Confessional
I gained 65 pounds when I was pregnant.
Not obscene, especially in the realm of twin pregnancies, but not a great thing when I started out too heavy to begin with. Postpartum, when I was breastfeeding at least part-time, I dropped about 40 of that by my 6-week checkup. Then I stopped breastfeeding and continued to eat as though I was.
Nine months on, nine months off, that’s what they say about “baby weight.”
Or, I think it was my beloved Stacy London who said that, once your baby is a year old, you can’t call it baby weight anymore.
Does two babies qualify me for an extension? Either way, it doesn’t matter. It’s been two years and I’m still hovering within 5 pounds of my 6-week checkup weight, 25 pounds heavier than when I got pregnant and (*grumble mumble too many*) pounds way above where I was when I got married. And even that wasn’t anything approaching slender.
Regardless, I’m never going to be a particularly thin person, and that’s fine. But here? Where I am today? This sucks.
I’m officially a size 18. There. I said it. Do you know how crappy that feels? Do you know how crappy it feels to have to go to a “special” store just to get a pair of jeans? Blech. Blech blech blech. Shitty, that’s how it feels.
But I can either bitch and moan about it, or I can try (once again) to do something about it. This morning, I set my alarm and got up before the kids to do Day 1 of the EA Sports Active 30-day Challenge. I was fortunate enough to get a copy of this game a few months ago, but it arrived more than a week later than it was supposed to and the timing didn’t work out for me to be able to jump in on the challenge in June. But now I’m home, and here I go.
And seriously? It was an honest-to-god workout! I’ve managed to get a bit of exercise using the Wii Fit games before, but this one is no fricking joke. It goes right from one exercise to the next, and my heart was pumping and I was sweating bullets. My legs are sore from the squats I haven’t done in ages. And this was the low-impact version. Gah!
Just for a little extra kick in the pants, I’m doing a weight loss challenge along with blog- and real-life-friend Nancy at the Zimmer Zoo. She and I (and another MOT friend of ours) will work our tails off for the next 30 days. Whoever wins (Biggest Loser-style, percentage-wise) will get treated to a girls’ night out by the other two. And to hold myself accountable, I did the full-on “before” business this morning. Got on the scale (gah). Took measurements of my legs, bust, waist, etc. (double-gah). And stood in front of the one full-length mirror we have, which had been buried in a closet, and took a picture of myself (*eep! ack! faint!*). I’m not inclined to share any of those right now, but I have them. I know.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have another quart of water to drink.
Tags: 30-Day Challenge, EA Sports Active, exercise, weight loss, Wii
August 17th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Awesome! I think it was all the vacation photos of myself but I need to get moving. I did the elliptical for 15 mins this weekend. That counts, right? I’m goign to TRY to get up at 6 am so I can exercise for 30 mins and shower before the kids wake up. Here’s hoping anyway.
Mommy, Esq.´s last blog ..Update: Struggle with the Juggle
August 17th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Go you! I think the EA program really is great, so hope it works out.
Daily Plate is part of the LiveStrong organization, and seems to do a very good tracking of food intake, if you’re still looking for a food diary. I believe there’s even an iphone/blackberry application, so very easy to mobilize.
Good luck!
August 17th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Good luck! With everything else you are able to accomplish, I am sure you can do this! One thing I loved about WW is that I never felt hungry. There were always foods I could eat that were zero points (or 1 pt) when I was hungry. And I could save points so I could eat a cheeseburger on weekends without feeling deprived. And you can do it on the computer for $16.95 a month, no meetings and not that much money.
Also obviously I love my new Nike+!
LauraC´s last blog ..A sweet twin moment to start your Monday morning
August 17th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Great plan, batman! Very cool that you’re getting in shape. I need to get more exercise, I’ve gotten way too good at procrastinating on that front. I think your approach of having a solid game plan is most likely to get results. Must put my thinking cap on.
Jungletwins´s last blog ..Bust a Move
August 17th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Good luck! I have found that it is really difficult to find time to exercise with two little ones, but it is so important for your health and sanity to find the time to do it. For me, it is early morning before work. But, you have to find what works for you. I commend you for getting started…that always seems like the hardest part! And just remember, nothing is as hard as the first work out.
Erin´s last blog ..Ask and you shall receive.
August 17th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Woot! Go you for the before stuff.
Since I’ve been (inactively) on WW I’ve been weighing in each Friday, so I know where I am for that. Not sure if I wanna measure other stuff … but I prolly should 
Trying to get back to journaling (you know, because I’m PAYING for it!) … and even put that damn bag of peanut M&Ms I just ate on it.
And I hear you. I’d love to get down far enough so that I don’t have to go to those “specialty” shops as well…
Nancy´s last blog ..Makes My Monday: The Three C’s
August 17th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
GOOD LUCK!! I literally *just* lost the last of my baby weight (my baby is 20 months old) — 35 pounds — using WW online.
