Transformation Tuesday

I have had 4 tough pregnancies gaining 50-60 lbs with each baby.  I topped the scale with my last baby at a whopping 205 lbs!  

Talk about discouraging!  I had always planned to eat healthy and exercise during my pregnancies, but each time my body was taken over and I had no control over what foods or liquids my body would accept.  I even went to the hospital during my last pregnancy because I was so dehydrated.  In the first trimester I would throw up before and after breakfast, sometimes in the afternoon, and then again after dinner.  There was no "morning" sickness, it was "ALL Flipping Day" sickness!  Then when I got over that time of the pregnancy, my hunger was never satisfied.  I could eat and eat and still be hungry.  I craved the most unhealthy foods, burgers, pizza, ice cream.  I learned to accept what I could control and tried my best to give my babies the nutrition they needed while inside of me.  Every pregnancy is different and everyone's bodies handle situations differently.  You have to do what is best for you and what works for your situation.  You can bet that the minute I was cleared to excercise postpartum I was working my butt off and eating healthy to get my body back!  I know what it means to start at the bottom!  Those first weeks back to running and feeling every single pound I had gained moving and weighing on me.  The first time I tried to do squat jumps I could barely do 5 and I thought I was going to pass out.   I have been there, it is not easy.  But I can say that dedication and hard work do pay off!  Don't give up!  

Here I am at 10 months postpartum and weighing 60 lbs less.  I still have some fat to lose around my belly, but I have grown 4 babies in there so I accept that it will probably be the last to go.  I am also still breastfeeding so I know my body is storing some fat for that as well.  No matter where you are in your fitness journey, you need to accept who you are and love your body, regardless of flaws or things you think need to change.  I have to make the decision daily to keep at it, to sacrifice sitting on the couch watching my favorite shows to go for a run or squeeze in a workout, to give up unhealthy foods that are trouble for my body and instead eat nutrition packed foods that make me stronger.  Some days the decisions are easy and I love what I do, other days I slip up and I give in to unhealthy foods or skip my workout.  But I can say this much, I have never regretted a workout or run, but I ALWAYS regret skipping them.   If you do mess up, forgive yourself and move on.  Don't dwell on the fact that you ate 4 slices of pizza or slept in and skipped your morning workout.  Work harder to make better decisions about food, ask someone to hold you accountable to wake up early.  You've got this!  You are not alone!