Postpartum Update | 6 Weeks | Baby Two

My postpartum updates that I did after having Brody are some of my most popular posts on this blog.  I think woman are very curious how our bodies will recover after carrying these little miracles for nine months long.  I know I was during my first pregnancy and I remember looking on Pinterest for good articles about postpartum plans and recovery stories and I had a really tough time finding them.  

I recently found a new blog through a friend of mine called She Just Glows.  Her blog caught my eye because of her story of losing 52 pounds after having 3 babies in 4 years (no twins)!!  She writes candidly about her journey to lose the weight and shares some awesome raw bikini photos to show her progress.  It's very brave and I've really enjoyed reading along.  Her blog series is called A Real Picture of Post-Pregnancy.  This is one of the few post-pregnancy stories I've been able to find.  

I enjoy writing these updates to track my progress and as always, to be able to look back on in the future.  Unfortunately for ya'll (ha!), you won't be getting any bikini pictures from me; but I will give some stats and share a few things that have helped me along the way.  I'm always looking for secrets and suggestions from other women and would love to hear from any of you!!!

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I gained 35 pounds with this pregnancy which is just a couple pounds less than I gained with Brody.  I gained weight differently this pregnancy than I did with Brody though.  With him, I didn't gain much in the beginning (weeks 1-16) and then it came on later.  With this pregnancy, the weight came on quickly which was ironic because I was super sick; but then slowed down a little the second half.  

I knew after this pregnancy that I was determined to get this weight off as quick as possible.  I lost 25 pounds within the first two weeks (I did the same thing with Brody too).  I've lost another 5 pounds since then and that leaves me with 5 pounds to go.  These last 5 pounds can definitely be the most stubborn which is why I want to do everything in my power to get them off sooner rather than later.  With Brody, these last few pounds lingered forever, I lost them and then they came back again.  So I was actually 5 pounds heavier when I got pregnant this time.

Here's a comparison photo.  The photo of me at 11 weeks pregnant was actually from my first pregnancy with Brody.  The earliest pregnancy photo I have from this one was 20 weeks.  The photo on the right is me in the same shirt and at 6 weeks postpartum.  I can tell such a difference in my mid-section.  I'm still rocking the baby pouch and really want to spend the next few months finding my ab muscles again.

I am 3 inches larger around the waist on both 1" above belly button and below.  Surprisingly, my hip measurements are basically the same as my pregnancy measurements using the widest part of my body.  My leg measurements are also the same.

I have more than the 5 pounds back to pre-baby weight that I want to lose.  I would really love to lose a total of 10-15 pounds to get me back to my weight during my "early marriage days."  

Here are a few things that I've been doing so far.  

1.) I've been keeping these energy balls in my refrigerator at all times.  They are the perfect grab-and-go and help give me a little boost when I don't have time to eat. 

2.) I found that breakfast has been my toughest meal and I'm a BIG breakfast lover.  I was so rushed in the mornings (rushing to get Brody to school or feeding baby and having to pump or rush to a doctor's appt, etc) that I found myself going through a drive thru (Starbucks or Chick-fil-a) and eating junk for breakfast.  Now, I am making a breakfast casserole with sausage, egg and cheese every Sunday and I eat a piece of that on the fly in the mornings.  My latest batch, I completely eliminated the bread and it's okay; but I like it best with half the bread recommended! 

3.) Shakeology.  I plan to do the 21 day fix one day in the near future, but for now I've ordered the Vegan Chocolate Shake mix (Thanks Natalie! The vegan tastes better than the regular.) and make a smoothie or mix it with some almond milk on the go and it's delicious! I've really found it satisfying and curbs the sweet tooth like a lot of people have mentioned.  

4.)  At my 3 week check-up appointment, my doctor gave me the okay to start some exercise.  I started back at Pure Barre and it feels great!! I can only make it 2 days a week since having 2 kids, but I'll take whatever I can get!  

5.) I wanted another form of exercise that gave me some cardio that I could do with one or both of the kids.  So I re-downloaded my Couch to 5k app and I'm giving it a try.  This has been my first week, so hopefully I will keep you updated.  The truth is that I'm not supposed to run because of a bad knee; but since a lot of it is mixing walking and a little jogging, I'm willing to push the limits a bit and I miss running so much!!

6.) I did use this belly bandit consistently for the first 4 weeks postpartum.  I loved the feeling that it gave me to help "suck everything in."  I think it helped bring my tummy in a bit faster and I really loved the confidence it gave me when I had on clothes that were a little more fitted.  I'm back to trying to wear it some again now, but they really recommend it for the first 6 weeks postpartum.  And as for sizing, I would recommend going down a size.  I would normally think I'm a large, but I bought the medium and am very happy I did because it's adjustable and you want it to be snug!

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So that's pretty much all my secrets so far.  I know I need to be disciplined on my eating and that's what I'm really trying to focus on.  I've given up wine for 9 months carrying this baby, eliminating the booze just isn't an option right now :)

What are your secrets for losing weight?  What do you do for the last 5 pounds {#alwaysthehardest} ???  

Now it's your turn.  Link up with Natalie and I with your Thoughts for Thursday! 

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