I have always LOVED this time of year. It is so magical with all of the holiday decorations and people are [generally] cheerful. There are the fun holiday parties to attend, the delicious food and so many treats. It is non-stop calorie overload, but it is ok to indulge because we are all feeling the holiday cheer…right?

It also the time of year when the winter weather hits, and if you live in one of the states like me, you get snow…lots of snow and cold weather. So when I found out that our second baby was going to be born shortly before Thanksgiving, I thought “That is my favorite time of year! How wonderful!” It was quickly followed by “Oh crap…all of the food, treats and cold weather. I may never lose the baby weight.” 

Health and fitness is something that we prioritize in our household. It is important to both of us because our dad’s both passed away young from heart issues. Going to the gym is a time for my husband and I to focus on ourselves and destress. There is nothing better than a good sweat and being sore to put an extra pep in your step and not feel guilty eating that pizza. 

Before and during both pregnancies I worked out every day. This consisted of 10,000 + steps a day, spin classes, treadmill, weight lifting and TRX. After my first pregnancy I was able to lose the baby weight rather quickly. It was Spring so I could get outside and take the baby for walks, there were not a million different Christmas cookies screaming at me too eat them and I had time to slip away and go to the gym.

Time [and sleep] seem to be hot commodities in our household these days. I try to plan my workouts after the newborn is fed and ready to nap. It never fails, regardless of the time, when I jump on the treadmill or decide to lift weights the baby instantly wakes up crying. It’s like he doesn’t want me to lose weight. I pick him up and he stops. He is one month and already knows how to work things. This may be a long 18+ years. 

This has happened more than once this week, so I tried to problem solve the dilemma so we could both see it as a win-win. He gets cuddles and I get to workout without listening to him scream. Cue the Ergobaby, our baby carrier.

I strapped him on and proceeded to get my steps and weight training in. Do not worry there was no running involved and I have taken TRX Baby classes before so I know what you can do with a baby strapped to you. As he fell asleep, I came to the realization that the added weight of my little guy probably was burning extra calories, so double win for me! 

Sitting here one month postpartum after baby #2 and I wear workout clothes daily. I do that as motivation to workout, but also when the moment presents itself I am already to get my workout in. What I have found is that just wearing the workout clothes does not magically make the weight come off. Shocking I know.

A lot of articles tell you to be patient “9 months on, 9 months off.” But do any of us really want to wait 9 whole months to be where we once were or to obtain a new weight goal regardless of if you are postpartum or not? For me that is a big N.O. 

I’m getting more and more creative with workouts at the house which includes wearing the baby to do household chores. I am so thankful my husband built a mini gym in our garage for us both to workout when we cannot make it to the gym. Clearly he must have known months ago we would have less time on our hands. I obviously was in denial because I told him we did not need a gym at the house. Boy was I wrong, which usually I never am. 

I’ve found that right now I only want to go to the gym if that means I do not have to bring the kiddos. Which I still get to do a few times a week (not like the 7 days a week I was clocking just a month ago pre-baby #2). The gym is my alone time. Time for me to reset and get a good sweat on. Time for me not to be needed by anyone. A time for me to focus on me and only me. 

The struggle is REAL for anyone when it comes to losing weight. As a mama of a newborn and toddler just trying to get back to where I started 10 short months ago, I’m really feeling the struggle. For now, my skinny jeans are too skinny, so I am opting for that Christmas cookie and spandex this holiday season.