Finally where I want to be, again.

Almost seven months after the baby was born, I've finally returned to my intended postpartum weight.  

Interestingly enough, it took me longer to lose those 28 pounds than it took me to lose the 40 pounds I lost in the first place, back in 2008.  What's the difference?  Well, I didn't really have a sense of urgency -- once I saw that the weight was coming off without too much difficulty, I felt content to let it happen slowly and with less effort.  I didn't regard it as a health problem -- postpartum weight is normal, after all.  I didn't do much other than stick to my habits (with some allowance for the need to eat and drink enough to keep up with breastfeeding) and watch the chart I was keeping, to make sure the weight kept going down.

Which means I am in maintenance again.

I am going to try staying at 112, four pounds heavier than I was before I got pregnant.  I figure I ought to be carrying a little more weight just because I'm nursing a young baby.  And, truth be told, I thought I looked too thin at 108.  Where I am now, my clothes fit fine but the edges are a little softer, I hope.

I feel so much more confident entering maintenance this time than I did last time.  Back then I was pretty bewildered by it (see here, here, here, here...)  But now I think I finally know what I am doing.  

I'm still working on the "printable version" project, by the way, but it's one of those few-minutes-here, few-minutes-there things.

Comments

[Margaret in Minnesota]

Congratulations, Sweetie! You look great, and (more importantly), you look like you feel great.

In my opinion, that's the most important thing.

[Christy Porucznik]

Good job! 7 months is actually pretty fast for return to pre-pregnancy weight, I think. 9 on 9 off I always say.

[Martha]

OK, my baby is 16 months old and I've got a waaaaaays to go. Great job! Is there a post where you've listed your habits? I've poked around a bit but haven't found it.

[Rebekka]

Awesome, I say.

[bearing]

Yes, Martha. A good place to start is here:

http://arlinghaus.typepad.com/blog/2008/09/loss-mode-also-known-as-the-bearing-diet.html

[Martha]

Oh, thank you! That post is very helpful. I had to chuckle and wonder if you'll call your book (if ever you get around to writing one) "The Bearing Diet For Not Eating So Damn Much". LOL! ;-)

[Kristin]

Congrats! That is a great accomplishment. He's seven months already!?