Haute Mommy Monday - Losing the Baby Weight

I gained 25 pounds when I was pregnant with Georgia, but the last ten pounds was gained in the last four weeks of my pregnancy.  UGH!  I didn't try to not gain weight; I was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum early on and never got over it.  Hyperemesis is really extreme morning sickness, worse than most people have.  I lost 10% of my body weight in the first couple months of pregnancy, had severe dehydration and problems absorbing nutrients since I wasn't able to keep down any food.  So at 34 weeks pregnant, when I had only gained 16 pounds, my doctor put me on modified bedrest and I worked on gaining some weight.

Since I gained so quickly, I was a little stressed about taking it off!  And contrary to what lots of people told me, I did not lose 10-15 pounds before I left the hospital.  Due to being on an IV for over 48 hours, I actually gained weight.  Yep, I'm the only person I know who can give birth to an eight pound baby and leave the hospital five pounds heavier than when I went in...thirty pounds heavier than when I got pregnant.

Source: kikareichert.com.br 

Due to delivery complications, I was not allowed to work out for twelve weeks.  I wasn't concerned with losing all the weight, but I wanted to have it all off by the time Georgia was four months old.  I adopted a healthy meal plan and lost all of the weight within the first month.

Here's what a day of eating looks like for me, it's about 2,000 - 2,500 calories, depending on what I have for dinner and lunch.

Source: flickr.com 

Breakfast:  A bowl of cereal with skim milk (sometimes it's Kashi, sometimes it's Lucky Charms or something equally sugary) or two Eggo waffles and a Yoplait Fat Free yogurt.  Orange juice (the kind fortified with extra calcium and vitamin D).  Fruit - something fresh or a Dole fruit cup.

Snack:  Sometimes a smoothie made with milk, a spoonful of yogurt, berries and other fruit.  Sometimes just a yogurt and maybe a fruit.  Sometimes no snack if I get busy and Georgia wakes up before I have a chance to eat.

Source: thehealthyfoodie.net 

Lunch:  Tuna or boiled egg sandwich on whole wheat with some kind of veggie (usually green beans or corn).  Or leftover dinner from last night + a veggie if we have it.

Snack:  A glass of V8, baby carrots and hummus. Fruit and crackers or toast, sometimes cheese too if I'm still hungry.  Sometimes Greek yogurt with honey too.

Dinner:  I try to cook fairly healthy, and every dinner has two portions of carbs (bread, tortilla, pasta), meat, and lots of veggies.  Some of the recipes I like are posted here, but I search Skinny Taste and Cooking Light all the time for ideas.  If there's no dairy on the menu, I usually have one of those fat free Yoplait yogurts designed to be dessert (Black Forest and Strawberry Shortcake are my favorite).

Snack:  If I'm up past 10, I usually have a small bowl of oatmeal, cereal or a healthy homemade muffin (blueberry or banana) with milk or yogurt to avoid waking up famished.  This was crucial early on when I was up all night feeding Georgia, but now that she sleeps I usually don't need the late snack.

Source: google.com 

I also try to drink 100 ounces of water every day.  I just feel better when I do.  More often that not I have a can of Coke or a Starbucks Frappucino during the day, too.  I buy Crystal Light by the truckload from Amazon (it's so cheap!) and I'll have a jazzed up water in the afternoon or with my dinner if I need something sweet.

What are your favorite healthy snacks and meals?