The Slow Carb Diet

FINALLY! After months of eating well and exercising, I've lost all the baby weight (and then some!) How did I do it? The slow carb diet.

[Disclaimer: I've done ZERO research on this diet. I simply tried it because a friend of mine was doing it and it was working well for him. At that point, I was desperate to try anything because it'd been months since I had Noah and I was actually gaining weight instead of losing it. So I don't claim to know the ins and outs of this diet, nor the science behind why it works. All I know is that it worked for me. For more detailed information on this diet, check here and here.]

Pre-pregnancy: 115 pounds

Highest weight during pregnancy: 150 pounds

Two weeks postpartum (no dieting, no exercise, just nursing): 125 pounds

Three months postpartum (no dieting, no exercise, no nursing): 130 pounds (yes, I actually gained weight)

Nine months postpartum: 116 pounds (almost my pre-pregnancy weight!)

13 months postpartum: 109 pounds (less than my pre-pregnancy weight!!!)

(In case you're wondering what that mark is near my belly button, it's actually a scar I got from ironing. A little bit of steam shot out of the iron and burned my skin. The scar has since faded quite a bit, and is pretty much unnoticeable in the last picture).

I didn't actually start the slow carb diet until June. I did start working out in January, about three months after Noah was born. However, I still wasn't eating well (I was pretty much eating as if I were still pregnant). As you can see in the photos above, from January through May, not much had changed. It wasn't until I started eating better that I began to notice a significant difference in my body.

Here are the basics of the slow carb diet: 6 days out of the week, eat three meals that consist only of lean proteins and veggies. Avoid any type of carb or sugar, even from fruit. On the 7th day, you get a cheat day, meaning you can eat whatever you want. Fill up on carbs and sugar on this day because, trust me, you'll need it for the rest of the week. Oftentimes, I felt weak because I was strictly eating meat and veggies - no sugar to help me feel energized. You are, however, allowed to drink diet sodas and diet teas, so I (very) occasionally drank those if I needed to taste something sweet. Here's what I typically ate during the week:

Egg Whites mixed with One Yolk and Spinach, and Two Slices of Turkey Bacon (for breakfast every morning)

Grilled Pork with Arugula Salad (recipe)

Chipotle Shrimp with Avocado Salsa (recipe)

Chicken Marsala with Asparagus (from Carrabbas)

Grilled Chicken with Asparagus

Barbecue Chicken with Oven Roasted Corn

Baked Lemon Chicken with Oven Roasted Corn and Black Beans

Grilled Steak with Broccoli and Black Beans

Baked Chicken with Guacamole and Black Beans

Grilled Chicken mixed with Pico De Gallo, Guacamole, and Black Beans

Baked Tilapia with Squash

Grilled Steak Salad (from Chipotle) 

Grilled Tilapia with Pico De Gallo and Asparagus

Grilled Steak with Mixed Veggies

Chicken Lettuce Wraps (from Mama Fu's)

As you can see, a lot of what I ate was grilled or baked, accompanied with a side of veggies. Oftentimes, I simply bought frozen veggies in the steamer bags that you can quickly and easily microwave. So yes, this diet is BORING. I will not sit here and pretend that this was easy. It wasn't. I craved bad food every day, but I just kept reminding myself of the end goal.

I only did the slow carb diet for a solid month, but being on this diet taught me a lot about eating healthier. And I actually got used to eating better. To this day, I still eat egg whites and two slices of turkey bacon every single morning. Then for lunch I either eat baked tilapia or chicken with a side of veggies (every Sunday I prepare all my lunches for the week so I'm not tempted to eat anything else). I eat good during the day so I can eat bad at night. So dinnertime (and the weekends) are pretty much my "cheat" days, meaning I don't watch what I eat...that much. I don't completely indulge, but I do treat myself to some cookies or ice cream every now and then. I still try to eat healthy whenever possible, so I'll opt for a side of veggies with my meals, whereas before I used to eat potatoes, pasta, or rice. I drink water at every meal, with the occasional sweet tea. So is it hard? Absolutely. Do I wish I could eat cookies all day? Pretty much every single second of every day. So do I ever indulge? Of course. I'm only human, but everything in moderation. 

