6 Weeks Postpartum

Yesterday marked 6 weeks from when Turner was born. I wanted to do a 6 week postpartum (PP) post to record how things are going with myself. I plan to blog for awhile and would like to look back at this with future children to compare on how things were then with Turner PP.

 

Diet

I've been trying really hard to eat very healthy since I am breastfeeding and know that everything I eat passes on to him. I can tell if I eat something high in sugar/caffeine because Turner is very fussy then. It's actually pretty easy healthy when we don't have any junk in the house. We have found if you don't buy the junk food and don't have it in the house...then you won't eat it. It is hard though because I am a SUPER PICKY eater...but I make due with what I do like to eat...even if I do eat the same thing everyday!

 

Protein - The only meat I eat is ground turkey, fish and chicken (the chicken has to be made a certain way). Since giving birth, I have added the fish, Tilapia to my diet. I still love Salmon and most freshwater fish. I also have been eating eggs at least once a day to get my protein in. It will either be hard scrambled, over hard or hard boiled eggs. 

 

Veggies/Fruit - I've always been a fruit lover so it's no problem eating that, but veggies is another story. I don't like many veggies, but I really don't like cooked veggies. I've been eating raw carrots and raw snap peas on a regular basis. I've actually started eating edamame beans after trying them about a month ago. Sam's Club sells them in microwavable frozen packs that makes it super easy to make. We love eating them on a weekly basis. I think slowly I will be adding new veggies, but only if they are raw. I still love my fruit smoothies that I put spinach in...always delicious!

Carbs - My guilty pleasure. I just love my carbs but I have cut back on them since they don't help with toning the tummy area. I still enjoy my bread and pasta...but in moderation and I eat whole wheat bread and pasta!

My diet hasn't changed that much since having Turner, I just have ate more of the 'good stuff'. I have increased my intake to make up for the 500 calories for breastfeeding and I still have my 'cheat days'. I enjoy my pizza, ice cream and other junk food on those days!
 

Exercise
I have my 6 week doctor appointment tomorrow to get the ok to start working out on regular basis, but I have cheated a bit and did start a lil' bit. We go for walks on a regular basis, but I was really itching to do something last week so I did a home workout that involved jump rope, burpees and some weights. I also did an ab workout. I definitely paid for that the few days after as I was super sore. I was also itching to run...since it's been FOREVER...so I did go for a nice jog yesterday that only lasted 1.6 miles and let's just say you can definitely tell it's been awhile!

 

Weight
I don't like to worry about a number on the scale because I always felt that if I feel good and my clothes still fit, then I am good. But when you gain weight during pregnancy that consist of baby, water weight, placenta, etc., of course you hope to lose that at least after the baby comes. I gained 26 pounds during my pregnancy. The thing is though, I was my lowest weight when I found I was pregnant because I was training for 3 months prior and just finished a triathlon. I did the triathlon on Sunday and found I was pregnant on the Friday after. So I was 5 pounds lighter than my normal weight. So when I think of losing the pregnancy weight, I don't plan to lose those 5 extra pounds because that's not my 'normal' weight. I actually wouldn't mind gaining weight as in 'muscle weight'. Right now, I am actually back to my normal weight minus 1 pound. I really think breastfeeding has done wonders in shedding the pounds. I may have lost the weight, but I don't look the same pre-pregnancy. My stomach still has LOTS of toning to do and I still have that pregnancy pouch. I didn't expect any of that to just disappear in 6 weeks and know that it's going to take eating right and exercise to help with that. I still haven't decided if I will be doing the triathlon again this year. I really would love to as it's a great goal and gets my butt in gear. I am going to see what the doctor says tomorrow about working out and if I get the ok, I will make decision then.

Last bare belly pregnancy pic I took - 6 week postpartum

Sleep
Sleep...did you say sleep, what sleep!?!? That doesn't happen when you have a newborn!! Well, Turner does OK in the sleep department. Now that he is 6 weeks old, he must feel like a big boy and decided to sleep longer...which mom and dad are TOTALLY ok with!
Usually he has been waking 3 hours after his feeding to eat again. The last 2 nights has been 4 and 4.5 hours in between his feedings which felt GLORIOUS! I can't wait for that night when he sleeps longer than 5+ hours!

 

Clothes

I am back to my normal clothes. I was able to fit in them about a week after birth. I haven't tried on everything, but for the most part, things fit. I guess there are some tops that don't fit because my breasts have tripled in size. I really need to buy more bras and see if my work clothes fit since I will be wearing them in 6 weeks when I go back to work.

 I am very happy with where I am at 6 weeks PP. I feel great and I have a healthy baby. I still have my 'meltdown' days just like Turner has 'meltdown' afternoons. I have the day where I feel like I am doing everything right and then the days where I feel like I am doing everything wrong. Tate's very good at letting me know we are doing everything right for OUR FAMILY...which is the most important.

Now I am off to play with Turner who is having so much fun on his play mat and then off to get pizza with some great friends (apparently today is a 'cheat day')!!! ;)