22 Nov
25 Pounds Down
I’ve been waiting for a milestone that I felt was significant enough to talk about the progress I’m making. Please excuse the poor quality of some of them (sorry Kelli!) stupid Lightroom applied auto-contrast while I was importing them and I didn’t have time to fix it after they were uploaded.
I weighed something like 200 lbs at the birth of T1, and lost around 15 at the birth which is why I say that I’m 25 lbs down now and not 40.
4-12-2010
220 lbs
5-31-2010
199 lbs
6-12-2010
195 lbs
6-27-2010
193 lbs
7-11-2010
191 lbs
8-15-2010
188 lbs
9-29-2010
182 lbs
10-30-2010
180 lbs
11-12-2010
182 lbs
I often have days where I don’t feel like I’ve made much progress, so it’s nice to look through this and see that there is a small difference. I’m feeling extra confident as I type this because I’m wearing a pair of pants that my mom was throwing out, and they didn’t fit when I was here in June, but they look great now. I need to get a pair of pants in each size down so I can try them on because it’s such a great feeling to slide right into these! Fitday tells me that my weight loss rate for the past 4 months is at about .76 lbs/month.
If you’ve been reading my food blog you can see how I’m eating. I won’t order meat/fish/eggs when we are eating out unless I know where they come from, and we don’t eat a whole lot of it at home either. I’m always working to get more vegetables in, and lately I’ve started making green monster shakes for lunch. Dairy is my vice most certainly, and I try not to keep sugar in the house because I”ll eat all day if I can. One secret to eating less junk food? Don’t keep it in the house. You won’t see chips or Skittles or other processed junk food in my pictures except for a few rare exceptions because I don’t buy them. Instead of fighting the fight, I just don’t put myself in a position to be tempted by them.
Exercise. I wish I could say I’m doing it, but I’m not. It’s hard for me to step away from all of the other things I want to do each day (including writing here) and spend 90 minutes working out. I’d say I average once or twice a week, 30 minutes a go, so it’s not nothing, just not what I want.
Weight loss has been slow lately, and I expect it to slow down even more as the holidays approach. My plan is to work harder on the days when I’m not celebrating with family and friends, and be relaxed the rest of the time. I think if I stay committed to taking pictures of each serving I put in my mouth that I’ll do less mindless face-stuffing and keep any weight gain at bay.
Also:
I'm a farm-raised almost-crunchy stroller-pushing picture-taking lifestyle-blog-writing gastronomy-obsessed divine-seeking thrift-store-combing cheese-inhaling pavement-pounding laughter-sprinkling lover of individuality and taking chances.
Congrats!! It’s so great you are keeping with it and not giving up.
1Kudos to you! 25 pounds is big progress! Keep it up mama!
2Way to go Jenna! It’s so hard to lose weight even without a
3baby to take care of- you’re doing fabulously!
way to go, Jenna! You really can see the difference.
4Keep at it and stay accountable-you’re doing awesome!
You look fantastic! Keep up the good work - you can do it!
5I think this is great, Jenna. I can really really see a huge difference, especially in your face. It’s so great to look back and see - oh, what a difference even 25 pounds makes! I’m looking forward to seeing the next 15 or 20 or whatever in the next while.
I really want to improve our eating habits. Jaren and I are really wanting to be more healthy. This time you’re my motivation
6as someone who struggles myself I wanted to come say WOOHOO!!!!!!!! because that’s awesome. we all have work to keep doing but it’s all about steps in the right direction.
7now I have to keep that in mind for the holidays . . .
You are doing so great! Keep up the good work. You are so incredibly beautiful at any size…inside and out. Just in case you didn’t know
8I think you look great! You can definitely see the progress - and I’d argue that it’s easy in pictures to stop and point out every imperfection, whereas in real life people do appear smaller and the “flaws” are less obvious.
9So this may be a dumb question, but 220-182=38, right? Is there a typo somewhere?
Anyway, keep up the good work! You can definitely see the progress you’re making!
