But before I give you this final update I have to say thank you! It was very therapeutic for me to write about my struggles. Not one harsh or snarky comment was made but lots of love was sent my way. It truly helped me stay on track and find the right balance for my body. Thank you, Thank you!
So today I would like to give you one last post with my results and a few words on what I have learned.
As you all know I started this journey a couple months after I found out that I was pregnant with baby #2. Go here for that first post. Oh the things I wish that I had known before I had baby #1! Like the fact that the weight did not just fall off after giving birth. Really wish that I would have watched what I was eating back then! Seriously felt like I was ramming my head into the wall when I tried to lose the 25 extra pounds that I had gained after I had Adalyn. But with Jensen I ate right during the pregnancy AND after and the weight was a whole lot easier to get rid of.
In fact I was able to get rid of ALL of the extra weight that I had put on since having kids. I ate the exact same way that I ate while I was pregnant and exercised just a little bit harder (really not much harder, just a little more hip shaking at Zumba :) and the weight slowly came off.
Here is the goal that I wrote down the night before I gave birth to Jensen...
I wanted to reach my goal by July 1st, but wasn't going to stress about it if I didn't make it, just needed a general guideline. Obviously I was starting out 9 months pregnant so the first 15 lbs weren't going to be that hard to get rid of (then again giving birth is not the easiest thing in the world). 6 months past and at Jensen's 6 month appointment I weighed myself (we don't own a scale) and happily learned that I had reached my goal and had lost an extra 3 lbs! This was my very first weight related goal that I have actually achieved and I am so happy that I was able to stick to my new lifestyle and make real and lasting changes.
No I am not tiny or perfectly fit, but I now weigh 8lbs less than I did on my wedding day, which makes this mama of 2 feel pretty good. :)
But with all numbers aside....
I feel healthy! I can hike, run, swim, and play tennis (McKay loves that game). And best of all, I ENJOY doing those things. I have the energy to take both my kids to the grocery store and then wrestle them back into their car seats when we are done. I now feel strong enough for and excited about future pregnancies and births (no I am not pregnant). Yes I will gain 20+ lbs again but it will be for a good reason, and I will happily gain 20lbs for as many children as Heavenly Father sees fit to
bless us with. :)
Honestly my last advice would be- Focus on what makes you feel good, not just in the moment when you are eating a big o' bowl of Kraft Mac and Cheese but what makes you energized and happy. This quote has been on my fridge for a while now and it helped me put things into perspective on a daily basis.
"Obtaining anything of great worth, often requires great sacrifice"
Our health is worth the sacrifice. Forget the scale, forget that cute dress, forget the friends that you want to impress and focus on the core of why you are doing this. I did it for my babies. The ones I have today and the future ones that will bless our home. They are worth it.
This was a hard journey for me, and I still feel weird putting myself out there like this but I guess I want to tell you that if you are struggling there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Go for it because it is worth it. Delicious, colorful whole foods are waiting for you.
Thanks for reading! Have a good day!
You are incredible thanks for sharing! Because of your example I am eating better and doing more for myself then I have in years. I've only gained 4lbs with this pregnancy, and I feel great! I have more energy and I feel good about myself (the baby is right on track with growth and everything as well). Thanks again for helping me know being healthy and feeling good can happen anytime pregnant or not. :D
ReplyDeleteWow! That is great! Congrats on sticking to it and I am glad that you were able to see some results (like more energy). I certainly loved that about my last pregnancy. Good luck with the next few weeks until your little one arrives. She is going to be darling!
DeleteCongratulations Kajsa! I'm so proud of you. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have quite the self control that you have, but thanks for sharing! Trav and I have really been working on losing weight and getting healthy again. It's HARD work but is worth it! I like when you share this stuff it is motivating and makes me not feel so alone so keep sharing!
ReplyDeleteI definitely don't have all of the self control in the world either! It is an 80/20 rule around here. 80% healthy 20% junk. Ice cream runs are still a weekly thing around here! Good luck with your goals, that is great that Travis is doing it with you.
DeleteYou're awesome Kajsa! I've enjoyed reading about your exercise/weight loss journey. Its been inspiring to read about your specific goals and health changes and to see you stick to them. What an accomplishment :)
ReplyDeleteI love this! Congratulations. This is super motivating to me. I tend to get put off by "weight loss" information that is all about being skinny. But I LOVE that your focus is on being healthy so that you can go and do this with and for your family. You really are wonderful and I love how you've documented and achieved your goal. Way to go! You've motivated me to make some changes in our life as well and after seeing your success I feel even more motivated. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shantel! Changing my focus from "get skinny" to get healthy definitely helped me stay on track and stick with it. Good luck with your changes, definitely worth it! P.S. I AM going to talk to you someday about cloth diapers, but we aren't quite ready to start them yet, but I contact you before we buy them. Thanks for being willing to give us some pointers on them!
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