The dreaded baby weight….dun dun dun……

Do you remember the days that you ate whatever you wanted, called your high school volleyball game your “workout for the week” and still managed to stay lean and toned?

Me too.

The first time I got pregnant, one of my biggest concerns was how quickly I’d be able to drop the baby weight.

Related Post: The REAL Reason Moms Are Grouchy All The Time

Sure enough, shortly after I had my baby, I was in my skinny jeans in one quick hurry and felt great about it.

But after having three kids back to back (I have a 4yo, 3yo, and 1yo), let’s just say my body was less inclined to take its original shape in one quick hurry.

As I write this, I am currently 20 pounds heavier than I was when I got pregnant with my third.

I’ve gone through a roller coaster of emotions over not being able to ditch those last few pounds.

Until tonight.

Tonight I had planned on having a grilled chicken salad for dinner since I had a killer workout yesterday and am trying oh so hard to establish healthy habits.

But then my BFF aka husband/lover/stormtrooper/diet ruiner decided to invite me to go out for dinner tonight which I couldn’t possibly refuse.

…..and instead of getting a salad like a good girl, I got coconut shrimp and had one too many pieces of Outback Steakhouse complimentary bread. YUM!

As I walked out of the restaurant feeling a little guilty, I turned around to see my three goofy little kids trailing behind me.

At that moment, for the first time, I felt perfectly ok with the fact that my tummy is a little more fluffy than it used to be and here is why…..

1. My Body Has Done Amazing Things For These Kids

I feel like I did a really good job reading up on what to expect for pregnancy and birth, but somehow nothing actually told me the truth about it.

My body still hurts…A LOT from childbirth.

It will never be the same. But being able to take part in the creation of my three little besties is something I wouldn’t change for the hottest body in the world or a billion dollars.

I mean it when I say I would do it a million times over to have those adorable little kids call me mama. I’m obsessed with them.

2. My Husbands Thinks I’m Beautiful

My husband is the sweetest and does not care that I have stretch marks and a mommy pouch.

When he looks at me, he sees the struggle I went through to carry each and every one of our kids.

He sees and knows exactly how hard every aspect of pregnancy and childbirth were.

Because He is the only person who went through it with me.

He truly doesn’t see stretch marks, he sees love marks.

3. My Kids Don’t Care That I’m Fluffy

Wow, Mom, you have a really big butt….giggles and runs off to play as if she had just said good morning.
–Charney (my 4yo)

My kids adore me. They don’t care what I’m wearing, how it fits, or what size it is.

They just want a happy mom, who loves them and herself exactly the way God made her.

My kids don’t need me to be a size 4, they need to grow up with a happy mom who doesn’t constantly complain about her weight and needing to diet.

4. If You Are Not Happy As A Size 8, You Won’t Be Happy As A Size 4

When my husband was deployed I worked out and got super fit because I really wanted to look good for him when he came home.

I remember being so disappointed that I “missed my goal” by five pounds.

Looking back at photos, I was the thinnest I had ever been in my life and looked great! But I didn’t even enjoy it because I was obsessing over five ridiculous pounds.

It’s like anything in life……happiness isn’t found in the destination, it’s learning to find contentment in the journey. 5. Who The Heck Came Up With The BMI Chart Anyway?!?!?!

I don’t even have words about the BMI index chart. Seriously??

6. For The First Time In My Life I’m Focused On Health, Not A Size Dictated By Society

I feel stronger and healthier than I have in a very long time and eat healthy nutritious foods 80% of the time and you better believe I’m pounding carbs, cheese, and brownies the other 20%.

I workout three days per week minimum, drink a ton of water and get as much sleep as humanly possible for a mom of toddlers.

If having a balanced lifestyle means the scale reads a higher number than before baby…..Sign.Me.Up!!

7. I Chose Pizza Over The Final 20 Pounds Unapologetically

I’m not going to give you some sob story about how I’ve tried everything and still can’t lose weight.

Losing weight isn’t complicated. You have to eat healthy limited calories and workout.

I get it. I’ve done it many times in the past.

But I’ve made a conscious decision to choose pizza over the last 20 pounds. Because I like pizza 🙂

So if you are a mama who has been feeling down about being a little bit pudgier than she used to, try this….

Acknowledge and appreciate everything your body was capable of to bring your little’s into this world.

Accept that your husband and kids don’t care what size pant you wear, they want a happy wife and mom.

&…..focus on being healthy, not a size.

….and most of all….I mean most of all………

Decide what is more important to you……… Pizza or Pant Size?? <3

Just saying…..

Xoxo
Colleen
May Your Coffee Be Stronger Than Your Toddler

I need your help!!

If you liked this post, would you send it to three mom friends in your life that you think would find value and encouragement in it?

It would mean the world to me!!