19 weeks ago I started out on this humiliation diet with the goal of losing the rest of my baby weight, 35 pounds.
“The cold hard facts are these. I gained 70 pounds while pregnant with Girly McBaby. Yes, part of that is because I was told not to worry about gaining weight by my doctors who were concerned she would be premature, and felt that it was more important to get weight on her any way possible. And she was born healthy at 8.1 pounds so I don’t regret it. But I also know gaining 70 pounds wasn’t doctors orders. It was because I was sad and ice cream is like prozac and really, I just have issues with food. And most importantly, I do not want to pass on my issues with food to my baby girl. I want her to learn from my healthy habits, and my positive body image, and so it is time to get serious.”
So here we are at the end of the time I set for myself and I have lost 16 pounds of the last 35. 50 since Gracie was born.
A little under half of my goal, but it is hard to feel disappointed about 16 pounds. Along the way I tried a lot of different diets and workouts, and while I admire you paleo dieting cross fitters out there, it’s just not for me. What has worked best for me is eating a ton more vegetables than I ever have before, dinner usually looks like 50% vegetable, 30% meat, 20% carb. It used to be, and I would prefer it to be, 90% carb and 10% alcohol, but shits not fair.
For my workouts I have started running 2-3 miles a day, either pushing Gracie in her stroller, or at the gym, and then occasionally attempting a portion of a Tracy Anderson video. It is slow going, but it feels like a lifestyle I can maintain forever, and since it is taking so long and I have so much to lose, a crash diet just isn’t going to work for me.
I think the biggest obstacle to my success has been a social life, it sucks to be on a diet at weddings and on double dates. I mean, what kind of jackal doesn’t have a bite of cake at a wedding? SO RUDE! Right?
This is obviously not the end of my goals. I will keep you all updated on my progress a bit more sporadically, but I cannot thank all of you enough for your support. So much of weight issues have to do with shame, and sharing it with y’all and realizing I am not the only one who struggles to lose the baby weight was such a positive thing. Because, let’s face it, if I see one more Victoria Beckham/Giselle Bundchenesque magazine cover about losing baby weight I am going to become very spiteful…Thank God for Jessica Simpson.
Anyway, I am off to figure out how to continue on with my goals without allowing it to take up so much brain space.
Some of you asked for before and afters…Although it pains me to do this…
Before on the left, After on the right…
Before on the left, After on the right…
I guess I can see a little bit of a difference in my hips, tummy, and donkey butt.
And I did a body comp at our gym before and after, and the official stats say I lost 5% of my body fat, and gained muscle.
So Yay!
i never comment but wanted to say YOU LOOK GREAT. 16 pounds might not seem like huge amount, especially since you see yourself every day, but it looks like a huge difference in the photos. I always picture how Oprah brought out the wagon filled with how many pounds she had lost- think about it that way, it’s a lot!
You look great and congrats on your weight loss! A book you might want to check out is “Why We Get Fat” by Gary Taubes. It explains (1) why running is slowing down your weight loss, and (2) why substituting veggies for carbs & alcohol is working.
Some people (not everyone) are prone to insulin resistance, which causes weight gain, and carbs exacerbate the problem. In 2010 I lost 110 lbs following an eating plan very similar the one described in the book, WITHOUT working out. I didn’t know about the book then; when I came across it I was glad to learn there was a scientific basis for why the plan I was following worked. (BTW, I quit working out during my weight loss because I was tired of torturing myself for not getting to the gym. I’d lost the pleasure & fun in it, and I promised myself I wouldn’t start again until it was just about enjoyment rather than weight management. That feeling did come back towards the end of my loss, and I do work out today– but only for fun!)
I continue to follow the eating plan and have maintained my loss these past couple of years. Remember that everybody’s biology is not the same, so once you find the eating plan that works for your body you can maintain the weight you want without struggle. But it may mean acknowledging that for you, certain types of food just don’t work and need to stay permanently off your list (for me, flour & sugar).
Hope my comments help, and congrats again on your loss. Having struggled with weight issues most of my life, I definitely know the effort that took.
Congrats! Agreed – you cannot be disappointed about losing 16lbs! That’s such an accomplishment.
I never comment on blogs, but couldn’t help myself this time – we have too much in common. I saw the sneak peak of your house on Design*Sponge – beautiful. I too am an interior designer and just had a baby girl six months ago – the light of my life (along with her five year old brother), but I am also frustrated/working hard to lose the baby weight. Congratulations – you look amazing!!! Job very well done. Nice to know others are in the same boat.
Dinner – 90% carbs, 10% alcohol — the dream! I wish. And you look amazing! I think I need to eat more veggies.
♡ Lexi
FASHION: Glitter & Pearls
WEDDINGS: Glitter Weddings
Okay, so I came over from design*sponge b/c I’m in love with your blue bath tile! But can I just say thank you for this post too! My “baby” is 2.5 and I’m still working on loosing that baby weight. I should say, I’m just starting on loosing that baby weight.
It’s hard! It sucks! I’m soooo impressed with your 16lbs, and you’ve inspired me to keep at it. Even though I’m crazy sore from over-doing it on Saturday, and then Sunday I ate like 16 donut holes in 1 sitting, but I’ve resolved that today’s a new day, and I’ll just start over and try again. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
I’ve been reading your blog and idly following along with your “diet”. I guess I never had a clear picture in my mind of what you look like, because when you posted the comparison pics I though Holy shit, you look HOT! Seriously, you look so healthy and muscular. My boyfriend was walking by the computer and said WHOA WHO’S THAT. Congratulations on living a healthy life, I really hope you are proud of yourself and realize how great you’ve done!
You are gorgeous and looking fabulous!
My baby is 12 and I still haven’t lost the baby fat! Nor have I lost the entire person I gained since then either. So I think you’re doing great!
And you said “shit” in your blog, just at a time when I was thinking that I should be more “me” on my blog, which would include a fair amount of swearing, so you’ve inspired me.
And your house is AWESOME!!!
So it’s all good!
Bailey,
You’re one hot mama! Keep up the good work! I’d gladly go run with you at Memorial anytime! I’m finding it hard to have a social life, and concentrate on ME as well. Continue kicking butt doll, you look wonderful no matter what!