My body, 10 weeks after giving birth

My maternity leave is almost over. Which is bittersweet. I have so enjoyed spending all these moments admiring my little miracle, but I also feel so ready to move on. There’s nothing like taking a three-month break from work to make you really evaluate what about your career and your profession makes you happy. Especially in light of big changes in your life and family.

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So I had that moment on Monday where I was looking through my closet for something to wear to go into the office for a meeting and I realized, Holy crap, I have two weeks left and I am going to need to buy an entire new work wardrobe.

I haven’t lost any more weight since about the second week after Felicity was born. So I have at least 10, but more like 20, pounds left to lose to fit into the clothes I was wearing before the maternity clothes.

How fast time flew and I thought things would be “the way they were” by the time I went back to work. Ha! It was easy to workout regularly up until the third trimester, but I’ve really struggled to keep exercise as a priority in my life as I’ve figured out this whole mothering thing.

I just want to say, moms, I give you credit. This is really hard. Everything requires more planning. No procrastinating, or it will never happen! And going out for a workout feels selfish, even if I know its not.

When I first lost all that weight, I paid a lot care to eating a healthy, veggie-rich diet as well as running. But after I built up my running to 4 to 6 hours a week, I could get away with a crappy diet.

Not having the time to train hours a day with a newborn, I know I need to be much more careful about my diet. And I struggle with that.

I’m found myself in these final weeks counting on fitting in exercise and healthy eating into a routine once I get back to work. Because I’ll have more time to schedule workouts when I’m working 8 hours a day again. And I’ll have more willpower to prepare meals and not just eat cookies all day.

Can you tell I really believe I’m going to do this? … crickets …

***

In other news, it was our five-year anniversary this weekend, and Tony and Felicity and I took a weekend trip to Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick.

From the mainland, it's an hour and a half ferry ride to Grand Manan.

From the mainland, it’s an hour and a half ferry ride to Grand Manan.

It was the perfect trip for an infant. The drive to the ferry in Black Harbour was only three hours (we still had to make a few stops, though). We went in the off-season, so we didn’t have to worry about an infant crying waking everyone up in the middle of the night.

I called this her "French elf" outfit for her first international trip.

I called this her “French elf” outfit for her first international trip.

And it was exactly the right amount of island to appreciate on a weekend trip. And the weather was gorgeous.

***

Next weekend I’m joining up with my co-workers Natalie and Erin for my first race of 2014, the Black Bear Triathlon. I did this race last year on my own, my first triathlon.

You can see my beautiful bike peeking out from behind me at the Black Bear Tri last fall.

Pattie Reaves, triathlete

This year we’re a relay team — the Whooshing Deadlines — and I’m riding the bike leg.

A few weeks before I gave birth, Natalie asked me what I missed the most while I was pregnant, and I said riding my bike. It was. I rode on my trainer a few times in the winter, but two weeks ago was the first time I got on my bike outside this year, and it was amazing.

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I haven’t really trained for this race — I’ve only ridden twice now — but I’m excited to race again. Just for fun. With friends.

And that’s probably how it will be for awhile now. 🙂

Pattie Reaves

About Pattie Reaves

I'm a new mom and renegade fitness blogger at After the Couch. I live in Brewer with my husband, Tony, our daughter Felicity, and our two pugs, Georgia and Scoop.