August 22, 2013

Strong & Hellfee

Well boys and girls, it's time, time to get fit again.  As much as I'd love to continue eating my {at least} 2,000 calorie a day diet of Chipotle and pizza it's just not working now that I'm not eating for two.  So, back to My Fitness Pal we go {If you use MFP, let's be friends!}.

The female body is an amazing thing, like for real.  It grows babies, it is capable of so much more than we ever give it credit for and after the birth of James Weston I am even more in awe of the changes that have taken place in such a short period of time.  Granted I have a lot of work to do and a long way to go to get back to where I'm comfortable but the good news is that I've started already.


I've been using MFP again for two days and I forgot how much I missed tracking.  Yes, I said that, I missed tracking.  There's just something about being in control, holding yourself accountable and seeing results that invigorates me.

So before everyone freaks out, I feel like I need a disclaimer.

I'm not being super restrictive just yet.  I have my calories set but if I go over them I'm not stressing out over it.  I'm just getting back on the wagon.  No, I'm not working out.  Unless you count playing with KP and walking her up and down the driveway in a wagon, I'm remaining sedentary until I get the green light from my doctor.

As of this morning I am down 14lbs since last Wednesday when I went in to have James.  Granted he was 8.10lbs of it.  I went to have my staples removed on Monday and of course they weighed me, of course, and my doctor was pretty impressed that {at that point} I had already lost 12lbs.  I have to say, getting the pat on the back from my doctor felt pretty damn good.

This time I'm not going to focus on the number on the scale.  I mean obviously it will guide me but I'm not going to put my weight out there and say that I want to get to a specific number because I did that last time and I felt good before I hit that number.  Instead I'm going to focus on non-scale victories.  I want to be strong and "hellfee" {as KP would say} and that's the end of it.  I don't care if I ever weigh 120lbs, if I feel good and m body is strong at 135 then so be it.  That's what my goal is this time around.

Because every weight loss journey needs proper documentation, here is my one week, postpartum, beginning, pics.
I have to say that looking at these pictures and looking at myself in the mirror invoke two different reactions from myself.  In person I'm all "heck yeah!  I look great!  My face is skinny again!" and then I look at these pics and think, "whoa!  You have a long journey ahead of you!".  While both are true I'm trying to push the more negative thoughts to the back of my mind and instead focus on the journey my body has been on thus far.  It's carried and birthed two healthy babies and with no complications.  THAT deserves to be celebrated.  

I'm excited to share this journey, just as I was last time.  I hope you'll follow along and be inspired.  I have been toying with the idea of a weekly link-up but there's a million out there now so I think I'll just keep it to random updates on my progress.  What do you think?
 

31 comments:

  1. You look great and your attitude is spot on for success. I'm excited to join you to get "hellfee" once this little girl decides to join us. I love MFP and can't wait to get back to tracking. Find me, friend...I need all the support I can get! My username is kcamp07.

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  2. I am a firm believer in MFP - that ish works! I've been bad about tracking now that I'm back to work, but if I feel myself slipping I go right back to it.

    Good luck with your journey! I think weight loss with baby #2 was easier than baby #1 (for me at least) just because I knew how long it would take to lose the weight if I kept eating how I was eating. I didn't want to make that mistake again.

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  3. I totally understand all your feelings. You do look great. The perspective thing is the best/funniest part. I remember thinking OH MY GAWWW I'm so thin! yay! Now I look back on pics and am like WHOA MOMMA your face was still chub and that tummy! But, the difference from a baby inside? It is HUGE and that's the perspective. I think just getting your eating under control early on is great. So long as you're giving yourself enough extra to be able to nurse (if all that is going well) then I think it's perfectly fine. I never had any issue and I hop you don't either. Excited for you!!!!! enjoy those newborn snugs!

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  4. You look fab for a week out girl! Go you! I remember watching all the changes that took place with Boomer and thinking I'd never look normal again. Lol the female body is AMAZING. Best of luck with your journey can't wait to see your progress.

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  5. Looking good girl! I still can't believe you have TWO kids now! Haha.

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  6. Awesome!! I can't wait to join you once my little bean is out!

