So it took my a while to post this one and feel comfortable about it because it was first tough to admit how much my body had changed (and by change, I mean weight/fat gain ) with pregnancy. And yes, I got back into shape, and I think even better than before actually. However because I have always been active and healthy people think it was “all natural and easy” for me. Yeah…. well, No….
To tell the truth, I believe it is even harder when all your life you have been rather active and fit, regularly exercising to stay that way or trying to get better, and all it took is just a few months during which you were not allowed/able to work out + hormonal changes that made you hungry all the time and BOOM! + 18kg (~40 lbs) accompanied with the loss of muscles, which I had worked my butt off so hard all all my life to get to the point I was – and still not fully satisfied.
I would have people telling me “don’t worry, you were fit before, you will get back into shape in no time” – yay, well I was not in shape just out of good luck and sitting on my butt, so for me I knew I would have to work harder than ever before. However I was always convinced I would get back into shape – I never had a doubt about it – the hard part was not to loose motivation and stamina realizing all the muscle/physical endurance I had lost and had to gain back, within a year (that was my goal). Why a year? People say 9 months to make a baby, 9 months to lose the weight, and I had to have a C-section, so unfortunately recovery takes a bit longer and you have to be more cautious when you start working out again. So 1 year sounded good and achievable.
Honestly it is a slow process. I did breastfeed for a year, but that makes me laugh when people say that breastfeeding helps you lose weight. It is true that you do spend a lot of calories doing this, but damn that makes you so much hungrier as well! And it is not like I wanted to munch on a celery stick to fill up this hunger… I mean some people might, (unfortunately?) I just prefer ice cream and cookies .
Also, I did not go on a diet. I was reading about some women loosing it all super fast by strict diet, but honestly this does not seem smart to me. You need to have all the essential nutrients when you breastfeed: to pass on to your baby but also for yourself to be able to recover fully after giving birth. Strict dieting can lead to weak heir/teeth/nails, for the least. But maybe the most important reason to me that dieting to lose weight has never been my thing. It does not make me feel happy at all drinking those shakes made out of processed food powder. I would much rather make my own fresh smoothies. I do love to eat pretty healthy with lots of fresh raw greens, vegetables, and home-made food. I was focusing on having a balanced diet – while keeping my desserts
I truly believe that a healthy balance diet is the first step towards getting your body in shape. Second one: work-out.
It is hard when you have a baby, as your personal time becomes considerably limited, and when you do have a few minutes, you just want to rest. But an intense 30 min work out 5 days a week will take you a long way, plus some walks, quick opportunities to do a few toning exercises here and there… all these will pay off. And I will keep on giving some tips in this blog of what has worked for me.
To conclude, no matter where you are with your physical shape, how fit you were/are, I truly believe the body is an incredible machine mother nature has blessed us with, and that as long as you give it the means, you can achieve pretty much anything you envision. The key point is to have full faith about yourself, have the vision of what you want to achieve and share it with your partner so that he can support you. Then holding on to it is easier and results will show.
