The other night I went out with my best friend. I was so excited & hardly had time to think about what I was going to wear. After all, it was my first girl’s night out and I was more excited about that so I really forgot to look in my closet to see what I had to wear.
My friend came over and we looked in my closet, trying to find something for me to wear. I have a lot of clothes… I mean, a lot. However I do not own any “fat” clothes.
And since I just had a baby, this really sucks. Big time.
All of my pants range from a size 2 to a size 6. All of my shirts are x-small or small. This is the extent of my closet.
Do you have any idea how frustrating it was to look through tons and tons of cute clothes, while knowing damn well that nothing will fit? Plus, we were going out that night and what was I going to wear? I surely didn’t want to sport any maternity wear that night.
I had so many shirts that still had the price tags on them. I bought them right before finding out I was pregnant, so I never had the chance to wear them. My friend ripped the tag right off of one and wore it. Oh, it was so cute!
I tried on shirts and they were too snug for my liking. I knew that I wouldn’t feel comfortable in them, but the real kicker was my favorite pair of jeans.
I held up said jeans and my friend said, “Those were the jeans that you loved? They look so small.” I said, “Just for fun I’m going to try them on.” (And by “fun”, I really meant “torture”.)
Without one word of a lie, the right pant leg fit only to my right knee. Oh and I guess I’ll be honest and tell you that they were very tight fitting from my right knee down to my ankle. Why was it that I was pregnant all over my body instead of just in my stomach?
In fear of ripping my favorite jeans, I quickly took those pants off and asked my friend if she wanted to try them on too. She was a lot smarter than me and quickly said that she didn’t. Smart, smart girl.
I found another pair of jeans, skinny ones that looked even smaller. Seriously they looked like they belonged to an 8th grader. I did not dare put those bad boys on.
So all of that has been excellent motivation for me to exercise. I have dealt with the postpartum depression. I understand Monkey’s schedule right now. I have mastered getting the dishes & laundry done daily. I have also conquered my nightly glass of wine that I look forward to daily.
Now I am ready to tackle losing all of this damn baby weight. It grosses me out to way this much, but to feel so flabby. Yesterday I went to buy a pair of running shoes & everyone (I mean, everyone) at the store was in shape. Like really toned, skinny, and just perfect. Ahhh, that used to be me. (Insert sad face here.)
Instead of getting all sorry for myself though, it provides great motivation for me. So today is just another day in which I will exercise. I am determined to lose this baby weight and be in shape… and hopefully (keeping my fingers crossed) fitting back into my beloved True Religion jeans.
PS – Is anyone interested in an online exercise group on the next post where we can just be held accountable for exercising each day. It helps me to be accountable & perhaps we can learn a thing or two from one another. It’ll be fun & I hope that it will motivate you to do a little exercise each day too!
You might also want to read:
- Postpartum weight loss update… if you want to even call it an update
- My grandmother’s shock about maternity clothes
- Exercise is my prescription for having a good day
- Secrets on how to lose weight and belly after pregnancy: Tarzan interviews Jane about weight loss after your baby
- What kind of maternity jeans do/did you prefer when pregnant? Low-rise, full panel, semi-panel, etc
= a post from Mommy Jane 
= a post from Daddy Tarzan
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Don’t beat yourself up if you never fit back into them. I’m now ten pounds LESS than I was when I got pregnant with my older son, but those old jeans… they don’t fit. Pregnancy and birth does things to your hips, so sometimes, you just have to give in and buy jeans with a slightly different fit. I can still wear the same size I used to wear, but jeans that sit right on the hips are a thing of the past for me!;p
Oh lady, I am still struggling with my baby weight too. I am still 20 pounds heavier than I was when I conceived. I am trying to find the time to work out, but I work 50 hours a week and have an adorable (and teething) almost 6 month old baby to tend when I am not at the day job. It is so hard. I am trying to be patient, but it is hard when you only have 5 things that fit you, ya know?
Good luck and you aren’t alone!
