baby weight

Everyone knows that having a baby comes along with weight gain. Some people take this fact as a luxury and eat everything in sight. Don't fool yourself, it takes a lot of effort, along with just pregnancy, to gain 80 pounds in nine months. The average weight-gain is probably somewhere between 20 and 40 pounds. I had a friend who delighted in telling me the insane milk shakes she would consume while pregnant with her daughter. She worked at a restaurant where she had easy access to shakes not only made with the traditional ice cream and syrups, but enhanced with brownies and cookies as well. I'm pretty sure she increased her weight by easily 75%. Of course, this was in Orange County, where tax refunds were often referred to as "plastic" funds and a mommy package was easily obtained. I really respect this friend, though, because even though she did get help in various areas, from chest to thighs (and a few things between), she also busts her ass to maintain what has been enhanced. She looks great. A guy we worked with referred to her as a MILF on more than one occasion. A term that most people only find offensive if they aren't one.

With each of our four children, I gained around 40 pounds. I didn't throw back a lot of cookie dough milk shakes, but I definitely didn't ignore my cravings.... oh, carrot cake, how I love thee. . . either. I am very fortunate to have a loving and accommodating husband too; he never shied away from a late-night store run for me. After Melaina, I lost most of the weight fairly quickly, but because of the evil depo shot (or so I like to blame) I gained back enough of the weight to meet my "resting" size. With no effort or work, I tend to weigh about 170-175. Next came Andrew. I never really payed much attention to what I maxed out at, but after he was born, I easily found my 175 and chilled. Third came Addison. While I was pregnant with Addy, my mother appeared to me in a dream, and in true Carol-fashion, she informed me that I was never going to lose the weight.

Perhaps out of spite for my mom, or maybe because I was just feeling good and ready, I finally engaged in my health. I educated myself about food, about what my body needed, and I had a plan. I used internet tools and calorie-tracking websites, and what I realized may shock people. Losing weight is not that difficult. It's really just a matter of being honest about your activity level and only giving your body the fuel it needs to thrive. Calories in < calories used (no gimmicks, no pills). I did not feed the disgusting weight-loss industry. I ate sensibly, and the pounds melted off. After less than a year, I found myself wearing size 27 designer jeans. I had transformed into a MILF. It was awesome.

For some strange reason, I thought that starting so small this last time would mean that the pounds would just magically melt off after having Megan, but here we are two and half months later and I am once again at my comfort weight. Hello 173.. it's been a while.. I can't stay long though. Time to get serious. I'm pretty sure I have a few MILF years left in me.