Postpartum Outlook

I got two great books at the library two weeks ago, basically about life postpartum. When I first had Xavier 3 years ago there were a lot of things that I found surprising about postpartum that nobody, not even mother, told me about. Nor did I read anything while I was pregnant that told me what I'd expect realistically about life after pregnancy. I wish I had Sylvia Brown's book to guide me through those muddy waters. After reading Brown's book I feel much better about myself and the issues I feel I'm struggling with.

You would think that after having 2 kids I would know what to expect but each postpartum has been so different. My labor and delivery with Olivia out did the other two. I was back on my feet in hours and continued that when I got home. I was so afraid of getting behind on things, like housework, that I could not sit still. That sort of crazy thinking lead me to getting very sick two weekends ago. Rather than stopping and resting for the first 6 weeks I've been going full speed 110%, and my body could not keep up. So instead it stopped me with the flu. I had no desire to get up and do anything, all I wanted was sleep and rest. And sleep and rest I did, and I feel so much better. Yes, the house is a mess, and there's a pile of laundry that looks more like a mountain, but I feel better than ever.

My appetite was crazy last week, with Halloween being over and candy on sale I think ate Olivia's weight in chocolate! And then I had an awful craving for coconut cream pie, I made it and ate the whole pie over the course of 3 days. I was sure that when I weighted myself today I'd be an extra 5lbs, but low and behold, I am 5lbs. lighter. How did that happen?

According to the books that I'm reading, I should begin exercising starting the sixth week of postpartum. So this is the sixth week. My goal is to run a local 5k race by February/March. With that in mind I am searching for ways to exercise with my kids. The parks here in Conyers are great. They have great walking/running trails. And fortunately, my hubby's home in the mornings so I can catch a run. I have never really liked running, but I like how my body feels and looks like after it's been running.

The pregnancy made me lose 20lbs. And now I am 5lbs lighter. I haven't weighted this less in years. With this weight loss momentum without really trying, I'd like to take it up a notch and really lose more weight. Now I've just got to learn how to outsmart my fat cells.