My daughter is 16 months old, and while I weigh the same as I did before I got pregnant with her (still too much, in my opinion) I’m shaped totally different. It’s been rough getting used what I refer to as “this body.” As opposed to “that body” I guess – the body that I knew before I got pregnant. I know I could be doing more to get in shape, since I haven’t been all that motivated (so, way to go for being motivated so quickly! That ROCKS!) but sometimes I feel like no matter what I do, I won’t ever look the way I did before.
Ugh, I caved and went and bought $150 worth of clothes 2 sizes bigger than my pre-pregnancy size. I just couldn’t bear to wear maternity clothes any longer and just wanted something that fit, no matter the size. Now, those clothes are getting looser. I figure I can use them after the next baby too.
Now, I’m doing Weight Watchers to help get things going. Even though I’m breast feeding, it’s not melting right off, so I’ve gotta work at it
OMG…I thought it was just me! I gained 45, lost 25 but this last 20 won’t go away. Honestly I’m not trying very hard, but I’m about ready to. I have a closetful of the same sizes you do…and my husband finally asked me the other day why I’m still wearing my maternity pants or yoga pants, and I had to fess up. I’m still breastfeeding my 12 week old and I thought the weight would melt off….no such luck!
Hun it takes awhile your barely 2 months post partum. You’ve mastered a lot, housework, schedule, dealing with PPD. Shit most women don’t get that crap together for a loooong time. I didn’t get my PPD into check until 6.5 mths PP. And your only suppose to begin exercising 6 weeks PP. Give yourself a pat on the back for what you have accomplisehd. The empire waiste is in, rock it for awhile.
ditto sister.
i have lost 35 of the 48 pounds i gained (my son is 9 weeks old). i swear, half of what i have left to shed is in my gigando milk bags (they have grown to enormous proportions since the beginning of this entire journey – used to be 34D, and now 36 F. ugh.). the other half has settled into my j-lo area. it’s amazing how 13 pounds can arrange itself so that nothing fits, or what fits also makes me look like a prostitute.
i’d be happy to join in the exercise post. i like routines and accountability. neither of which i have right now!
Had my little boy the same day as you and am going through the same thing
I have a closet full of tiny clothes that I will never fit in again! I finally broke down and bought some ‘in between’ clothes the other day, just to have jeans I could fit into. They were twice (literally) the size of the jeans I used to wear…and they still give me a muffin top. It’s depressing. I’m tired of wearing maternity tops, but I’ll admit that I still do. Hell, even my SHOES don’t fit. My entire closet is at high risk of being dumped at the nearest Goodwill just so I don’t have to stare at cute clothes I can’t wear! At least you’re out there doing something about it – I still haven’t mastered the art of getting much done during the day, and so I end up sitting on the couch hoping the inches will just fall off. Like that’s gonna work!
darling, I will be an accountability partner. Give me a few weeks & I’ll be right there with you because we’re talking Harrison-pregnancy-weight, plus the 10 lbs I gained between the babies. Plus the 10 lbs I needed to lose before I even considered getting knocked up.
I understand how you feel and I would love to join you in an accountability group! My second son is 7 weeks old today. (I also have a 3 year old.) I go back to work in 5 weeks and will have NOTHING to wear if I don’t get busy – today!
Jane,
Exercise will make you feel better about yourself as well. Currently I’m pregnant and I take my dog (who is 20 pounds overweight thanks to my fiance) for a mile and a half walk everyday, rain or shine. He loves it and it makes me feels great too!! Good luck!
I would love to do a workout club but I’ve still got 2 months to go plus the recovery time before I can work on shedding the baby weight. I miss my cute tops and jeans, too, and I know it will be a while before I can wear them again (if ever). I started this pregnancy with some serious abs of steel (I took lots of “core” fitness classes last year) and I miss them, too. *sigh* Did you manage to find something nice to wear for your night out?
I’m hoping you actually found something to wear eventually and didn’t just go out in the buff.
