Losing that Baby Weight and Without a Gym

Any mom knows that their body is NEVER the same after having kids. Ever.


About two months after my son's birth, I was ready to start losing my 30 pounds of weight gain.

The only way I've ever lost weight was by exercise and dieting.  What I mean by dieting is that I ate healthy.  I didn't do anything crazy like no carbs or no sugar.  I have never deprived myself of those delicacies.  If I did, I am certain I would give up on my diet completely. As a side note, I have never taken any diet pills

I've heard the following statement: It took 9 months for my body to change and it will take 9 months for my body to return back.  I lost weight in stages of my son's age. The older he got the easier it became to find time to workout.

Getting started to me is the hardest part about exercising.  Once I start the run or workout, I complete it and feel accomplished.

I love this! It really is all about starting!

When Benaiah was 2 months old, I started to go running only 2 times a week using the C25K phone application.  This app. trains an inexperienced runner for a 5k. I would nurse my son, give him to my husband and go for a run.  Almost every day, I took a 30 minute walk with the baby in the stroller.  I would time my walk. 

Sometimes I would miss running completely for a few weeks. However, I continued to go for 30 minute walks with my son while my husband was at work.  The days when I would have our only car, I would go to local parks and do a "stroller workout." 

A stroller workout is a strength exercise done using a stroller.  I would do squats, lunges, crunches, and push-ups at a park with Benaiah sleeping in the stroller.  I was not able to run with him yet because he was too small at the time. Every now and then I would go running by myself at our apartment gym in the morning.  At this time, I wasn't exercising profusely just every now and then.  I was mindful of foods that I would buy and I continued to nurse my son.  Nursing burns calories.  I only lost a few pounds. Nothing to be noticed though.  

However, the point is that I started slowly.  It's amazing how much confidence I felt by choosing to be active even though my pre-pregnancy clothes still didn't fit.  There really is something about working hard toward a goal that makes me feel self-assured.  Also, I can't sit a home complaining about my body or my lack of discipline if I'm not doing anything about it.  If I'm tired of being overweight, I'm going to do something about it. 

Going on our daily 30 minute walks

When my son turned 6 months old, I was finally able to run with him in our jogging stroller.  As a family, when it wasn't cold, we would go run (using C25K) and occasionally do a stroller workout around our apartment complex or at a nearby park.  However, when it was cold, I would go use our apartment's (free) gym. I used this gym very rarely. (I could only use it when my husband watched the baby.) 

Gym Tangent:  Gym's for a family can cost over $100 per month.  We decided to cut expenses, meaning no Gym Memberships.  

8 months post baby, I started to notice a difference in my body.  My pre-pregnancy jeans wear fitting again! Still a little tight, but I was able to button them! I am not sure how much weight I lost because I avoid weighing myself.  However, I could see the change.

We moved to a different neighborhood 9 months post baby.  This brings me to what I have currently been doing to lose weight. The juicy details are to follow. 

Currently, I have been running and doing Jillian Michaels workout videos. Those workout videos are NO JOKE!  I love these videos. Once I start, I have to finish.  

When I try doing my own workouts at home, I do them half-hearted and most likely wrong. She, through the videos, taught me how to do effective workouts and to keep going.  Once I push play there is no returning. I must finish. 

I have still been using the C25K app. using interval run-walk techniques.  This has been great for a beginner runner like myself. Recently, I finally got brave enough to challenge myself and run 20 minutes straight.  I have never had the endurance to run for that long in my entire life.  I actually dislike running, but it gives results. 

Exercise: I run 3 to 4 times a week.  I do the Ripped in 30 video workout by Jillian Michaels 5 times a week.  I just finished Week 3 and I am currently on Week 4.  I will start the 30 Day Shred workout next.  I've definitely been seeing results already.  

Diet: I've been counting my calories and weighing my food portions.  I still buy sweets sometimes. I limit myself though.  Besides giving in to my sweet cravings, I do not buy any unhealthy foods for my house. I avoid them.  If there are a bag of Ranch Doritos in my house, I can guarantee that I will eat the whole bag in one sitting.  Therefore, no junk food allowed. It is best to keep the temptation away especially in the cabinets of the house.  I also do food prep with a plethora (love that word) of tub-o-ware. I do meal planning which involves a detailed grocery list. 

My grocery list also helps with budgeting! :)

That's how I've been losing weight! It hasn't been easy, but It sure has made me a more confident and healthy mom.

Just a reminder that I did this slowly. My journey has not been about losing weight rather it was about being healthy and gaining confidence.  Even though I still have more to go in this process, I am happy in my own skin right now.  I'm proud of what my body has endured from pregnancy to post pregnancy.

We are super women! We need to give ourselves the chance to be.

Thanks for letting me share my year long adventure. I'll try to share my ups and downs as I continue on.

I'll be posting soon about where I find the time in the day to do these workouts. <3

Always,
Leah

Darn Weight Scales!

A few days ago I decided to weigh myself. I hadn't weighed myself in a month.

I stepped on the life ruiner and was disappointed at what I saw. I hadn't lost any weight. I've been stepping up my workouts and challenging myself, but the scale did not show my work.  Which brings me to why I think the scale lies.  

I measured myself a month ago around my waist and hips.  

My waist was 35 3/4 inches.

