Achieving Your Postpartum Weight Loss Goals: A Personal Journey

I, Christine, have ALWAYS struggled with being overweight. And I was tired of the struggle. So since my son was born (almost a year ago) I’ve been on a health and fitness journey – losing a total of 62 lbs! I am writing this post for all the mamas and mamas to be that are in the same boat. I want to encourage you– it is not impossible! You can overcome the weight loss struggle!— IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT!

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The Weight Gain Train

Prior to my pregnancy, there was a whirlwind of change going on in my life and emotional eating took its toll on my body. I had moved, changed jobs, got engaged, moved again, planned a DIY wedding, was under contract to buy a house, got married, lost the contract on the house, and then lived with my grandmother-in-law as a newlywed (side note: that seriously could’ve been a reality TV show “Married at Grammy’s”). That’s when I got pregnant – perfect timing. But I decided I would not be married AND pregnant at Grammy’s so we moved again. I had gained 20 pounds in that amount of time and was just about to start adding on the baby weight. Oh joy. By the end of my pregnancy I was an additional 40 pounds overweight.

It was so hard. This was my first baby and I didn’t even want to take maternity photos or post pictures on facebook. I was so ashamed. In the 8th month of my pregnancy we finally bought a house, and … you guessed it – we moved AGAIN. Immediately after giving birth I had absolutely no appetite except for chicken soup and cookies-and-cream ice cream (which I ate straight out of the tub several times throughout the day). So healthy, I know.

JUMPING OFF the Weight Gain Train

At that point, something clicked in me. I was done with being overweight and unhealthy. I had been seeing tons of posts from a Facebook friend, Sarah, on eating healthy and working out and I was inspired. Now you have to understand why Sarah was so motivational. It wasn’t because she had a flat stomach with the perfectly chiseled abs or all these pics of her living the dream life. It was because she was a normal person who was exercising daily, eating healthy, has 6 kids (no, that’s no typo– SIX tiny humans), AND her 6th baby was born about 2 months before my son! Now THAT is an inspirational woman. I could barely find time for the basics of peeing, taking a shower, and eating (not necessarily in that order) and here she was — super mom — exercising daily, driving kids to school, nursing an infant, taking care of younger kids at home, AND finding time to pee, take a shower, and eat. Not to mention she was eating HEALTHY.

She is a ROCKSTAR! So UNNATURALLY I messaged her for some help. Yes it was unnatural. Up until this point I was feeling hopeless and helpless about losing weight. And sometimes asking for help is the hardest step you can take. It puts you in a vulnerable position, but asking for help was the best decision I ever made. MAMA, don’t do it alone! You’re not the only one with the struggle, so why struggle alone?

The Big Turn Around

Turns out, Sarah was a Team Beachbody coach. She invited me to a facebook challenge group where real people with real goals were helping hold each other accountable to exercising and eating healthy. It was just what I needed. So, I signed up for Beachbody On Demand, an online database of hundreds of workouts, created by elite personal trainers for all fitness levels. 

 I had no time to go to a gym and now, didn’t need to. I had no idea how to work out on my own and now, didn’t need to. All I needed to do was find some time while Sammy was sleeping or hanging out in his bouncer to do a 20-30 minute workout. And if there was an interruption like a diaper change or time for a bottle, I could just press pause and come back to it later. That was so doable for me. I was hooked.

Not only was I being motivated to exercise but my eating habits started to change. Beachbody programs like 21-Day Fix usually come with a meal plan that’s simple to follow and I started learning how to eat healthy without starving myself or denying myself the occasional goodie. Seriously though, I’m typing this now at Dunkin’ Donuts drinking an iced coffee (pretty much a daily routine) and from time to time I indulge in that glazed donut.

YOU GOT THIS MAMA

I called this my “health and fitness journey,” because that’s exactly what it is— A JOURNEY. I haven’t arrived yet, and I’m not sure if I, or anyone else for that matter, ever really will. And that’s okay – because health & fitness is a lifestyle, not a fad diet. And that’s the mentality you have to have in order to keep on keepin’ on.  If I can do it, you can do it. I believe in you mama!

This is a journey so stay tuned for more!

*Disclaimer: Christine Gurry is an independent Team Beachbody Coach