And that sounds like great motivation to me. Best of luck working out and getting back in shape.
I’ve never had a lot of weight to loose before I had my son. But after he was born I had 25 lbs of flab to loose, so I totally understand. What really helped me was working out with him. I’d work out on the eliptical trainer, while wearing the baby in a sling or in the Snuggli carrier. He’d get a great nap, and I’d get a workout. And the workouts got harder as he got heavier
Sounds good to me. Even though the weight comes off, after two babies, my stomach just doesn’t want to go back to where it used to be. I’ve been exercising most days (my motivation is that it is hilarious to watch my 2 year do yoga with me) but that pooch stubbornly remains. Oh, and I am with Kiki and the amazing growing boobs thing; button down shirts? Fugget aboud it (at least for a year)!
A friend of mine who is the mother of two told me “it took 9 months for your body to get there, you need another 9 months to get back”. I think that’s great advice.
I second that first comment. I’m my pre-pregnancy weight, but most of my pre-pregnancy clothes don’t fit. My boobs are too big while nursing, my belly is a bit soft, and my hips? I have no idea what happened to those suckers, but I just tell myself people are looking at my baby, not my butt.
Don’t stress about the wait it WILL come off if you work hard, i promise! I’m pregnant with my 7th and I exercise throughout the whole pregnancy and start up again about 6 weeks after. Each time after about 4-5 months I return to my normal weight. I do a lot of running and yoga…but my favorite is stroller strides. Its a class for expecting and new moms its soo much fun and you get to workout with your baby. You might want to see if there are any classes in your area. I hope this helps a little good luck
Count me in for the accountability post!
Yeah, my old jeans dont fit up my legs and last night I put on my boots and COULD NOT ZIP THEM! I have always had very small calves and now I cant even zip my boots or wear my wedding rings! Given, it’s only been a month, but I doubt this scale is gonna budge. I always have the hardest time losing weight even though I exercise all the time and eat pretty healthy. And the Zoloft doesnt help either. I am all for an online exercise group!
I pulled my clothes out too and their are a couple pairs of jeans I love that I just can’t fit into. I’ve lost 35 lbs since the babyt but I give…. I know there is no way I will be a size 0 again and I am not even going to try to be that small-it just wasn’t healthy. I can almost do up a couple pairs of size 4 that will be my quest. TIP: when you walk/sit hold your stomach in as tight as you can -hold for 30 sec-let it out-it does more than any sit up ever thought about.
I am in for online fitness group. I have to do something. Had my baby girl on July 2nd. She’s my 3rd child but doing this in my 30s wasn’t the best idea I’ve had in my life. My other two were born in my 20s and the recovery was just a lot easier. Tired of feeling like a stuffed sausage in all my clothes.
Good for you to be motivated about it — but don’t stress! You’re working on something WAY more important… a life with little Monkey. While I’m sure the two aren’t mutually exclusive, cut yourself some slack as you adjust to this schedule. You are doing awesome!
Hi Jane,
I know this is totally off-topic, but I wanted to put this comment somewhere you would see it.
I have been reading your blog for months and loving it. I love how honest and real you guys are. Plus, you are totally cute and hilarious.
I am six weeks postpartum with my first baby, and will hopefully be getting the ok from my doctor to resume sexual activities tomorrow. However, I am still really nervous about it, and about the potential for pain and/or bleeding. I remember that you mentioned your concerns about it before your 6-week appointment, but I don’t think you ever wrote a follow-up to tell us how it went.
I would love to hear your perspective on it because I know it will be the truth about an actual experience and what to expect, and not just what my doctor or a book tells me might happen.
Anyway, it is of course totally up to you if you want to write about it or not. I just thought I would throw it out there as a suggestion because I always appreciate your words of advice.
Oh, and I am soooooo happy to hear how great you are doing with the PPD! You sound like a terrific mom, and I’m so glad that you are able to enjoy your precious little Monkey.
