I don’t want to write about New Year’s Resolutions yet I find myself coming back to talk about them again and again. The reason likely is because I’m not where I want to be for the first January 1st in a long time.
If you went by what the magazines say, even though we hate the word diet, 50% of us have tried one in the past year. Everyone makes resolutions to exercise more, eat less, go keto, sleep more, reduce caffeine or alcohol etc… But having written about resolutions now for 12 years, I can tell you that most of them do not stick.
The only resolution of mine that really stuck was when I said I was going to stop chewing gum. It was the last of the artificial sugar still in my diet. I don’t really know how I did it but to be honest, when I got pregnant with Tommy I gave it up and when I would try it later, it made me feel sick.
But this year feels different. I’m almost 6 months postpartum and have 10 lbs that I’d like to lose to get back to my pre-baby weight. I know, I’m supposed to tell you the scale doesn’t matter. I haven’t attempted to lose weight once since Connor was born but I’m itching to get my clothes to fit like they used to.
Does this make me less of a “love your body” postpartum mother?
Does this make me less of a “fitness influencer” since I chose to eat what I wanted during and after pregnancy?
I started this blog to share what did and did not work for me. Blogging is a lot like a personal diary, that one shares to maybe help someone else relate, lament, learn from or cry with.
So that I guess means, I’m supposed to tell you I want to make a resolution for the first time in a LONG time about losing weight… ugh. I hate to type those words because part of me knows I’ll be sleep deprived, haven’t gone grocery shopping, make poor food decisions and feel bad.
I hate that in my previous childless life I cared about what I ate and it effected my self worth and self confidence. Since becoming a mom, I just have such a greater appreciation for my body. The weight took 9 months to come off after Tommy and once it did, I felt invincible. I was more confident than ever. It felt like it came off naturally but did it?
I used to review different diets back in the day. I’ve been out of the game for so long, I’m wondering if I should try one of the buzziest diets like keto or intermittent fasting or maybe just start with the simple change of not eating cookies at 4 pm and drinking wine every night. However, part of me thinks it’s pretty nice that I have been able to maintain this not so healthy diet without gaining significant weight.
So while I do not have the method quite yet, my goal is to lose the 10 lbs by Tommy’s Spring Break. We have a vacation planned and it coincides with 8 months postpartum.
I am also going to try to eat a more plant based diet limiting meat to only a few days a week.
And for the record, I don’t think I could do keto unless it was like that keto/vegan hybrid. Also, why does everyone hate fruit so much???
So while part of me feels like a terrible fitness blogger, I’m sharing my journey in hopes that maybe some of you can relate!
I will say, losing the baby weight the second time is SO MUCH HARDER. With my first, I was 10 lb below my pre-baby weight at 6 months post-partum; this time, I am 5 lb above it 8 months post-partum and I am totally stuck. I do OTF several times a week and I was barely working out last time! I am going to do a Whole 30 in January to try to jumpstart the final weight loss, so I feel you completely.
Whole 30 feels like a lot of work… not sure I could do it
Thanks for being real about your body and your very relatable desire to fit back into your clothes! Many fitness bloggers treat diet like a dirty word, but then say they’re cutting out sugar and alcohol and carbs for a month.
As a fellow mom of a baby and toddler, don’t drop the nightly wine! 😉
I love reading your blog and love your honesty!! Thank you for all that you share -- it is all SO relatable and real!!
I love your blog and appreciate your honesty!! What you share is so relatable and so real -- thank you!!
I lost all my baby weight pretty quickly and then after a D&C because of a missed miscarriage, I just got diagnosed with PCOS. I keep gaining weight even though my diet hasn’t changed and exercising. I am going to try the Nutritarian diet from “Eat to Live.” I did that for 4 weeks strict last year and lost 10lbs. The super bowl derailed me lol My husband has been intermittant fasting and he loves it! He hasn’t really changed his diet but has lost 10ish lbs and he has really trimmed down just by limiting his food times. He does 12-8.
I might try the intermittent fasting! Seems popular and a favorite. Also, sorry to hear about your struggles. I hope you find a plan that works for you
If there is something you really enjoy just work it in to your diet. Life is too short to give up everything. I’m down 35 pounds with about 40 to go. I’m not “going on a diet” it’s a lifestyle change. Keep what you love and cut something you won’t miss. You look awesome already but we all have that point where we feel our personal best and healthiest. Happy New Year!