Is it in the Jeans or the Genes?

Just a little over three weeks ago I gave birth to my third baby Ayla.  It was a beautiful birth and a wonderful experience.  I noticed since giving birth how quickly I was shrinking in comparison to my previous two pregnancies.  So, I hopped on the scale, and could not believe my eyes!  I was only four pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight.  I wondered “How did this happen so fast?”  With the last two kids it took me nearly a year to get back to that starting point.  I was not complaining!  I scrounged around in my dresser drawers to find my long-abandoned pre-pregnancy jeans, and finally found them on a top shelf of my closet.  I pulled those favorite blue jeans on, and to my amazement they fit nicely, and when I buttoned them up I even had room!  I was shocked and thrilled at the same time, because I was rather attached to those pair of jeans like a kid to their lovey.

I do not write this to brag, but I am really proud of myself.  I could not figure out, however, what had changed in my life to make this transition from being pregnant to a somewhat normal body in less than a month.  When I had Tristan and Keira I was not unhealthy, but I was not the healthiest I could have been, despite my skinny appearance.  Even skinny people get heart disease, cancer and have other health issues.  I had been very consistent with an exercise program for several months before I became pregnant with Ayla.  Jillian Michaels and I were best buddies, and I also walked a lot with the kids around the neighborhood, sometimes two or three times per day.  I recalled my lifestyle was better overall, and also I felt I was a happier person.  My marriage was in a better place, Tristan did not scream anymore for hours on end, and Keira was older and healthy.  Yet, I felt the biggest reason I bounced back so quickly was our family’s diet changes.

As many of you know, we removed gluten from Tristan’s diet about two years ago this month.  As a result, everything I cook at home is now gluten-free.  We purchase many gluten-free products, of which many I will write and review later.  Most of our food, however, is now cooked from scratch.  We also eat a lot of fruit and vegetables now.  I certainly do not mean those of you who are not gluten-free are not eating healthily, because I am not 100% gluten-free like Tristan.  It does mean Betty Crocker, Sara Lee, and Stouffers are not part of our diet anymore.  Not to pick on those brands, but all processed, boxed, ready-to-eat foods are removed from our diet.  Additionally, anything with MSG stays in the grocery store.  Maybe another contributor to my rapid weight loss is I am breastfeeding Ayla, and she is the best little nurser I have even had.  She consumes quite a lot of breast milk in one sitting, and yes I am a cow.  As a result of all these factors combined we are all eating healthier and living better lives.  Of course, I must add in the fact I was blessed with good genes.  Thanks Mom and Dad!  Partly because of your good genes I can now fit into my jeans!

I plan keep up the healthy lifestyle because now I must prove all the effort really is better for me and my family.  I will not start exercising immediately, and probably, I will never have those six-pack abs.  I have shrunk, but I still need to heal from the birth, and I also do not want to do anything to disrupt my milk supply.  I am, however, extremely overjoyed with the outcome, and will enjoy the love of this new beautiful and perfect baby girl who adds much happiness to our lives.

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