/neighbor and I are going to start exercising together this next week, which will give me some much needed accountability!
I enjoy your blog so much!
Patty
Thanks, Patty! And thank for the prayers. It’s very much appreciated and needed. π
Something that help me to exercise is that fact that I can get things done while I do it. I normally either read a book, such as my Bible, to get my reading in for the day, or I will use the computer. It sits nicely on the treadmill without falling off. That’s always good! We also have the treadmill in the living room which helps.
And good for you for having an accountability partner! That’s so important for support when you’re trying to lose weight.