My secret to post baby weight loss Pt. 2

Although I lost quite a bit of weight soon after having Gideon, I still had some extra weight and had lost muscle. I have been somewhat active, although not nearly active as I was without a new baby. And I haven't been as consistent in my healthy diet. So, how have I gotten my body back into shape and kept off extra weight?

One word. Breastfeeding.

Secret #2: I have breastfed my son from the moment he was born, and I plan to continue breastfeeding for the forseeable future.

I know that breastfeeding is not for everyone. There are a lot of complications, and it can be difficult to be the only (or main) source of food for your infant. Day. After. Day. And weight loss is not the main reason that I breastfeed, but it is a really nice benefit. I eat so much sometimes, especially when little man has gone through a growth spurt and my supply is lagging, that my husband teases me about it.

The first few days and weeks were so hard. It was excruciating to feed Gideon, and he needed what seemed to be constant feeding. But my midwife and a very kind lactation consultant encouraged me that it would get better. And guess what? It did. We've had some rough patches, and there have been days that I wanted to run away and come back to a formula fed baby. But I know that my milk is best for my baby. I was designed to meet the needs of my child, and that process has helped my body lose the excess fat reserves that it stored while my baby was growing in my womb. What a beautiful process.

As a note, I know that this is not a one size fit all "solution" to weight loss. I have talked to friends who breastfed and ate healthy, and it didn't seem to help them lose weight. My experience is that it has helped me. Every body is different. Dieting (unless it is a change in diet toward healthier, better portioned foods), in my opinion, is never a healthy way to lose weight.

My secret to post baby weight loss Pt. 1

Writing two posts a month seems to be about my quota right now. Although there are plenty of thoughts rolling around in my mind, the time slips away from me and I don't get them down on cyber paper. Ah, such is life.

One of my greatest concerns with pregnancy was the amount of weight I'd gain. Although it was vain, yes, it stemmed from my knowledge that losing weight is difficult.

I gained weight my freshman year in college (freshman fifteen, anyone?), mostly due to the fact that there was a coffee shop on my way to almost every class. Caramel lattes were my drink of choice. Holy calories. I spent a year working out and eating uber-healthy (due to health concerns), slowly watching my body transform.

Fast forward to pregnancy and all I could think about was how much work it took for me to get into shape a few years prior. And I was slowly watching the pounds pack on. Admittedly, the first trimester was not my greatest health victory. I felt sick all the time, and the only foods that were appetizing were not healthy. I did my best, but my body definitely paid for some of my food choices. The rest of my pregnancy, I was much more consistent about eating a healthy and balanced diet. I still ate pizza, fries, and milkshakes, but not regularly. I guzzled water. And I didn't bloat at all.

Much to my amazement, I lost much of my pregnancy weight almost instantly. Now, I know that is not the case for everyone, and I felt very blessed. Genetics does play a role in pregnancy and weight loss. But my food sacrifices in the second and third trimester paid off.

Secret #1: Don't eat the junk that makes you gain extra weight during pregnancy. I didn't have extra ice cream sundaes, potato chips, and sugary drinks to work off...because I never ate them.