This post has been a long time coming. It’s one that I’ve had at the back of my mind for months now, but just haven’t had the chance to truly sit and concentrate to be able to type it all out.
So that said…let’s get to it. First things first: an HA update.
I first announced my diagnosis of Hypothalamic Amenorrhea back in July of 2012. From there, I posted some updates along the way which you can see here.
After Lucas was born, I began breastfeeding and I didn’t regain my cycle, which is very common. It wasn’t until about a month after I stopped breastfeeding (so, this past July) when I finally regained my cycle again, postpartum. Since then, I have cycled regularly every month for the past 4 months. And while I certainly did not miss the PMS symptoms that accompany it, you will not find me complaining one bit. I’m thrilled to have everything back in seemingly “working order,” so to speak. So there’s that. I guess there’s not really too much more to touch on with that subject.
But the bigger topic I DO want to touch on today are my thoughts on postpartum body image. I waited a while (obviously) to write this one because I didn’t feel like I could truly gauge my full thoughts on the subject right away. But now I’ve got a ton of them, so consider this your warning. There’s a lot of rambling about to happen…
I already mentioned this back before Lucas was born, but I did not have any desire to document my post baby body updates. There was a small part of me that thought maybe that would change once Lucas arrived, but ultimately, I knew it would only cause more harm than good. There was NO way I wanted any sort of pressure to make sure I lost inches or weighed less to “show my progress” from month to month. No thanks.
Turns out, once Lucas was here, I stuck with my gut and still continued to have zero desire to even think about documenting my “post baby body.” The only thing I could focus on was my new baby.
After Lucas was born, I feel like everything inside of me took somewhat of a shift. My life, my thoughts, my priorities, and of course, my body. Those of you who have been with me for a while now (you guys rock) may remember my extreme focus on “healthy” eating and exercising back in the day. And you know, I sometimes cringe when I read those posts and think about the person I was back then.
I recently had a brief conversation over Facebook with a really sweet reader about HA. She said that when she went to the doctor, he explained it to her as “she had the goal to be healthy, she just overshot it a bit.” As soon as I read that, it really resonated with me. I thought I was being my healthiest by making all of these “omgsohealthy” food choices and exercising 6, sometimes 7 days a week. But in reality, when I look back at that, that was not healthy. Not for me, anyway. And unfortunately, I think there are still way too many others out there who are still doing this now, probably (hopefully) not realizing it.
When I got my HA diagnosis, as depressing and frustrating as it was, I also almost felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Talk about contradictory…I mean, that’s really saying something, right? But being told to try and gain 5-10 pounds (okay, 15) was basically giving me the permission I craved to stop being such a loon about what I ate and how I exercised. I apparently really needed that and was just looking for an outlet.
A pic of me about a month before getting pregnant Lucas, about 15 pounds heavier than I was six months prior to that.
During pregnancy and while breastfeeding, I began learning my “new” definition of healthy. Foods were no longer off limits (not that they technically were before that, but there were certainly things I tried to avoid). I enjoyed food…I didn’t obsess over it. Suddenly, I wasn’t constantly thinking about the next meal, or mentally estimating calories, or making sure I had enough veggies that day. I was just…eating food. Like a normal person. And I exercised when it felt right and when I had the time…which, in the first few months after having Lucas, was NOT often.
So yeah, let’s talk about those first few months (heck, the first year) after having a baby. I’ll just throw this out there: I am not one of those women who magically “bounced right back” after pregnancy. BUT, I also really didn’t really care.
I see other women quite frequently getting right back into their fitness routines to get their post baby body back, and hey, good for them. If you had asked me my thoughts on that a year ago though, I probably would have told you that while I was interested in reading those updates, I couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of jealousy. In those first few months postpartum, I had a whole slew of hormones happening, my body was squishy, I was exhausted, and it was all just really something new. With that, it was SO freakin’ easy to compare myself to someone else and wonder, what the heck? How do they have the energy to workout like that? Why isn’t my stomach flat after having a baby four months ago? Then all it took was a hot second to realize,
Ummmm…maybe because you just popped out another human being?
I mean, don’t get me wrong. If getting back a post baby body right away is someone’s goal and that’s what they’re working towards, I can’t judge them for that. We’ve all got different priorities in life, and for me (and maybe some of you) postpartum fitness was just not my top priority.
Sure, I would have loved to “bounce right back,” and I was definitely excited to get back into some sort of exercise. But I knew for me it was going to take time, and I was okay with that.
Here I was, a new mom, with not a clue in the world about this whole parenting thing; on top of that, I had 12 weeks to get my mind and my life somewhat straight so I could head back to work. Half the time, I felt like a walking zombie disaster. And when I was actually coherent enough to have real thoughts and do real things, those things were focused on my new baby and my family.
Right before going back to work, I worried about when I might have time to squeeze fitness in. I wanted to be able to do it, but I wasn’t willing to sacrifice any time with Lucas (it was much easier when I was still home and Lucas napped all the time!). So, for those first maybe 5-6 months back to work, there wasn’t a whole lot of working out happening (hence the lack of fitness talk around here). And I was okay with that.
It wasn’t really until Lucas started sleeping through the night when I was able to slowly start incorporating more early morning (or sometimes, after work if Lucas was napping) workouts. I’d get into a good groove some weeks, and then other times I’d let a week or two go by without doing anything. It’s just how it happened.
So yeah, I held on to some extra weight for a while. For a good year, probably. Sure, I knew I could have tweaked my eating habits to be a bit better, but I was just always so damn hungry (mostly thanks to breastfeeding, I think…then again, maybe it was all mental?) and just wasn’t willing to give any of that up. I wanted all. the. food! I’d say I probably followed a modified version of the 80/20 rule, but mine was more like 70/30. Okay, maybe 60/40 some days…but oh well.
The funny thing is…I basically ate what I wanted, when I wanted it. (*Lucky for me, I do crave things like salads and healthy meals a good majority of the time so I’m not saying I ate/eat junk all the time). But things like burgers and beer and dessert are certainly consumed on the reg…and go figure, I haven’t gained any sort of crazy weight! In fact, my weight slowly and carefully dropped over a course of about 12 months to eventually be where I am today.
Now, here we are, 15 months postpartum. How we got here is beyond me (slow down, time!). And I’ll be honest (how many times have I said this already?) and say that it probably wasn’t until around 14 months when I finally got to a place where I could say I was happy, comfortable, and where I felt I should be with my body. I’ve been at my current weight for a couple of months or so, which is right around where I was before I got pregnant (about 10 pounds more than where it was before I put on the extra weight) and I’ve accepted that this is probably where I belong. If I wanted to weigh any less, I’d need to change what I’m doing and that just isn’t gonna happen.
