Lively Women

Postpartum Weight Loss … Ain’t Happening for Me

by Heather on June 16th, 2006

I’ve been looking around at the other b5 bloggers, and I’m in complete awe! Who am I to join the ranks of these probloggers? Now, there’s a word that wasn’t even in my vocabulary a year ago. I can just see myself getting a little giddy when I sign all those school forms next year. Occupation: Problogger.

So, I feel a bit like Cinderella, wanting to go to the ball, but looking around and trying to figure out something to wear. Except nobody at b5 media cares what I wear — just what I write. Cool. But where do I start?

Great links. I’ve discovered that’s what makes a good blog — compiling the best links for readers. When I browse the other b5 blogs, every writer is passionate and knowledgeable about their topic, and that’s what I’m aiming for as well. But first I thought you might want to find out a little about me before I start blasting away about the topic of women’s wellness.

Here’s the deal. I’m a 37-year-old mom of five kids under age ten. I have a lot of stress in my life just keeping up with my crew. Until I hit my mid-30s, I had boundless energy and never had to worry about my weight. After a few months’ postpartum chasing kids around, I got back to normal.

Hmmm….what does normal feel like? I’ve forgotten.

Since having my last child 14 months ago, my weight hasn’t budged. I’m 30 pounds heavier than I was in 2004, when I began to feel like my old self again. Now, these pounds don’t seem to be going anywhere.

I’ve tried walking — even bought me a pedometer and wore it around a few weeks. I lost it. Bought another. Lost it too. Joined a fitness center. Went once and couldn’t keep up with all the skinny college girls in tank tops. Felt like a lump of jello. Gave up.

Then in early April, I joined a women’s circuit fitness center, Curves, and started going three times a week. At first, I could hardly get through the circuit once, much less twice. After a month, my weight was the exact same. After two months, the good news was that I’d lost 4% body fat, but my weight hadn’t budged.

I stepped up a notch by going to Curves five times a week — after two more weeks, guess what the scale showed this morning? I’ve gained two more pounds. Those nice, enthusiastic trainers tell me,”You’re doing great, Heather. Just keep coming. You’re gaining muscle weight, which weighs more than fat.”

Don’t give up. Don’t give up. How about you? I’ve discovered that blogging about something is like my first baby step toward doing something. I don’t care so much how I look; it’s how I feel. I want to feel energetic. The Japanese say genki. I want to feel genki.

The only time of day I have energy is early in the morning — then I droop the rest of the day. So, you see why becoming the “Lively Women” blogger is like beginning a journey for me? And you too, I hope. Let’s beat this thing together. Do you want more energy? (YEAH.) Do you want to take control of your health? (YEAH.) Do you want to live long, live well, and live now? (YEAH.) Then let’s do it — together. :)

(Can you tell I used to be a cheerleader?)

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POSTED IN: Exercise, Health, Postpartum