44 Responses to “Counting calories.”

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  1. so glad for the honesty – obviously i haven’t had our little guy yet, but i’m already excited to start working on getting my body back to being MY body!

  2. Michelle

    As a mom a little farther down the road (my kids are 11, 9 & 8) I just wanted to give you a bit of encouragement. You’re doing great! Keep enjoying your little one, keep putting good fuel into your body and know that your body WILL change. It takes time–it just produced a human! πŸ™‚ Anyway, take heart and know that you are a strong and beautiful woman and your body will readjust and be stronger than ever. Take care.

  3. I’ve started counting calories, too. I just get so hungry that I either end up eating too little (and needing “breakfast” in the middle of the night) or getting so tired of feeling so hungry and/or overwhelmed that I binge. I’m seeking a happy medium. Getting a little more toned wouldn’t hurt, either!

  4. I will join you! I am in the same boat too. The hubby and I started counting calories since Jan 1st and I’ve lost 10 pounds and hubby has lost 12 pounds. We realized we were eating way too much. Now we eat smaller meals and healthier snacks &&&&& I have had NO time to workout either except walk with the Ergo.

  5. Kelly

    Sabrina, I too appreciate your honesty. I am in the same boat, my sOn just turned 6 months yesterday. I am back to my actually weight but nothing fits right! I know I lost a lot of muscle. I use my fitness pal on my iPhone/iPad and I LOVE it. It’s has everything on there and there are “friends” on there that give support. Maybe you should look into it. Also, on a sleep note. My son was a consistent “power napper” it went from only sleeping 45 mins to then only 30 mins. I thought I was going to lose my mind! One day around 5.5 months something clicked and he now takes 2 or 3 naps a day. It WILL come just power trough the best you can. I started solids around that time so I don’t know if it helped or not. I’m with you in the weight loss do I’ll join your challenge πŸ™‚

  6. Thanks for being honest about this, Sabrina. The majority of my weight loss was done counting calories, and anytime I need to get back to my “happy weight,” I know that’s my best and easiest route. You’re doing great!

  7. jen

    i have been counting calories too. i’ve done it in the past to lose weight but i hate. i mean, i really hate. i have about 10 lbs to lose to get to a comfortable point after having our 2nd child 2.5 mths ago. this past week i decided to take a break from calorie counting and just eat normal portions and not over indulge and up my exercising. i know i will go back to counting but it honestly makes me focus so much more on my weight and the way i look and i feel like i am constantly down on myself when doing it. i don’t have a gym membership but when my husband gets home from work i leave for awhile and go down to our apartment fitness center to work out. or, i do a dvd while my 2 year is napping (and sometimes while she is awake if it’s my only chance) and put the baby in the swing or bouncy for the 30 mins it takes. i feel like it’s okay to take care or yourself-even if it means spending 30 mins to an hour of your child’s waking time to do it.

  8. My daughter is 9 months and my weight loss (after the initial) was at a STAND STILL until about 6 months when she started solid food. You may know this, but I’m going to say it anyway–your body holds onto fat while BF! It needs it! It’s not anything you’re doing. I worked out and ate super healthy, maybe too healthy….once I relaxed and just did what I was doing (I counted protein, carbs and fat just to make sure i was getting enough)…and Ella started solids it started falling off! I was a little underweight before I got pregnant, and I am not 5 or 6 pounds from where I was and happy with it. My body has changed, things don’t fit the same but I had a baby!!! I know how hard it it…I have been there. Fitness is my job and I felt very unhappy with how i looked when I stepped in the gym I felt like I was being judged.

    I felt like other moms looked great in like 3 or 4 months. It’s just not true! I’m not pimping myself but I did write 2 posts on body image after baby talking about this. I am going to write about the weight loss soon and the measuring etc.

    I know everyone is different or whatever, but the more moms I talk to the more I find BF moms had this happen. Once baby hits 6 months your body just starts to “let go” of the fat it’s holding onto. Raffi is still so young, and your body is STILL doing amazing things! I wish someone told me this. I was stressing so much and it just sabotaged me. I was in doing Body Rock workouts, eating tons of salads and lean protein, cutting out sugar. Now I eat almost a whole dark chocolate bar after a day of healthy food and I’m still seeing results. My metabolism is so high, so is yours, but once baby doesn’t depend SOLELY on you…your body starts to let go. It gets better!!! I’m going to say this too because I wish someone had–just try, as hard as it is because I know how you feel, to enjoy it all and just wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. it will all fall into place!

