Baby Weight: Plans for Losing It

Perhaps this blog is premature, because I can't say that I've succeeded at my plan. But maybe someday I can tell you if this worked or not.

Baby weight. Most moms of a newborn is trying to lose it. Yes, I've met a few women who want to keep it- but they were wiry to start with.

I've heard a lot of advice for how to make it work. I've seen a lot of moms that at my point (10 wks post-delivery) that have done it. But I've done things a bit differently.

What happened:
Phoenix was in the NICU for her first 9 days of life. This was VERY stressful and any attempt to watch what I ate went out the window. I lived on fast food and Dr. Pepper. I did my best to stay up as much as I could with her.

When Phoe came home, I did do a few yoga sessions and go on walks. But I did not have a consistent exercise routine. Further, I had bought tons of treats to make Christmas cookies before being 'surprised' by Phoenix's early arrival. So when I got home, my mom began making those delicious cookies. While I tried to deliver those cookies to others, most ended up in my belly.

Then I had law school finals. That's a whole other wave of stress. Not only stress, but long hours of studying without working out.

How my body handled it:
At first I dropped a lot of weight. But as I ate those cookies and spent a lot of time studying, the weight came back very easily. * Although I don't really regret it, I think this is what caused Phoenix to bulk up as fast as she has.

The Plan:
Now that finals are done and I'm getting into a rhythm, I'm trying to get back in shape and be more active. I've contemplated what I want to do the past few weeks and here is what I'm doing:

• Accountability: Every time I go to the gym, I check-in on FB. Some may find it annoying, but it is my way of acknowledging I am doing something.

• Once a Day: I like to get in a good hour workout. But that can't always happen with a newborn. So I've learned to take what I can get. 
• Today for example. Phoenix blew out her diaper (peed all over her dad) and I couldn't leave for the gym when I planned. When I finally got to the gym, the child-care center was only open for 40 minutes. So I ran for 30 minutes straight, got the best workout I could, and went home. In a way this is a positive- because it forced me to get a good workout done. And it's the first time since getting pregnant that I ran for 30 minutes straight. In a way, not having a lot of time is a good thing!

• Default Exercise: I would love to be in a spin class and an ab class everyday- or every other day. But truth is, I can't. And I don't always have time to make up a workout. So, I have my default workout: Running a 5k. When I can't plan, I just run a 5k- and I try to do a little better than the last time I ran it.

• Utilize Resources: Russ is a wonderful husband for this. He is very willing to compromise and watch Phoenix so I can go work out. There's been a few times where Russ wants to run to the store and I want to work out. Instead of taking 2 cars, or rotating our time in doing what we want, Russ will drive and drop me at the gym and I'll work out. If there is a bunch of kids in the child-care place, he takes Phoe with him to the store. If there are only a few kids in child-care at the gym, Phoe comes with me. Really, it's a huge help to make sure I get in my gym time.

• Back-Up: Sometimes making it to the gym is just not possible. So I try to have a workout at home. Pinterest is great for having workout lists. 25 jumping jacks, 100 crunches, etc. I've pinned some of these so I can do one real quick on days the gym is not an option.
• Another back-up I've used is running a trail near where I live. I've previously tracked the distance and I know it's the distance of a 5k. Sometimes I've used this to work out.

That's about it for my plan. Any suggestions?

And- I realize I've said nothing about food. I'm off soda for Lent, but other than that I haven't done much to alter my intake. I'm still getting over my sugar love that started after having Phoenix. (When I was pregnant, I couldn't stand sugar. Now that I'm not pregnant anymore, I've gone the other way to loving sugar.)

More to come, I'm sure! I'll at least update in a few months to say if this has worked or not.

Would you like your 2007 Self?

Many years ago, Russ bought a lifetime subscription to TiVo. Or is it Tivo?

Well, we moved to Texas and Russ receives free cable as part of his job. So the Tivo did not last very long.  But with my place in Waco, we finally plugged the Tivo in up there.

The fall-out of this has been interested. You see, Tivo not only records what tv shows you tell it to record, it also records shows that Tivo 'thinks' you would like.

So when we plugged in Tivo again, Tivo recorded shows we would have liked in 2007.

Ace of Cakes.

My Name is Earl.

iCarly.

The 3 Stooges.

Dance Moms.

Seriously Tivo??? Is Ace of Cakes on anymore? And Dance Moms?

Which made me think. Have I really changed that much since 2007? Here's what Tivo should record for me:

House Hunters.

