Friday, October 5, 2012

40/40

Today marks exactly 40 weeks since Hunter was born. He's now been on the outside for the exact same amount of time he was on the inside. *Based on when I ovulated he was born at exactly 40 weeks, even though I went past my estimated due date*

After having Hunter one of the things I heard from numerous people in regards to losing the baby weight was that I should give myself at least the same amount of time to lose it that it took to gain it. Meaning that by today my body should be back to where it was pre-pregnancy. Granted for many women it can take much shorter or much longer to lose the weight but I think giving yourself at least 9 months is a good guide.

So where am I physically now?

When I was pregnant I gained 37 pounds. I went from 105 pounds to 142 pounds and on a 5 foot tall petite frame it was a lot. I am now back down to 105 pounds and have been for several months now. But it wasn't as easy or as quick as I had hoped and despite being back at the same weight my body certainly does not look the same.

When I left the hospital after 5 days I think I had only lost like 5 pounds which was amazing given that I had an almost 8 pound baby. I still looked a good 8 months pregnant and a week later on my first trip out of the house (other than the hospital) was asked when I was due. I was VERY swollen after the C-section. I was not one of those women that looks all pretty and skinny post delivery. I looked ROUGH. The weight did not fall off me like those freak-of-nature celebrities who look skinny again after only two weeks. That is NOT normal. You must remember those chicks have personal trainers, nutritionists, personal chefs, nannies and oh yes tummy tucks (you know it's true). Real women don't have those luxuries. A lot of them work full time and are sleep deprived and don't have time to work out for an hour everyday or have perfectly balanced meals cooked everynight for them. It's hard.

The weight came off, but it came off slowly. I admit I didn't/don't exercise much other than carrying around my 23lb gigantic baby and our stroller walks on the weekends. I just don't have time. Not unless I want to wake up at 5am. I lost weight due in large part to breastfeeding. But breastfeeding is a double edge sword. Yes it burns calories but for me at least, in the beginning, it made me FAMISHED! Seriously, everytime I nursed I was tearing the kitchen apart for something...anything to eat, even at 2am. So I was consuming as many calories as I was burning. Once that settled down I finally started to lose weight after about a month I started to notice a real difference and finally after about 6-7 months I was back to "normal". I did also have to eat better to help lose the weight.

But as I said, even though I'm back to where I was weight wise, my body ain't the same. Here are some of the changes:

1. My boobs are bigger. Not a LOT bigger (unfortunately). This is due to the fact that I'm still breastfeeding so who knows what the final bra size outcome will be once I stop.

2. My nipples. Without getting graphic, let's just say they don't look the same. Breastfeeding has taken it's toll.

3. My once cute, little innie belly button is not so little or cute anymore. It went back inside but is now all stretched out and wrinkled and ugly (in my opinion).

4. My ass is flatter. It used to be cute and perky. Not so much anymore (though my hubby still loves it so that's all that matters).

5. My hips are wider which makes my pants fit differently.

6. I am currently sporting hideous and annoying "baby bangs" that are due to the regrowth that is finally happening now that I've finished the post partum hair loss. That was fun as well.

7. Scarring- I now have a wonderful C-section scar on my lower belly. This really doesn't bother me. You can't see it when I'm wearing a bathing suit and it's a constant reminder of my child and what my body went through to get him here. And my V-hole stayed in tack so that's a bonus I guess.

8.  My belly. Yes my poor, formerly flat (though never a six pack) belly, is now very far from flat. Despite losing all the weight I still have quite a pooch, especially at the end of the day and could easily pass for a couple months pregnant. I do crunches several times a week but nothing seems to help. I blame the C-section. I'm sure if I went to the gym or did that damn 30 Day Shred/Torture DVD it would help but I don't have the time or energy. So I wear flowy shirts.

So there you have it. My very long and winded breakdown of where my body is now 40 weeks out. For the most part I am damn proud of how I look post-baby, despite the few nagging flaws that only I really notice or care about.

Ultimately the most important thing (which should go without saying) is that my body was able to grow this amazing little human that I love with every fiber of my being and regardless of what I look like now that's all that really matter.

Time for photos. This is the fun part (note the sarcasm).

This was at only 5 weeks pregnant before I had gained any weight or really looked any different.

One week before Hunter was born. I still can't believe I was ever that big.

The day we brought Hunter home from the hospital, one week after he was born. You can see I'm still very swollen and puffy.
 
A week and a half after Hunter was born. Still looking pretty pregnant and having to wear maternity pants.

40 weeks after Hunter was born. Still a bit of a pooch but not too bad. Also, you can see my awesome baby bangs that are growing in.



11 comments:

princessapr said...

Whatever. You look fantastic! Seriously.

I was back to pre-baby weight 6 weeks after the c-section but the shape of things did change. That said, I gained less than 20 pounds. With the gestational diabetes, I was on a super strict diet and didn't gain weight in the third trimester and Laura came early. I gained weight after I stopped breastfeeding and after I turned 25. It's not even the weight (because I'm like 100 pounds still), it's the distribution of it all.

Rob did go on a diet so I'm hoping it'll eventually wear off on me, but I'm still avoiding exercise. He's lucky because he can work out at work. In our new office building, there's a gym so maybe I'll give that a try.

I am a little petrified of the weight gain with a second - if we have one.

♥ Marcy ♥ said...

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww your baby bangs! You poor thing... I never had that problem but good lord I feel your pain on all of this! It's hard biznassssss having chitlins and getting our asses back into shape. I just try to tell myself that I made a baby and that's fucking awesome!

beka said...

I loved this post! I can't believe your 40 weeks picture - you look so great! I can't believe you were calling that belly a pooch. I don't think it looks "poochy" at all!

Yay for getting back to your original weight the healthy way!!! No crazy celebrity stunts and you still did it!

Unknown said...

You look super fantastic! And its always such a struggle to find your prebaby body. 2 1/2 years later and I'm still trying to find mine.

Fiona said...

Wow! You look fantastic and should be sooo proud of how well you've done!! :) I also managed to get to my pre-baby weight (and now 10lbs beyond) but I wasn't at my goal weight before pregnancy so now I am feeling better than ever... minus the new pooch... how do we get rid of the pooch?! Although yours looks almost non-existant to me!! ;) Great work. I will have to do a similar post when I hit 40 weeks. This was really neat to see!

K said...

Have you heard of the 300 Ab Challenge? It's pretty brutal the first few days, but it only takes like 15 minutes and works wonders!!!

Mrs EyeCanSee said...

First of all you look fantastic! But I get not feeling 100% comfortable with your new normal. I've come to the conclusion that there are some things that are just never going to be the same. We grew and carried humans for nine months, that's a lot on the body. Short of surgery, I don't know how some women bounce back so quickly!

Stephanie said...

You honestly look amazing! Seriously! I have been telling myself that I will lose the weight in due time. I made and carried a baby for 9 months and nothing is going to feel better or look better than seeing Connor and watching him grow.

westcoastsoul said...

Wow you were all belly when you were pregnant!

Sara said...

you look gorgeous!! it has been exciting to see all the ways my body is changing as this baby grows but I know it won't be as exciting waiting & working for the pregnancy weight to be lost. I think you've done an amazing job in the last 40 weeks and kudos to you for not doing anything drastic aka harmful!

Elle Sees said...

pooch? where ? *looks* you mean my puppy?? hehe. you look amazing. and wow is he a cutie!