So I tweeted a couple of weeks ago about how I felt like my pregnancy weight was just melting off. I really felt as though I was really making progress: after all, my maternity clothes are sagging (amongst other things.) Somehow whenever I feel optimistic about something I've managed to "dodge" it comes back to taunt me. Case in point: stretch marks. I made it to 37 weeks with 1. Some how at 40 weeks it turned to a good section of my lower abdomen. After giving birth I feel they've multiplied even more. I was SO hoping I'd be one of the lucky ones.
Somehow I hoped breastfeeding would be the diet and exercise regimen I could never commit to. 500 calories a day is like a pretty good session on the elliptical. The problem with breastfeeding is that you release a hormone, prolactin, that increases your hunger. I really don't feel I'm eating that much more than usual, although, the usual is hard to remember pre-pregnancy. I didn't think I'd gain close to 50 pounds. Guess all that Dr Pepper had to go somewhere, right?
Now that I've reached my 6 week postpartum mark, it's time to get busy. I don't exactly feel "normal" yet. Something about my joints and bones feel loose or weird. Something about looking at Elise and knowing she came out of me sort of creeps me out about my anatomy in general. Maybe it's all psychosomatic. B started his "postpartum" regimen January 2nd. He wanted to get a head start since he doesn't have the breastfeeding advantage. I'm going to start with a slow elliptical session tomorrow. I'll probably have a hard time doing it for even 20 minutes but will try. From there on out I'll increase 10 minutes every 3 days until I can do it for an hour.
Any suggestions for other work out regimens or diet changes okay with breastfeeding? I'm afraid of cutting too many calories and losing weight too quickly. (Supposedly, toxins within a woman's fat cells can be released into breast milk at too high a concentration if more than 2 pounds are lost a week.) I'd be happy with 2 pounds a week. At that rate, I'd be normal again in 4 months and change.
I'm going to start posting body shots next week and joining in on McFatty Monday. I feel entirely too bloated and disgusted this week to start. In the meantime, enjoy Elise's 5 week baby pics. She gets more gorgeous by the day.