So that whole trying to find a “happy weight” thing? I don’t know, maybe this is it? Sure, I still have a baby pooch and my thighs rub when I walk…and I’m pretty sure washboard abs are not in my future. BUT, I can hold a plank like a champ, I can keep up with my crazy toddler, and I really feel like I’ve gained so much of my physical endurance back (T25 videos will apparently do that for ya!).
Overall, I just feel GOOD, you guys. Like, really good. With everything…my life, my health, my fitness, my MENTAL health. I really don’t feel like I could ask to be in a better spot. And it all fell into place once I discovered what my real, true priorities are.
My boys. My family. And just living life.
*This post isn’t meant to come across as any sort of bashing to others or an “I’m better than you” comparison. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and this is just me being me and sharing my point of view. If I offend someone, that is truly not my intention, and I am sorry. I’m also sorry that this post wound up being ridiculously long and probably a little all over the place…it just truly resembles the way I actually think. 
LOVE THIS POST! To be honest you look amazing now and you looked amazing 9 months preggo!
Such a beautifully honest post. I really appreciate the moms who are open and honest about their experiences. I am four weeks postpartum and yes, am five lbs from my prepregnancy weight but by no effort on my part. Sure, it’s nice to receive the compliments, but I’ve simply been focusing on my little babe and breast feeding. That’s my priority- a healthy, happy baby. And somehow that helps me feel happy and at peace with my life.
Loved this post! I am 15 weeks pregnant with my first and pray that I will have the same attitude as you when it comes to pose part I’m fitness and weight loss. I absolutely believe in living a healthy and balanced lifestyle and incorporating a regular fitness routine when possible but I’ve already seen how much things have changed in the past 15 weeks and know that things will be different when this little miracle comes! He/she will be my #1 priority! It took us years to finally conceive and when it happened I was beyond thankful and grateful and I think that has helped me be more accepting of pregnancy weight gain and lenient with post-partum weight loss
Thanks so much, Alexandra! I will say that I didn’t feel that way initially postpartum…it took some time! So just keep focusing all of that energy on your little one when he/she arrives. Everything, I’m sure, will fall into place the way it’s supposed to!
Love this post and love you! I just wrote such a similar post. I think it’s so important to spread this positive message bc I too was feeling the comparison trap after just giving birth. It tough! Your body changes so much and your hormones are out of whack! But it’s so important to keep your priorities straight. Thanks for sharing!
It definitely is tough, especially in the beginning when you’re still dealing with so much change and (in my opinion) found it so easy to compare. But keeping the focus on Lucas (and, honestly, away from social media) definitely helped me get in the right frame of mind. xoxo
You are the only HLB blog I read anymore. You are genuine, realistic, interesting (I.e. You have multiple interests), and are well-balanced. You’re awesome and I will continue to support you and your blog. Plus, you’re a fellow upstate NY girl and that’s just a league of their own. ;) have a great day and so happy you’re in a good place w all aspects of your life!
That is so sweet of you to say, Melissa. Thank you SO much, and thank you for continuing to read along (and WOOP WOOP to a fellow upstate NY gal!) ;)
This is so inspiring! This is the first time I have seen a post like this on your blog, and I am so glad I did! It hit close to home as I am taking some steps so I can make sure I can have a child in a few years. I have amenorrehea from my training as it is such a high volume and intensity. I have not really had them for 7 years, but I have been on birth control the whole time. I came off it in Jan, and I think my body is almost ready to go….I have been having some symptoms of it….and I hope it happens. Your post made me see that it will be worth it. I have been heavier and lighter and that did not make a difference, but i really think the birth control stopped it.
I also found it very inspiring to see how much healthier you are now. I am an elite athlete, and I still enjoy eating unhealthy foods. I think it is very healthy to enjoy things you love, its unhealthy to obsess over eating something healthy all the time, but be constantly dreaming of those other foods. Sounds like you are in a good place, and I think you should check out my post from last week. I think you would enjoy it, as it is on a similar topic, but focusing on runners http://tinamuir.com/findyourstrong/
Thanks again!
Hey Tina. I had amenorrea for years. It was definitely a result of my excessive exercising. I never restricted foods but being naturally thin and the exercising two hours a day caused me to have a low body fat percentage. I got my period back in 2010 after making some changes. In 2013, I got pregnant the first time trying and have a 4 month old now. Years of no period will not cause infertility if you make the changes necessary.
I still struggle with this and my husband and I desperately want to get pregnant…would you mind sharing what worked for you??
For me it was about being at my healthy weight. At 5’8″, anything under 130 is too thin for me. Could someone at 5’8″ be perfectly healthy and have no period issues, of course but for me around 133 or higher was my healthy weight. You have to find your healthy weight and maybe a few pounds above that. I started eating lots of peanut butter every day too. You need healthy fats. Are your fertility issues only related to your weight and exercising you think or could their be other issues?
That’s what I don’t understand bc I really don’t know. Doctors assure me I’m at a healthy weight (5’7 120-123 lbs, already up from 115-117) and I was thinner than this in college and had no issues. However, my blood tests show my estrogen and hormones are very low. I do not hVe pcos. I eat TONS of fats! It stopped when I started training for a marathon and never came back so it’s the only connection I have. Does it just take time?? I’ve cut way back on any high intensity exercise. We could do IVF but I feel it’s important to have that time of the month! Thanks for the info:)
That’s just it. You are at a healthy weight according to BMI and charts but weight does not always tell the whole story plus that does not mean you are at the best weight for your body and fertility. I was around 120-125 all during high school. I was constantly cold. I didn’t do much to get that low, I have just always been tall and thin and eat pretty healthy. I was exercising but not obsessively. I went about 5 years without a period. They did every test and nothing was wrong with me. Nobody at the time told me to gain weight. Once I got to college and gained a few pounds naturally, my period returned all by itself. So my body needed to be around 133 lbs. Not sure why but I wasn’t cold anymore and I looked exactly the same, only healthier. Ever since then, I make sure I never get below that amount. Maybe you have a number too. The good news is, I had no fertility problems. I got pregnant at 28 the first time we tried and my son just turned 1 yesterday!
Oh my gosh that is amazing!! Well, that does give me some hope. It’s sort of scary to blindly gain weight not knowing it will do anything (especially when friends are puzzled) but knowing others like you saw results makes me think I’d kick myself if I at least didn’t try. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply!
yes yes LOVE! agree with everything in this post! priorities definitely shift once a baby arrives and i love your outlook on postpartum weight loss. i did not post any body after baby posts either. i’m lucky in that breastfeeding caused all my “baby weight” plus some to melt off, and i, too, eat what i want (trying to focus on healthy foods!). breastfeeding is so much more important because of the nutrition it provides to william and i know if i wouldn’t be fueling my body appropriately then that could negatively affect my breastfeeding goals.
It’s so funny how breastfeeding can have such a different effect on every woman!
