Before I got pregnant with #1 at the ripe old age of 29, I feared what having a baby would do to my body. I watched a few of my cousins blossom from smallish sizes to plus sizes in the span of a few years upon having children. I didn’t want that to happen to me.
My metabolism has always been fairly good, though I must say that I have never been an over-eater. I’ve been moderate in my consumption of food, snacked rarely and was never addicted to cola of any sort. I do have a weakness for chocolate but that has been an occassional treat. When my weight started to climb, I was usually able to reduce my food, up my exercise and take care of it within a few months.
Pregnancy scared me, though. Over the course of 9 months, a lot happens to your body. In my case, I gained 40 lbs and that was after throwing up all food-stuffs in the first 3-4 months. I can only imagine what would have happened if I had felt well!
After the doctor gave me an okay to exercise I started in with the elliptical and bowflex. Nursing my kids helped me shed the pounds, too. By the time each of my kids were 4 months old I was fitting back into my wardrobe. Perhaps not the smallest of my jeans at that time, but by the time I weaned the kids (6 months and 9 months) I was wearing my smallest jeans. It was a bit of work and self control, but it made me feel like my old self.
Now in my daily life with a 5 and 6 year old, it is easier than when they were toddlers. I don’t have to do everything for them, and they can actually dress themselves (most days!) and brush their own teeth (most days!). This allows me to get ready in the morning.
I have pared down my beauty routine. I don’t do as intricate hairstyles like I used to do before I had them. However, I do think as you get older you get faster at getting ready. I can usually get ready in a half hour, from shower to putting on my shoes. In between, I am bugging the little ones to get up, brush their teeth, combing their hair, etc. Multi-tasking is a Mom’s greatest ability.
Being able to walk out the door in the morning, looking good and feeling good about it, is a great gift I can give to myself. I feel better and more confident when I greet the world looking my best.
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As a side note, nothing will make you want to take care of yourself more than perusing the pictures at The People of Walmart. Wow…just, wow.
