Post Pregnancy Weight Loss: The first 15 lbs

80% of my blog friends are new moms or young moms that have had kids in the past few years. This statistic is the only reason why I'm not hiding underneath my desk right now.

Emily and I have been emailing each other words of encouragement, but I thought I would share my struggle with you guys too.

Losing weight post-baby is no joke. Forget motivation... Where is the time? Surely something needs to be cleaned, right? Oh, maybe I should take a nap instead.

After having Haven {and gaining almost 70lbs}, I decided to try that whole "lifestyle change." That phrase is just the fancy way of telling everyone that you're on a big fat diet.

Are you wondering how it's possible to gain 70lbs? Well that me tell you. Go from being a vegetarian your whole life to eating Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches from Hot Shots every day. Oh, and dip those sandwiches into mayo. Fatty McFatterson. Every. Day. Because when you don't have kids yet, going out to eat for every meal is as normal and affordable as breathing air.

When Haven was a year old, I was still 30lbs up from where I was pre-baby gargantuan. Just counting my calories and going to the gym took the pounds off. I went for extra 10 because I like to play mind games with myself.

So here I am post-Olive. I gained between 30-35lbs with her. 6 weeks post Olive, I had started gaining weight. How is that possible? I don't know. If I am stuck in a house all day, I cannot control my eating portions. And it was Christmas... and I have the appetite of a teenage boy going through puberty.

Fun fact: My stomach is a bottomless pit.

One more tid bit about me. I am obsessed with before and after pictures. Weight loss, home remodels, recipes, thrift finds, etc.

Which is why I am hooked to checking Mama Laughlin's blog every Monday. She is a little over three months out from having her 2nd baby. Every Monday, she posts her workout recap from the week before and her new weight.

We have the same goal: 135lbs.

So without further rambling... Here is me... In my Biggest-Loser-weigh-in-attire-glory:

6 weeks post Olive: 170.8 lbs





7 weeks post Olive: 160.0 lbs {I did an herbal cleanse to lose the water weight that I was still retaining}





11 weeks post Olive: 155.8 lbs




Are you mortified? Did you know that there could be a white Teletubby?



The first 10 lbs came off in one week. I did a 10 day herbal cleanse, which basically consisted of me eating clean, drinking an ocean of water, and taking some fiber pills. Out with the old...

The last 5 lbs have been a struggle. I may have celebrated the first 10lbs for too long.

What I am eating/doing:

- Going to the gym for one hour right after work. I like to do 30min of cardio, some chit chatting, some tv watching, a few weights, then I end with lunges and crunches.

- Drinking 100oz + of water daily. I have a 20oz cup and I make sure to fill it up at least five times.

- Breakfast: Protein shake {1 scoop of protein powder, a banana, a handful of frozen strawberries, and a cup of 2% milk}

- AM/PM Snacks: cutie oranges, 1/2 Luna bar, walnuts, cottage cheese

- Lunch: Spinach salad with veggie toppings. My favorite dressing right now is Paul Newman's Lite Honey Mustard

- Dinner: {I don't eat meat} My go-to options are: Lentils with green veggies/ steamed brown rice with salsa and avocado/ Sweet potato with cottage cheese and veggies/


I was hesitant to post pictures, but peer review/encouragement is a great way to get the last 20 lbs off. Checking in with Emily has been a big help for me... so why not check in with all of you new moms too?! :)

Happy Monday... I'm off to eat my salad!