    Sending you hugs! try and haNg in there!

    • Owlissa

      @Laury,
      I love this comment because it’s very sensible. If you are a breastfeeding mama, your body puts baby’s needs first, as it rightly should. I didn’t really lose weight until my little guy was 9, going on 10, months. He’d been having some solids since 6 months, but didn’t really get interested until a few months later and, ta da! I lost weight without thinking about it. I’m still nursing him at 16 months, and [I imagine that] those last extra kilos aren’t going anywhere until I stop. I think it’s important to decide what kind of nursing relationship you want to have first, and make that a priority because it will dictate aspects of your weight loss journey.

  9. I didn’t mean other moms don’t look great in 3 or 4 months…what I meant to say was other moms around me did look great and I felt like others expected me to but that is not true (typing too fast with a baby crawling at me feet)

  10. Good luck…you are beautiful πŸ™‚

  11. I hate counting calories!! Hate it!!My LO is 4 months and at my 6wks checkup I was 10lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight and hadn’t done a thing!! After 4 mths of being at home I swear I have put on a few more lbs from just being at home and nothing fits like it should. Everyone says how great i look cus my stomach is flat but my hips, thighs and butt have expanded enormously so I am still stuck in that one pair of jeans. My goal right now is just to eat healthier and just exercise regularly and I know it will come off. it doesn’t help tho that my partner loves the extra junk in the trunk lol! Did I mention I am a dancer as well and I have committed to doing a show a the end of march?? Sigh!!! withthe extra weight I dont feel like I can soar as I used to not the mention the lack of core muscles. Ok enough pouting!!! U are doing great Sabrina, don’t stress too much and just enjoy the journey. remember if you stress the baby stresses too πŸ™‚

  12. Hey Sabrina! I think it is great what you are doing. I might receive hate comments but i feel like this really helps one gain or regain a sense of control (or at least knowlege if you dont liek the word control) over what you are intaking. You go girl. I used to use an app on my phone when i was into that- that you could just scan the barcode of thngs you were eating and it would log it (along with exercise etc) and enter what cant be scanned. anyway, nice work! it is impressive how well youve done and you look great!

  13. You’re not nursing anymore?? I can’t imagine that’s enough calories to keep your supply where it needs to be, if you are.

    I was the same weight from 6 wks pp to 6 months pp when we bought a scale!! I started counting cals and Emmaline started solids and I lost 15 pounds in about 3 months… then got pregnant again! hahah!!

    You’re doing great!

    • RhodeyGirlTests

      @Amanda – Mother of Ambition, I am. 1600-2200 cals a day plus + day of a little more won’t be enough? If I’m hungry I don’t mind going over, but so far I’ve been right around 1900-2100 a day.

      And, um, you’re pregnant again?! Congratulations.

      • @RhodeyGirlTests,

        Well, I ate about 2000 per day and lost 1ish pound per week without a decrease in my supply (that I noticed). I think myfitnesspal has options for nursing moms (I haven’t used it personally) to calculate it for you.

        And YES!!!! We’re expecting our second baby girl in May! Emma will be 18 months old! Then we’re done! ; )

  14. There is nothing wrong with counting calories for weight loss – I wish the world would realize that πŸ™‚ If it works well for you (like it did for me!) then by all means do it. Good luck!!

  15. I cannot imagine trying to juggle all that, although I’ve been trying to, since I’m due with our first in September! I know you recently moved but I’m sure exactly what neighborhood you’re in now but I know the YMCA on Christian St. has childcare. I’m not sure what the set up is (i.e. if they will watch a baby while you work out, like some other Y’s will) but it may be worth looking into. Actually, are there ANY gyms in Philly with childcare? If so, I’d be willing to switch AND travel. But I know just getting out the door is easier said than done. Can you jog with the Orbit stroller? I’m also pretty worried that no stroller (jogging or otherwise) will be sturdy and smooth enough to make it down the sidewalks of South Philly πŸ™‚
    And I don’t think counting calories is a bad idea at all, and all of your goals (weight wise and calorie wise seem healthy) Do whatever works for you!

    Also, how are you managing working at home with an infant? I work from home as well and I’d prefer not to get a nanny for a bit if I can help it. Did you end up hiring someone? Sorry, so many baby questions!
    Good luck!