I loved this post! It is so honest and real and that’s what I love about it!! Also, I can really related to everything you said!! Thanks for letting us in on yor life!
Thank YOU so much for reading, Alyssa!
Love it! I’d say I’m somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. I wanted to feel like my old self, so I worked out. My old self also loved cupcakes, so I ate them. ;)
Amen to that! ;)
No apologies, I have only been reading for about six months and this was the best and most captivating post I’ve read. I admire you for your honesty and I totally relate to you as a working mom. My son will be four soon, it gets easier. You are doing awesome and enjoying life with your family is exactly what your number one priority should be. You can’t get time back. Thank you for your honesty, xoxo!
Aww, thank you so much Anne. I’ve had a few people recently tell me the working mom stuff gets easier, which is definitely good to know! Some days are definitely easier than others…and then I start thinking about if/when a second one comes around and I’m like, ohhhh man, how will this ever work?! haha :)
I am so happy for you Courtney! I am one of those readers who have been around here for a while and I truly appreciate how authentic you have been about your pregnancy and post pregnancy. I just think you’re fab!
Thank you SO much for sticking around for so long, Cristina!!! :)
First of all, you look amazing. I only started reading your blog just before you got pregnant so I literally can’t imagine you thinner than you are now. I like your attitude of ‘if I want to lose weight I’d have to change something and that’s not gonna happen’ . I still fall in this trap of wanting to lose 5 pounds and trying to cut my food down. But I really don’t want to! So why even fight it? This is where I’m at and I don’t want to change anything about what or how much I eat so might as well get happy. Easier said than done! At least I’m not working out 7 days a week and restricting calories like I used to! We’ve all been down that road.
I have an 8 day old… Thank you for is post! ‘nough said :) (except YES! To the walking zombie thing!)
So true!! I felt like for a while I was in the inevitable “just want to lose a couple more pounds” and finally it was like, ok, things aren’t moving. I’m happy with what I’m doing. This is where I must belong! And I’ve become so much more at ease with everything now :)
This is a beautiful, refreshing post! I am 24 weeks pregnant (after also gaining some weight to make pregnancy possible) and I hope to have the same attitude as you when my little girl arrives. Having dealt with body image issues in my past, I want to be the best role model for my daughter to encourage her to be comfortable in her own skin and to focus her attention on the important things in life! Also, amen for enjoying treats!
Everyone is so different in what they want to see and feel after having a baby. Your priorities were spot on! I’m glad, in a way, that you were diagnosed with HA so you had the mindset to just be with Lucas after having him! If you didn’t have HA, you might have been totally into working out and making sure you sprung back. In other news, I think you’ve look fantastic before pregnancy, during, and after!
It’s funny you say that Heather, because I often say the same thing. It was basically like a blessing in disguise :)
I love your honesty, Courtney! I wish more women would have your perspective post baby.
Post like these are why you are the only healthy living blogger I read anymore! You have a balance on life with work, a child and your fitness that is relatable and healthy. You aren’t a crazy fitness teacher working out twice a day and eating nothing for your meals! And you look wonderful! I love your fashion posts as well as your day in the life posts with practical advice. Keep doing what you are doing!!
Wow, Kate, thank you so much! I’m so glad to have you reading :)
This is one of the best blog posts I have ever read! To me, this is true healthy living and the balance that I personally strive for!
What a sweet compliment, Heather. Thank you SO much!
Lovely post and you have always looked beautiful! I’m still breastfeeding and am finally getting a hold of my extreme hunger (baby is about to turn 1) so I’m right there with ya with feeling hungry all.the.time while BF.
OMG right? My co-workers used to make fun of me because my snack drawer is/was HUGE and I was basically always eating at my desk. That hunger is just like no other! And major props to you on breastfeeding for almost a year, mama! ;)
You are an inspiration to all of us trying to accept our “happy weight”, thank you so much for being SO HONEST and SO REAL.
Thanks so much, Karen!
Courtney…….. I just love love LOVE this post!! YES! This is the ticket! You are an amazing mom!!!! You are focusing on what is important. I too am debating sharing post baby body posts. In the same way I don’t document the weight I’m gaining while pregnant at the moment.
I find it a tad bit of a turn off when HLB’s are showing belly shots of omgflat their stomach is a month or 4 after baby. Dude– you are a MAMA now. THAT should be what you’re proud of. Who give a crap about your stomach.
Haha, you’re too funny, Jenny. Thank you so much for reading along and sharing your thoughts! ;)
great post, my friend!! if/when we decide to have a baby, i also have no desire to post post-baby body pics or track my progress. i think you’ve handled your new role as a mom in the most phenomenal way… it’s so clear to anyone who knows you or reads your blog that lucas and your family are your number one priority. and i’m so happy YOU feel so happy! it definitely shows! <3 <3 <3
Thanks so much, friend! Miss youuuu, xoxoxo
Good for you! I’m much more lax on my eats and workouts after having Ethan. Priorities shift and that’s okay. It’s more than okay. It’s probably necessary!
Totally just read your post and left you a comment. Thoughts to you, Tiff! xoxo
Looove this post!! This is exactly why I love your blog! You are so honest and real! As a mom of 19 month old twins, I still have a hard time finding the time. I am a SAHM and have recently started back to work a few evenings a week. After being at home all day with 2 toddlers and then working a shift at work, the last thing I feel like doing is working out! I know my body will never be the same after twins, but I can honestly say that I am quite happy with the way I look now! I was blessed to get away with no stretch marks or twin skin! Keep up the awesome work!
Oh my gosh, major props to you for staying home with twin girls and then going to work in the evenings. No wonder you don’t feel like working out, my goodness! Keep up the GREAT work, mama!!
You seem so happy and healthy, and that is what it is all about! (:
I can totally appreciate, and resonate, with this post. I’m not one of those ‘bounce right back’ people either, and breastfeeding didn’t do me any favors (granted I didn’t nurse that long), but there is a lot of pressure from all sorts of channels to ‘get back into to it’ as soon as possible, but in all honesty, not only is it hard physically (exhausting really)…it’s hard mentally, especially if it is all you can think about. It’s a slippery-slope, that postpartum weight loss. I’m getting ready to go through it again a second time and hope that what I learned the first time will help me this go-round. Great post, Courtney!
Amen to ALL of that, Katie! Totally agree with everything you’ve said :)
I LOVED this. I can not relate with the whole pregnancy, post-postpartum but I hope to be there in the near future. I can totally relate to the whole being “too healthy” and needing to gain some weight. The mental ability to figure out your own body can be tough! Through all of this you have been so realistic and inspirational! I love your blog because you are a wife, mother, working lady, and genuinely REAL! Keep it going lady, so glad to see you are at your “happy place” :)
Thanks so much, Kayla!