In addition to eating better, I also worked out. A LOT. I was exercising about 4-5 days a week. Here's a breakdown of a typical workout week: Monday - cardio and pushing movements (bench press, military press, dips, push ups, etc), Tuesday - cardio and core (sit-ups, crunches, planks, etc), Wednesday - cardio and pulling movements (pull-ups, rows, curls, etc), Thursday - cardio and core, Friday - core and legs (squats, lunges, leg curls, leg extensions, etc), Saturday and Sunday - rest.

I think a huge part of my success didn't come from just eating well or exercising - it was the support I got. My husband was with me every step of the way and the absolute BEST support system. Honestly, I don't think I've ever done anything harder. Not that it was physically hard - it was  just emotionally hard because it took SO much willpower, and oftentimes I felt discouraged because I never thought I would get my body back. But John was always there supporting me. Even when I felt like I didn't look my best, he ALWAYS told me I was beautiful. And that love and support really encouraged me and helped me stay motivated every step of the way. 

Keep in mind that this is what worked for me. Tailor this diet and these exercises to fit your needs and your body type. And get a great support system! Close friends and family are the best. For whatever reason (jealousy, spite?) people will try to drag you down along the way. Acquaintances, coworkers, and strangers will scoff and roll their eyes at your efforts and what you're eating, but just ignore them! Do what's best for you and what makes you feel GREAT! Good luck!

Baby Bump and a New Car: Week 39

39 Weeks

With the upcoming birth of our first baby, John and I decided it was time to buy a new car. We opted for the Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE. I think this is the best car for us because we drive SO much and it's got great gas mileage (about 40 mpg). 

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt and shorts from the Gap

Sandals from American Eagle

I love that we took this picture. I think it will be a nice memory to share with Lil Bit one day when he gets older ("Look son! Here's Mom and Dad the day before your due date. We bought this car so we could have a safer ride for you - our first family car!") 

Due to my car accident, we decided to go ahead and trade in my 2000 Toyota Celica. We got a pretty decent trade-in value ($1000). We also received a $2600 check from the insurance company to fix the damages, but we decided to use that money as a down payment for the new car. My Mom says the accident was a blessing in disguise because we actually got a lot more for the Celica than we would have gotten in its pre-accident condition. John and I had been talking about buying a new car for months (probably even well over a year now), but the accident became the ultimate catalyst for us to make this all-important purchase.

We dropped the Celica off this morning at the dealership, where I gave it an emotional farewell. It was a feisty little car that's gotten me through a lot over the last 12 years. I've had it since I was 16 and I always told myself I would keep it for as long as it worked. Although still drivable, it was definitely time to let it go so I could get a safer, more practical car for Lil Bit. 

Push Present

39 Weeks

What I'm Wearing:

Dress by Banana Republic

Scarf by Missoni for Target

I read recently that Kristin Cavallari received an Hermes Birkin bag as a "push present." I'd never heard of a push present before, so I curiously looked it up. Apparently, it's a present that a "father gives a mother to mark the occasion of her giving birth to their child." When I read this, I thought, "Ooh! I get a present for this?!" So I got to thinking of a wish list. Here are some things I've been eyeing that I think will make excellent push presents (so John, if you're reading this, take notes!).

Michael Kors Fulton Harness Boots

$295

www.belk.com

I actually had my Mom try these on for me the other day since my feet are so swollen right now and I wouldn't be able to accurately assess whether these boots would fit me. Since we are the same shoe size, I figured she could tell me how they fit. I'd read several reviews online saying that the calf runs very narrow. Sure enough, my Mom (who has small calves) was unable to zip them up, even after sizing up 2 sizes. Who are they boots made for?! Anyway, I still love them and hope to try them for myself once the baby is born and the swelling goes down. I'm still holding out hope for these!

