Being pregnant is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. Having a precious child that you and a loved one created, growing inside of you, is nothing short of a miracle. My favorite part of pregnancy, and maybe yours, was being able to feel my baby kick and move inside of me. While most of pregnancy you will have a radiant glow that is unlike anything anyone else has ever experienced without being pregnant, there is one part of maternity that most of us can live without, that’s weight gain.

I will never understand how some woman only gain a small amount, while others, like me, gain more than necessary. I am not sure if it is just how your body is made, if you are prone to gain weight or not, or simply the food choices we make. While I am aware that being pregnant is not a free pass to eat more than your weight in food, an extra treat here and there can certainly start to pack on the pounds too. Healthy choices are obviously better for all meals, but who doesn’t have cravings when you are eating for two, or maybe more? I know I did. Admittedly, I am a chocolate lover, and probably ate more than I should have, which is why I carried more baby weight, then a lover of carrots and broccoli.

Baby Weight

So, what happens after you have packed on the pounds during pregnancy? Losing all of the weight you gained during child birth is not exactly how it works. You may lose about 20 pounds or so, but beyond that, the extra weight loss is only possible with a diet. Yes, I said it. After 9 months of carrying around another human being, going through the delivery process, and adjusting to the wonder of motherhood, you now need to also incorporate a weight loss and exercise program into the mix.

Some of us may find it easy to diet and bounce right back, but others, like me, found it quite difficult. If you are not a fan of exercise and heathy foods, then you may struggle more. Not to mention finding the time in your busy schedule to dedicate to yourself. Most people new to parenting, or those of you that also have other children at home, already have a difficult time with the balancing act that we call parenthood. Finding the time to dedicate to your child or children, work, and your home, let alone sleep, can be tough enough without the added stress of dieting. I know without kids the food prep, shopping, and exercising a diet requires can consume most of your time or thoughts. With children it is even harder.

Being Healthier

Allowing yourself the time to dedicate to becoming a healthier you may seem impossible at times, especially if you are sleep deprived. Let’s face the facts, if you have time to sneak in a much-needed nap, or a 30-minute exercise routine, which one would you rather do? I’m sure most of us new parents would choose sleep. I did for many years. My oldest daughter never slept, so it was a no brainer for me. When I had an opportunity to sleep I did just that. Even after my twins, I slept. They were excellent sleepers and didn’t gift me with the lack of sleep, like my eldest daughter, but I was still tired. After all, I had three little ones all under five years old, and they had a companion to play with all day, me. How many of you feel like all you do is play, cook, clean, and look like a mess most days? My kids are grown now, but I remember having food, spit-up, and boogies on most of the clothes I owned. I felt like a human rag, which left me having even less interest in myself. Most days I showered with someone hanging onto the shower curtain or didn’t even get washed. If you are experiencing the same problem, you aren’t and never will be alone, it is part of the parenting job description. Didn’t they tell you?

I understand the reasons you have to not take care of yourself, believe me I do, I have had the same excuses, and maybe more, but it is time to stop making them. If it is time you need, find someone to watch the kids for 30 minutes a day, or exercise before they wake up or after they go to bed. If it’s the cost of buying healthy foods, save your change, or cut out an activity so you have the extra money. If that doesn’t work when you need to go food shopping and your paycheck is days away, then think about taking out a payday loan before you fall off the wagon. It’s easy to lose yourself in the craziness of the day, but finding yourself has too many rewards to ignore. Not liking who you have become takes a toll on you and your spirit, not to mention your overall health. If that doesn’t do it for you, then think of the damage a parent’s poor self-image can have on their children. As the saying goes, “Lead by example”.

Positive Self-Image

It happened to me. For years, I didn’t realize how the tantrums I would take every time I got dressed effected my children in a negative way. Here I was trying to help them have a great self-image, while they would witness their mother have an awful one about herself on a daily basis. It wasn’t until they were older when they actually asked me to stop being so hard on myself that I realized the damage I was doing to myself and them. Needless to say, I took their advice and started to take better care of myself and love myself for who I was, inside and out. I changed my eating habits and began to exercise to be the healthiest version of myself, but unfortunately the damage was done, I found out I had Type 2 Diabetes. Yep. The years of bad eating habits and ignoring myself had come to a head. I now had no choice but to take my health serious, and my children never let me forget it. They are daily reminders of why I need to be healthy, if not for myself.  

So, will you wait until it is too late? Or will you take care of yourself now?