Thank you for this post. I have been reading your blog for years, and I have changed my priorities right along with you! You are a great role model for new mothers. Postpartum weight loss seems to have become some sort of contest to see who can lose weight the fastest, and a lot of new moms can get easily discouraged by this. I am glad you prioritized your family first, and I love your healthy lifestyle.
Marcie, that is SO awesome to hear. I’m so glad that you’ve also been able to shift your priorities to be in a place that sounds like they’re right for you. Thank you so much for reading along for years – I truly appreciate it!!
Great to read such an honest post. I have not had a baby yet but wonder who the whole getting my body process will be like. Not something I obsess over, but it has crossed my mind. I appreicate your attitude and agree that I would not want to “track” my progress so closely either. You seem so happy and it shows for sure!
Like everyone else, I LOVE this post! It’s so evident through your blog (and I imagine even more so in real life) that Lucas and Jay are your priorities. And that’s the way it should be!
THANK YOU for writing this! It made so much sense to me. I’m not pregnant, or a new mum but I am two years on from HA and I totally see where you are coming from.
Gaining 20 pounds felt like the end of the world when I started but now my body is happy. I don’t weigh myself these days but I fit into the clothes I bought when I gained the weight and they fit fine – looser on some days, tighter on others. I never count down the minutes to my next meal, I rarely think about what I’ll eat next and I don’t equate what I eat to my workouts. Life is too busy and full of so many pleasures to spend that time doing it!
If anyone with HA is reading, this mindset didn’t come instantly, it is definitely a long-term change but I can honestly say I’m now at a point where I love my body. Not despite anything but for being strong, carrying me through the hardest days and being mine.
That’s SO true. The mindset definitely does not come instantly. It was a battle for a while, and one that took a lot of adjusting. I’m so glad to hear that you’ve gotten to the point where you’re now in a happy place. I’m so, so happy for you!
Thank you so much for your honest post! I am not pregnant or a mom, but will likely be trying within the next year and it’s so refreshing to read about your journey. There really is something to be said for letting the process happen naturally! You look beautiful and happy!
BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO! Finally, a blogger who is honest about the whole “body after baby” thing. Good for you girl! You look amazing and clearly have such a beautiful bond with your family. You’re so right–being with Lucas and your Husband and family is so much more important than fitting in any workout. Thank you for your honesty!
Aww, thanks Sarah! So glad to still have you reading along :) xo
I think the key to this post is when you say “I just feel GOOD”. Because, in the end, that is all that really matters.
When it comes to working out and eating healthy post-baby, I’m a firm believer in doing what makes YOU feel good. For some people that might start immediately after giving birth. For others (like myself), that may mean taking your time to get back into the swing of things.
I believe that if whatever you’re doing is causing you stress or anxiety, it’s time to make a change. On the flip side, if whatever you’r doing makes you happy, then (typically) it’s the right thing :)
You look awesome and this is a great post!
Loved this post Courtney!! Thanks for sharing. As a mom of 2 I understand completely. You look great and you have a beautiful family!
Speaking of body image, how can I get that cheeseburger?! OMGGG
This is so refreshing to read. I am by no means even close to having a child, but it’s definitely something I see happening within the next 5ish years and it’s great to read a post like this instead of a post that focuses heavily on the body after baby.
One of the things that drives me crazy is seeing all of the #fitpregnancy hashtags on Instagram along with pictures of women working out pretty intensely very late into their pregnancy. That just seems dangerous to me! I realize that everyone has different goals but I’m with you and think that the main priority is on the baby…not how flat your stomach is right after giving birth.
Thanks for such a great post – as a long-time reader it made me happy to hear that you’re so happy and in such a great place!
I’m totally with you Claire! But, to each their own I suppose! I’m so happy to still have you reading along for so long – thank youuuu!
Wow, Courtney! I am SO so glad you posted this with such honesty. I am 16 weeks pregnant today and already feeling totally weirded out by the changes I’m going through. I am so much squishier than I thought I would be! I am already thinking about how I want to get in shape after baby, but I’m not even done with pregnancy! I am a runner but had to stop running and still haven’t started up again and may not until after birth. Obviously, I miss running and already have my hopes up to run again soon after having the baby, but I think that’s a really dangerous path to go down. I have no idea how I’ll feel after birth and what motherhood is really like!
I’m glad that you are okay with being real and not being perfect. Honestly, I think you look GREAT! You set a great example as a mom to me.
Congrats to you on your pregnancy, Melissa! Try to enjoy every minute of it (as much as you can, haha!). It’ll be 40 weeks before you know it!
Amen!
As a new mom, I totally relate to this and love your attitude. We’re 5.5 months out, and I’ve done one “real” work out. Other than that, we’ve got on walks. I breastfeed and I prioritize sleep. So, eventually we’ll get things figured out and I don’t feel any pressure (husband still thinks I’m “hot”). She’s sleeping through the night now, so I’m hoping to figure out a workout routine, not for a “post-baby body” but just to be healthy for myself and for her. Nicely done, Courtney!
Yes, yes, yes!! You will eventually figure it out! For now, keep prioritizing that sleep. (And LOL to your husband!) :)
Great post! Thank you for sharing!! I have an 11 week baby boy and I’m cherishing every moment home on maternity leave because I know balancing my time will be much tougher when I’m back at work. This post is so real life and I love reading that.
That’s so true, Em! Enjoy every second that you can while you’re still at home with your little boy!!! xoxo
Great post! It took me 8 months to get back into my workout routine. I started walking again around 8 weeks, but did not really get into it until February. You are an inspiration! I hope that girls that are going to the extreme read this and understand that it is ok to not be extremely healthy all the time.
I love my post baby body because it was an amazing thing I did 2 years ago – I grew a human and I birthed him! My body is amazing because of the things it can do :)
Amen to that, Ash!!!
Bravo! I loved reading this. One of the trends that makes me cringe these days in social media is the insane rush back to fitness (and racing if you’re a runner). It seems to have caught on like the plague and I just don’t think it’s healthy. I don’t like when pregnant women document their paces and distances, nor do I want to see if postpartum. Everyone just sit back, enjoy the pregnancy and postpartum experience and stop trying to up the bar on getting back into shape. Thanks for keeping it real AND healthy!
I’m with you! I mean, to each their own, but that’s just not for me.
Incredible post!! Thanks so much for sharing. I would say MENTAL health is HUGE when it comes to being healthy about being healthy. For a long time, I was overshooting healthy as well. Which is probably one of the most unhealthy things you can do! It was your HA post a couple of years ago that actually saved me and made me realize that 1.I had HA and 2. The definition of healthy is doing what is best for your body!
Oh wow, Haley, I’m so glad that you’ve been able to identify it and have been making the changes you need. That was my main reason for even writing about it in the first place…to hopefully help at least one other person. :) (P.S. – that french toast casserole sounds awwwwwesome!)