  16. Holly Miller

    I am also nursing, Jacob is 16 weeks on Monday and I am also having the hardest time losing the last 14 of my 40 gained pounds! It used to be so easy to find the time to workout, training for marathons, fitness classes and weight training all kept me in check and I never had to really count calories…now, it’s a whole different story! But i’ve resolved to start using my jogging stroller, and take back up the hobby I feel is such a huge part of who I am, running! I also bought happy baby workout dvd and we’re going to try that this weekend. The workout incorporates baby, so mom gets a workout in, and baby has fun! And if all else fails, I’m also buying an elliptical, I figure at least 15 to 20 minutes at night when Jacob lays down is better than nothing! Good luck with your endeavors- I’m joining with you in the fight to lose these last few pounds, I know we can do it!

  17. I love this honest post!! Thanks for being real!

  18. Amy

    I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but I feel the need to give you a different perspective. Believe me when I say it is great to have my body back to myself (after pregnancy and nursing for 13 months). While nursing, I eventually lost the weight and now that I’m done nursing, even more has come off. In my opinion, the least of your worries should be the way you look. You’ve said you feel awesome and that’s all that matters. Trust that your body will do what it needs to do. You are healthy and fit; a few extra pounds so soon after pregnancy, while nursing your baby, is no big deal!

  19. sharon

    Hi –
    I found your blog while looking for a recipe online, and have been reading it for a few weeks now. I’m old to enough, almost ,to be your grandmother, and have my own daughter and grandchildren. You have a beautiful family, and sound like you’re a wonderful mother.
    I just wanted to say a couple of things. First, sometimes waistlines take a little while to shrink after pregnancy, so please don’t be hard on yourself for not being on some kind of timetable.
    The other thing is about feeding your baby solid foods. When my baby, w-a-a-a-y back then, cried instead of going to sleep, her pediatrician said to give her a little thinned out baby rice cereal. It worked like a charm. And she was way a lot younger than your baby.
    But in the end, no matter what anyone else says, you should always follow your own instincts. Babies are all different. And they grow up so much faster than you ever think could happen, especially when you’re still in that incredibly exhausting first year. Do try to relax and savor it.
    And, your quiche recipe was wonderful. Thanks for sharing it.

  20. Kristen @ The Concrete Runner

    I’m with ya girl! I have 8 pounds to lose and have been stuck for 2 months now. I really need to get serious about counting calories again. I love not doing it but it’s obviously not working and I need to break past this plateau. We will get there!

  21. I’m at the same exact spot you are in – 5 lbs before pre-prego weight but ideally would like to lose 10-15 more. I just started logging my calories in the Lose It app on my iphone and its making me thinking twice (sometimes) about how many cookies/snacks I eat. It is so hard though when you are exhausted and food is a treat after getting a cranky baby to bed.

    Anyway, I’ve been reading for a while but never comment so just wanted to say that I love your blog! My daughter was born around 2 months after your son so reading your blog is sometimes a glimpse into my future. Ha.

  22. I’m totally with you. Two months later and I have seen no pounds budge despite nursing – only for one reason. Just because of me actually. I have been eating more – stress and just lack of focusing on what I’m eating and just trying to rush through eating. I’ve been eating whole foods – just too much of it. You’re totally on point with post!

  23. Anna

    Just another voice of empathy! I am a philly mom and my son is 6 months old. I work out 5x a week (Lithe Method) and love it. My body is SLOOOOOWLY returning to normal (I had a c-section) but I am still 6+lbs up from regular weight (exclusively BFing and a stay at home mom) and I have been at this weight since he was 8 weeks πŸ™‚ I am hoping once we wean, I’ll shift back more. For now, I bought a good pair of jeans in a size up. Your son is adorable!

  24. Kristine

    We are in the same boat! My son was born on Sept. 22 (they are so close in age!!) and I am feeling the same frustration. I am in flux between 4-6 pounds to my pre-pregnancy weight of 125. I go workout 3-5 times a week for at least 30 minutes, sometimes an hour and its a struggle. We also don’t get full nights of sleep. I told myself that I would try a routine for 5 full work days and see how I managed. So, I get up at 5 a.m. and either go to the gym (if my husband can bring our son to daycare) or get our son ready and bring him to daycare. I work from 7:45-4:45 give or take, and then pick my son up from daycare if my husband brought him, or go straight to the gym if vice versa. I try to be home by 6:30. That’s sort of what I started with one week and it was a HUGE struggle. BUT, after doing it for two weeks straight, I felt more energized despite the continued lack of sleep and I felt more motivated to eat better. I also log my calorie intake every day except for Saturday on SparkPeople.com which has really helped me keep myself on goal. It’s been harder than I could EVER imagine but I need to work out to feel sane. Or at least somewhat sane…lets be honest who is really fully sane with a four month old!! You look look amazing and you are an amazing momma. Don’t let yourself forget that when you are down on yourself!!!!

