This is an article we wanted to share with you (with permission) written by Joslyn McIntyre, Freelance Writer. The way of eating that did work for her, is based off our Curb Your Cravings® Program for Permanent Weight Loss.

Check out her blog. It covers everything from food, raising twins, and running her own business. http://www.outsideeyeconsulting.com

“I recently lost 10 pounds. It was not big deal. I simply stopped snacking!”

Kidding.

The Struggle with Post-Baby Weight Loss

I constantly hear stories about people who were drastically overweight, made a few subtle shifts in their diet, and the weight “melted off.” I met a woman recently at my kids’ school who took up a vegan diet this year and lost thirty-five pounds. They say the weight melts off when you’re breastfeeding. That didn’t happen to me.

Then they say it melts off when your kids start walking, and you’re chasing them around all the time. That didn’t happen to me, either. I’ve been hoping to get back to my pre-baby weight (or at least within a 20-pound range) for the last few years since giving birth.

After my kids stopped breastfeeding (and I still weighed pretty much the same as when I was ten months pregnant), I decided to try one of those “magic shake” diets everyone raves about. It was a week of sheer hell and literal starvation. I spent $300 and lost 11 pounds — which I immediately gained back, and then some, when I returned to my normal eating habits (which, for the record, are fine).

I also tried the Whole 30 at one point. That was a bust, too. I spent a fortune at Whole Foods and got so sick of eggs that I could not stomach the thought of another frittata, but I didn’t lose a single pound. Not one!

Charlize Theron recently did a slew of interviews promoting her new movie Tully, where she talked about the fifty pounds she gained for the role — and then had to lose. She mentioned how hard it is to lose weight in your forties:

“I was worried. I was like, this is taking a really long time,” she said. “Because on Monster, I just didn’t snack for five days and I was fine. You know your body at 27 is a little different than your body at 43, and my doctor made sure to make me very aware of that. Like, you are 42, calm down, you’re not dying, all good.”

Charlize Theron is one of the most beautiful humans alive, in my opinion, so this was heartening to read. It took her a year and a half to lose the weight she put on for the movie, and she says, “It was hell.” This is a woman who most likely has all the nutritionists and trainers in the world at her disposal, so is there any hope for the rest of us aging moms?

Still, I refuse to give up hope. I am not ready to settle for this current weight zone. It’s uncomfortable, and none of my clothes fit.

The 12-Week Challenge

Twelve weeks ago, I made a pact with myself. I gave myself three months to eat in a way I knew was the best I could do, without intense suffering, insane grocery bills, or illogical, time-consuming food prep.

Here’s what I did:

• Stopped drinking alcohol (and yes, I want a medal)
• No more flour, sugar, or sweeteners
• Way, way, way more vegetables
• Lots of eggs, high-quality proteins, and fats instead of carbs
• No more late dinners or snacks
  
  

It wasn’t just about losing weight, of course. It could never be, or it would fail. I was deeply curious whether I could feel better. Years of too-early toddler mornings had nearly broken my spirit. I felt like my internal organs were constantly on the cusp of failing, my muscles and bones barely holding together. The aging felt rapid and relentless.

The Outcome

I’m trying to write in the past tense here, as though this was a problem I had, which I have now solved in a mere twelve weeks. Victory being mine, I’m back to my pre-baby, young-for-my-age state of body and being! But nope, that’s not the case. Of course, it’s not.

There is good news, though.

First, the quantitative metric: I lost ten pounds. You can’t really tell. I still can’t even remotely fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes (or even my husband’s clothes, sadly). I look pretty much the same. But this progress gives me hope. It makes me feel like maybe I’m not doomed to maternal sloth. I don’t see myself doing triathlons anytime soon, or wearing shorts, for that matter, but maybe, just maybe, I could wear jeans again someday?

Now for the qualitative metrics: The mornings are maybe a bit easier without wine and sugar in my life. And being off sugar reduces cravings, which is always nice. Most importantly, I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that I’ve been able to stick to something difficult for twelve weeks, no matter how many tough toddler bedtimes I endure, stressful workdays I have, or mornings I’m woken up at five, watching my kids eat carbs while I choke down another salad.