Jenna Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 4:52 pm
I don’t count about 15 lbs of that as weight loss because 8.5 of it was a baby, and another good chunk was placenta. So I say I started around 205 or so.
allison Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Ok, that makes sense.
Way to go, Jenna! That’s fantastic!
And I totally hear you on the no sugar (/crappy food in general) thing. I mean, I do have bags of actual sugar for the occasions I bake (which is very rare these days), but I rarely buy candy or ice cream at the store so that I don’t eat it all. It’s so much easier this way. (And if I *do* want something sweet, I have to put forth the effort to make it myself; and at least I know where all the ingredients come from.)
Jenna Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 4:51 pm
That’s the Michael Pollan way! I try to avoid buying baked goods because the extra effort it takes to make them burns calories and I eat less sweet overall because it is so much work to clean up afterward that i don’t do it often.
Congrats Jenna! You look fabulous, and for what it’s worth you really can see the difference in the pictures. Keep up the good work!
12This is awesome, your cheekbones are showing, you look more rested and your eyes are all lit up- you’re looking great and you can REALLY see the difference in your stomach. Keep up the great work!
13Go you!
Curious-are you tracking at all? I can eat healthy all day and still gain because I EAT SO MUCH. Logging calories on Sparkpeople has really started to work for me (as I know Fitday has for you in the past), so I’m curious to know if you are still logging occasionally.
By the way, you should try couch-to-5k…most of the workouts are 20-30 minutes!
Jenna Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 4:54 pm
I’m not tracking calories. I would probably lose weight faster that way but I’m not willing to make the time investment.
Congrats Jenna! I love the progression shots, and you have some pretty cute photo’s of you in your post. I really like the “anniversary” shot of you & TH, you’re outfit is great!
15Great work! It is such a slow process, good job sticking to it. You look great every step of the way. I bet this milestone and pictorial journey will help you keep focused during the holidays (and of course enjoying all those once-a-year treats, too!).
16Nice work Jenna! You should definitely feel good about the progress you have made.
Do you ever try to break up exercise into smaller, less intrusive chunks of time? Even doing a couple 10-15 minutes exercise breaks can make it easier to fit in during the day. Or even 20-30 minutes on most days will be beneficial and maybe more attainable than 90 minute sessions.
Jenna Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Should have clarified… 90 minutes with the exercise, the showering, etc etc
I’m totally going to try that green monster drink now. You look great btw!
18It might look like a small difference to you but it’s DEFINITELY noticeable! Great job! P.S. Love seeing the photo of you in action on the IOS
19Yeah Jenna!
20I was surprised to see a noticeable difference between even a few pounds weight loss. Its very motivating and inspiring to see. I really think you look rockin now! no matter how many pounds come and go- you are so vibrant and beautiful! (the new darker do really looks gorgeous too!)
I’m with several others- you can really tell the difference in your face. Your gorgeous cheekbones are starting to pop and the line of your jaw is more defined.
A suggestion for exercise- one of the hardest at home workouts I’ve ever done is the Jillian Michaels’ “No More Trouble Zones”. It might make it easier to fit into your day, because you can break it up into 10 minute segments, or do an entire (butt kicking) workout for 45 including a cooldown. It is *hard*, and combines cardio with strength training. I was in pretty good shape when I did it and was dripping sweat and was so. sore. the next day.
You’re doing great and you should be very proud! You’re halfway to your “make a 2nd baby” goal weight now, right?
21You are doing great Jenna
You are great motivation that is for sure. And like you, the exercise portion isn’t one of my forte.
22You look so great! I am currently pregnant with my second and feeling bigger and bigger everyday and more and more worried about the afterlife of baby #2! But you are such an inspiration and look beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing!
23Good job! I am so glad you are seeing progress! My mom has tried everything to keep her weight within reason and so I know how hard it is to try to get to a target range.
It’s nice to see your progress! Kudos!
