Project Un-Preggify!

I recently started a happiness project ala Gretchen Rubin in The Happiness Project.  For the months of April and May, I chose the word "control" as my theme.  I am focusing on the things I can control, rather than the things I cannot.  I decided to follow the author's lead by dividing my monthly theme into small attainable goals.  Here are my goals for control:

Control Goals:

  1. Create a visually happy environment (Project Micro-Makeovers!)  still working on more micro-makeovers to share!
  2. Eat right & exercise (Project Un-preggify!)
  3. Focus on the "here and now" (Project No More Flashbacks and No More Flashforwards!)
  4. Spring clean (Project Declutter!)
  5. Avoid "baby bombs" (Project Stay Happy!)
  6. Maintain the right attitude (Project Pooping Butterflies! ha, can't wait to explain this one!!!)
  7. Accept the One who really has control (Project Let God Do His Thang!)

If you've been reading my blog for awhile now, you know that I have had several unpleasant encounters with nosy strangers asking if I am pregnant.  The leftover baby weight makes people curious...is she? or isn't she?  It has been such a struggle to stay positive because the second I start to feel good about myself, I just happen to get beat down again by the rude questions.  It can be quite deflating.

I am happy to check in with you, however, and tell you that I have been following my plan and it's gone so well!  I am renaming the plan "Project Un-preggify" and I copied/pasted the original post and wrote my updates in red:

Exercise:

Weeks 1-2:  Lay in bed and cry.  It’s ok.  Give yourself time to heal.  (Check.  Did this, and then some.) Weeks 3-6:  Walk-  going for long walks is healing because it gives you time to think and process your emotions.  My doctor said this was fine as long as I went slow and listened to my body.  Even if it’s just around the block…at least it was something. (Check.) Week 6-8 (after doctor’s blessing)-Week 12:

  • Start “From the Couch to the 5K” program.  It uses interval training to increase your endurance.  I started after my 6 week postpartum checkup and I am now on week 2 :-)  UPDATE:  I am on week 7 of the Couch to 5K program:-)  Two more weeks to go.  I had a brief period where I had to switch from the treadmill to the elliptical because my stomach was kind of hurting.  I was nervous I was doing too much, so I "listened to my body" and was able to keep on track using the more gentle cardio equipment.  No worries...went to the doctor and everything is A-OK.  Apparently, they weren't kidding when they said that C-section recovery is longer and harder than the good ol' regular way.  I'm back on the treadmill again and have built up a lot more stamina.
  • Do yoga/pilates at the gym or with a video.  Gentle strength training, and healing meditation at the same time… winning combo.  This is going well :-)  I took some time off for the same reason I mentioned above, but I am back at it.  I love yoga so much.  It is challenging and relaxing at the same time.  And the meditation time at the end is my 'moment of zen' where I cry and no one thinks it's weird.
Week 13 & Beyond:
  • Hit the gym hard!  Go to group classes at the gym like weight lifting, step aerobics, zumba, kickboxing, etc.  This is the beginning of week 13, I have highlighted the classes on the gym schedule that I would like to do :-)  I'm going to try sprinkling them into my routine slowly since I am still doing the Couch to the 5K.  Hopefully, they have room for the uncoordinated people in the back of the room (a.k.a. ME!).
  • Sign up for a 5K and train for it!  2 more weeks left in the Couch to 5K!  I use their app when I run and I love that it tells me when to start and stop.  John and I will be running a 5K on Memorial Day weekend!

Diet:  Great resource for diet-  http://assets.babycenter.com/ims/Content/post_baby_diet.pdf I like that it has portion size visuals :-)   I really hate the idea of counting calories, but I realized that I needed to pay more attention to what I was eating.  I keep a food diary on My Fitness Pal.  It has an iPhone app that makes it incredibly easy.  Very helpful! :)

I also wrote in my original post about attire and attitude.  I am working on the attire thing.  I need to go shopping for some new pants!  Woohoo!  Attitude...well, I am still working on the attitude.  Mostly, I have to keep reminding myself that it has only been 13 weeks.  I am super guilty of dwelling how far I have left to go instead of how far I have come.  Slowly, but surely I am making progress.  I am trying to improve upon this though!

I have lost 6 lbs and an inch on my waist since my original post...25 lbs since coming home from the hospital :-)  I gained a total of 38 lbs with Callie so that means 13 left to go!  I'm really glad that I am sharing this with you all, because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to hold myself accountable without this.  Project Un-Preggify is well underway.  Thanks for all of your support!!

body image, happiness projectKristin Cornely5 Comments