August 17th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Good Luck! I have been thinking about being more active to losing the last 20 pounds of baby weight and my boys will be 4 next month
Leia´s last blog ..I dont think I’ve ever actually blogged about this
August 17th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Good for you! Keep up the momentum! I have read that it takes 90 days to make a lifestyle change the new “normal”…but I know I always feel better when I am fit and eating right! In fact, I could use a swift kick up the rear myself. Sitting around writing my thesis has really set me back…
August 17th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Go you!
I think you just inspired me to bust out my workout DVDs.
Sadia´s last blog ..True military kids*
August 17th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Congratulations on starting. I need to start right along with you. I have lost the baby weight, but was too heavy before I got pregnant with my son then the twins right after. Now almost 7 months after the twins, I need to seriously get in better shape and eat a whole lot healthier since I had blood pressure issues with both pregnancies and still had them after, but better now). Just weighed myself tonight and have gained 2 pounds since my lowest since I lost baby weight.
Amy´s last blog ..What a Weekend
August 17th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Good for you! I like the “contest” you’re doing with your friends. Do you have a Life Time Fitness facility around you (or another gym that offers free child care). At Life Time, you get two hours of child care included in your member fees any time you go work out. We just joined to start as soon as our second child turns three months old (the youngest they’ll take in the child care). I am so excited! It seems like a perfect way to get a little time away from the kids, socialize a bit (if you like the fitness classes like I do), and get in shape (I have some baby fat I need to lose too).
Tara´s last blog ..Flower Girl in Training
August 18th, 2009 at 12:43 am
You can do it!
August 18th, 2009 at 1:19 am
Good for you! I am in almost exactly the same boat, and I can’t wait to get my arse in gear. Please inspire me!!! Have fun!
Erin´s last blog ..Sunday Morning
August 18th, 2009 at 8:03 am
how is the Wii Fit? DH thinks that will be the answer to his fitness prayers. I think it would be fun but not sure what it could accomplish beyond that.
Nicole´s last blog ..100th Post: Decisions, Decisions
August 18th, 2009 at 9:05 am
So impressed! Especially that you’re beginning during an epic heat wave! There’s a free app that you can get for your iphone called Lose It! that helps track your food with lots of fun bells and whistles. BTW, my kids are 15 and 12 can I still call it baby fat?
August 18th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Good for you!! I can’t wait until I’m more mobile so I can try out that EA Sports Active. As it is, I can barely walk, so I just bought myself an exercise bike to burn some calories. It’s not a particularly tough workout though.
Know that there will always be lots of people here to cheer you on!!
threeundertwo@Lit and Laundry´s last blog ..Misfiring
August 18th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
When you are a size 18 and don’t have any children then you have problems. Try not to weigh yourself anymore then once a week….weigh fluctuates and if you weigh today and have a loss but tomorrow a gain it will discourage you. Many hugs, many prayers you are a loser, but is a good way!!! Losing the weight!
August 18th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Liz – I’m a size 18 too (bless you for sharing) so I know your pain. My baby weight all came off within 6 weeks, but I’m bigger than I want to be, and a hell of lot bigger than I was in college. I’m making little changes in my diet/exercise regimen, and I’ll be rooting for you too! I might have to get myself the EA Sports game too. Big hugs to you!
Elise´s last blog ..A happy drooler
August 19th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I never knew just how hard losing weight was until I had to lose so much. I gained 70 lbs. during my twin pregnancy and lost only half while breastfeeding. Another twenty came off with diligent dieting and exercising, but I’ve been stuck at my current weight for almost a month. But as hard as it’s been, I’m so glad I’m sticking with it. I feel so much better and have much more energy. It won’t be long before you’re kicking that Wii game into high gear. Good luck with the weight loss challenge!
August 20th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Way to go, Liz! Sounds like a great plan, and I hope you see results soon (from how intense the workout sounds, and your BLC, I bet you will).
It’s so very hard to shed baby weight, even with a singleton baby. For me, breastfeeding (part-time OR full-time) just doesn’t do the trick. I feel like it will be harder this time because I just don’t have time to exercise between the two kids’ different routines. Oh well.
Oh, Stacy London. Does it mean I’m too addicted to WNTW if I hear her voice in my head every time I wear the verboten flip-flop??
Beverly´s last blog ..Little Helper
August 21st, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Good for you! You inspire me to get off my rear and excersize! You are so blessed to have friends to do this with and keep each other motivated! I do however think that moms of multiples should have 1 year for each baby!!
September 10th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
That’s awesome! The challenge sounds fun as well. I lost my baby weight pretty fast, however, I wasn’t where I wanted to be before the pregnancy anyhow and finally just got tired of it. I started the 30-Day Shred back in May and along with that, additional cardio, and using the “Lose It” program to track food, I was able to hit my goal weight about a month ago.