How much weight did you lose before you got married again? What is your current weight goal? (I might have read passed it quickly- sorry if you repeat yourself… my baby is napping so I am quickly trying to do “me” stuff!) ;o)
Jenna Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 6:30 pm
I lost 50 lbs before I got married, and my goal weight is somewhere around 150. We’ll see how I look when I get there
Yay! Congrats! You look great.
This motivates me. I have been slacking on working out. I was hiking and walking everyday since Europe and then I started working and I just want to eat dinner and sleep when I get home. I need to be better!!
25Hi Jenna. I don’t comment often but I just had to stop by and say that you look fabulous!! Good job on all the hard work.
26Great job! You can really tell in your face in the second to last photo. You’re beautiful in all of them of course thought
I started adding recipes to our blog when a friend of mine wanted to learn how to cook healthier meals. Although lately I’ve had to throw in sweets since we do try to “health” those up a bit with whole wheat flour, etc. when we can.
Have you tried Jillian’s videos? I like the 30 days shred & her new yoga dvd - definitely NOT a 90 minute commitment. You’re doing so great with your dedication to eating well I bet you could do the same with exercise
Keep up the great work!
Gogo Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 5:12 pm
I like the 30 Day Shred too. Mostly because 20 minutes is totally doable time-wise but it is also a good workout. I know, Jenna, you’ve said you dislike dramatic weight loss claim she makes for it, which I agree with. For me, though, the quality of the exercise I get from it outweighs the silly “promise.”
I love your honesty, the rawness, and your charisma Jenna.
28Keep up the good work, you can DOOOOOO it!
Well done! You look fabulous and very happy, there is nothing like reaching a goal no matter how big or small. Here’s to the next 25! You can do it!
29I’m really happy for you. I think you’ve made awesome progress and I’m proud of the way you’re eating-I think you’re making really smart choices. I’m in the same boat as you as far as eating quite healthily but being disinclined to work out. I walk a mile each day to school, but I’m otherwise bad about working out over the past six months. I am fairly slender but I can tell that I’ve put on a bit of weight that I don’t think I’ll be able to get rid of without getting into a better workout routine.
Good call on buying clothes in smaller sizes-I actually don’t weigh myself at all because I can get sort of down about the number itself, and I mostly go by how my clothes are fitting. I’m sure it’s exciting to put on a smaller pair of pants!
30Good job! I agree with pp, your face is definitely where you can see it the most. That’s how I am, too!
31My goal when I was pregnant with Dorothy was not to break 200 pounds, and I weighed 200 when I checked into the hospital, so SUCCESS! I’m back down to 165 now, and while it’s a place I’m comfortable, I’m not done losing yet. Shooting 15 weddings since the baby was born has definitely helped, though. There’s no workout like a wedding day workout!
Yay Jenna! Great job!
32Yay for you! That’s awesome. I know how hard it is to lose weight, though I don’t have the baby so it’s definitely easier for me to get to the gym. Keep it up!
33Jenna, I think you are doing so great! I was at about 220 when Molly was born (ugh, a horrible number to even type). I lost 25 pounds right after she was born (although she was only 8 pounds, so that gives you an idea of the amount of swelling that was happening), and guess how much I weigh now, 5 months after she was born? 195…the exact same! I really admire what you are doing - it is harder than you can imagine to lose weight and keep up healthy habits for yourself when the only thing you can think about is your sweet little baby! Keep up the great work and keep inspiring us!
34You look fantastic!!!!
35Congrats Jenna!
36Nice work, Jenna! You’re doing great!! And you look great too.
37Jenna,
Congratulations! You look great,even though you might not be at your goal yet. Look at it this way, a slow and steady loss is probably much more likely to be a permanent lifestyle change.
I go through phases of loving green monsters - my favorite is baby spinach, vanilla soy milk, frozen banana, and peanut butter.
38Love the last picture ;-). I didn’t say it to you when I met you because I thought it might be awkward to bring it up, but you really do look great!
39Congrats!
