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Postpartum Weight Loss: The Struggle Is Real

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Postpartum weight loss is no joke. Let me just get that statement out of the way.

During my pregnancy, I convinced myself that I was going to eat organic, garden fresh vegetables and follow a very strict eating regime that would fuel my body full of nutrition and not hop on the unhealthy weight train. (While being pregnant, you should never worry about gaining healthy weight and always follow the advice of your physician, let me just clarify myself.) My visions of strolling through Whole Foods and local farmer’s markets were quickly blurred by the bright lights blinding me in the Super Burrito drive-thru.

Pregnancy is beautifully strange. You crave things you never thought you would eat in a million years. Trust me, I became the fast food junkie of Reno, shamelessly devouring double cheeseburgers and smothered chile relleno burritos at random times throughout the day. There are some things you just cannot control, nor would want to.

After 8 months postpartum and 9 months of Super Burrito, I realized I couldn’t continue to wear my worn out maternity leggings anymore and it was high time I started getting back into my pre-pregnancy clothes. I took my old jeans out from the storage bin in my garage, and when trying them on, they barely went past my knees. WHAT?!? This can’t be real. I must have grabbed the wrong pair. I carefully, yet frantically looked at the tag and to my disbelief, they were the jeans I was expecting to fit in. Why didn’t the weight just melt off of me?

I immediately fell into a slump. My image and body aches contributed to the postpartum depression I had already been fighting. I was exhausted beyond belief, extremely emotional, achy and to be very honest, embarrassed to have pictures taken or be seen. I knew I had to make a change to feel better and with my Doctor’s help and advice, I started an exercise program and learned how to eat healthy, but not sacrifice flavor all with very minimal prep & cook time. I owed this to myself, and to my daughter. I want to be the spunky, energetic mom she deserves. I took my doctors advice and started working out and eating a little healthier. I also planned to get in touch with a mental health team like you’d find working at a Honey Lake mental health clinic, for example, to try and further stabilize my emotions. I did a lot of reading online at this time, and I found a lot about the benefits of cannabis. One of those benefits is that it supposedly helps to alleviate the symptoms of depression. Obviously this intrigued me and I decided to learn more about it. There is a lot of differing opinions on it, but generally the research all points in one direction: that it has many benefits.

You know I am speaking to you, whether you are a working mom or stay at home mom. Just being a mom, in general, is a full-time job in itself. Unless you are a winner of the genetic lottery, the weight just doesn’t quietly and quickly go away leaving no trace of itself behind. Like most of us, postpartum weight sticks around, makes itself at home and works at an uneven pace. The key to success is to eat a nutrient dense diet in the correct amounts for your individual metabolism. By adding regular, moderate level exercises, you will see your postpartum weight diminish and you will feel better, sleep better and find yourself loaded with energy. We all know how much energy being a mom takes right? Can I get a hallelujah?

After dedicating myself to eating healthier and staying consistent with exercise, I lost a total of 45 pounds since giving birth. Exercise, nutrient dense foods and consistency helped my Postpartum Depression, gave me the energy I was severely lacking, mentally lifted my spirits and I had zero body aches or headaches. I truly felt better than before pre-pregnancy. I knew if I relapsed I would just push myself through it again by ramping up my exercising and altering my diet, and I may even look to Visit this website to see if there are any other treatments for me. But at this moment in time, I’m feeling and looking forward to a positive future!

So where do you start? What exactly am I talking about here? I am going to share with you my go-to recipe that is quick, can be made in large batches and will leave you speechless because it’s THAT delicious! Just because you’re mom, doesn’t mean you have to eat your kids’ cold left over chicken bites and mashed peas. I am going to give you a new version of “Treat Yo’ Self”!

*All content in this blog post was directly my experience and should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition you suspect you may have including Postpartum Depression. Please seek professional medical advice from your physician. Before starting any exercise or dietary changes, also seek the advice and permission from your physician.

Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken

Marinade:

  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon or ¼ cup of lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp freshly chopped flat leaf parsley
  • 2 tsp. dried basil
  • 2 garlic cloves, grated
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • Cracked pepper to taste
  • 1 pound or 4 skinless, boneless chicken thigh fillets

Instructions – Whisk together all of the marinade ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Add chicken thighs and toss around with a set of tongs to evenly coat each thigh. Pour into a plastic bag and let marinate for 4-6 hours.

Grill chicken thighs over medium heat until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Serve with your favorite vegetable and enjoy!

RenoTastebuds

My passion for good eats and restaurants started when I was 5 years old. Yes, you read that correctly, 5. My grandparents were my foundation and always enjoyed everything from a good ‘ole hole in the wall burger to seared octopus at the San Francisco Ritz Carlton. Of course, they always brought along yours truly, and I believe they had no idea what kind of foodie fanatic they were creating. Our family restaurant was always, “Original Joe’s” in downtown San Jose. The waiter would kindly ask what I would like to eat, (expecting me to order something like a child’s sized spaghetti like the rest of my cousins) and I would very confidently state, “I would like a New York steak, rare, with seasonal vegetables and a baked potato with sour cream and chives, please.” My Grandpa would always laugh and tell the waiter, “She better marry someone with money, this girl is expensive!” Later in life, the fire for food that burned inside me grew into a full on blaze. I started off in the restaurant business and worked every single position that exists. With dedication and a strong desire to succeed, I soon grew to be a professional chef. I absolutely loved watching people enjoy the meal I put in front of them. I loved seeing families laugh and create memories over a heart felt meal that I had prepared. The intensity of the kitchen, the plating, the perfection of timing in bringing a dish all together was a rush that I craved on a daily basis. After 8 years, I did decide it was time to keep my passion alive through my family and friends, so here I am! Thankfully, I have had the blessing of living and experiencing great culture. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area with hanging chickens on the streets, eventually moving to the beautiful city of Chicago with my husband for a short stint only to settle in the Biggest Little City aka Reno, NV with Lake Tahoe as my back yard to play in. I have experienced everything from Alligator in the back woods of Florida, deep dish pizza in Chicago, to Escargot right here in Reno. I also spend a lot of time in Lake Tahoe finding the local hot spots and lounging on the beach. I’m looking forward to bringing you exciting, witty yet genuine reviews right here from the Reno/Lake Tahoe area! Check out my blog Reno Tastebuds.

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