Orla Kiely Multi Stem Microslim Umbrella

$59

www.orlakiely.com

What a great way to cheer up a rainy day.

Kate Spade Darian Jacket

On sale $162.50

www.katespade.com

I actually found this jacket while shopping at the Kate Spade outlet this weekend. I am obsessed! It's beyond adorable and I love the scalloped edges. It was marked at $325, but with an additional 50% off. They only had sizes 00, 8, and 12. I tried on the 00, which fit, but the armholes were just a tad bit tight, which wouldn't leave room for much layering underneath. I'm not sure if this will fit better after the baby is born and I get back in shape. I searched for a size 0, but since it was an outlet store, there weren't many options. I think I can make the 00 work though. It's just such a cute jacket!

J. Crew French Hen Sweater

$98

www.jcrew.com

I'm really enjoying this french hen print that J. Crew has been adorning their clothes with lately.

AG Stevie Ankle

$168

www.anthropologie.com

I have the AG Stevie Ankle jeans in several colors already - green, yellow, polka dot. But I don't have a classic denim pair in this cut. Seeing as how these are my favorite pants to wear, I would love to own them in a plain denim color.

Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 Bandouliere

$1,110

www.louisvuitton.com

A girl can dream right?

Contractions?

38 Weeks

What I'm Wearing:

Ruched Stripes Tank by Ella Moss

Jacket by Cartonnier

Maternity jeans by Joe's

Friday afternoon, I started to feel very weird. I started to have these stomach cramps and I thought, "Could this be it?" But then I wasn't so sure. Everyone keeps telling me that contractions will be obvious. And to me, these weren't obvious. The fact that I was still questioning what I was feeling left me thinking that it wasn't the real deal yet. But a lot of people also tell me it'll start out feeling like menstrual cramps, which is exactly how I felt. But they were so inconsistent and only lasted for about an hour. Since then, I've had them on and off all weekend, but again, very inconsistently. My friend Kelsey tells me these sound more like Braxton Hicks contractions. I have this Hello Baby app on my iPad that I read every week and it further confirms that what I'm feeling could very well just be Braxton Hicks contractions. It says "if the contractions are irregular and go away when you change position or walk around, you are probably experiencing false labor." Darn. I was getting really excited, thinking Lil Bit could make his debut tonight. But then I kept reading and it said "Don't be fooled by the name, though - false labor can turn into real labor in a matter of minutes." Yay! There's still hope. I'm just getting to the point where I'm feeling very nervous and anxious and I just wanna meet him already and hold him in my arms. 

Baby Bump: Week 37

37 Weeks

What I'm Wearing:

Sidebent Tank from Anthropologie

Citizens of Humanity Dylan Boyfriend Jeans

Xhilaration Sandals from Target

Be Maternity BeBand from Target

Necklace from Banana Republic

The other day, I wrote about feeling large. Well, if it's possible, I actually feel even larger. In the past two days, I've successfully torn a hole in one of my tank tops, a strap in one of my dresses, and a strap in one of my sandals. I'm literally growing too big for all my clothes and my feet are getting more swollen everyday. After 8 1/2 months, I've finally accepted the fact that I'm much too big for my pre-pregnancy clothing. I've kept trying to convince myself that I could still fit into them, but it turns out I'm either just stretching them out or ruining them. Looks like I'm gonna stick to strictly maternity clothes for the next three weeks. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to fitting into my old clothes again!