I’m so happy for you!!! Sometimes (okay, all the time) being comfortable in your own body is not just about weight. It’s about getting a place that you can maintain comfortably and not kill yourself staying there! You look amazing and happy. :-)
I love this post. Thank you for writing it! I’m 8 months post partum. I gained 44 pounds and still have 12 to go and it has definitely been slow going. I also work full time and pre baby I worked out every day at lunch but now I use my lunch breaks to visit my daughter at daycare. And like you I won’t give up any time with my daughter to workout so they end up happening at 8 at night after she goes to bed. I’m still not quite happy with my body and I’m ok with that. Where fitness use to be one of my biggest priorities, my daughter is now and I’m totally ok with that. I hope the weight comes off eventually but even if it doesn’t I’d never trade what I got out of it. You’re an awesome inspiration to all the mamas out there!
I totally hear you, Whitney. It took me a while to be happy with my body, too. But even though I wasn’t thrilled with how it was looking, it still just wasn’t my top priority to do a whole lot about it. I just kept telling myself that eventually, things would work themselves out. And finally, a year+ later, things have finally started falling into place. It takes time, but you’ll get there! Just keep doing what you’re doing – you’re doing a wonderful job!!!
such a wholesome, inspiring, honest post, and it’s so encouraging to hear that you’re so happy with living a full life and content with yourself. kudos to you!
great post!<3 i am no mommy yet, but i don't think i would do an update either. I feel like thats TOO much pressure that a new mom already has. The way you've done it is absolutely perfect. Things take time. And the fact your in a better place then EVER speaks so many volumes :)
THANK YOU for this post! I am 5 months pregnant and after a disheartening bridesmaid dress fitting last night I needed to read something inspiring like this. THANK YOU!
Oh girl, I’m SO with you! When I was in my friend’s wedding while pregnant, I wound up needing my dress altered SO much (they had to sew a panel into the back to make it fit…) and the alterations ended up costing more than the dress itself. It was frustrating, to say the least! So you’re not alone ;)
This is a perfect post. I love your honesty. You exude confidence.
Before having my 19 month old, I was similar… I counted calories like it was my job, got up early most days to work out, all that.
Once I had her, everything shifted. I still really want to get back into a fitness routine (I’m one of the lucky ones who’s baby STILL doesn’t sleep through the night…) but for now, I’m fairly comfortable with myself.
Thank you for sharing such a personal perspective.
I want to give you a big hug! Love this. Thanks for being such a great example for fellow mamas out there. I think it’s important to just do what is best for YOU. Every woman has a different birth experience, heals from childbirth differently, deals with the newborn stage differently, etc. But regardless, I think it’s important to recognize balance and know that your baby and those precious moments should absolutely come first. (As you know), Hunter was in the NICU the first month of his life, and then we had major breastfeeding issues until he was about 3 months old and was either tied to him or the pump for the majority of my days. Needless to say, I had absolutely no desire to do anything close to exercise until about 3 months postpartum. And even then, it was primarily walks and some light weight lifting. It wasn’t until Hunter started sleeping through the night and napping regularly that I got in my groove again. Sleep makes allll the difference!
**Whoops, meant he was in the NICU for the first couple weeks of his life (felt like a month), but then on oxygen for a month.
Haha you’re SO right…sleep is EVERYTHING! ;) xoxo
Love this….THANK YOU for being real.
Totally agree. I have an almost 9 month old, and I finally am just starting to feel ready to workout regularly. Even now, my “regular” is about 3 times a week, and some walks on the other days. A far cry from my 6-7 day a week routine. It is an amazing feeling to know that you don’t need to work out that much. What a waste of energy worrying about fitting in exercise every day was!
Props to you for taking your time and slowly getting back into it! I agree…it saddens me to think just how much time I wasted thinking about that sort of stuff back in the day. Crazy!
Thanks for sharing this post! It’s refreshing to hear your point of view. I’m currently pregnant (with twins eek) and am luckily still able to be pretty active and exercise 4X/week. I know that is going to change once they arrive and it’s nice to see your healthy take on things, I feel like there is so much pressure to “get the body back after baby.” Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, you look happy and healthy!
Yayyyyyy, congrats on twins!!! How exciting! Wishing you a wonderful, happy and healthy pregnancy!
Oh thanks so much! :)
My little girl is 14 months old and I really had no interest in working out until about a month before she turned one. I appreciate your thoughts and completely understand. Thanks for sharing!
so empowering to feel GOOD. glad your journey has led you to that place.
This is such a great post, and I’m happy for you Courtney! It was your and Ashley’s posts on HA that made me think about what was going on with my body – and of course, when i went off BC I learned that I had it as well. I had to gain about 15 pounds to rectify it, which was definitely difficult sometimes. And I think I’m still in the stage where my body settles back down to it’s ‘happy weight’. So hearing that you think that you’re there and you have a great relationship with food and your body is really, really inspiring!
Absolutely, Sam! It definitely took some time so don’t get frustrated…just keep doing what you’re doing. It’s an amazing thing to be taking back control of your health. Keep up the GREAT work!!
I love this post! You seem to have gone through the last 14 months with a lot of grace.. It’s been almost 6 months since we had our baby boy and can identify with this very much.
…and this is why I LOVE your blog! :-) I was almost near tears reading this because I can most DEF. relate and agree with your perspective on the post-baby body focus! In all honesty, I hoped to jump right back into fitness/workouts right after I was allowed to start back up, but after I had my son (Ethan), my entire focus/priorities magically shifted to him/my family. And I could honestly care less about trying to get to a “certain weight” by a “certain time.” I was fortunate in that I could fit most of my pre-pregnancy clothes 3 months post-partum, and now, being 9 months post-partum, I can fit even my size 2 and some size 0 clothing. Do I have the abs I used to have – not even close! That’s laughable, actually. Lol! BUT do I care to do the tweaking/cutting back to get those abs? At this point, not at all. It’s just not a priority for me right now.. perhaps in another few months. Who knows? Basically, I totally agree – “I just feel GOOD… Like, really good. With everything…” Kudos to you for this wonderful post!!! :-)
You will always be gorgeous no matter what size you are. You endured one of the hardest things any woman can do – giving birth. It’s funny how our priorities change so much after that. Like you said, I wouldn’t give up my time with Gavin just to get in a work out. If free time presented itself, I’m there. But family and making memories are so important to me.
I am usually not a commenter, but this post hits home! It all resonated with me and was nice to hear a “real” perspective in the blogging community. I was someone who worked out throughout pregnancy (modified and mostly walking near the end of my pregnancy). Postpartum, and before I went back to work I got back into it with good intentions and then life as a full time professional, a full time mother, and a full time wife happened. Though my clothes fit and the pounds have dropped – my body is definitely different – which is okay! Eventually workouts will start again, but right now spending time with my little family is more valuable than a workout! I hope I am on the same path as you and slowly but surely fitness will work its way back into my life.
