my peace plan

my postpartum peace plan.

here is the white flag, fat cells!

P-pamper yourself
my way of pampering myself, is to spend a few minutes--even if it is just three--blogging, playing the piano, or drawing, every day. these are things that help me relax and feel better about myself, good outlets for negative feelings.

E-eat with a regular meal schedule
three meals and two snacks every day. i will eat smaller, appropriate portions, and less sugar. i will also try...very, very hard...to drink less coke. i will also keep a food journal and track what i am eating and when.

A-actively move your body
i will exercise AT LEAST three days a week, preferably five, for at least 45 minutes of cardio. in addition to the cardio i will do crunches and ab work at least three times a week, minimum of 10 minutes.

C-calm your stress
how on earth do i do this one? i will practice deep breathing, stretch and relax my muscles. i will be more optimistic.

E-embrace your new body
this is going to be a difficult one for me as well. i will contradict negative thoughts i have about my body. when i think, "i'm so fat," i will mentally say, "no. i am not fat." and maybe if i'm alone i just might say it out loud. i will remember the amazing things my body has done. i have created and carried two children. i have felt tiny fists, tiny feet, tiny heads moving inside of me. i have nourished and helped two babies grow and develop. i have given birth to two beautiful children, using my body and my strength to bring them into the world. my body has, and continues to, make milk to feed my baby. i nursed my first child nine months, and have been nursing my second for six, and i will continue creating a life-giving substance for the health and well-being of my daughter. i will also make a list of five things that i like about my body and look at it every day.

with these goals in mind, i will work hard and lose weight, gain muscle and self-esteem. i will remember that it takes time. it took eighteen months of pregnancy to gain this much weight, it will not come off in a day, or a week, or a month.