Stuck

37 Weeks

What I'm Wearing:

Slung Sash Tee by Bailey 44

AG Stevie Polka Dot Ankle Pants

Sandals from American Eagle

At 37 weeks, my baby is now considered full-term, meaning I could give birth any day now. Being three weeks away from my due date also means that this is the largest I've ever felt. At my doctor's appointment today, I weighed in at 148 pounds, just two pounds away from my I-don't-wanna-pass-this-weight goal. Also, when I wore this outfit yesterday, I got many comments such as, "You still have three weeks left?! You look like you're ready to pop!" (sheesh, how fat do I look?) I'm thinking it has something to do with the top I'm wearing, which is very form-fitting and shows off my round belly, which was the look I was going for, but I wasn't trying to elicit exclamations of "You look so large!" Oh well, I guess that's to be expected.

Another reason why I feel so large lately is because I went to J. Crew the other night and found this really cute dress in my pre-pregnancy size 0. I knew I wouldn't be able to fit it over my belly, but I still wanted to try it on to see if the top portion would fit. So at first, it slipped on easily over my head, but it was a bit tight in the arms. As I was trying to take it off, I got...STUCK! I seriously could not pry that dress off me. So at that point I started to panic and sweat and I think that somehow made my skin expand even more, which made me more stuck! So I peeked out the fitting room door and motioned to the nearest female employee to help me out. She was totally sweet and helped me out of my dress while I felt compelled to repeatedly tell her that "size 0 is my normal size, really! It's just that I'm pregnant!" Needless to say, I did not purchase that dress. The employee even offered me a size 2, but at that point, I was no longer interested.

In addition to finding out my weight at my appointment today, the doctor also checked to see if I was dilated. It turns out I wasn't, but I am 30% effaced. I asked if all that was normal for someone as far along as me, and of course he gave me the 'ol "every woman is different" line, but he did leave me with this story: when his wife was 37 weeks pregnant, she was already 4 cm dilated, but didn't go into labor until 42 weeks pregnant. Now this was 35 years ago and he said they no longer wait past 40 weeks to induce labor. So Lil Bit will be here in no later than three weeks!

Baby Bump and Birthing Class: Week 36

36 Weeks

So this is probably one of my less inspired outfits, but John and I had an 8-hour birthing class yesterday and I wanted to be as comfy as possible.

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt from Gap Maternity

Seven For All Mankind maternity jeans from A Pea In The Pod

Scarf from Banana Republic

My feet have become so swollen that I find it difficult to wear shoes now. I wore these slippers to my class so I could easily slip them off. 

Slippers by Allihop

Yesterday, John and I took a birthing class at the hospital where I will be delivering. When we first signed up for this class about a month ago, they told us that we were really pushing it and waiting last minute and that we probably should have signed up for it a long time ago. A part of me did agree with this and think, "Why didn't we take this class over the summer when we were on break?!" but John pointed out that it's probably best to take the class closer to our due date so it's fresher in our minds. Plus, every other couple there was also due in about three weeks, so we were all in the same boat. 

We were instructed to bring a couple pillows with us for our comfort since we would be sitting on bean bag chairs all day. We also brought snacks with us, which was such a great idea since it was an all-day class and our lunch break wasn't until 1:30 pm. The class consisted largely of watching a PowerPoint Presentation and some video clips on labor. I mentally prepared myself for a very long, boring day so I think that somehow helped the time go a little faster. It honestly wasn't all that bad and I felt I learned a few things:

1. Swaddling is no longer recommended.

What?! Everyone has been telling me to swaddle my baby and now doctors are saying not to? The instructor told us that swaddling should only be used as a last resort, after trying to feed them, changing their diaper, or soothing them others ways have failed. I mentioned that a lot of people I know swaddle their babies when they put them to bed, and she said that is no longer recommended and that we should just put the baby in some pajamas with feet and hand covers. Oh boy, this gives me a lot to think about now...

2. There are many positions for giving birth.

I always thought that you just lay back on the bed, have your legs propped up, and you just push. Apparently, there are several ways you can give birth and we watched (in graphic detail) all of them. You can squat, stand on all fours like a dog, or lean forward on a bar that's attached to the bed. None of these looked particularly comfortable to me, but it's up to each individual woman what feels most comfortable to her. 

