This is an update on the last weight loss post, Four in Three. I’m still eight pounds from goal, but three pounds from my short-term goal. It’s time for pictures.
Me at about 218 pounds. Seriously, this is obviously not all weight gained for pregnancy. I remember that day was the best I’d felt in a month. I’m wearing lipstick and standing up! We were going to dinner with friends. My self-esteem was terrible. My arms look like sausages. I bought this dress at a regular, non-maternity store because most maternity clothes are very cheaply made and I wanted one or two things that didn’t fall apart. Why did I buy a cap-sleeve dress? Who knows. The pattern did do a good job of hiding everything else.
Me two days ago. I think the biggest difference, other than the obvious BABY that’s missing, is my neck. Oh, and my watch now fits. I also stopped wearing makeup, but that’s not so much about my weight, is it?
I noticed that my bicep muscles are more toned. Most moms can attest to the toning that happens from picking up a kid over and over.
The dress was purchased to hide my growing rear, so it’s hard to tell that it’s smaller, but trust me, it is. I can fit into my pre-baby pants. The waistband are still a bit tight but I don’t know if my stomach muscles will ever be that toned again.
Having been thin most of my life made me less appreciative of the struggles of losing weight. I battled 10 pounds that kept wanting to creep onto my frame, but that was it. Now I know that it takes a lot of discipline to stay on plan. My “diet” wasn’t really a “diet” so much as a permanent change to my eating habits. I knew that if I purchased pre-made meals, I’d just go back to old habits after the diet ended. I used to eat, as a snack on a Saturday night:
- 1/2 to one package of chocolate chip cookie dough- with a spoon
- An entire bag of sour cream and cheddar potato chips
- An entire container of sour cream for dipping the chips
A new snack is:
- A piece of fruit or cheese
A typical old dinner was:
- A ten- to fourteen- ounce steak or pork roast
- Homemade macaroni and cheese with extra cheese
- A dessert of sour cream or icing on a spoon (at least ten spoonsful)
A new dinner is:
- Beans or lentils
- Whole grain rice
- Some sort of green vegetable cooked in canola/olive/flaxseed oil
So there you go. If I can change my diet, anyone can.
You look fantastic - congrats!
Hi, I came across your blog looking for Montessori activity ideas for children around 18mos. I am planning to open a Montessori inspired preschool in about 6 months. Anyway, I’ve read a few of your posts and I just wanted to say hello.
As for the baby weight thing, dont even get me started. But I agree, you do look fabulous!
You almost look like a totally different person–I see a lot of difference in your face and your collar-bone area too.
Congrats on feeling more like yourself…although you’re right: sometimes after a baby or big weight loss your body doesn’t look the same as it did before. I think the trick is to accept that this is okay–because you’ve done something physically strenuous.
But also, don’t lose all hope: I swear to you, my mother had 3 kids and had a more kickin’ body when she was in her 40s than I ever did as her (chubby) teenage daughter. It can just take some time for your skin’s elasticity to return.
You can do it! You have a lot more willpower and healthier eating habits than I do.
Congrats! You’re looking great and that dress is way cute.
Thanks to everyone for the encouragement! As for the dress, who knew I’d ever re-wear any of that stuff? Just goes to show that a few good clothes are better than a bunch of junky ones.