Good morning!
First of all, It goes without saying that Chardon has been consuming my thoughts and prayers. Please pray for them, send them happy thoughts, energy — whatever — they need it.
While I feel as if saying anything else at this juncture, would almost be inappropriate, I also am not about to dedicate a post to an issue I know little (other than what is in the news) about.
That said, I figured it’d be best to take a moment of silence for the community and effected families and move on.
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Happy Tuesday! I’m glad you enjoyed my weight/exercise update — I hope you found it helpful. Per your request, I will post about the weaning process soon! I also have an update in the works re: STTN – we have PROGRESS to report! And of course, a BIRTHDAY UPDATE – I’m still searching far and wide for photos that aren’t washed out and blurry (the room was so BRIGHT), so when I find them, I’ll put up my post, OK? 
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Today I wanted to share a lil snack I’ve been ADDICTED to lately. It’s no Trader Joe’s popcorn, but it’s the perfect afternoon/mid-morning snack solution. You know what I’m talking about — when you just NEED somthin’ crunchy? (or am I just insane?)
Cracker Chips
For only 110 calories, you can have 27 of these bad boys. I normally have half the box (one box has a little more than three servings) for an afternoon snack.
They aren’t necessarily GOOD for you — but they aren’t bad either, and for an afternoon snack that tastes this good, it fits my “munchie” criteria.
The crackers come in a variety of flavors, but my absolute favorite are the cheddar chips! The texture is difficult to describe — half chip, half cracker — they are crunchy and delicious without being greasy. They almost taste like a thicker version of baked cheddar lays — with more cheese Does that make sense?
I guess you’ll have to give them a try for yourself.
Note: Special K does not know I exist and has no idea how much I love their chips. My opinions are my own. If they run across this post, however, I’d happily accept 1,000 boxes at any time. thankyouverymuch.
I’ve received a few emails and a handful of comments requesting that I share some detail around how I got my body back after baby.
First of all, I don’t have my body back. It is still about 90% Bean’s, although we are working on the weaning process, which I have mixed feelings about and I’ll share a later date, if interested.
OK, rant over
To be honest, I haven’t really had to try too crazy hard to get back to my post-pregnancy weight. But you should also know that I probably walked at least 3 hours a day for the first 3 months of Bean’s life. After that, it was at least 5 hours of walking a week. Now that he naps in his crib, the walks have tapered off, but I’m lucky enough to be able to work out over my lunch hour.
That being said, I never had a “plan,” per say, but figured it might be helpful to some if I just listed what I eat/exercise on a given day. I am a creature of habit, and pretty much eat the exact thing every day, with the exception of dinner — so I ASSURE you the following is an accurate depiction of any given day.
5:30 – 6:00 am – BREAKFAST (200-300 calories)
I always have one waffle with peanut butter and banana.
Just like that. I use a good helping of naturally more, 1/2 banana and a kashi waffle. I follow this with a glass of milk.
9:00 a.m. – MORNING SNACK (100 calories)
One vitatop with a cup of coffee
12:00 – LUNCH (350-400 calories)
One container of Fiber One Cottage Cheese and a piece of fruit, such as 2 clementines or chopped fruit salad. If I go out to lunch, I normally order a soup and salad.
2:00 – AFTERNOON SNACK (200 calories)
2-3 servings of cracker chips
I know that if I stick to 1000 calories during the day, which is what the above represents, I can have a nice dinner and snack, without having to worry about calories
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6:30 – 7:00 pm. – DINNER (300-500 calories)
A salad with grilled chicken or lean meat with veggies — check out some of my recent recipes, as this is what I eat for dinner.
8:00 – EVENING SNACK
One bag (the entire bag) of Trader Joe’s popcorn (don’t judge). The entire bag of popcorn is about 600 calories, so you now see why I have such a light dinner. But, it’s high in healthy fat, which is essential for milk supply and it’s probably the healthiest “indulgence” I can think of.
Note: Once I am done nursing, I’m done with the popcorn. As much as I love it, it just isn’t realistic to eat 700 calories worth of popcorn a night. I can get away with at the moment, since I’m burning so many calories and want to re-fuel healthfully, but I’m on borrowed time with Mr. Joe ;(
GRAND TOTAL: 2,000-2,200 calories
Note: At least once a week, the Mister and I have a pizza night, where we each eat about a half of a large pizza. On these nights, I do not eat the popcorn, and I just eat the pizza. In addition, know that a few cupcakes and cookies make their way into my diet about once a week. But overall, this is my diet every.single.day. On the weekends, we tend to eat out a lot more often and I’ll always, ALWAYS order a salad with some kind of fish or meat on it. This is for the sole reason that I love bread baskets. And salad (I guess).
Other note: I don’t drink — not sure how much this plays into it, but thought it was worth noting.
EXERCISE
Since Bean is sleeping in his crib, I’m no longer logging crazy hours walking. In fact, I’m not doing any cardio what-so-ever — aside from a once-in-a-blue-moon weekend walk. I’m hoping this changes soon, and I’m sure I’ll be incorporating a lot more cardio once I completely wean Bean, but I never wanted to risk my supply.
I do, however, do pretty intense arm and ab workouts 2-3 times per week.
Arm workout
Ab workout
Each workout is about 30 minutes, and I try and alternate abs and arms every other day. Within the next few weeks, I plan to start my kettlebell workouts again, as well.
I hope this was helpful! Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
To the mamas out there — HANG IN THERE. Right now, if you are nursing, your body will come back to you, I promise. And you are responsible for your thriving baby! Seriously, pat yourself on the back — go you, you amazing goddess, you. I attribute so much of my weight loss and “reboundness” to nursing and all the crazy calories it burned SO FAST. I am actually a lower weight than I was before Sawyer was born.
Don’t get me wrong — things aren’t as “firm” as they used to be — but that’s where the ab workouts come into play (do them!) — they have been a godsend (along with hydrating lotion – for elasticity! and SPANX )