I can totally relate to what you’re saying, Nikki! Keep enjoying that family time and you’re right, fitness will find its way! :)
Thanks for being 100% honest. This is something all women, not just new moms, need to read. Good for you!
This is a great post Courtney! I’ve been thinking a lot about postpartum fitness. I’m hoping to get back into it pretty quickly but for me it is more about stress relief than anything. My husband is so so so busy with his job (8pm is an early night) so I know the baby care is going to fall on my shoulders almost exclusively. I have always used fitness as a way to take time for myself and I’m hoping I can do that when my little one arrives in the next few (weeks? days?).
I think you look so great and I think your approach to health and fitness postpartum is really healthy. I really loved reading this! Thanks for sharing.
It’s so crazy how, out of nowhere, things just click. I remember that time when I was SO OBSESSED with my postpartum body. It came on strong when I finished breastfeeding (8mo), and I gained like 15 pounds in just a couple weeks (say whaaaa?!). I still had the appetite of a nursing mom (give me ALL.THE.FOOD). I tried all the tricks, and it wasn’t working. And then I realized how OBSESSIVE I was becoming, and how that looked to my now 2-year-old. Would I want her thinking my same thoughts when she’s old enough to comprehend? NO!!! That realization freaked me out, and tears were shed.
So I changed my perspective to one that I WOULD want her to think about. WHOLE FOOD with no limits and healthy exercise. I was so much happier after I stopped obsessing over how much I was eating, and just making sure that what I did eat was nutrient dense (lots of meat, healthy fat, and veggies), and then the weight just naturally came off (even though I’m sure my calorie intake is through the roof due to all the good fats. I smell bacon! Is that an avocado? Gimme!). A few morning jogs per week help clear my mind and give me some “me” time. But I don’t feel guilty if I miss a run.
All this happened over the course of a month. Probably the best month that could’ve happened to me for the sake of my happiness as a mother and the impression I’d like to make for my daughter.
That’s such a great story, Amber! I’m so glad you seem to have found yourself in a good place…such a great feeling, isn’t it?!
I love reading an honest account like this. So glad you’ve found your way and your happiness. :)
I vote for more posts like these. You do a beautiful job at sharing your feelings and thoughts. I have been a first time mother for about as long as you have and I agree…my priorities lay were yours are. Love my family and little man more than the number on the scale or the way I look in the mirror.
Aww, thank you so much, Jenn! That comment really means a lot!
: )
Thank you for this post!!!! I have been loving your blog so much lately because it is obvious you have found yourself in a great place! I am 8 months pregnant with my first baby and love reading how you fit ALL the things that matter to you into each day as best you can. I will also be a working mom and hope to fit in some healthy eating and exercise but I am way more worried about being a healthy role model for my daughter than looking any specific way. I have watched so many women in my life struggle with serious eating disorders, though I am thankful I have not had that struggle myself. I am sure I will not get the balance right 100 percent of the time but I am going to try so hard to teach my daughter that exercise and healthy food is just a small (though important) part of a healthy life! Please keep posting the way you have recently, you are a breath of fresh air! Plus I have loved every one of your recipes I have tried so please keep those coming too:)
Thank you so much, Irene! I absolutely will be :) And so glad you’ve been enjoying the recipes!!!
I’m a long time reader but a first time commenter (sorry for lurking!) but wanted to basically re-iterate everything that has already been said above. This post is incredibly refreshing, one of the reasons why you are the only HLB I read/take seriously anymore and probably hits home with a lot of people because it’s REAL! I’m trying to get pregnant now and can’t tell you how many times I have thought to myself that I need to be as skinny as possible now so that after the fact it will be easy to ‘return to normal’ (whatever ‘normal’ is!). It’s nice to hear that you don’t HAVE to go back immediately to the weight you were pre-pregnancy in order to be happy with yourself. I’ll definitely take a page out of your book and try to be happy with who I am, as long as I’m doing what’s important for myself and my family :)
No need to apologize, Missy! Haha, I’m just happy to have you reading. Thanks so much for taking the time to “de-lurk!” Best of luck to you on everything!!
Over the past year and a half I’ve gone through overcoming HA – it’s exhausting and frustrating at times, and at other times, like you said, it’s a relief because it kind of just lets the pressure off. I haven’t gone through a pregnancy post HA (yet!) but I’m so incredibly thankful that I’m to where I am mentally (and physically) before having a baby. If I wouldn’t have gone through this “recovery” time, I can’t imagine how messed up my thinking/actions would’ve been through a pregnancy and postpartum time….I’m now a huge believer in the fact that if I’m eating whole foods most of the time, exercising moderately 4-5 times a week, sleeping enough, and taking care of my mental health (faith, less tress, etc.), then my body, however it ends up looking after that, is EXACTLY where it’s meant to be.
Thank you for sharing this, Courtney. You’ve always looked beautiful, and knowing how truly happy you are makes you look even more gorgeous!
I’m totally with you, Danica. Congrats to you on overcoming HA and finding yourself in a healthy, happy state!
Thank you! This was such a great post. I am pregnant now and due in February but also had a lot of trouble getting pregnant due to over-exercise, etc. It’s great to hear your perspective and also know that you are happy with where you are at right now.
Ohhhhhh, I’ve been waiting to read this post for a long time now. I thought I’d have so much to say once I finally read it, but I now find myself speechless. I’m just so, so happy for you Courtney! I’ve loved following you in your journey to this place of complete happiness and I’m so glad you finally got there. THANK YOU for writing this. <3
Thanks so much, Stacey! I know you’ve been following for a LONG time, and it has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated! xoxo
This was an amazing post. Thank you for writing and thank you for being an honest healthy living blogger. Sometimes I get very frustrated when other bloggers (well known ones) portray how everything is just so. Awesome! All the time. The happy baby, happy life, happy eating and yet that’s not real life. I appreciate your honesty Courtney!!!!
Beautiful open honest post missus! Delighted you’re at peace with yourself! Such a hard place for some women and men to get to!
Thank you for writing this post…I’m crying as I type this message. I am 7 1/2 mos postpartum. Before I had my sweet baby boy I was eating healthy and exercising and felt great about my body. Now I work out 3 times a week then stop for a few weeks only to repeat the process. Don’t even let me get started on my eating habits. I have been battling with feelings of guilt that I can’t get my motivation back to what it once was. I’m not willing to sacrifice my already limited time with my family to workout after work and getting up early is difficult when my baby still wakes up during the night sometimes. You have helped me realize that the change in my priorities are ok…I love my family everything else will fall in place when the time is right. Thank you again.
