Getting your body back is everyones goal after you give birth. The thing is your body is recuperating from giving birth... I mean no big deal right?! When I first found out I was pregnant I weighed 119 pounds. For me, this was underweight. I am 5'9 and my normal has always been about 125 pounds. It's always been hard for me to gain weight, my metabolism is insane. I know a lot of you are probably reading this and being like ok you bitch. But seriously gaining weight for some people is a big issue. For me, I always thought that might be one of the reasons I struggled to get pregnant. But who really knows.
Since I was so underweight for my height, my Dr wanted me to gain at least 35-40 pounds while I was pregnant. Well I gained 43 pounds my pregnancy, I was so so proud of myself. My stomach measured very small throughout my pregnancy, to the point my Dr had me worried Willa was not progressing. Every ultrasound proved different and she was growing just fine. My Dr always said she's hiding somewhere in that belly of yours. Don't judge or compare yourself to others. I gave birth to a healthy 6 lbs 13 oz 19.5 inches baby girl and my Dr was so surprised she was that big. Even though my belly was small, she was hiding in there and was the perfect size for me. I was worrying for nothing.
Things I've been doing to help get my body back:
1. Breastfeeding
Did you know you burn a ton of calories by breastfeeding. I think this has helped me drop weight so quickly. I was lucky and Willa was an amazing latcher, sucker and eating right off the bat.
2. Belly Bandit
This thing is amazing. Not only does it help shrink your stomach, it also give you back support for nursing, holding/rocking baby. I swear everyone should get one of these to help your postpartum body, it's a total game changer. It keeps you sucked in and is actually really comfortable.
3. Walking & rocking
Thats right. The only major activities I have done so far is go on walks around the block while pushing the stroller. Also, rocking and holding the baby no stop is also helping burn calories. You just don't get to sit on your bum all day with a baby!
4. Drinking a ton of water and eating a lot
Breastfeeding also makes you insanely thirsty and hungry. Since you're pretty much giving baby everything you are always hungry and thirsty, so you have more to burn.
I hope at my 6 week checkup ill be cleared to hopefully start exercising a little bit more. Right now the pictures show that I have really shrunk. What you don't see in the pictures is how its feels like a pillsbury dough boy. My stomach is so soft its like all my muscles have disappeared. I can't wait to start building that back up and tightening my muscles. Also, my hips are much more wide. I mean I gave birth so thank god they stretched so I was able to vaginally deliver, but lets be honest the hips aren't the same after that and I'm ok with that. The Belly bandit really helps mold and shrink those a bit, but even if they stay a little wider I'm ok with that.
I'm currently weighing in at 138, so I've lost 25 pounds. I want to get to about 130 so I have 8 pounds to go until my goal. I'm only a month postpartum and I am happy with where I'm at. Im in no rush to get back to my goal and I'm taking it day by day and being patient with my body. Remember to do the same! Set little goals each day, weekly or even monthly. For me these goals make me feel a little back to my normal self, since you can get so wrapped up in baby.
Shop what I'm wearing in photos:
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