Ok, so if you have been following my blog you would know that I had a baby 2 months ago. You would also know that I don't believe in "diets" but in healthy lifestyles. However, I do believe in goals. Realistic goals. Healthy goals.
I will be open and honest with you about my goal. I usually don't like to share these things because that means I will have let you and myself down if I don't reach the goal. This blog post is not just all about me, but I hope it will have a few helpful thoughts for you, because I know I am not the only one in such a position.
In 17 weeks exactly from the time I am writing this, it will be my birthday. Gracelyn will be exactly 6 months old on that day. According to the scale as of this morning, I have exactly 17 lbs. to lose. My goal: 17 lbs in 17 weeks. Here are a few thoughts on this goal:
It is realistic, healthy, and recommended from a fitness professional's standpoint that someone--when trying to lose weight--should lose at a rate of about 1 lb per week (a little less or a little more is fine too). This is why I am ok with setting this as my goal.
I am nursing Gracelyn and have a naturally decent metabolism, so I think this can be a reasonable goal. However, 6 months may not be reasonable for all moms trying to lose baby weight. Remember, it took 9 months to put it on, so give yourself at least 9 months to take it off.
I have a go with the flow mentality most of the time, so my plan is to make healthy choices most of the time and let my body adjust and lose accordingly. If that is not enough, then I know to be more active and have more self control when eating. I am not going to obsess about every calorie that is going into my mouth, or how many minutes of exercise I have gotten in a day. Being a good mom to my kids and wife to my husband are my priorities, not the number on the scale.
If I do not reach my goal, it is not the end of the world. It is really not a big deal at all. A number is just a number--ultimately, it's about being healthy. A goal can provide motivation and telling people about your goal can give accountability--these are both good things. However, if you are able to make healthy choices and still enjoy life, then you are on the right track.
Having these 2 precious ones in my life is worth every single pound that was gained. However, I choose to take responsibility for my choices and my lifestyle and not blame them for not being able to fit into my jeans.
