work in progress

A few weeks ago I joined an awesome group of gals headed by an awesome lady and old friend to work on this ole mom bod. I'd started with another group in January, but promptly lost all my milk due to a lack of preparation on my end. So I was super excited to go into this experience, and this time I had an arsenal of tips and tricks to keep my milk fat and flowing. From January to the beginning of the challenge I had eaten somewhat clean and ran a few times a week, and managed to drop a few pounds down to my pre-pregnancy weight. But weight is sooooooo just a number. I still hardly recognize this body when I look in the mirror because having a baby changes EVERYTHING. And I have a ring of stretch marks (that look remarkably like a whale tail) that visibly show where my belly stole from my booty. I had twice the boobs, half the trunk-junk, loose skin all over, and I was overall quite squishy. And for the most part I didn't even care. I made a person, and that is incredible, and that takes time to recover from. What I did mind was my abs still being separated and not functioning at all. It felt like my insides were gelatinous when I'd run because there was so little support. I did mind my weak, wide hips that would wear out and start popping after a mile. I did mind that nothing I put on my body fit right, mostly because of the saddle-bags of untoned muscle post-baby. I didn't feel strong, and I didn't feel like me.

But after 21 days of eating mostly clean and balanced (I did partake in an awesome girls night where I may have indulged a little, and I did have to sneak in some extra fat and beer when my milk supply weakened twice) and pressing play for 30 minutes of moderate exercise including cardio, weight training, pilates, or yoga each day (and sometimes I would substitute or add a run), I feel stronger, and I feel more "normal." I am still a work in progress, but I am loving this program. I love having an awesome team to turn to for advice, recipes, and a pick-me-up when I need it. And if a group like this is something you might want to be a part of, let's talk!

Scale Victories:

I've lost more than 10 lbs in five months while still breastfeeding

I weigh less than I did before pregnancy

I weigh less than I did on my wedding day

I am 5.4 lbs from my "goal weight"

Non Scale Victories:

I'm down two dress sizes

I can run 4.5 miles in less than 40 minutes

I can hold a plank for 1.75 minutes

I feel good