Body After Baby: 7 Months

Back again, documenting how my body (specifically stomach) looks 7 months after giving birth. You know, I've noticed that every month when I take these pictures I'm happy with what I see. Even a week after giving birth, I was so pleasantly surprised! I don't know if it's just compared to how big you are at the end of pregnancy or if I had a warped idea of what I thought all stomachs looked like after pregnancy... maybe it's just that I have a better outlook now? Not sure! All I know is that I have felt really good about the changes.  Sure, there are times where some negativity creeps in but that's alright. :)

I was at 143lbs for a while, thought maybe I'd stay there but I guess not! I have lost weight faster than expected, honestly. I'm just trying to let my body get to where it wants to be... I'm not forcing anything. So we shall see! My focus is always to be healthy and treat my body well rather than focusing on weight. 

Pre-pregnancy weight: 158 lbs

End of pregnancy weight: 184 lbs 

6 months PP weight: 144 lbs

7 months PP weight: 140.5lbs

7 Months PP

Body After Baby posts:

1 week

2 months

3 & 4 months

5 & 6 months

Body After Baby: 3 & 4 Months

Previous post pregnancy body post

Oops! Got a little behind. Well, I don't think I've been doing anything too differently these past two months. Sad to say, I did not start jogging more. haha It's mostly because I take my dog (and he's getting old for jogging) and it's been HOT but I know, I know... no excuses! I am doing lots of walking and just staying active overall. I tried a baby wearing barre class and LOVED it! Our place is a chaotic mess since we are moving this month but once we move, I'll have more space to get back into home workouts. Part of me is like, geez Sophie how are you not exercising more by now? And then the other part of me is all um, you're only 4 months postpartum- relax! It's really just that I was so used to working out HARD before becoming pregnant that it feels strange to not be but I have to work my way back up to it.

Month 3 I was feeling good like I was back to my "size" just with some extra tummy skin... and less muscle tone. Month 4 I'm feeling slimmer and my skin is tightening. 

Pre-pregnancy weight: 158 lbs

End of pregnancy weight: 184 lbs 

3 months PP weight: 154 lbs
4 months PP weight: 152 lbs

19 weeks PP

4 Day Mini Detox for the Busy Person

The 4 Day Mini Detox 

FOR THE BUSY PERSON

First of all, everybody needs a good detox. It doesn’t matter if you are a fast food junkie or a kale smoothie master. A structured detox can be beneficial to anyone! It’s impossible to avoid ALL toxins every day but a detox allows us to eliminate more of them and let our body recharge.  

During this detox, you will learn how to change the way you look at food, learn simple techniques for cleansing your body and how to eat clean no matter how busy you are. Clean eating is not about counting calories or thinking about how much fat you ate that day, it is about eating foods in their most natural state. 

I created this program because so many people want a “quick fix”. They like the idea of doing a detox but aren’t sure they can commit to, say, a full month.  While there’s no real quick fix for long term health, this detox can definitely get you on the right track and give you some immediate results. I call this my weekend warrior makeover because in just 4 simple days you can help flatten that belly, curb those cravings and sleep more soundly. Why walk around feeling tired when  you can walk around feeling fabulous? This program is simple. All you need is some commitment and the willingness to put yourself first.

Let me help you replace yo-yo dieting, toxic habits and body shaming with positivity, balance and long term healthy habits.

I am busy just like you! Between work, a new baby, moving, pets and other responsibilities I understand how “being healthy” can feel like too much work. That’s why it’s important to detox along with finding a healthy balance that works for you long term, so that instead of feeling like work it simply comes naturally to you!  I teach people how to eat clean even if they hate the kitchen and swear they have “no time”.  With this 4 Day Detox you’ll have all the recipes and the meal plan to make detoxing simple and straightforward. 

I am here to help you feel BETTER. Think of this program as your mini-vacation…without the alcohol! Replace that with fat blasting, cellulite reducing and energizing meals day in and day out. 

Sound good?