3. Labor looks awful.

So this is not something I just learned from my class yesterday, but I still feel the need to reiterate it here. It looks horrible, painful, and gross. Yes, I know this is supposed to be beautiful, the miracle of life, yadda yadda yadda, but I'm still completely disturbed by all the fluids and unflattering shots of women in these videos that we had to watch yesterday. I told myself that I wasn't going to watch, but it was like a train wreck - I just couldn't look away (John, on the other hand, had NO problem looking away. In fact, he was the only one that didn't watch). By watching the videos, I do feel more informed on what giving birth is like, but at the same time, I often find that I'm better off just not knowing. For example, every time I get a shot or have my blood drawn, I always look away because if I watch them put the needle in, then I will anticipate the pain and therefore feel that it's more painful than what it really is. I feel the same way about giving birth - better left in the dark and go in not knowing (ignorance is bliss right?)

4. Labor is looooong.

I knew before that labor would take several hours. I also already knew that having an epidural would make it even longer. But I didn't realize just how long it could go. We watched a video on this woman who decided to get an epidural at 3 cm, but she ended up being in labor for about 48 hours before she could start pushing. I always thought I would just go ahead and get the epidural right away. I have no desire to know what labor feels like and I was perfectly content waiting things out. But now I'm starting to change my mind. I'm going to try to rough it out for as long as I can (they recommend at least 5 cm) before I get the epidural. Yes, I understand this will be painful and difficult, but there's a tradeoff - pain for seeing your baby sooner. In fact, the instructor had a good analogy - if you do one sit up, there's no payoff, but if you do 50 "Rocky" sit ups in a row, you start to feel pain, but you start to see results. Same idea here - "no pain, no gain."

We learned other miscellaneous things in the class such as breathing exercises, different birthing plans, and how to change a diaper. The instructor gave us a doll to practice on and I kept laughing at how John was handling it - he was treating the doll as, well, a doll - throwing it around, dropping it on the floor, holding it by its leg. I kept telling him that he was supposed to pretend it was the real thing :)

Overall, it was an informative class. I'm just glad I was able to take it before the baby came. I've actually been worried this whole time that I might go into labor early and not be able to take the birthing class. Now, the only other thing we have to get done is get our carseat installed, which we will be doing on Tuesday. I also have a prenatal massage scheduled for next weekend that I'm really looking forward to, so I hope I'm still pregnant by then :) Only three more weeks to go!

Maternity Shapewear

36 Weeks

What I'm Wearing:

Dress from Banana Republic

Penguin earrings from HSN

Necklace and headband from Target

Vintage brooch

Sandals from American Eagle

I love my new penguin earrings!

A few months ago, I decided to invest in a pair of maternity shapewear to wear under my maxi dresses. I was always a fan of Spanx before so when I found out there was a maternity version, I went to the Motherhood Maternity outlet in St. Augustine to pick up a pair. Now, they aren't the Spanx brand, but I think they work just as well. AND they're significantly cheaper. The pair I purchased was $12 (originally $16.98 at the retail store), while Spanx are about double the price at $32.

Secret Fit Shaper Panty

$16.98

www.motherhood.com

Power Mama Spanx

$32

www.spanx.com

I would normally want the name brand version, but for something I was only going to wear under certain dresses for a few months, I decided the $12 version was good enough. They still serve their purpose - they help smooth out any bumps or ridges. At first, I was worried that they would feel too tight, but they're so easy to slip on, so comfortable, and I don't even notice that I'm wearing them. They're also super stretchy and grow with your belly. I bought a size small.

Below are some pictures so you can compare. Before pictures are on the left, after pictures on the right.

I think maternity shapewear is a great investment. Although pregnancy is absolutely beautiful, there may be times where you won't feel exactly like yourself because of all the changes your body goes through. I think this shapewear helps you feel more confident with your newfound curves and it also helps showcase your beautiful growing belly.

