Diet Deja Vu

So it's been years since I last really dieted and I'm getting ready to start dieting again. I'm in my last stretch of nursing and will be weaned from by September if all goes well. I successfully kept the weight off until January of 2005 when I found out I was pregnant with my son. I got up to 155 lbs at delivery, very uncomfortable. Delivered in September of 2005 and then started nursing my son right away. I have to say, breastfeeding is the best form or weightloss I've ever experienced. First of all, I had a C-section, I labored for about twelve hours with no progression and ended up with a nice battle scar. So I felt bloated from the 12 hour IV drip right off the bat. It took two weeks for my hands, feet and legs to look totally normal again but when they did I weighed myself and was at 139 lbs. So I had 15 lbs to go but no diet to do. I tried not to think about it and just get used to my new life and concentrated on making sure my son stayed happy and healthy. He did, it was like all my extra pounds went straight to him. So because I was nursing, and my son has a healthy appetite, I was expelling about 500 calories a day. I felt hungry all the time. I was so busy, changing, nursing, holding, cuddling, and trying to do housework, errands, my job (which I transferred to my house) that I didn't get to eat my three meals, two snacks as regularly as I would have liked, and I needed that food. So I became a nibbler. I found myself eating the strangest things. They had to be foods I could cook and eat with one hand because I was usually holding my son with the other. Pop tarts, crackers, dry toast, dry bagels. Thanks to naps I could make a sandwich or soup. On awesome days I could cook a real hot meal. What I realized very quickly was that even if I had sweets, I didn't make up for the calorie deficit. By February 2006 I had gotten back to my 125 lbs and I hadn't even tried. In fact, I had to make a conscious effort to eat like when I was on LA weightloss. At the baby's six month birthday I had gotten so spoiled eating anything I wanted I started gaining weight. What happens is the breastmilk is very fattening and rich the first six months when the baby really needs it and then at six months the milk suddenly turns from whole milk to 2%. That's what it felt like. The weight gain of the baby slows down and my weight gain began. So I have been battling a sugar addiction since then. I'm up to 135 lbs again, post baby weight and need to lose 15 lbs. How sad is that. Also, I want to do it by September because I want to get pregnant again and don't want to start with those 15 lbs on my saddlebag. I think now is a good time to start dieting. My son is having three meals a day with two snacks and doesn't need to be breastfed as often. Also, if I start now with a sensible diet I think that will be enough. So I'm going to modify my LA Weightloss plan. I will do three meals and two snacks, easy to eat with my son, but with larger portions. I remember I liked the LA Lites shakes in the morning so I've bought some Myoplex Lite powdered shakes. I'll drink those in the AM with some frozen fruit for a smoothie. The tough part will be preparing the main meal foods. I have to admit it's tough because I've been preoccupied with preparing my son's food and keeping his meals on schedule. Adding mine to the mix will keep me in the kitchen more than I'd like. I've decided to prepare foods ahead of time and devise a menu that will allow us to eat the same foods. Except that the baby's food will need to be put through the blender. He hates jar food so I've had to copy the names of the jar foods and make my own versions. Turkey and vegatables, chicken noodle, chicken and pears, squash, pears. That's what I'll be eating with a salad. Wish me luck. I need to find my LA weightloss quick card now to see what foods are allowed on my plan. I know I will not be eating bananas. That was never allowed until very late in the maintenance plan. I even got used to not eating them so it was a very long time before I ate bananas again. No tomatoes either.

I put on my bathing suit to take the baby to swim lessons and decided my pouch is just too much so I will need to start jogging again. I haven't done that is a loooonggg time. I went on my first run with the jogger and realized how much more effort it is to push an extra 20lbs with you. I had to do a run-walk with more walk than run. But the baby does not cry at all in the jogger so there is no excuse not to get some exercise.

I got so much email from the blog. Lots of individuals wondering if they should do LA Weightloss. I would do it if I could. One, I can't afford it on my reduced income. Not as many work hours equals not as many dollars in the bank. Two, I can't follow it strictly for now because I'm still nursing and I'm not even sure if they have a nursing plan. I know WeightWatchers has modifications to their plan for nursing moms. Three, time restrictions, can't make the three consultations a week. So I'm going to wing it alone and see what happens. I will not be using supplements right now for the same reasons. I'm currently taking prenatal vitamins, birth control pills and a calcium supplement and that is enough to give me an upset stomach I it's empty. I will be writing down all my food intake. Food diaries are great because you are accountable, at least to yourself. I'm amazed at how many beverages I take for granted because I'm not writing them down. Those extra calories can really add up. Also, I need to start measuring out my water intake. I was drinking 64 oz a day on LA Weightloss. Sometimes that would really make me sick on so little food so I'll drink as much as I can and stop when I feel gross.

Here goes nothing...