Email me to receive your FREE guide to the 4 Day Mini Detox for the Busy Person! It comes with all of the recipes as well as tips for detoxing.   liftinglettuce@gmail.com

Body After Baby

I wasn't really sure what my body was going to look like after giving birth. I mean, there's really no way of knowing! I didn't give it too much thought though, honestly. Pregnancy made me appreciate my body on such a deeper level that I promised myself I'd hold onto that and treat my body with the respect it deserves. That said, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw my belly sans baby haha Sure it's soft and squishy, adorned with some new stretch marks and of course still bigger (uterus takes a month or so to go back down to size)... but it's not "scary". I don't even think it's ugly which is how it seems women are made to feel about their post baby bodies.  I'm proud of what this body did during the past 10 months and will happily treat it well while it continues to change.  Loving your body doesn't mean you have to feel 100% satisfied with it and not want to make changes!  (something I learned after losing 60lbs years ago)

Having said all that, I thought it could be interesting and perhaps helpful to document the changes here. By no means am I saying women need to whip their bodies back into shape (whatever that means... obviously we are always a shape haha) or feel any sort of pressure- you don't!  Just be healthy.  I'm still eating the same way I have been (extra calories because I'm breastfeeding) and trust me, there will be no "dieting". I'm not for restricting what you eat in that way.  Sure I'm vegan and I enjoy a detox now and then but I still feel it's a healthy, guilt free balance that I enjoy. I am excited to be able to start working out again but I'm only 1 week PP (postpartum) so still have a while until that's really feasible.  My body has been through a lot so of course it needs time to recover!

I'll try to update once a month with a picture, perhaps some meals or recipes I've been enjoying, workouts I've been doing etc.  I want this to be an honest, realistic look at "body after baby". No quick fixes just good ol' treating your body right! I feel like this time in a woman's life isn't really talked about enough. I don't want to wait until I have an "after" picture to show, I'd rather share the entire journey.

Here's a look at my stomach and stats so far.  I'm going to include weight but it's by no means my focus! I'm all about how I feel- do I feel confident? Do I like how my clothes are fitting? That sort of thing.

Pre-pregnancy weight: 158lbs

End of pregnancy weight: 184 lbs (up 26 lbs)

Current weight: 169 lbs (down 15 lbs)  -  note: I was down 11.5 lbs the day after giving birth. That's just the weight of baby, placenta, fluid etc! 

4 weeks pregnant

42 weeks pregnant

1 week postpartum 

January Elimination Diet

Starting January 5th I will be leading a 6 week elimination diet on Facebook and I want YOU to join me!

What is an elimination diet?
Basically it is a way of finding out if you have food allergies or sensitivities by taking certain foods out of your diet for two weeks and then adding them back in one at a time. It's very helpful in pin pointing what foods are affecting you in a negative way.

How does it work?
For three weeks, you will not consume any gluten, wheat, dairy, corn, soy and eggs. Those are foods that many body's disagree with. There are also other foods you can choose to cut out such as citrus, peanuts, nightshade plants etc.  While some food allergies can be tested for by a medical professional, some cannot. Many tests also don't pick up on sensitivities (only allergies) which can still be hurting you! After those three weeks, you will re-introduce those foods back into your diet, one at a time every 2-4 days. You will also keep a food journal to record what you eat and how you feel! This is critical for really pinpointing what foods may upset you.

What are the rules?
The rules are simply to avoid eating the listed foods for two weeks and then add them back in according to the schedule I will be providing. You will also be asked to keep a food journal and participate in weekly check ins. Everything else is really up to you! I'd definitely recommend avoiding processed food, sweeteners, caffeine and alcohol during this time because they could hinder your results.

Why join the group?
I will be providing info, detailed instructions and recipes plus you will have the support of myself and others as we participate together! The Facebook group will be open during the initial three weeks as well as afterwards as you add foods back in. I will be there to answer any questions you may have!

What does it cost?
It's free! I will even be offering a discount on my health coaching programs to people who participate in the entire challenge. Win win!

What results can I expect to see?
While this is not a weight loss diet, weight loss does often occur. It could be temporary if you are simply eating healthier for a few weeks but do not continue to do so or it could be long term if you improve your eating habits and/or get rid of a food allergy/sensitivity. Other common results include getting rid of headaches, better sleep, clearer skin, more energy and so on! It really can be life changing.

Details:Facebook group is currently open.
Challenge starts January 5th 2015. 4 weeks of avoiding certain foods followed by at least 2 weeks of slowly adding the foods back in. I will keep the Facebook group open for longer to answer any questions!

LIFTING LETTUCE