(buff mama monday) hello new smaller jean size, plus a letter

I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend! Logan and I are still in NM visiting my family and I haven’t had much time for blogging, which would explain why Buff Mama Monday is going up on Tuesday. I feel like the past week was full of ups and downs for me. I accomplished my goal of running a 5k and was proud of myself, but then I hopped on the scale and beat myself up for only losing a pound (23lbs total). Cue carb infested pity party. And then I go jean shopping yesterday and was able to fit into a size smaller jeans! I told you it’s been a roller coaster around here.

It gets frustrating because I want to see results NOW and it’s hard to see, for myself anyway, how far I’ve already come. Over the Easter weekend, I saw some family and friends that I hadn’t seen since Christmas and they were all blown away by my weight loss. It was a confidence booster that my hard work IS paying off, even if I can’t see it for myself. I need to keep reminding myself of how much I’ve accomplished and that I’m making lifestyle changes here. The results will come eventually.

Me fitting into a SMALLER jean size!

Speaking of how much I’ve accomplished, I’m on week 6 of my mama bootcamp. It went by so fast! With just 2 weeks left to go, the instructor asked us to write a letter about why we decided to join the class. I thought I’d blog it out here during Buff Mama Monday Tuesday…

While I was pregnant with Logan, I took better care of myself than I ever have before. It wasn’t just me anymore. Someone else depended on me and my body. For the first time in my life, I learned to trust my body and respect it. I didn’t hate it. Aside from the morning sickness and other “perks” of pregnancy, I actually enjoyed being pregnant. Feeling Logan do flips inside of my belly was the most incredible feeling. I learned what my body was capable of. My body could create, birth and feed a human being.  It could be pushed to its limits and survive.

Once Logan was born, he was my number one priority…my only priority. I didn’t understand that in order to be the best mom I could be, that I needed to make myself a priority too. I struggled with PPD/PPA. I didn’t give myself permission to take time for myself and I felt guilty when I did. I didn’t understand that by taking care of myself, that I could actually be a better mom.

Logan was around 11 months and I recognized that the baby blues weren’t just going to go away on their own, so I sought help. It was time to start putting mama first…some of the time anyway. It was around that time that I emailed Kelly, my mama bootcamp instructor, and told her that I wanted in the class. Due to some scheduling conflicts and other issues, I couldn’t start the class right away. In the meantime, I started working out on my own.

I joined the gym and started Buff Mama Monday on my blog. My readers held me accountable and gave me the encouragement I needed to keep going.  I started C25k and really saw the scale move when I started Nutrisystem. I found “me” again, well a new and improved version of me. I made myself a priority and in turn I became a happier, better mom.

When a new session of bootcamp started, I couldn’t wait for it. The past 6 weeks have changed my life for the better. I’m stronger, not only physically stronger but mentally stronger as well. I’ve met the most amazing group of mamas and I’m so proud to have been able to go on this journey with them. We’ve shared blood, sweat and tears together…literally. They’ve pushed me more than I could have pushed myself, and I’m grateful for that. I’ve also learned a whole new respect and appreciation for my body. But this time around, it’s just for me.

The fine print: Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me for free, as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. These opinions expressed are my own opinions and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. Want to join me on the Nutrisystem program? Call 1-888-853-4689 or sign up online.