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Thursday, June 4, 2009

Weighty Issues

Weight.

It is my nemesis.

Growing up I was extremely active. I swam competitively from the age of 5 until my sophomore year in college. I also played softball and soccer, you know, a three sports a year athlete. Looking back, I was very fit. But at the time, I always thought I could stand to lose 20 pounds.

What I wouldn't give to be the size I was in high school...

Reality is I've tried every diet in the book. Cabbage soup, weight watchers, Atkins, Slim Fast, South Beach, you name it, I've probably tried it. I lose some weight, I gain it and then some back. I'm a classic yo-yo dieter.

When we conceived Miss O. I was almost 20 pounds heavier than I am now, and gained at least 50 pounds during my pregnancy. I'm not even sure how much I actually weighed when I delivered, because a month out from my due date, I stopped looking at the scale at my appointments. After her, I lost the baby weight pretty quick (thank you, breastfeeding!) but then I stopped BF, but I didn't stop eating like I was BFing. Before I knew it I was almost as heavy as when I gave birth. After 8 months of counting points and learning to exercise, I was 70 lighter by the time Miss O. was almost 3 years old.

I felt good. I felt healthy. I was ready to have another baby.

That fall I got pregnant.

It wasn't meant to be. I gained about 15 pounds back after the first ectopic. Almost another year went by and we conceived again. Another loss. Another 10 pounds. A few months later, yet another loss. Add another 5 pounds. I've been trying to get these 30 pounds back off my frame for almost 2 years now. I lose 5, maybe 10 if I'm lucky, but as quick as I lose it, it comes back.

This last pregnancy brought with it 12 pounds. And a number on the scale I haven't seen since I conceived Miss O.

I decided that enough was enough.

If M. and I are going to take the plunge and do an IVF cycle, I need to give it the best shot to succeed. In April, even before I was officially "un"pregnant, but we knew we weren't bringing a baby home I walked into a Weight Watchers center. I figured that we aren't able to cycle for at least 2 months because of the methotrexate I had to receive, so why not try to get some weight off?

Tonight was my 8th weigh in.

I hit my 5% goal and have lost 13.2 pounds so far. I have a LONG way to go, but something is clicking this time. I have lost some weight every week. My clothes are fitting much better. I'm amazed. And M. is calling me "biggest loser"...which I think is sweet.

No matter what the outcome in August, at least I'll know I tried to prepare my body.

8 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the weight loss!! i'm down 5.2lbs :) haven't hit my 5% yet

    Keep up the awesome work!!!

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  2. weight is such a rough thing to loss. 13 lbs is fantastic! Keep up the great work

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  3. I am so there with you! BF'ing is the best weight loss plan ever, but I have gained it all back and weigh as much as when I was 8 months preggo. So frustrating. I have been counting points again this past week and so nice to get on the scale yesterday. I know it is the fact that we are working with the RE again that has kicked my momentum into high gear, but whatever works.

    Congrats on the weight loss!!! That is so awesome!

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  4. Congrats on the 5% achievement! I'm on Weight Watchers too and I'm loving it - it is working for me, and it sounds like this time it is working for you too. Keep up the good work!

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  5. CONGRATULATIONS! I loved WW when I did it a few years ago, but when I changed jobs, I couldn't afford the meetings anymore and gained back the almost 35 lbs that I had lost.
    IF and emotional/stress eating has been a huge factor in my weight issues. Every month that goes by that I don't conceive, I eat more and feel more disgusted with myself, so I eat more and it's a vicious cycle. I'm now at the highest I've ever been and struggling to get back to a good eating/exercise plan. With my husband recently being dx with diabetes, I have to make more changes for myself, so it's kind of a "blessing in disguise" kind of deal. Now if only I could get back to the gym if this bum knee would heal up!

    Keep up the good work.

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  6. That is amazing! You have so much resolve! WOO HOO 5%.

    I am so glad you are taking good care of that body which I KNOW will be growing a baby by fall.

    Hugs,
    Carrie

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  7. Congratulations on the weight loss. Keep up the good work and keep your eye on the prize.

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  8. WOW! 13 POUNDS! That is BAD ASS! Woot! Go, you!!!

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