My hips were 43 inches. 

Today:

My waist is 34 inches. 

My hips are 41 1/2 inches

I've lost more than an inch and a half! 

I am aware that muscle weighs more than fat, which I am excited to be gaining muscle.  

I am a big component for healthy living and not just losing weight. Losing weight is important. However, if I'm so obsessed about the darn number on the scale, I will never meet my goals.  

I have a calf muscle starting to show. :)

Here's to more than an inch lost! :) I'm feeling accomplished regardless of the scale.  No more weighing for me. I'll leave that up to the doctor's office.

Always,

Leah

P.S. I did in fact NEED new running shoes. Ha! Just ordered some on clearance!! at Academy. (Texas sports and outdoors store.) All within budget, of course.

Chicken Wrap

This Chicken Wrap is about 350 calories.

Ingredients:
1 Whole wheat tortilla
2-3oz of chicken
1 Romaine lettuce leaf
1 tbsp of Mandarin oranges
2 tbsp of Black Beans (no salt added)
2 tbsp of low sodium salsa
1/8 cup of low fat cheese
1 tbsp of Chobani plain yogurt

If you haven't noticed, I really like HEB brand. Ha.

If you don't live in Texas, I'm sorry. It's the best grocery store EVER. 

It took me 10-15 minutes with preparation and "cooking".  All I did was heat up the chicken and tortilla. 

Left over beans, yogurt, and oranges can be put in tub-o-ware.  Use them later for another chicken wrap or another meal.  :) 

Not a Fit Mom

It was a Sunday morning and it had been two months since I had my first born son.  I looked in the mirror and hated what I saw.  I was the biggest I had ever been in my entire life. None of my clothes fit.  I was still wearing maternity pants.  All my shirts were either too tight or my maternity shirts still made me look pregnant.

I complained to my husband about not wanting to wear the same shirt to church again. I put on one of my maternity t-shirts.  The shirt was red and was pretty tight on the stomach. I would regret wearing the shirt entirely, but I honestly didn't have very many clothes that fit.

170 pounds

We went to church.

Now, just because people go to church doesn't mean their perfect.

One lady, whom I have never met before, asked if I'm still pregnant.  Really?! Another lady comes up to me at the same time.  "Oh, you had your baby?!" She exclaimed.  In my head I'm thinking, "yes, we've been coming to church for a month now."  The second woman then proceeded to tell me how to start flattening my stomach. She tells me about using a stomach wrap. Blah. Blah. Blah. (I never will buy one now. ) At this time, I'm politely nodding and trying to hold back my tears.   I know these ladies didn't mean anything by their stinging words. The ladies were affirming that I've gained weight during this pregnancy and I obviously needed to lose weight. I am hoping they were trying to be helpful... 

I tell them that I'm going to go find my husband.  I leave their hurtful comments and find my husband with my son.  I tell him I'm ready to go.  We walk out of the church and to the car.  I cry. I tell Fabian what happened. Of course he goes on to say I'm beautiful and that I just had a baby. Such a sweet husband. In my head I'm thinking, "Blah Blah Blah". 

I was tired of feeling bad for myself and not being confident. 

On the following Monday morning, I nursed my son, gave him to my husband, and went out for a run.  Well, more like a walk-run.  

It's been almost a year and I think I've lost 20 pounds. I try not to weigh myself because the scale lies. I'm down two pant sizes and my pre-pregnancy clothes fit once again.  I feel more and more confident everyday.  I'm ready to continue this journey to being healthier.

17 pounds lost. (I think. Ha.) 

Although, I dare say I am healthy now. I mean that's the reason I decided to lose weight.  It was partly because I hated what I saw, but mostly because I just wanted to fit into that cute shirt I saw in the store.  (That I can't buy right now because we're so tight on the budget! GRR. Not forever though.)

As of right now, I have no desire to get abs or a flat stomach.  I don't want to be skinny. I sincerely just want to be healthy and confident in myself.  I want to feel accomplished. Though, knowing that I can be disciplined and determined to change has brought me to this place of confidence in myself.  To me, that's what being healthy is all about.  It's not about being a #fitmom and showing the world how awesome you are for having a chiseled body. I mean, that's great. Don't get me wrong.
However, I would rather focus on my reality.  I would rather focus on simple life changes that go toward being healthier than focus all my time on why I don't have abs.

If you are struggling like I was, I want to encourage you to be take steps toward being healthy.  So you can't run a mile right now. That's fine. Walk a mile. Don't look at some unrealistic image of what you want your body to look like. Rather be the best healthy you. The results will follow.

Here's is my latest accomplishment!

Feb 2014 on the Left.  June 2014 on the Right.
I am going to continue to lose weight so I can secretly eat cookie dough anytime I want. Ha! 

Progress is slow. That's the way I like it.  I would rather the weight come of slowly because then I know how to keep the weight off. #freeLeahtip Baby steps are key.

I would love it if, along with our debt-free journey, you would join me on my fitness journey.  I will do my best to post recipes, show my workouts, and my results.  After all, being healthier and having more energy during the day is the best! Seriously though, I have more energy and am more alert for Benaiah when I've worked out than when I haven't worked out.

Maybe one day I will be a #fitmom, but for now I am taking steps toward being a healthy mom. <3


Thanks for reading!

All my love,
Leah