Fourteen weeks ago, I started the Kettleworx program in a concerted effort to drop my post-baby weight in time for an April wedding I am attending in Hilton Head. Warm weather means bathing suits and there wasn’t a whole lot about my body that I would have exposed to the world besides my ankles back in January. Today, I am 25 pounds lighter than when I first began and I am 40 pounds lighter than I was in November while still pregnant. Admittedly, I didn’t follow the Kettleworx regimen to the letter of the law. I also took a week or two break in between when I felt my body wasn’t ready to take on certain activities post C-section, but I am happy to say that I only have five pounds to go until I am back at my pre-pregnancy baseline and my son will be five months old next week!
Before I get tomato bombs thrown at the computer or a pie in the face, let me say that it didn’t come easy. I busted my tail and have maintained the focus of a stubborn mule to keep myself in check, especially when I slacked off. I’ve eaten lots of fruits, vegetables and kept sugar and sodium to a bare minimum. No butter. I have avoided almost all breads, enriched starches and only had pasta or pizza once or twice during that time. I’ve eaten a lot of sushi, cabbage soup, lentils and brown rice. I haven’t totally abandoned meat, but I have done so sparingly and never mixed them with starches – only veggies. I have splurged on dairy occasionally because I love string cheese and I did indulge in sweets on Easter.
I tried to spend 20 minutes at least three times a week doing some excercise but sometimes it just wasn’t possible. I am a working mom with three kids under the age of five, after all. But, I found time to work out whenever I could, even if only for 5 minutes. I would do squats while brushing my teeth or sit ups before going to bed. I even did jumping jacks while watching TV just to get my heart rate going.
I’ve had very little alcohol, soda or fruit juice. I drank tea and black coffee most of the time. Water was my best friend.
By watching carefully what I put in my body and working out 3-4 times per week, I have lost approximately two pounds each week in just under 90 days. Chasing the kids around probably helped a bit too along with nursing my newborn.
Having three kids takes a toll on your body. I know I will never get back what I had four years ago. So, I think I get the right to feel proud of what I have accomplished instead.
It can be done. I hope other moms will share their stories of how they lost the post baby weight in healthy ways!
(I may even get the nerve to post a before and after photo!)
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- Hello Old Friend (bize-mom.com)
Hi Richelle,
I give you a big pat on the back! I am in the same spot you are right now – I had my third baby 3.5 months ago, and now have 3 little ones age 5 and under. It’s a challenge to lose the baby weight, and it seems to get harder each time. I am still nursing my little one, so it makes the dieting part difficult because I have to maintain a decent caloric intake, and I am always hungry! I just try to make wise choices and steer away from desserts and foods high in sugar. I give you a lot of credit for your healthy eating – I think it’s especially difficult when you have to feed kids at the same time, and they aren’t always willing to eat the foods I should be eating. I’ve been a runner for a long time, so that’s my go-to exercise, and I try to get about 3 longish (45-55 minutes) runs a week in. Sometimes, I end up on the treadmill at 9:45 at night (like tonight!) because it’s just impossible to get any exercise in earlier in the day. Once I am able to get to the gym in the mornings, I will start going to spinning classes again. Going to two 6AM spin classes a week (in addition to a couple of runs a week) was key in losing the weight after baby #2.
I’ve enjoyed your blog because I can very much relate to a lot of what you are experiencing parent-wise. Thanks!
Joanie (from A-Phi)
Good for you Joanie! Nobody said it was easy and we can’t just whip back into shape like the good old days. I wish I could run like you. Not my thing though
I am horrible at it. Congrats on your expanding family and thank you for commenting! Good to hear from you.
Congratulations! Weight loss *done properly* (read: no crash diets) isn’t easy (not to mention harder as we grow older). Keep it up and keep it off!
So true! It DOES get harder with age! Thanks
That is great! Feeling good will also make you a better mom.
Now I can keep up
Congratulations, Richelle! What a great achievement. Sounds like you did it healthfully while still allowing yourself some flexibility. Cheers!
Thank you! I tried to be healthy but sometimes you have to not beat yourself up.
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