I had the same problem with Adia, but give yourself time. By her 1st birthday, I was 20lbs below my prepreg weight and wearing several sizes smaller. However, I had to get rid of most of my shirts because they were all way too short. I think that’s what frustrates me the most. My torso didn’t get longer so why are all my shirts too short? I can understand pants and skirts not fitting.
This time, I’m below my prepreg weight with the twins, but once again, things don’t fit quite right. I’m in my larger jeans, which sucks, but I know I can and will lose the weight again.
Jane, Count me in I am feeling so Low today, I have appointment with early childhood people today for bubba’s 8 week check up and I feel like a fat cow I still feel and look like I am 4 months pregnant and it is bugging me so much that today is the da i start new healthy habits start excersing every day and get my arse into gear… I live 10 min walk from the beach so i think I am going to start with walking down to the beach and back up trhe killer hill everyday i need to be held accountable thou as I have zero mativation
Hi Jane,
I’m definitely in for online accountability. I was a size 10 pre-pregnancy (I’m now 5 weeks post-partum). I went to the GAP today to get a pair of jeans to wear until I lose weight. I couldn’t fit in to any jeans in the store. It was frustrating but motivating.
Have you tried the “30 Day Shred” video from Jillian Michaels (from The Biggest Loser). It is a HARD CORE high-intesity workout in 20 minutes. If you don’t believe me, check out the amazon.com reviews. I’m planning on starting up with it again soon. I figure I can do it while baby sleeps. If anyone is interested in doing 30 days of the shred with me, let me know.
First of all, let me say that I totally understand the negative feelings around the added baby weight and the frustration around not fitting into pre-pregnancy clothes. My son is almost 4 months old and even though I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight and am finally able to wear some of my older pants, they do not fit the same and feel uncomfortable. My body has changed and I am feeling *really* flabby. I think the “in-between” clothes stage is the toughest. None of your pre-preg clothes fit, but you can’t keep wearing maternity clothes. What do you do?? I also went out and bought a few things that I felt cute in, but in a larger size to help get me through this transition time. I think it’s important to feel good about the clothes you wear and you will feel better about yourself wearing cute clothes that fit instead of cute clothes that don’t fit, even if you have to wear a bigger size for a bit.
But here’s the other thing….we are being WAY too hard on ourselves and have WAY to high of expectations. Our bodies did an amazing thing for 9 months. After giving birth, many are also breast feeding, not to mention hormones are readjusting. To expect that you would grow and carry a baby for 9 months and then just quickly go back to the way your body was is pretty silly.
So, I am all for exercising and helping hold each other accountable and getting in better shape, but let’s also be compassionate with ourselves and remember that it took 9 months for our bodies to get the way they were. It is not crazy to think it would take some time for it to shift back. Remember to acknowledge and honor your body for the amazing job it did and the amazing gift it brought you!
Hey Jane!
I am 4 weeks PP and though I am currently below my pre-pregnancy weight by about 5 lbs, my tummy is still very loose (had a c-section). I just began walking a bit every day, so i would LOVE to be a part of any exercise group you begin to be held accountable! I’m a professional dancer, so I need to get my body back in shape ASAP so I can begin dancing again and get my career back on track!
I have also been suffering with PPD, and with the help of meds and a schedule, I’m feleing MUCH better! It’s great to be feeling good again, though I do have some rough days! Thanks for your honesty and encouragement!
I am 9 weeks pp and OMG i am there with you, I have been at that last ten pounds for four weeks, cardio cardio weights weights, me on the scale, I am pretty sure i am going to have to throw it across my bathroom, i havent crossed that line quite yet, but its coming, i actually had a dream about bread…..who dreams of eating bread? I dont even want to cook dinner any more after countless weeks of eating chicken breast and steamed veggies, thise size 0 and 2 jeans are in the basement, im not even going there untill i know with out a doubt that i am going to have the satisfaction of pulling those bad boys up over my little waist and BAM! Ugh, we are all so hard on ourselves!Bring on the exercise group!
An online exercise group would be great- where do I sign up?!