  25. Amanda

    Hello!
    Advice from a mom of 2 who breasted both until 10 months πŸ™‚
    When you stop nursing you will drop an easy 5-10 pounds. Everyone talks about the calories you burn while nursing buy myself and many of my friends noticed that they held onto weight while breast feeding no matter what they did with diet and exercise. And I totally agree that cutting calories while breast feeding may affect your supply.
    Btw he’s adorable πŸ™‚

  26. I think you are doing great!
    It’s definitely not easy taking care of a little one, finding time to take care of yourself, and still have energy for everything else in your life. I see a lot of people encouraging you to count calories, but I feel like I’m playing devil’s advocate here and questioning that.
    You’re breastfeeding, so shouldn’t that be the main concernβ€”to keep your supply sufficient and nutritious for your sonβ€”not getting down to pre-pregnancy size (and then some)? Breastfeeding can burn as many calories as 2 hours of exercise every day, and with your calorie intake, are you sure you’re eating enough calories to sustain yourself AND your baby? It just seems low to me, and perhaps that’s why you reach for the snack…because your body know it needs it! I know on days when I get distracted and don’t eat as much as my body needs, my baby doesn’t nap as well. Not only do you need the calories, but it affects your milk too. I’m certainly not a doctor or nutritionist, but I am a breastfeeding mom of a 7-monyh old and that should count for something. πŸ™‚
    I realize feeling good about yourself is important in being happy so you can be a good mom, but counting calories when you’re breastfeeding seems vain. There will be time in the future to limit your calories, but your son is only a baby for a short time. Keep finding ways to incorporate him in your exercise, and the weight will come off naturally.
    Just my thoughts, good luck with whatever you do!

    • RhodeyGirlTests

      Hi Katie, Thank you for your comment. I am making sure to eat enough but not too much. It is still a guessing game but I am eating at least 2050 calories a day right now. Could that possibly still not be enough? I don’t want my supply to be affected, but at the same time I need to feel good about myself. It is a tough line to walk. I have lost only a 1/2 lb in the last week which makes me think I have been eating enough (somewhere between 2050 and 2300 calories a day – not including low calorie vegetables or olive oil).

      I am going to give it another 2 weeks before I make a decision on whether to continue or not.

  27. Lynn

    Hi there. I’m in the same boat. My baby is nearly 4 months old now and I’ve got roughly the same amount to loose. I COMPLETELY get how dealing with crying = food rewards. It’s such a hard cycle to break! I will second the recommendation for My Fitness Pal app. I also try to end up at 100-1200 by 4pm so that I can enjoy dinner. Sounds like we will be doing the exact same thing.

    For workouts. We broke down and bought a treadmill and I absolutely love it. I was a total gym rat before (5-6 days) a week and I literally cried when I put my membership on hold last week. But I had to be honest with myself and realize that I was never going to get there.

    Here’s to 6-10 lbs gone by April 1st. Let’s do it!!

  28. Katie

    Hi, Sabrina!

    Just a quick question: have you talked with your doctor? It sounds like maybe you’re a little unsure of how many calories you really need in order to have enough energy/nutrients but not be overdoing it. My doc/nurse midwife/nurse practitioner have always been really helpful in figuring out that delicate balance – much more so than friends or strangers on the internet. πŸ˜‰

    Like others have said, I do appreciate your honesty. Physical and mental health of the mama is so important to a family. As long as it’s all kept in good perspective, you are wise to pay attention to taking good care of yourself. And I have to agree with others who’ve said to not pressure yourself too much – you’re still very newly-non-pregnant; most women I know take about 9 months to put the weight on and about 9 months (or more!) to take it off. You’ve got lots of time to hit the gym when Raffi starts sleeping through the night and you’re not feeling like a sleep-deprived zombie! πŸ™‚

  29. Hey! I am experiencing the same thing as far as those last few pounds to get to pre-pregnancy. I hesitate to do a big diet, though, since I’m exclusively breastfeeding my 4 month old. I am loosely doing weight watchers for nursing moms, but just go w/ what I feel as far as hunger, even if I’ve exceeded my points for the day. I have 2 lbs to go to be pre-preggo, and they don’t seem to be budging w/ that plan. . .I also think your body holds onto a bit more when you’re nursing. I think we both will experience more results in the body when the baby stops needing our milk.

