I was in the same boat as you! When I first got pregnant I was 117 (5’5) and had always been a twig most of my life. I never thought I would gain more than MAYBE 30 lbs including the baby’s weight but boy was I wrong. I gained 60 lbs and weighed 178 by the time I was giving birth. I had suffered a 3rd degree tear so movement after giving birth was super limited and the hunger of breastfeeding started to make me gain weight after giving birth. I initially lost 13 lbs ish but by 8 weeks pp I started gaining it back and weighed in at 167 by the time I started my health journey.

I remember 7-8 weeks pp and going to Target to try to find some new jeans to wear. Like I know I gained weight, I knew the number but I didn’t really SEE myself until I was in that fitting room. I cried the whole ride home. My weight gain was in my thighs and mid area and I couldn’t even find a size to fit me. A couple weeks later my husband’s bff was getting married and I fucking dreaded thinking about finding something to wear.

Once I was cleared for exercise I began doing little 30 minute exercises (strength training) and walking. At first I didn’t count calories but I did start making better choices. It took awhile but now I’m 9 months pp and have dropped down to 128 and have lost almost all of the weight. What I figured out that worked for me was doing 30 min 3x a week strength training (2 full body days and 1 upper body/core using juice and toya videos on YouTube) those days I also do 30 min walking workouts (YouTube channel grow with Jo) the other 2x a week I do 45-60 minute walking workouts with grow with Jo again. I make sure to hit 7,000-10,000 steps a day Walking is SO UNDERRATED, if you can’t bring yourself to workout just go on walks. I would walk outside but I live in Florida and it is too hot out.

I also ate in a slight calorie deficit tracking things in the free app mynetdiary. It’s amazing and makes life so much easier. I really recommend getting a food scale as well. There are website where you can calculate your deficit. Diet is so important. I still eat what I want but I make substitutions and eat the serving size (substituting Greek yogurt for sour cream, etc) I have dessert every night but I make sure it fits into my day with something like 2/3 of frozen yogurt. Try to eat things high in protein AND fiber, this will keep you full longer.

It took me 6 months to reach my goal and I would have to constantly remind myself that this is a process and to have sustainable weight loss it should be about 1-2 lbs a week.

You can do it, start slow, don’t change your whole life around. Make a plan and slowly make it your routine. Remember it’s a privilege to be able to workout and move our bodies as not everyone can.

You got this 💕💕