Making a Game Plan

I feel like I could make goals until I blue in the face, but until she's actually here (she's being stubborn) - I feel like I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. So right now - all I can do, is make a game plan for keeping my sanity, being able to eat - and working towards being able to get back into the gym.

Staying Active Postpartum Pre-Gym

1. Let me make this clear. I do not intend to do anything serious until I am officially cleared by my doctor after I have the baby. The general recommendation is 6 weeks post-delivery - and longer if you have a c-section. Working out too soon can actually make your recovery period last longer; cause long-term damage to your stomach muscles; and, if you are breastfeeding, affect your milk supply. 

I fully planning on listening to my doctor and following what they say because you only get one body in this life - I can suck it up for 6 weeks and just freaking wait.

Having said that - my plan is to be able to reach 7,000 steps per day. I have a FitBit and I fully intend on wearing it so I can see that I stay somewhat active while at home with the baby. 7,000 steps doesn't mean running a marathon or pushing myself to much - it's a goal I'd like to reach everyday to know that I am moving and not just watching Scandal on Netflix (oh come on, you know you want to be Olivia Pope's best friend to)

While I would really love to be able to take 30 minute walks throughout the day- A is due in February and well...it's too damn cold out for that. Not to mention, the ridiculous amount of snow on the ground.

Eating

This weekend, the hubs and I will be buying, prepping and storing 36 freezer crockpot meals. (crazy say what?). So I'll be upfront. I did not choose these meals for anything else other than (1) the recipes looked good and (2) the blogger is amazing and put the list and shopping list together. Boom. 

Of all the things I do not have misgivings about - I am definitely not in the mindset of "oh yeah I'll take care of a newborn and then cook a great meal at night." So I want to be able to be sure that we eat - and we eat a large meal. It also stems from, the hubs will be studying for a huge exam in April. So we want to be as prepared as we can be for dinner.

I also stocked up on Honey Nut Cheerios for an attempt at a consistent breakfast that isn't cream cheese with a side of bagel.

Not sure what I'll do for lunch yet -- possibly pre-make salads or do a fruit smoothie or maybe a protein shake.

As for snacks, I have crackers -- and am planning on making Jamie Eason's LiveFit Recipes: Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Crisp bars - because yummmm


I feel like my nutrition and getting cravings for stuff that isn't so great for you will be my greatest hurtle to leap over.

 

image via

Cookies with chocolate frosting is not a socially acceptable meal but I'll be damned - it's so delicious. 

I guess there are a lot of truths in making my ambition and my goals so public. I never needed to diet - until after college. I put on weight and was lazy and only discovered in the last year how fun and fulfilling working out can be. And now that I've discovered that? I want to harness it more. I also see all the female imagery that is out there for females and I want to show my daughter that I motivated myself for the right reasons after baby: for health, for happiness...for myself.

I want to be able to get back to freshman year college weight and be able to bench with my husband and enjoy the crap out of kickboxing.

I read an article on BodyBuilding.com and the woman said...

I wanted to embark on a challenge that I'd never done. I desired to live my life with passion. I wanted to feel empowered and live a long, healthy life. I wanted to be an example of willpower to my daughter. I felt drawn in and excited. I knew this journey was meant to be, so I decided to run with it and gave it my all.

I feel like she read my mind!

Well. All we need to baby A to make her appearance and I can start.