The Silver Lining

Uh. Postpartum weight loss. Not a fun topic, but one of those facts of life that is so utterly real it’s annoying. After Max was born I had this grandiose idea of documenting my journey back to … well, back to something “normal”. Whatever that is.  Pre-Jemma I had some of those happy marriage pounds and pre-Max I had found an ideal right around 140 pounds. I consider that ideal because 1) I felt good, healthy 2) I was able to borrow clothes from my sister’s which exponentially increased my wardrobe options.

I peaked at 179 pounds with my second pregnancy – a total of 39 pounds. Since two weeks postpartum I’ve wavered between 155 and 160. Boo. Holiday treats played a lot into my stagnant weight, but whatevs. I’m not gonna say no to a cookie when it’s staring me in the face. No sir. I had a plateau during my postpartum months with Jem too. I don’t think  I started dropping again until she was 8 or 9 months.

I say all that to say, I’m bummed about my thick middle. I’m limiting my sweets without sending my sweet tooth into complete exile. Literally, I can eat a dozen cookies in a day if they are just hanging out and about. I am the non-blue version of Cookie Monster. I’m also focusing on eating quality calories because I’ve seen a direct correlation between wholesome food and my milk supply. Quinoa – represent! And, I’m biding my time, hoping that by Max’s first birthday I’ll be feeling more myself.

I tell others all the time that it takes 9 months to grow a baby and it will take at least that long to lose it. I need to remember my own advice. And most days, I do. But some days, it just stinks to be the bigger version of me. And today I’m telling myself that it is just fine to have those thoughts as well. Because I know in my heart of hearts, that the silver lining is the chubby little boy in my arms who wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my chubby tummy.

-Gretchen

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Comments

  1. says

    ugh i'm so there myself! trying hard to love and respect my body and what i did and continue to do for my new baby, but it's hard! i had one pair of jeans that sort of fit, but now they have a hole in them – ack! do i go buy new pants in a size i don't want to be, or wear jammies and yoga pants until i fit my pre-preggers? and when/how do i fit in exercise that will get me there? because like you, my mouth can't stop inhaling food!! we can do this, right?

  2. says

    At least you're still in the window of post-partum weight. My "baby" is 6 years old. Mine is not acceptable or explainable anymore!

  3. Nessa Bixler says

    I lost the baby weight faster with my first than this time around. I have 15 pounds hanging on this time 6 months out. To top it off a separated abdomen that makes me pouchier. My baby's dimples are worth it… so worth it.

  4. Nessa Bixler says

    And you are so brave… I don't have the guts to post a belly shot.

  5. ThatMamaGretchen says

    There is no doubt, having babies changes our bodies forever — if not with weight, then the distribution of it :) Here's the embracing all that comes with motherhood!

  6. ThatMamaGretchen says

    It was supposed to be my "before" picture, but it is my before and present photo now, so … maybe in another year an "after" will debut. Ha!

  7. ThatMamaGretchen says

    I have the separated abs too! Definitely contributes to the pooch :( I went to a PT twice to learn exercises to help it and I'm trying to stay on it, but I do it maybe half as often as I should.

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  11. Briana Runde says

    Thanks for sharing! I am sharing my journey on my blog too. Wish our bodies went back to normal as fast as they "pop"! :)

  12. says

    thanks for sharing a REAL pic of what a post-baby tummy looks like. it is so hard to lose that weight. i have the seperated abs too. like you said, we put the weight on over 9 months… it's reasonable to anticipate it will take the same time to lose it. best wishes!

  13. says

    I feel you girlfriend! Sadly, I'm 9 months pp and my stomach has not improved one bit. If anything I look worse! And I went to my ob last week and weighed more than I did at my 6 week pp checkup! Sad day. You are not alone! But don't be too hard on yourself! There is such grace and life is more important than fretting over external things! ( I'm telling myself this too!)

  14. ThatMamaGretchen says

    What's your blog link … it isn't showing up in your comment profile! I know I've visited before, but for the life of me I can't remember!

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