If I have done my calculations correctly, it has been EXACTLY 3 YEARS since I have been just me. And by just me I mean not growing a human (or 2) or being the sole source of nutrients (nursing). Yes folks, that is 3 years of sacrificing my physical body for the benefit of another being. Please don't get me wrong ... I am SOOOOO VERY GRATEFUL that I am blessed with a body that was able to conceive, grow, and feed 2 amazing children. I am truly blessed. But this is also the first time in 3 years that I have actually felt good (physically/aesthetically) about myself.
You see, after P was born I worked my tail off trying to lose the extra weight. I gained a lovely 50 lbs with him, so believe me, there was PLENTY of extra weight. I lost half within one week of him being born. Unfortunately, no matter how much I worked out I did not lose the weight. Then only 6 1/2 months after P was born I found myself pregnant again. I begged the nutritionist to let me work out really hard to lose weight before I started gaining again but she forbid it. I was able to keep my weight gain to the appropriate 25 lbs this second time around which I was grateful for and just like last time, I lost that 25 lbs within one week of having Em. Unfortunately, I still had that extra 25 lbs to go from my pregnancy with P. I was so worried that I would never lose it, especially since I tried SO HARD last time and had no success. But I am happy to announce that I am officially back to my Pre-Parker weight and I feel great!
(Please ignore the goofy grin on my face)
Honestly, I would still love to lose 5 more lbs, but I am well withing my appropriate BMI and so I cannot be sad about that. And I still have some serious toning to do, and I doubt I will ever get rid of my saggy-been pregnant twice belly, but I can at least hide now. It is still kind of a mystery how I lost the weight this time around. I am guessing it was basically all just nursing. I started out walking when we first moved back, but when the cold weather hit we stopped. Aside from that I can probably count on one had the number of times I have actually worked out. I feel so blessed and so grateful and so good! Jeff and I will probably have to down our 2 sometimes 3 desserts a day (no that was not a typo ... we are REALLY BAD when it comes to sweets!) to 1 in order for me to keep it up or I guess down.
I am honestly feel like a new person! Since I stopped nursing Em (3 weeks ago) I truly feel amazing! I didn't realized how much it kept me from doing and how it kept me from feeling. Again, please do not get me wrong. . . I am so happy nursing went better this second time around and that I was able to nurse for the full year. It was my goal and got really hard toward the end (mastitis and breast-yeast-infections at the same time) but I am so happy I did it!
It is still hard for me to believe that it has been 3 years since I first got pregnant. Time flies. Again, I am grateful for my able body and the opportunity I had to create life. It still blows my mind when I really think about it! But I am very excited to be me, just me with no attachments! We'll see how long it last. ;) JK I'm not planning on getting pregnant anytime soon, but last time Heavenly Father overrode my decision which I am so grateful for. I'm hoping for one year to soak up the time I have with these 2 little ones. It is such a fun age! I'll post all about them soon! This was kind of selfish post, but I think 3 years straight of physically/mental/emotionally self sacrifice allows for a little bit. Sorry for the rambling. And again, please don't take any of this the wrong way. It was definitely worth ever minute of everyday! Besides the hubs, they are the best things that have ever happened to me!
Comments
Jen
I'm impressed the weight came off without some serious exercising. I've had to seriously work out A LOT to get my body back to where it used to be--but it was worth it! I love having my body back for a little bit of time.