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  7. I'm 17 weeks postpartum and switched about a month ago from WW to MFP... Already seeing results! My user name is TxYonker! Let's be friends on it :)

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  8. So proud of you! You are going to do the damn thing! xoxo

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  9. You look great! I love MFP I have been using it and it helps a lot!! =)

    Kate @ www.raisingtherogers.blogspot.com

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  10. Best of luck with the weight loss, I think you look great! I remember how swollen I was for a few weeks after my Csection, I think it definitely takes longer to get back to "normal" after a Csection.

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  11. You really do look great! Hopefully this time around will be even easier since you've been there before & met your goals. I love following people on their weight loss journey so I'm excited to read about yours!

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  12. looking great and you will reach your goal in no time!

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  13. Keep it up girl! You'll see results in no time. You're so brave to share with the rest of us!

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  14. You are going to do great! I use my fitness pal and love to track where I am at for the day. I agree with you the control over knowing what your eating makes dieting almost...I know crazy to say this...fun! :)

    Laura @ Mice in the Kitchen

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  15. You look amazing, Shannon. I'm so happy to see you back on here and posting pictures of yourself! We missed you!!

    Keep up the good work! You just inspired me to get back on track with MFP! Starting tomorrow, of course, because I just ate a chocolate chip blondie brownie thing that someone brought to me at work. ;)

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  16. You look wonderful! Good luck on the getting "hellfee" train. I'll be using you as inspiration after this little one downloads in Dec/ Jan. Can't wait to follow your journey!

    Erin @ Two Blue Sparrows

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  17. You look amazing, it's only been a week. I started MFP but have only logged when I remember. I need help remembering. Your posts are always an inspiration and I am here to take this fitness journey with you.

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  18. You look GREAT, mama! You loose your baby weight and I'll love my "move to Ohio" weight:)

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  19. I thought I looked better in real life too. I figured the camera adds 10lbs.

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  20. I think you look great!! Nothing wrong with keeping track and getting into the mindset. :)

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  21. I friended you on MFP. I"m so fickle about dieting. I've lost 42 pounds since having Mikey by just not having time to eat but it's catching up with me now...I did WW for about 3 weeks, then tried an Advocare challenge, and now I'm going to go back to good ole MFP. Something has to stick!

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  22. and a quick question - how did you decide how many calories to eat? I think 1200 is probably too little for me but I don't know!

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  23. You look great! Remember it took 9 months to put the weight on. . . take it easy on yourself! I'm sure running around as a mom of 2 kids will keep you nice an active. I hope you are feeling good and getting some sleep.

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  24. When I was breast feeding I was eating 2000+ calories and losing weight. Check with a lactation consultant to make sure you are eating enough if you are breastfeeding. There should be one at your obgyn. Good luck!

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  25. Don't know how breastfeeding is working out for you, but it'll allow you a bit more indulgence along that fit train. :) I kept planning to do weight watchers, but have found that I'm still losing weight just being mindful while nursing, so I haven't bothered. It's amazing how skinny you feel with that bowling ball on the outside instead of inside and then you look at yourself and realize there's still a lot of wiggle going on. SO much of it is water and blood and other gross stuff you get to enjoy for the next few weeks though. Don't be discouraged by the picture. Sure, there's a little work involved, but a lot of it really will melt off-eww.

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  26. Hey Shannon! You are going to be great...especially since you were so successful after KP :) I'm going to try to find you on MFP, I've got to get my butt into gear for my 2014 wedding.

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  27. You go mama! You will be amazing! Good luck and don't look at pictures till the end...just keep your chin up and the motivation going!

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  28. I do the same thing with the mirror vs pictures and it makes me wonder which is real life. haha

    I think your goal of just getting to where you feel good is a great way to go. I'm kind of at that point now. Sure, I'd love to be all toned and taught, but that probably isn't going to happen. I've been working out really hard the past few months yet I haven't lost much for inches and pounds... but even with those numbers remaining stagnant, my fitness and strength are really improving, so I've kind of shifted my focus lately to strength and endurance because I realized that running up three flights of stairs one day barely winded me and that feels really good!

    So good luck to ya! I think you're doing it right by getting in the habit of tracking before getting too restrictive. I think it's more maintainable as a habit that way. Also, I added you on MFP. :)

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