Mommy Metabolism

I had an interesting experience this week that brought metabolism to my mind today.  After returning from my weekend trip, I got on the scale for my weekly weigh-in and realized that the last 3 weeks of eating bad had caught up with me on the order of 3-4 pounds.  While this isn't much, it's enough that I noticed those pounds on my run.  In general, I have no problem sharing my weight - I just don't think it's a big deal - I even use my own ht/wt stats when I teach classes.  If you're healthy, there is no reason to fear or be ashamed of that number - I think that fear and embarassment contributes to the weight obsession of women today.  Anyway, I am about 5'4" and weighed in this week at 112.  Ideally, I like to sit between 108-109 when I'm training for a race.  Anyway, I got on the bandwagon and stuck to fruits veggies/lean proteins and 48 hrs later was down to 108.....I was shocked when I got back on the scale this morning and was already back down...now, I'm not saying this to brag but b/c this is a SUCH a far cry from last year at this time when I was postpartum...

Now, with my last pregnancy I gained approximately 35-40 pounds.  I was a little heavier when I found out I was preggo b/c it was after Christmas.  By the time I went in for delivery, I was tipping the scale at 148 pounds, which is pretty big for my small Asian frame.  For most of my pregnancies, I always seem to gain 30-40 - lucky me (not!)!  Anyway, I remember being postpartum last Sept with 25+ pounds to lose, struggling to lose every ounce, and not losing ANYTHING for the first 3 months!  In addition, any extra calories showed up on the scale almost immediately (and I was also exercising 5-6 times a week - hard)!  Those postpartum pounds are the absolute WORST!!!  By Christmas I was about 120, but I had to wrk my tail off for every single ounce!  It finally all came off by the end of Feb/early March. 

Why am I writing this???  Because I am amazed at the difference in my metabolism a year after having a baby compared to what it was right after.  A year ago, 3-4 pounds would have taken me 6 weeks to lose (at least!!!).  It's no wonder postpartum pounds are the toughest - everything in your body wants to hold onto them - your metabolism is SO much slower!  If there are any of you out there who are post partum and struggling - I hope this gives you hope.  Hang in there and things will return to normal...however, you may want to give yourself a full year.