Yummy Mummy? Not quite yet

Who knew what having a gorgeous baby could do to your body? It's amazing to watch your body grow and change when you're pregnant. There's a bit of bemusement on the day when you can't see your feet anymore. And did you ever imagine that you'd need your hubby/significant other to put your shoes on for you? After 40 weeks (or 42 for some of us!), a lovely, fantastic creature leaves your cocoon and starts to change your life in new and exciting ways.

Your body also continues to change in bizarre and shocking ways. All depending on the amount of weight you put on during your pregnancy (3-4 stone/42-56 lbs anyone??) your body will respond accordingly. There are lucky mummies who managed to turn down the 4th and 5th muffins at the breakfast table so their weight gain was mainly baby. These are mummies that are difficult to like!

Then there are mummies like me who saw pregnancy as the final excuse to eat whatever, whenever and how much I liked for 42 weeks. It was rather fun. I was a bit concerned when, at 5 months pregnant the usual comment was "Are you SURE there aren't two in there?". Delightful plonkers! So, yes, I indulged and enjoyed every minute of it. But nearly 52 weeks later, I'm still paying for it!

Particularly when you're over the age of 30, that body you had before baby is going to be very difficult to get back again. And in this economy, who can afford the pricey gym membership, personal trainer and designer menu in order to achieve that goal? So, those of us in this situation resort to walking with baby and buggy and trying not to polish off the remnants from our babies dinner plates.

Thankfully, most baby food is not all that appetising anyway but sometimes sweet potato purée really hits the spot! I've taken the bull by the horns (perhaps a bit late) and organised a walking group once a week...Mummies on the Move. We meet at a lovely stately home, have a nice walk around and then a cuppa afterward. It's so much more enjoyable to have other mummies and babies with which to share your pain. I encourage you to do the same where you are.  I'd love to hear other suggestions for what you've done to get back your NORMAL body. I'm beginning to think that my original belly has vanished for good! I don't really recognise the one that's been left behind thanks to a c-section and massive pregnancy poundage. So, your mission, should you choose to accept it:

1) Start a walking group in your neck of the woods.
2) Share with me- how much weight did you gain? how much weight did you lose? how did you do it? keys to success? recipes for attainment of the goal?
3) Who was your fitness/post-baby role model? What famous person or not-so-famous person inspired you? (Anyone who says Katie Price/Jordan better have a brilliant reason)
4) Tell us a funny memory from your pregnancy

Thanks for playing! I look forward to reading and please, if you don't mind, pass on this site to your Mummy friends. I think they'll like you even more for it! Cheers for now!

This post was written by Karin, who blogs at Cafe Bebe. She is a first-time stay-at-home mummy who wants to help others and hopes to open a real-life Cafe Bebe soon.

Photo credit: montrenko

Comments

[A Modern Mother]

The weird thing is I lost weight faster after pregnancy in the UK (rather than California) I because I have to walk everywhere here. Pushing three kids up a hill is hard work!

Thanks for the post, glad to have you as a contributor.

[Jennifer Howze]

Agree - having to walk a little every day rather than committing to a "workout" helps. plus the weather is always so rainy often i'll get all ready (and when daughter was young, it would entail arranging for babysitting, making sure she'd been fed, etc etc), and then it's too wet to go out. after getting all psyched for a walk, i just can't motivate for a stint of calisthenics in the bedroom.

[Karin]

Yes, motivation is a problem isn't it?? I know during my Little Miss' naps I could lay down on the floor and work those ab muscles that so desperately need re-training but I've found that my blogging is taking up that time now! Perhaps priorities need a readjustment? :) Thanks for letting me know that I'm not the only one out there. I was pretty pleased to see Ulrika Johnson and Louise Redknapp still looking un-Yummy-Mummy after they had theirs this year. There's hope! :) Cheers, ladies!