This year was really amazing for me. I managed to maintain my weight loss and once I was more than half way through my pregnancy, I started to gain weight, but it was an appropriate amount. In August, I welcomed a beautiful new daughter. Life has been great since then. I quickly lost the majority of the weight that I gained during pregnancy. And then, I got lazy. I started eating more often, and quite often more than not, foods that I know I shouldn't be eating. When I had my last baby (in 2009) I was determined to breastfeed. I did okay, but after a couple months, had supply issues. Still, managed to nurse him until his first birthday, so I'll consider it a success, even if we did have to supplement with formula. This time around, I was even more determined to not have to use any formula. And so far, so great! Ruby is nearly 5 months old, and not a drop of formula. Go me! Because I have more than enough milk this time, I'm using all these excuses to justify the over eating. By exclusively breastfeeding, I've been told I can allow myself at least 500 more calories a day. And boy have I. And it's starting to show. I weigh a lot more than I'd like to, though I'm still 100 pounds down from where I was before having surgery. In a few minutes, the clock will strike midnight. 2014. A new year. I've decided to make a more conscious effort to pay attention to what I eat, etc. I'm certainly not going to go on a hard core diet or anything. I still have a milk supply to maintain and although I'm unhappy with myself for slipping back into old habits, what I'm doing is working. I know how that sounds, but it's true. I'll be making small changes. Things like, less sugar, more water. Not eating out as much. Just getting off the couch and being more active. With our schedules, it'd be hard to have a gym membership, but I know I can do things around the house and yard to get physical. We did get a puppy last month, so maybe she'll start being less afraid of the snow and we can take her out in the yard and play a lot more. My husband took some pictures of me tonight for 'before', and I'm really hoping that by implementing some small changes, in a couple months I see a difference in the 'after'. Maybe I'll even feel brave enough to share the pictures one day. I'm just really disappointed in myself lately because of the weight gain. I had been doing so incredible and now, not so much. I know I can find the will/determination/strength to do it though. I did it before, so I know it's possible!
I've got about 10 minutes until midnight. Everyone in the house is asleep, except myself and my 7 year old daughter. She can't wait to watch the ball drop. I'll be ringing in the new year with a glass of water, so I guess I'm off to a decent start. :)
new sneakers. hoping to get more use out of them in the new year. :)
