Back in the saddle again (...of exercising)

Well, it's time.  After 4 months of no exercise, I've decided to get back in the saddle and get rid of this baby weight. 

Before I got pregnant, I looked like this:

Then, after 9 months of pregnancy, I looked like this:

  

Now, four months post pregnancy, I look like this:

Hm.  Apparently I like to change my hair color and style a lot.  Anyway...

Let's put those side by side, shall we??

Hmm.  It's a work in progress.  In my pre-pregnancy shot, I'm weighing in at 125 pounds and wearing a size 2 jean.  In my post-pregnancy shot, I'm weighing in at a weight I'd rather die than post not 125 and (I think in that picture) wearing a size 6 pant.  That was a month ago that I took the picture, and today I fluctuate anywhere between a size 4 pant and a size 6.  I'm somewhere in the middle.  Definitely can't even look at the size 2 jeans pictured above.  I can barely get one leg in. 

For the past four months, I haven't really thought about it.  I'm breastfeeding, and that required good hydration and good food and nutrition.  So I've been focusing on that.  Yes, I would like to lose the weight, but I'm not looking to get back down to 125.  I gained a lot of weight during pregnancy (I couldn't even tell you how much because I stopped looking somewhere in the 2nd trimester) and my doctor said that was likely due to my petite frame growing a very non petite (10 pound, 7 ounce) baby.  I wasn't technically underweight before, but I was close, and my doctor would like to see me stay in the 130-135 range. 

And that's fine by me. 

So now I just need to motivate myself and stay accountable until I get there.  I've always been an exercise junkie.  I really love it.  In the summers when I didn't work, I'd go to the gym every morning and just regulate my body with a hot, sweaty, can't-sit-for-the-rest-of-the-week workout.  And I loved it.  During pregnancy, I worked out every single day until my 38th week of pregnancy.  And I gave birth at 39 weeks to the day.  I have no doubt in my mind I can do this. 

In the new year, I've decided to take advantage of my husband's insurance benefits and sign up for Weight Watchers.  Not because I want to lose some massive amount of weight, but because I want the accountability of watching what I eat and being aware of what I eat.  With a baby around, it's too easy to just grab something quick for lunch rather than making something nutritious.  Same way with dinner.  It's not impossible, just more difficult.  I've also cleared all the boxes off the treadmill started working out in the evenings, which is already making me feel more invigorated and motivated.  I'm also hoping that a certain someone (hi honey, I love you!) will buy me a gym membership for Christmas.  There's just something about getting in the car to go to the gym that I love and can't replicate in my garage. 

So that's my plan.  I've been making dinner menus each week and sticking to it so that I can make sure we are eating good food rather than quick food.  I've done Christmas baking but given away all the spoils to keep those temptations out of my hands.  I've stocked our fridge with fruits and veggies that are ready for snackin'.

And so here we go!  I'm planning to blog once a week at least twice a month about my progress so I can stay accountable.  Wish me luck!!