By Stacey Skrysak 
When I was pregnant, I indulged. Not just the typical ice cream cravings. My somewhat healthy lifestyle turned into a love of hot tamales, Target popcorn, french fries and chocolate. After all, I was “eating for four”. My triplets needed a taste of the good life!
At the time I delivered my three children, I was carrying the weight in my belly. At 22 weeks and 6 days, I was beyond the size of a full term single pregnancy. So it was a wonderful surprise when a month postpartum, most of my weight had melted off. Was I working out? No way! Was I eating healthy? Not a chance. I was simply pumping for my two survivors in the Nicu (my son later passed away at two months old). I had heard that nursing/pumping burns up to 500 calories per day, but I didn’t think anything of it. Little did I know, there was a benefit to the middle of the night pumping sessions where I found myself cursing the alarm clock!
After about 6 weeks postpartum, I was out of my maternity clothes and back into my pre-pregnancy attire. While I wish pants with elastic bands were the norm in the fashion world, it was nice to start feeling like myself, at least physically. Even though I was back to normal, my pregnancy binging continued. I couldn’t work out for several months due to my health (pregnancy took quite a toll on me!), but that didn’t matter…the weight stayed off. That pumping was a Godsend! But all good things must come to an end, right?
As I began to wean down and back off from nursing and pumping, I found the weight getting a little tougher to keep off. My body was already changing, thanks to childbirth. The hips were larger, the belly had some jiggle, and clothes were fitting differently, even though the scale stayed the same. My worst nightmare had arrived–I needed to give up the constant junk food!!! Before pregnancy, my husband and I ate a balanced meal; plenty of fruits and veggies, occasional junk food. So this summer, I found myself needing to make a change.
How do to you tell yourself “no” when your mind is saying, “yes, yes, yes”? It’s something I am slowly trying to figure out. I’m trading in the french fries for hummus and veggies. That breakfast sandwich has been switched out for egg whites and salsa. And my never-ending sweet tooth is getting backed into a corner. No more constant candy, instead I allow a piece or two of chocolate. Am I turning into a health nut? Nope! I’m just trying to feel healthy and get back to my old self.
The other piece of the puzzle is working out. I used to exercise 4 times a week. Pre-children, it was a piece of cake. My husband and I would hop in the car and go together to the gym. But that changes with children. Our surviving triplet can’t be dropped off at the daycare gym, so that means one of us is always home with her. Between a 10-hour workday and a child, finding the time to fit in a workout is difficult. I can usually squeeze in a run or two during the week, but that’s it. Thank goodness for my triplet moms—these friends introduced me to workout videos! I’ve always belonged to a gym, so this is new territory for me. And boy, is it a huge help. I wake up at 4:30am and pop in the dvd. 30 minutes later, I’m done and ready to start my day…all before Peyton wakes up.
So what is my end goal? Sure, I’d love to shed a couple of pounds. But most importantly, I want to feel good about myself. I know that I’ll never be a twig and I’m happy with my size 8 self . Staying fit and healthy is a constant challenge in my mid-30’s, but it’s a challenge that I’m up for. I want my daughter growing up with an active and healthy lifestyle, so who better to be her role model than mom and dad!
Read more from Stacey on her blog, Perfectly Peyton and on Her View From Home.
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