OK, so I haven't had the baby yet. Not really even close. But I've already gained the "recommended" 35 lbs at least. Exactly. Hmmm...this doesn't bode well for the final trimester...
Let me give you a brief history...My husband and I struggled for years to have a family. Our first child, a wonderful son who is now almost 7, is adopted. With intense medical intervention, we were able to get pregnant with #2 which resulted in our beautiful daughter, almost 4. This past spring, after an amazing tropical vacation, we were SHOCKED to learn we were pregnant again and due in December. Wow.
When I was pregnant back in 2005, I had a "no-holds barred" attitude...If this was the only time in my life I was going to be pregnant, then by golly, I was going to ENJOY getting fat! No more worries about the scale, sucking in my stomach, exercise, etc. Plus, it didn't help that I was always stressed about losing the baby and, therefore, ate because of that as well. If I wanted a donut, why not two? Ice cream? EVERY DAY! Carbs became my best friend...
I began the pregnancy at 140lbs, up about 10 lbs from my usual weight. By my due date I weighed in at a whopping 210lbs!!! Up 70 lbs from the start (yet really up 80 lbs from my normal weight...) Let me tell you, it takes WORK to gain that much in pregnancy - eating anything, while not exercising in the slightest, became a full-time job:)
After my daughter was born, it took a lot of discipline to get back down to a healthy weight. Had I not dieted and exercised, I probably would have stabilized around the 155 mark. However, I was determined to get healthy again and after about 8 months, I was down to about 140, but I still wasn't where I wanted to be. After a lot of trial and error over the next couple of years, I finally found what worked for me and got down to a very comfortable and sustainable 130 lbs, size 4. Ironically, this is when I got pregnant again...and my body reacted accordingly. I swear my belly expanded the minute that plus sign appeared on the pee stick.
In my first pregnancy, it was UNBELIEVABLY uncomfortable carrying around that extra weight and I certainly would never recommend it. While I don't intend on gaining *quite* that much weight again, I think my fat-cells are allergic to pregnancy. I eat fairly healthy yet still allow myself treats; but am still nowhere near those "skinny moms" who carry that "cute little belly" around. Sigh.
So here I am. 37 years old. Already 37 lbs heavier. A little worried about what this final trimester will bring. But I'm also up for the challenge of getting back to where I was once baby is here...
If you've read this far, thanks for listening. And stay posted:)
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