Check out my progress on my weight loss journey with my May 2021 update while I learn to move the body I have and how to feed it right!
I wasn’t going to post the picture on the left. Like ever. When I took it, I almost deleted it. I was stuck and struggling mentally and physically.
Just looking at this picture brings me flashes of the dark hole that I had dug myself into. This picture is more than a weight loss picture though. That lady on the left, her heart and her mind were heavy.
A tough, scary pregnancy and a busy life led to a Mom that put herself on the back burner coming out of the fog of postpartum depression in the middle of a pandemic. I could barely look at myself in the mirror because my reflection was more than my just what I looked like physically.
It was the weight of everything I was carrying and struggling with mentally too.It’s not like I didn’t have the tools necessary to make changes. I simply couldn’t start. I was frozen mentally and physically.
Where I Started
I started by actually going to the doctor to get some help. In February, I received a bunch of bad news at the doctor. I was told my blood pressure is way too high for someone my age, I had fatty liver disease, and my gallbladder needs to be removed.
I tried to follow an intermittent fasting schedule. I lost a few pounds, but I felt too restricted in the end. I needed to change how I thought about food and start eating intentionally instead of just grabbing what was around me.
My Healthy Changes
I changed how I think about food.
All I’ve done so far is make healthier choices with everything I eat. I changed from white bread to multi-grain. I stopped eating chips with nachos and used zucchini nachos instead. I’ve cut my salt and sugar intake by half because I was looking for comfort in sugar prior instead of dealing with anxiety and depression.
I changed how I’m moving my body.
I started walking. 1 mile every day (or at least most days). That turned into running.
Now, I run 2 to 3 miles 3-4 times a week. I do small body exercises and I’m learning to garden for stress relief. I set small goals and I’m accountable to them. My friends have been cheering me on and giving me tips and tricks!
Weight Loss Goals for 2021
Healthy Mama Goal #1
My first set of healthy mama weight loss + mental health goals were to get rid of 5th baby weight, get back in a size 8, get my blood pressure down, and run at least 2 miles every time I ran.
5th Baby Weight
I gave birth to Sawyer, my 5th kiddo, weighing in at 236lbs. This was the most I have ever weighed and she was the last baby. This made me both older and heavier than ALL of my other pregnancies, which made it even harder to drop weight.
When I became pregnant with Sawyer, I weighed 179lbs and in August 2020 I weighed 216lbs <– my starting weight loss journey weight!
Goal #1 weight drop = 37lbs
Get Back in a Size 8
Getting back into a size 8 is more than just getting to a number. Getting back to this size also means that I’m doing the right things to lose inches from my body. This helps to pay attention to my body fat percentage, which helps to decrease the overall body fat percentage and improve my cardiovascular health!
Plus, it feels good to come down and not have to buy new clothes for a different Summer season.
Decrease Blood Pressure
My doctor is increasingly nervous about my blood pressure. I had preeclampsia with two pregnancies and I also have a family history of high blood pressure. It is crucial that I lose weight and stabilize my blood pressure in order to keep my heart healthy!
My first blood pressure goal is to stabilize in the 130s/80s.
Run at Least 2 Miles for Every Run
This gives me a number to work for and that helps me to stay motivated. I’m trying to run on a treadmill 2-3 times a week. Increasing my overall mileage every week is necessary to keep my weight loss on a downward trend.
Healthy Mama Goal #2
Healthy Mama goal #2 is to lose the remaining Liam baby weight (4th kid problems!), drop to size 4, and run 3 miles every run!
Goal #2 weight drop = 15lbs to 164lbs
Healthy Mama Goal #3
Goal #3 is to lose remaining Thea baby weight (25lbs) and finally rejoice when I can wear my all time fav jeans that are a size 2 that I haven’t worn since I was 2 months along with Thea (baby #3). I also want to mix up workouts and find some passion for different exercise activities.
Goal #3 weight drop = 25lbs to 139lbs
Healthy Mama Goal #4
Goal #4 is to lose that remaining Mama weight (about 10lbs) and tone up. I’m more interested in the tone up than the weight amount at this point. I’d like to see definition in my arms and a 15% or less body fat percentage.
Goal #4 weight drop = 10-12lbs to final weight of 128lbs! <– I’m 5’2, so please remember that this number is specific to me based on my height! Always consult a doctor to determine the best weight for your age, height, and body type.
Knocking out Healthy Mama Goals
I’m 37lbs down since October 2020 with 27lbs lost since February! I hit my first weight loss goal – to lose the baby weight from my last pregnancy (two more pregnancies of weight to go).
It feels great! I’ve got a long way to go still with my mental health and my physical health, but for my own sake and accountability in my journey I’m documenting it and celebrating my success here today!!
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