Weaning Out the Fat Finally Did the Trick

My newborn’s colic was the best thing that ever happened to my diet. Let me explain:

During my second pregnancy, I gained 45 pounds. I did not have much morning sickness--unlike during my first pregnancy--so I ate anything that was edible. I had a great time! But eventually, I paid the price of my indulgence.

I lived in denial for nine months. I made myself believe that all that eating would simply make its way down to my fetus--that I’d deliver a bigger, healthier baby. Was I surprised when little Amanda weighed in at 6.3 pounds.

I decided to nurse Amanda. Nursing had helped me lose weight with my first child. I’d been told that nursing, aside from being beneficial to a baby, helps one burn fat and lose weight. But there’s a catch. When one nurses, it is recommended that one add 500 extra calories to a daily diet.

So there I was, many pounds away from my former 123-pound body. Talk about postpartum blues! I was physically and emotionally muddled. And I didn’t want to be seen in public. Fortunately, I had good excuses: a newborn and a terrible-twoer. It was easier for me to stay home. Still, I did all I could to make myself look and feel better.

First, I ordered an exercise machine from an infomercial. Soon after, I realized that the machine wouldn’t arrive for another six to eight weeks, so I thought I’d concentrate on my face. I’d been told that I have a nice smile. Focus on the positive. I ordered a tooth-whitening formula.

But after one week, I couldn’t keep up with the twice-a-day, 15-minute rituals required for brighter, whiter teeth.

Next, I decided to get rid of my eyeglasses and jazz things up with contacts. That, too, backfired--my eyes were easily irritated and my nose looked bigger.

I also stocked up on Lancome cosmetics. They helped--but only a little.

The attention was back on my body.

I bought support undergarments, but they triggered nagging back-aches. I went on a shopping spree, thinking that, perhaps, new clothes would camouflage the fat. But those 100% cottons got smaller with each wash. I bought a scale; seemed I was stepping on it three times a day. My husband said I was going to drive myself nuts.

Throughout this psychological (and expensive) ordeal, I failed to realize how much my diet had improved, all thanks to Amanda’s sensitive tummy. She had developed colic. This situation can force a nursing mother to cut back on dairy products and other gas-producing foods.

Subscribing to that theory, I cut out cheese, ice cream, rich sauces and other goodies. Before I knew it, I was eating plain but nutritious foods. Although consistent exercise would have helped my situation, I just didn’t have the time.

It took awhile, but after six months, I was finally back in size 5, hip-hugger jeans.

I eat a slice of carrot cake on occasion, but, in a sense, I have weaned fat out of my diet. It made all the difference. I got my body back.

The Vital Statistics

Name: Rosa Ordaz

Age: 32

Occupation: Newsletter

publisher

Old Weight: 142 pounds

New Weight: 123 pounds

Time It Took to Get There:

6 months

Feel Like Sharing Your Success Story?

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