Some women talk about the pounds melting off after they have kids. The rest of us wonder if there's some special "mom formula" we must have missed, that somehow melts those stubborn pounds that don't seem to want to disappear on their own. I'm not going to lie, it can be depressing to try and fit back into your pre-pregnancy clothes, and it may take a bit of work for it to happen. However, there are some rules for moms trying to lose weight that are slightly different than the standard "rules," if you ask me, and those rules should be followed for a number of important reasons.
Right now I'm the heaviest I've ever been. A combination of a serious neck injury in the spring, a more sedentary work life as a writer, a growing problem with binge eating, and two demanding young children has left me weighing about 30 pounds more than I used to weigh before I had kids. It bothers me more than I care to admit, and it often leaves me feeling as though I'll never get back to my "old self" again. It's also lead me to start making some tiny adjustments in my life, in order to feel better about myself, while conscious about the kind of message I could potentially be sending my children.
So, now, losing weight when I have kids watching every move I make and potentially trying to emulate me, is a slightly different endeavor. I want to make sure that I am promoting body positivity and body acceptance, instead of teaching my children that they need to hate their beautiful bodies. I also want to feel comfortable in my own skin and good about myself and the wonderful body that made my babies, so losing weight is important to me, right now. So, with that in mind, here are my nine rules I think moms should follow if they end up wanting to shed a few pounds, because you can strike a balance.