Thursday, July 03, 2008

Weighting

For the first time in my life I've become slightly obsessed about my weight. Actually, not so much my weight because I don't have a scale so I have no idea how much I weigh. I guess I'm more obsessed with my clothes. All the cute summer skirts and shirts that I can't wear because they don't fit my post-baby body.

I knew this would happen. I knew that it took nine months for me to gain the weight, and it would take awhile to get it off again. I also knew (and if you saw me that last month you would totally agree) that since the majority of my weight was in my belly (my God the thing was HUGE) it would take even longer for my belly to shrink to its pre-baby state. But knowing ahead of time and actually living it are two very different things.


I'm doing what I'm supposed to do--exercising, trying to avoid junk (although being home so much is dangerous. Too much temptation to just eat all day long), drinking lots of water etc. And I am shrinking. My husband had a new nickname for me lately--the incredibly shrinking woman. I've already even gone down a size. I refuse to buy a ton of new clothes. Why bother, I figure, when I won't wear them for long. This means that getting dressed in the morning kind of sucks. I have two pairs of maternity shorts that I still wear even though they are rather large. And two shorts I bought at Marshall's that are now too big of a size so they end up sagging in a most unattractive way within minutes of putting them on, and one pair of shorts that are my current size. That's it. It seems like a lot, but really, when you are wearing shorts every day, having only one pair that actually fits you..... Let's not even talk about shirts. My sister warned me that it would be difficult to find tops that fit across my newly enlarged chest as well as my protruding belly and she was right. I haven't even bought any new shirts, relying instead on the few t-shirts that I own that happen to fit me right now, and the three maternity t shirts that I bought for our February vacation. And the maternity shirts just emphasize the belly. So I try not to wear them if I know I'm going to be out in public.


So far my jeans have been the Test. I figure, when my jeans fit me again, and when I look good in them again, it means I have returned to my post baby size. Because we all know how unforgiving jeans can be. A few weeks ago, I couldn't even get them over my thighs and hips, forget about actually buttoning them. The other day, I tried again. This time, with much wiggling and grunting, I got them all the way on. Granted they are tighter than they ever used to be, and my rear fills them out in a way it never used to, and I couldn't even think about zippering or buttoning them.....but they were on and I'll admit I took some pleasure in that fact. I took even more pleasure in taking them off and putting on my cozy, loose, maternity shorts though.

The point I'm trying to make in the midst of all of this rambling is that it is amazing how clothes can make you feel. How a pair of shorts that actually fit can make you feel almost like yourself again. And the ones that don't can make you feel like a blobby bum. I'm looking forward to the day when I don't feel like a blobby bum....hopefully sooner rather than later!

5 comments:

Tina said...

My advice... don't try those jeans on for a few months!

Considering that you are only seven weeks post partum, I'm amazed you even attempted the jeans!

JaxMom said...

Lisa -

I feel your pain, and you will make it. But don't rush it. It will happen.

My problem was that I was trying sooo hard, I finally gave up and would binge. And gain the weight back.

I still have literally 5 different sized bras in my drawer, even 3 years later, waiting for that perfect size. My suggestion is to go buy a couple of cute shorts and tops from Target or somewhere that are slightly tight, and then congratulate yourself when you cna put them away with your maternity clothes!

p.s. Thanks for my comments!

JaxMom

Anonymous said...

Lisa, :o(
I know that you feel uncomfortable in your early post-pregnancy body. I mean this sincerely- you look so good! Beautiful!! You really have slimmed down so quickly already. Be patient, it does go away, but it took nine months to stretch large enough to hold that baby girl.

Dianna said...

I hear ya about having a hard time geting dressed post baby...its hard in the beginning, but it gets easier, I promise. I say staying comfy is the best way to feel like yourself and to stay cool in this intense summer heat! You will be back to normal before you know it!

Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

Lisa,
You do look great,I know it's hard,but look how far you've come.
All the people that love you think you look amazing already.We are the only ones that count.Be patient,it will happen.(I agree with Tina,wait to do the jeans)
Mother knows.
nonna