And now you’ve made me tear up after reading your comment, Chelsea :) Thank you so much for sharing that. You’re so right…everything WILL fall into place the way it should be.
Thank you for posting this! I have a 9-month-old and have had a similar experience. I have yet to get into a really steady workout groove, but I am trying to be kind and patient with myself. A baby really shakes things up so it takes time for the pieces to settle. Like you, I will strive to focus on what’s most important and to be a positive role model for my sweet baby. I will always think she’s perfect at any size so shouldn’t I give myself some of that same grace?
Keep up the good work, mama!
Yes, those little bundles change SO much!! Don’t be too hard on yourself just yet…you’ve got the rest of your life to get back in a workout groove. ;)
Ironically, I decided at 2am while I was up with the babe to skip my 6am workout class this morning. Don’t regret it even a little. Have a great weekend :)
Congratulations! I wish I had your healthy outlook on diet and exercise. It’s a struggle every day. It’s frustrating that something so very trivial occupies so much of my time.
I’m so sorry to hear that, Erin. Keep your head up! Feel free to email me if you ever need to talk. :)
Thank you for posting this Courtney! It is so refreshing to read posts like this. Everybody has a different definition of healthy and it’s so important to do what works best for our own bodies. You look absolutely beautiful and I think it’s a reflection of all the work you’ve been doing to keep your whole self healthy. Thank you for sharing!
That’s so true…everyone IS totally different!! Thank you so much for the sweet words :)
I love this post so, so much! Thanks a lot for taking the time to write out your thoughts and put them out there for the whole wide world to see. It takes a lot of courage to do something like that, and I’m so happy that you did it. It sounds like you are doing AWESOME and I could not be happier for you. I have been following you since before your HA diagnosis, and it’s awesome to see how things have worked out for you!
And thank YOU so much for reading along with me for so long Chelsea! xo :)
GREAT post Court
Thanks so much, Court :)
Thank you for sharing this. I am a nursing mom who overcame ha in order to get pregnant. Nice to know I don’t need to stress about not getting my period yet.
Also, like you, I had to gain weight to get pregnant (40 pounds! And that is before I even got pregnant!) My body is so different than what I am used to, but I am grateful for it. If I had my old body I wouldn’t have gotten pregnant and had my baby girl. I also would still be living a life focused on dieting and exercise. What I have now is so much better, even with 40 extra pounds!
AMEN to that, Angela! What a wonderful outlook you have as well.
Thank you so much for this post. I have struggled at both ends of the eating disorder spectrum, both with over and under eating, and getting married was a huge trigger for me this year. After getting married in May, and getting laid off 2 weeks later, I am just now starting to return to “normal” eating and exercise patterns. The pressure on new mothers to bounce right back into their pre-pregancy bodies is insane, especially considerng the sleep deprivation and the calories needed for breastfeeding. I really appreciate you putting an honest perspective out there for women to relate to, not just for body after baby, but for body expectations at life events in general :) I’ve been reading everyday for years.
Jessica, thank you SO much for reading along for so long!! I’m sorry to hear you’re still struggling with some of those pressures…it’s not always easy! Best of luck to you.
this is a really awesome post. i stumbled upon your post from someone else’s blog, but i am really happy for you. i’ve been having an off few days, but i’m glad that someone out there is at mental peace right now :)
Thanks so much, Eva! Here’s to hoping you have a better day tomorrow! :)
I love your post. I think we all struggle from time to time with “healthy eating and exercise” and “over doing it.” Thanks for verbalizing it so well. You have a lovely family.
Thank you so much, Karenann!
This post really resonated with me. I’m at a place right now where I’m a few pounds up from the weight I achieved after cleaning up my diet and starting to exercise, but I have a much more healthy relationship with food and exercise now. Thank you for being so candid and honest about your journey!
Great post! I am currently 10.5 months postpartum and suffer from HA as well. I stopped breastfeeding (she weaned herself) at 8 months and still have not had a period. I would go 4-6+ months inbetween them pre-pregnancy due to CrossFit and a strict diet (not healthy). Thankfully, I was able to become pregnant, a miracle I still think! After having my miracle little girl, my focus shifted! I still workout when I can (at 5am on the days she actually sleeps in!), but it is not my main focus in life! Loved reading your story & definitely helps to cement the idea that enjoying my family is far superior to the pressures of getting back the “perfect” body!
I’m sorry to hear you’re still suffering from some HA symptoms, but it sounds like you’ve definitely got your focus in the right places so props to you! Keep up the great work, mama. ;)
This is awesome – and why I still read your blog! You’re the best! I am not going to lie – there have been a few bloggers that I’ve recently given the side-eye to in terms of postpartum weight-loss…more out of concern for their health. Like you said, if it’s a priority to someone, to each their own – I just pray they are truly doing it in a healthy way.
Thanks so much for sticking with me, Annie! I know you’ve been reading for a LONG time! :) xo
Great post Courtney! I didn’t start exercising until my son was 1.5 years old. I wish I would have started sooner but alas, I didn’t. All that matters is that I do now! :)
You already got the “slow clap” from me this morning. ;) But seriously, great post. You know we both have the same mentality on this! One of the many reasons why we are blesties (did you see what I did there? blogging + besties = blesties).
Blesties, huh? Not sure I’d accept that from anyone else but you ;) xoxo
I am so happy for you. Thank you for sharing your positive outlook on body image. It really means a lot to readers like me.
Thanks so much, Emily. I really appreciate that!
Awesome post, Courtney! I can REALLY relate. I still have days when I get obsessive about how “healthy” I am eating, but am really starting to accept the fact that I DON’T have to work out a ton, and I DON’T have to count calories, and I DON’T have to worry when I splurge on treats now and then. I feel much freer than I did even one year ago.
That’s so great to hear, Hannah! xoxo
Courtney,
Your blog has certainly helped to cure me of my own eating disorder. I can never thank you enough for that.
I’m so happy to see you happy and healthy; it gives me the courage to not obsesively care now…and when I plan my OWN bambino :)
<3333333 Love, love, love.
Courtney:
What an impactful post! As a reader who is also a mom, a yoga teacher and a registered dietitian I am delighted that you woud share your thoughts and experiences. The manner in which you have handled this journey into motherhood is one to be admired and it will surely have a positive influence on many of your readers. Thank you I for setting such a wonderful example of what a wife, mother, and friend should be.
Have a fabulous halloween weekend!
Jessica
You are awesome, Courtney- absolutely loved this post! You are such an inspiration, both to people giving birth and just woman in general. As you know, I’ve been a long-time reader and I can definitely vouch to a noticeable shift in your eating habits, workouts and overall priorities….a positive shift, that is! Keep doing what you do, your positive energy of late is infectious :)!