Baby Bump and Braxton Hicks?: Week 35

35 Weeks

What I'm Wearing:

Forest Floor Pullover by Angel of the North

Joe's Chelsea Secret Fit Belly Skinny Leg Maternity Jeans from A Pea in the Pod

Sandals from American Eagle

I absolutely love this sweater. The billowy effect is perfect for my growing belly :)

Lately, the Bit has been kicking like CRAZY. And boy, are they super hard kicks at week 35. Sometimes John will touch my belly and he can't believe how hard it is. They're not painful, but they're not exactly comfortable either. So this got me thinking about Braxton Hicks contractions. Could this be it? I've read so many message boards about it and have gotten feedback from friends, but it seems these contractions feel different to everyone. Some people tell me they feel like cramps, others say their stomach just feels rock hard and then releases, and a few people have told me that they thought it was simply the baby kicking really hard and then they realized they were Braxton Hicks contractions. I'm not sure what to think, but I can tell you that I've never felt my belly feel like this before. It feels like the baby is practically kneeing me in the stomach. Again, not painful per se, but it shocks me every time. 

With only a few weeks to go before my due date, I'm often wondering if I'll even know if I'm in labor. I mean, what do contractions feel like? Will it be obvious when my water breaks? My doctor told me that sometimes it can be a small leak or it could be a gallon (?!) Because this is my first pregnancy, I really don't know what to expect. I keep reading about it and asking friends and family and everyone always tells me the same thing: "Trust me, you'll KNOW!" But what does this mean?! My doctor said that if I start to feel even slightly weird, simply call the office. They'll be able to tell me whether I should go to the hospital. I just have this crazy feeling that I won't even know I'm in labor. I have a tendency to just brush things off, especially when it comes to feeling sick. I always feel like I can rough it out, so I hope I don't mistake actual labor for stomach pains. 

Baby Bump: Week 34

34 Weeks

What I'm Wearing:

Sleeveless Braided Maxi Dress by Liz Lange for Target Maternity

Necklace by Tara Jarmon for Target

Happy Friday, everyone! Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Two Down, One To Go

I've been fortunate to have spent the last several months being pregnant with my two other pregnant friends, Katherine and Kelsey. Katherine had her baby, Liam, a couple weeks ago. He is simply adorable and cuddly. We all had dinner together the other night, which was Liam's first outing.

Me, Richelle, Katherine, and Liam

34 Weeks

What I'm Wearing:

Chevron Stripe Maxi Dress from the Gap

Fedora from Banana Republic

Necklace from J. Crew

After Liam's birth, I began waiting excitedly for Kelsey's baby to be born. Her due date was later this month, so I wasn't expecting anything quite yet. BUT she gave birth to her baby boy yesterday morning. Welcome to the world, Nolen!

So with all these babies around me, I started to think a lot about my own baby and his upcoming birth. For some reason, I imagine he will arrive right on time, October 14, punctual and prompt, just like his mama. But of course, we all know that there's no way to predict the exact day a baby will be born - when's he's ready, he's ready. But I honestly can't imagine him arriving three weeks early like Nolen. That was a shock for me and it's not even my baby. So I started to think - what if Lil Bit came three weeks early? I only have six weeks left, so that would mean he'd arrive in a mere three weeks.

Three weeks?!

I'm not quite ready for that yet! I started to panic and think of all the things I hadn't even done yet - we still need to get the carseat installed, I haven't taken a hospital tour yet, our birthing class is at the end of the month, and, oh yeah, WE STILL NEED TO PICK A NAME! John is as calm and cool as a cucumber. He certainly balances out my high-strung personality (I really hope the baby feeds off his energy and not mine!) He has no doubt that we'll get everything done before the baby is born and I trust that he is right. But still, it's overwhelming to think about. I had another doctor's appointment today and I asked him about the likelihood of delivering early. Of course, he gave me the standard "every woman is different" but he did say that women are more likely to deliver after week 38.

So here I am at week 34 - anxious, nervous, terrified, excited, and thrilled all at the same time.