A Baby Story.

30 Rock.

And so I guess I have changed since 2007. I've grown up. Which isn't a bad thing. Tonight I found this picture from 2007:

May that haircut never find its' way back to my head.

Thank you.

Twenty Eleven Review

Stole this from my friend Cassie's blog. Yes, I am still wrapping up 2011 in my mind! 

What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Got pregnant and had a baby. 

Tried a criminal case.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes. My goal was to survive Practice Court. And I did.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes. I can't even count then all, but I will note my BFF Tiff had her baby. Lots of babies in 2011.

Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. Aunt Jeanne.

What countries did you visit?
I stayed in the US all the year long! But I did go to DC, Chicago, and Utah.

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
I guess go to more music concerts. Oh, and attend a ACL filming. We tried to go last year but came too late. Curse you Randy Newman for have seating space only.

What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Dec. 19, 2011. The day my Phoenix was born.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Again, Phoenix takes the cake for achievements. But finishing PC and trying my first cases are also pretty important.

What was your biggest failure?
Mmm.... I had Christmas cards made this year and a Christmas letter.  I spent a bunch of money to have them made and I never got to send them out. I guess it was a pretty good year if that's my biggest failure!

Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had surgery in March.

What was the best thing you bought?
Probably my couch. And my rug in my living room. Makes the space capable of a lot more friends to be in our house.

Where did most of your money go?
Health Care. Between my surgery, Russ's teeth, and Phoenix we are single-handedly trying to fix the recession.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Two trips to Utah, the last Harry Potter Movie, visiting Orange and Russ's mission.

What song will always remind you of 2011?
That Fire song by Adele. Seriously I heard it every time I turned on the radio.

Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, richer, nicer.
Happier: TENfold. I'm a mom, almost done with law school, done with PC, back to living with Russ. MUCH HAPPIER!

Richer: Nope. Poorer. Probably tenfold poorer. HA!

Nicer: I think so. I think I am more compassionate after having Phoe in the NICU.

What do you wish you'd done more of?   
I wish I had spent more time at the gym.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying. Driving.

How did you spend Christmas?
In the NICU in Austin.

Did you fall in love in 2011?
Yes. Reached a whole new level with parenthood.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't think so. I haven't seen a lot of people this past year.

What was the best book you read this year?
Hands down Gerald Powell's "Texas Rules of Evidence". Seriously. But I also didn't read a lot outside law school...

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Young the Giant

What did you want and get?
I wanted to finish Practice Court and I did it!

What was your favorite film of this year?
The last Harry Potter movie. Sirius makes me cry every time. I love tragic love.


What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
27: I went to church, spoke in church, and it was Easter Sunday. I think we fed the missionaries. I talked with my family on the phone. It was a simple, but very fun day.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being able to teleport from Waco to San Marcos.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
"What is clean?" "What fits my pregnant body?"

What kept you sane?
Mumford & Sons

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I guess RGIII. I don't know. I didn't pay much attention. Didn't someone famous that I cared about die? Was it Michael Jackson?

What political issue stirred you the most?
The thought that Newt Gingrich could be president. If he get the Republican nomination I might have to go all Captain Moroni on this election.

Who did you miss?
I had clear moments where I missed my mom and my grandma Sherwood.

Who was the best new person (people) you met?
Chelsea and Jeremy. Brittany and Jeff. Paul. Phoenix. Phoenix probably takes the cake.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Love is never wasted. Our existence is not based on how many people are aware of us. A person can exist as a whisper, just like Phoenix did when she was in the NICU.

New Year!

How about it's 2012 already? And February at that!

The end of the year is always crazy. Throw a new baby into the mix and it's crazier. Top it off with being in law school and it is madness.

But I am glad to say I feel that life is calming down a bit.

2011 was a fantastic year! There were so many things that I loved about it.

And I a looking forward to a great 2012. There is so much to look forward to!

Before I leave 2011 to the history books, I wanted to belatedly blog about two other baby showers I was able to enjoy. Yes, I realize I am spoiled to be surrounded by wonderful loved ones. I feel like I will spend the rest of my life reciprocating the love I've felt.

The first shower I wanted to mention was a small, intimate shower with some work friends, neighbor friends, and close friends. I really enjoyed how small this shower was because it enabled me to talk one on one with everyone and just relax together.

A huge thanks to Jess, and in part Hil, for so much love. I could not ask for better friends!