    It’s crazy how things fit differently now, though, right? After I finally had my body down-pat (and how to dress for it), it now seems it’s completely changed. Sometimes, you just have to laugh. πŸ˜‰

    Our little ones are so worth it all, though, right? I am still just amazed at the entire process. God does all things well. πŸ™‚

    Good luck, take care of yourself, and keep being a great mommy. πŸ™‚

  30. Amy W.

    Hey there! I have 3 kids, and I remember I was feeling the same thing about my body, but I just kept eating to fuel my body for breastfeeding. It is so important not to cut calories when you are breastfeeding, becuase it will mess up your supply. I found it helped to eat 5-6 small meals a day. After I stopped nursing, I lost about 8 pounds. Then I starated being a lot more concious of what I ate and drank, was able to workout more, and the rest of my baby weight came off. Don’t be discouraged! Also, your body may be the same weight, but may never quite be the same, but that is ok! My stomach and hips are a little fuller, but I created 3 precious little girls, so I am ok with that. Just enjoy your little munchkin and soon you will find more time for yourself. It does get easier. =)

  31. Marta

    I have a 2 month old and I am 5 lbs away from goal weight. I am still nursing so “dieting” has not been an option since my milk supply suffered if I counted calories. I gained about 30lbs while I was pregnant. The first 17 came off rather quickly and then after a month I started Weight Watchers for nursing moms. I LOVE it. I have consistently been losing weight, I don’t feel deprived and it’s flexible enough where I do not feel guilty if I have a snack or dessert or wine.
    The weight loss is not significant, it’s been about 2-.5 lbs a week, but every week I weigh that much less than I did the week before.
    On the down side.. you’re right, your body is just not the same.. things jiggle where they never used to before πŸ™

  32. Alison Armstrong

    Hey! We are BBC friends! I saw you commented on one of my weightlifting photos, but I just wanted to say GIRL!!!!!! YOU look FABULOUS!! I totally understand what you mean about wanting to get your body back…I actually stopped weighing myself because a number means nothing! I just looked back a couple pages on your christmas photos…You look sooo good! I can definitely relate to your struggle though and I wish you all the best in your efforts to get back to your happy weight. Just know you look fabulous already and rock that! I’m preaching to myself here to πŸ˜‰

  33. Alison Armstrong

    oh and your little guy is so freakin cute!

  34. Maya

    I’m sure you’ll do great! I miss having more updates from you. Raffi is too cute, and it makes my day when I get to see his pictures. I have a 4 month old, and no motivation to lose the 10 pounds left from when I got pregnant, but still have much more to lose to be where I need to be.
    I love your blog! πŸ™‚

    • RhodeyGirl

      @Maya, Thank you. I’ll be back by the end of the week. Just needed to organize my life a bit. The 4 month sleep regression thing is HARD. We just finally got over that. Has your 4 month old hit that yet?

  35. Marta

    Sabrina, don’t give up on the cloth diapers. I have a 10 week old and we JUST started with them because I was kind of intimidated and had leaks and issues when I tried them in the previous weeks. I finally went online, figured out what we were doing wrong and now I’m regretting not starting sooner.
    They are better for the baby, they potty train faster and obviously much less expensive. I’ve done the calculation and each cloth diaper is about a weeks worth of regular diapers. So even if you use them for 3 months, you’ve gotten your money back.
    Don’t give up! They are not as bad as they seem.
    Feel free to ask me any questions, I was sceptical as well.

  36. What a sweet post. He sure is a cutie. πŸ™‚

  37. Oops I realized I meant to comment on your most recent post – the Raffi month 4 update πŸ™‚ Sorry!

  38. I can very much relate to the weight stuff. I am still 6 pounds over my weight, 10 pounds over where I’d like to be . . . I don’t think I’m just losing it with the breastfeeding. I have also decided I need to count calories for a while. I hate doing it, but the magical breastfeeding weight loss goddess decided not to bless me or SOMEthing. Hahaha. Anyway, I wish you luck with your goal! I’ve actually never done this counting calories thing before . . . and I’m not excited πŸ™

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