I thought I was one of the lucky ones as I didn't put on too much weight while pregnant. Maybe 10kg but most of that was baby. I exercised throughout the pregnancy and didn't eat too much junk. After Lewis was born and I started breastfeeding (with great difficulty, but that's another story) the weight just dropped off me. I remember thinking "this is easy" and wondering why my Mum had so much trouble with her weight after having us.
Fast forward 4 months and I was huge. The constant stream of visitors bearing cake had taken its toll. Before I had Lewis I could eat whatever I liked and never put on weight. I love my red wine, cheese and always go back for seconds. The breast feeding was making me ravenous which was my excuse for having three slices of cake!
When we got back from a month away post-Christmas, I realised how fat I had become. During this 'festive' season we would have pre-dinner snacks followed by a 3-course meal plus lots of wine, so it was hardly surprising. But I had never before had to worry about my weight so it was a bit of a shock.
I decided to try and do something about it. My friend had been doing Weight Watchers with her partner and recommended it. I joined up to the online version for 3 months and did my best to eat well. I also promised myself I'd go to the gym at least 3, preferably 4 times a week.
Weight Watchers was good as it taught you the different values of foods and was also flexible. I was shocked to learn a muffin equated to just under half of my daily intake, and also that some fancy breads were worth lots of points. I also learnt that portion size is important. I didn't stick to the diet properly (I stopped counting booze!) and was always a few points over each week, but I still lost about 7kg over 3 months. Now that I know the principles of healthy eating it makes it easier to maintain my current weight.
I found a gym down the road that only costs $5 per class, and try to go there a few times a week. They have a great Zumba class. Once a week I go to the expensive YMCA to get my Les Mills Body Attack fix. On the days I can't get to the gym due to social engagements, I try to do exercise when Lewis has his morning nap.
I figure 20 minutes of exercise is better than nothing. So as soon as Lewis goes down I put on my gym gear, grab the baby monitor and head outside. I do a few short runs up and down the street (checking on Lewis every few minutes) then do some Step moves on my fronts steps. I do other aerobic moves such as the grapevine, leg curls, lunges, star jumps etc. Then I do more running up and down the street. Then more step etc. Then I move inside for some light weights (I have some 1kg hand weights), then squats, more lunges and finally some ab work.
Then I'm allowed a shower! I still have a bit of a tyre of fat around my belly and still get mistaken for being pregnant occaisionally (humiliating!) but at least I know that I'm trying to be healthy.
