After I gave birth, I decided to take some pictures regularly to document how my body looked and changed over these first several months. I gained a little a little less than 40 pounds during the pregnancy, and weighted approximately 165 pounds when I gave birth on November 7. I then lost probably 18 or so pounds over the first few days, then gained back 5 despite breastfeeding exclusively (due to uncontrolled eating, no exercise whatsoever, and the Holidays coming around at that time) -my weight loss since birth was officially 13 pounds when I returned to my ob/gyn for my 8 weeks post-partum visit.
9 days post-partum -probably the same as I was around 4 months pregnant...
I took a few pictures after that, but I'm only wearing underwear on them, so I'm not quite game to post them here. But here's a picture taken on Christmas night, 7 weeks post-partum, 150 pounds. Yes I know, the boobs. Sigh. If only there was a (natural!) way of keeping those...
20 weeks. Weight: 137. At this point I could fit into a lot of my clothes again, which felt awesome.
27 weeks. Weight: 133. The ultimate test: I can get into my normal jeans. They're still a little tight, but!!!
I'm still not at my before weight (I have 5-7 pounds to go). But a shift has occurred, and seemingly overnight I found myself closer to my "natural" body. Exactly like the last time, this only happened after I started breastfeeding less often, as F started eating solids 3 times a day. Even though nursing certainly does make you lose weight, I seem to be one of these women (about 20%) whose body purposely retains some fat as long as you're nursing the baby (which seems to make sense from an anatomical/evolutionary point of view). For the same reason, I think it will be hard to lose these last pounds before F is completely weaned. I don't stress over these too much. It's clear that my body will never be like before I had kids -after two pregnancies my stomach will never be as tight and flat, nor my boobs as perky. But I'm just so happy and relieved to find myself (relatively) back!
11 comment(s):
Well done, lady! You look fantastic. Really, really fantastic.
You look great! I'm lazy about exercising. I still have a belly 4years post partum!
You look AMAZING.
Thank you girls. I'm a little dubious though. I feel quite the opposite most of the time.
I think you look awesome.
You look amazing! You've inspired me to kick my butt into gear!
You look really great! Only 5-7lb off your pre-pregnancy weight while still nursing? That's amazing, you should give yourself a pat on the back for that.
Well done!
My body is not good. I looked better in the first few weeks after having the babies. My shitty diet and complete lack of exercise over the last 6 months have resulted in a belly that hangs over my jeans. Not sexy. I'm actually considering stomach-control undies. NOT SEXY.
You're looking fantastic! 5 lbs is nothing, I'm sure it will be gone in no time once you're finished breastfeeding. And if it's not, I don't think it would be noticeable.
You look amazing! In the flesh & in photos :) xoxo
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