25 weeks 3 days. The last couple of weeks have been really up and down for me. Especially with my food choices which has made me feel a bit shit to be honest – both mentally and physically. This is probably going to resonate with a lot of people and I suppose this just shows that everyone is human. When we’ve been home – I haven’t been too bad – healthy dinners and lunches most days – however we haven’t been home an awful lot and I’ve completely submitted to being lazy with my decisions. Our baby was measuring a little small last scan and with so many people around me saying “oh you’re pregnant – go on”, I’ve also taken on that mindset – and it’s not felt good. Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I can suddenly eat whatever I want, and me eating crappy food is not going to make our baby grow any bigger or faster – if anything it’s a time where I should be being more cautious and making good healthy choices. Don’t get me wrong – you do need to gain some extra fat during pregnancy and it’s natural and healthy too – but I think this is where a lot of women go wrong and the aftermath is dangerous. Not only does it put you at risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure – which can lead to a big baby, premature baby, along with other health risks – dealing with weight gain after the baby is born is hard. It’s everywhere you look – women saying they can’t lose their baby weight – this puts enormous pressure on new mums – when you’re already dealing with a new baby and all the pressures that come with that. You now have the huge task of feeling like you again – and some women find it extremely difficult. This can cause things like post natal depression, relationship problems and an overall feeling that you will never get back to what you used to look like. I know for me – if I keep going and put on a lot more weight – this would severely impact my mental state – and that’s the last thing I want when I will have a beautiful little girl to care for.
During these last few weeks when I’ve noticed my diet going backwards, I have noticed the additional weight gain. Unnecessary weight gain as well. Weight gain – not from eating big servings – but from eating a lot of bad fats. Biscuits, cake, ice-cream, choosing chips with meals instead of salad, ordering dessert etc. All of these things I 1: don’t actually like that much – ok yes I like them – otherwise I wouldn’t have eaten them – but they’re not things I love and think are worth it, but 2: these are things that I would usually have as a treat – as something on a weekend, or out to dinner, or with friends – so occasionally. However – while away from home with work or for pleasure over the last few weeks I have indulged in all these things more than I should. I didn’t just have 1 biscuit – which I would usually have – I had 5, I didn’t just have 1 serving of ice-cream – I grabbed the tub. The thing is – it’s actually made me feel crap. All the extra sugar and fat content makes you lethargic, mentally drained, more tired and less motivated. Exactly how I’ve been feeling. I know a lot of people struggle with this on a day to day basis and I’m here to tell you I know exactly how you’re feeling. The thing is however – what I don’t know exactly – is why I decided to take myself on this little tour of shit food land and think I was going to feel ok. Something I do know though – is that once the spiral starts – for some people it’s bloody hard to get back on the band wagon. What’s 1 more biscuit….or, ah well I’ve started off bad – I might as well keep going bad. That’s the sugar and fat talking – and the only way to get back on track is to start NOW.
It may take a day or even 2 but I can tell you – once you jump back on that wagon – MAN you’ll feel better. Not only that – if you’re pregnant – like me – I tell you what – your baby will love you for it. As I write this I’m making a pact with myself to also jump back on that bandwagon. Today was the day I went – ok Danni – enough – lets start again. While on our way home from Chris’s birthday trip to Hamilton Island – where we’ve overindulged…again – which I’d usually be up for – if I hadn’t overindulged for the last 3 weeks. I’m making this pledge to get back on and make good decisions this week. You can start now too. Plan what you’re going to eat for the week – including snacks. Meal prep Sundays is always the best help – it will help you organise what you’re daily treat is going to be as well. For me – it’s a few squares of chocolate – ALWAYS 😉 or sometimes a hot chocolate with marshmellows. Also – what I like to do is look ahead to when next there we have an engagement of some sort that will mean we treat ourselves – that way you know when you can next indulge a bit more and it makes it more exciting. For me – it’s my baby shower – and MAN I want to look good for that. I’ll be 30 weeks pregnant so feeling fit and healthy and looking fit and healthy as well is super important for my self confidence.
Everyone has their weakness – and the thing about your weakness is it’s yours – and only you can change it and control it.
Let’s get in control today
Love and life
The Figure
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1 thought on “shit food land – fallen off the bandwagon”
All sounds good Danni but just remember to keep up those ante natal exercises which are just so important followed by your post natal exercises later. You will be so grateful when the time comes! P.S. You are looking fantastic! ( A few words of wisdom from an old midwife!)