40congrats!! you look great! I am so impressed with how healthy you’ve been eating while adjusting to life as a mom (and a big move to Chicago!). It’s inspiring me! And the great thing is that with a slow steady rate of weight loss, you are much more likely to keep it off!
I’ve been trying to make adjustments to my own diet, currently focusing on cutting sugar. Like you I’m trying not to let myself have any unless I make it myself. Unfortunately I just baked a bunch of pumpkin cookies - a healthy version with oats and whole wheat flour - but they are addictive! Guess it’s good that I don’t bake too frequently.
oh and I love green smoothies, thanks for sharing that site - so many recipes to try. It’s hard to get myself to drink them when it’s cold though!
41You look beautiful, Jenna - but then you did while pregnant & pp too. Congratulations and great work, such an inspiration!
42You look fabulous! Congratulations on all of that hard work!
43As always, you look beautiful!
44You are gorgeous! Congratulations on your progress, it isn’t easy.
This is going to sound horrid, but I’m totally jealous of how you carry your weight. I gain five pounds and I have a double chin. I know it has more to do with my posture than how I actually am gaining weight. But still. I love your confident beauty that outshines any fluff.
45congratulaions! you look great!
46Im not sure if you are already a part of the Mothering Magazine forums, but if not I feel like you would fit in well there. It is a whole forum dedicated to natural/attachment parenting and lifestyles. mothering.com/discussions. ANYWAY, the reason why I am posting this is because I started a postpartum weight loss group on there back in April (my ds was born in march) and we have all had a lot of great progress. I wasn’t sure if you’d even have time to post somewhere else, but it is a great place to stay accountable and talk or vent etc. I personally know my husband gets so annoyed lately when I talk about my weight, so it is nice to have a little safe haven online where I can share my trials and progresses. The link to that is http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/1275955/postpartum-weight-loss-november. Check it out if you want.
That being said, I think you look AMAZING. Really Jenna, you are one of those lucky women who really do look beautiful at any weight. I have HONESTLY never seen a picture of you where I have thought that you look bad. I was the one who posted on formspring about also ending my pregnancy at 220, and I am at 140 now. I can tell you that at 220 I didn’t look NEARLY as good as you did, and at 182, I certainly looked like I had a long way to go, and you look healthy and great! You are doing amazing, and I know you will reach your goal! I am trying to lose these last 5lbs, and you truly inspire me!
47The difference is visible, both in your face and the stomach. So way to go! My mom is a dietician and always told me it’s better to loose slowly, I think as someone mentionned above because it’s more of a lifestyle difference than a quick diet.
Exercising can be hard, or at least to find the time for it. I used not too, but then realized I was really out of shape when my 40 years old sister om law had no problem doing a work out on a cruise and I was sweating and puffing. So I’ve been motivated since, started running and using the work out exercises from that session with her.
What a difference, to me exercise is addictive because I feel better, less stressed.
You may not have time, but there are little things you can do, like park the car at the end of the parking lot and walk to the store. Walk to every location you can from your house. And could you maybe take a small walk with TH and T1 in the evening, just enjoy a stroll with them around the neighborhood, a way to have quality time together but also stretch the legs?
48You look beautiful Jenna! Congrats on all the weight loss!
Alex and I have the same policy about keeping junk food in the house - we just don’t buy it! We occasionally get chips and salsa if we have people coming over but other than that no chips, no candy, no cookies, not even pretzels. Our snacks consist of carrots & hummus or edamame. I’m just like you - if the option is there I will eat and eat and eat. Yuck.
Anyway, keep up the wonderful work!
49Congrats, Jenna! You really look awesome! It is so brave of you to post about this on your blog!
When I first started exercising it felt like a chore. Plus, with all the work I had it felt impossible to sneak away for an hour. But, once it became more routine it started to feel like a treat! When I don’t exercise I get grumpy and feel lethargic. I know it is super difficult to get over the hump and work it in to your day to day life, but I promise it won’t always feel like an annoyance!
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