This made me tear up a bit. It’s so honest and real, and that is really refreshing. I’m currently pregnant with my first baby, and having been in pretty awesome shape pre-pregnancy, I’ve really struggled watching my body change. It’s so nice to know that my priorities are very likely going to continue to shift, and that it’s OKAY to find happiness at a different weight or with a different body.
And you are beautiful, inside and out. You’re setting a wonderful example for Lucas with your healthy, balanced life, and I strive to do that for my little girl.
Thanks for sharing this. While I do think its okay for some moms to post about their fitness after having a baby, it does set unrealistic expectations. It seems like you listened to your body and focused on your family. You look happy and healthy!
I really appreciate this post. I’m 8 months pregnant, and I have NO desire to start thinking about how soon I can lose the baby weight after my little one comes. This is such a great reminder about how that’s not everyone’s priority (though it’s totally fine if it is!) and it’s ok to just let nature take it’s course without crazy restrictions, etc.
You’re awesome :) your head and your heart have always been in the right place!
I have read your blog for a couple months now and I just love your outlook on life. You’re so honest and open and I love that! I thought you looked great when you gained a little weight pre-pregnancy and you look AWESOME now! I only hope I can maintain this outlook after I have kids. I just got married last month so it might not be very soon but I fear I’ll put too much pressure on myself after I have a baby to be back where I was. I feel the most confident in myself than I ever have so I hope I keep that mindset with me. Thanks for your honesty!
Thank you so much for writing this post! I am 24 weeks pregnant and due to some complications have been unable to work out for much of my pregnancy. I have been worried about how I will get back to my pre-baby body and knowing the reminder to give myself a break and roll with the changes is just what I needed!
I’ve been a long time reader, but don’t comment very often. I really appreciate this post as I am 8.5 months post partum and I haven’t been making an effort to lose the baby weight, but I do feel a pressure from society that I should. I was a little bit obsesssive with my workouts and eating the year before I got pregnant and then I kind of just let myself have fun and live my life for that year and I was still healthy…shocker. I didn’t have to obsess about everything that went into my mouth or how many calories I burned every workout. I’ve had 8.5 glorious months with my baby boy and yes i’ve gotten in a few workouts here and there, but it hasn’t been my main priority. As he is able to play a little more freely by himself i’m able to actually start getting my house more in order :) and then i might start doing more workouts. Sorry for the rambling! The point of this comment was to say that I appreciate you being a healthy lifestyle blogger that didn’t make your focus about how to get your body back after baby because realistically it’s going to take a while. Thanks and I love your blog!
I have been wondering how you were doing as far as HA goes. I suffered from it as well. I quit cycling at age 17 (29 now). We used fertility treatment to get pregnant with my son. I still very much had a problem though. I kept fearing food and working out very hard which ended me up on bed rest and caused many scares because I didn’t gain much and my baby wasn’t measuring what they thought he should hve been. I ended up on strict bed rest and drinking ensures all day between snacks and meals. After he was born, I was less than my pre pregnancy weight by 3 weeks post partum when I got released to exercise. I started back exercising (except at home with Bon Harper DVDs not the gym). I would work out really early after no sleep just so I would be sure to get it in. (By early, I mean sometimes 1:00-2:00 AM). I was so unhealthy and weighed double digits. In November of last year, I recognized that food and fitness had been my god and was so convicted. I made major changes. My workouts look completely different (Bob and stuff like T 25 are forbidden in my house). On September 16 of this year, I ovulated!!!!!! Eeek!!!! Now I am 8.5 weeks pregnant!! Double eeek!! I want to say that you are an inspiration. You are healthy and happy and fit but it doesn’t control you. It seems to come naturally to you now. I still have to watch myself especially now I am pregnant again but I am so much happier.
Bob not Bon*
…and I was not saying that boastfully about my weight. It really caused a lot of scares and regrets thinking I may hve hurt my baby. (He is perfect though I am happy to say.)
What a great, honest post. You echo the sentiment of many of us! Thank you for being open and sharing.
I have been reading your blog since 2012. I just wanted to say how great it is to see how happy you are in all aspects of your life.
Such a great little family!
amen sista! beauty and health come from within.. overshot health? that’s a great way to think of it. I think we all have been guilty, time to stop and just be… YOU. a mama, a wife, and friend. Love ya!
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I really enjoyed reading this post. It sounds like you’ve really found a great balance since becoming a mama — good for you!
Fabulous post! I love and appreciate your honesty and think you have a very healthy approach to it all. Thanks for taking us through your journey, into your world, and sharing another story about what real motherhood is like!
I love everything about this post! 2 years ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and I gained the typical 15 pounds in about 4 months without changing much. 2 years later, I’m still 15 pounds heavier than before my diagnosis but I am finally coming to terms with being comfortable. :-)
So interesting enough – this sounds like me! LOL. Well except the I got pregnant with our second when our first was 13 months old. I was a maniac about calories and exercising all the way up until my doctor put me in bedrest (talk about a shift in lifestyles) and then the baby was born and BOOM – priorities shift and other than my at home work out DVDs no desire to leave my baby and work out (like at all) however I am the happiest that I have ever been (most tired too!) with two small children (2.5 yrs and 9 months). That being said I LOVE THIS POST. It is real and honest and so applicable to me! Love seeing people happy with their lives!
Thanks so much! It is a great feeling, isn’t it? :)
This post was exactly what I needed to hear right now. I was put on the pill at 16 (due to an eating disorder) to make sure I got a period, and although I thought I had recovered (12 yrs later), clearly I was still restricting and excersing too much from my body. I went off the pill in August and still no period. I got the HA diagnosis about 2 weeks ago and I can totally relate to the “weight being lifted”. The hardest thing right now is feeling like everyone else notices the weight gain, people at the gym mention not seeing me as much etc. I end up making up excuses, which only makes me feel worse. I joined a yoga studio which seems to be helping – at least I dont feel like I’m completely lazy. Anyway, I guess this is a VERY long winded way of saying thanks for being so open. I have a feeling I will be re-reading this post over the next few months. Congratulations
Alleigh, thanks so much for sharing your story, too! Don’t lose hope – and please, feel free to reach out anytime!
My wife and I had a cute baby boy almost two months ago. He’s great, and so is my wife. Honestly, I don’t know what she’s complaining about, but she keeps saying she needs to go on a diet and lose the “baby fat”. I’m not convinced weight loss is a very good idea as she wants to do that on her own and I don’t think she’s overweight. I’m trying to convince her to consult a dietitian first.
I’ve been researching postpartum weight loss over the last couple of days. Luckily, there are so many useful sites with a lot of great advice about weight loss after giving birth.
While surfing, I stumbled across this book on Amazon – Plus-size moms: Lose baby weight fast.
This book is pretty useful and I decided to get a copy for my wife. She’s thrilled with it, as am I because I no longer have to worry my wife is going to go on some crash diet that’s going to be bad for her health.