A Decision is Made

Today I'm starting a six week class to close my diastasis recti.  What is that?  Well, it's the 'mommy tummy' that most women get after having a baby.  After Ari was born, I lost all my baby weight, worked out and even ran the Shamrock run 15K... but I still had people asking me if I was pregnant!   Lilah's pregnancy just made the abdominal separation worse, and while I admittedly still have 10 pounds of Lilah's baby weight, my belly sticks out in such a way that I look 6 months pregnant.  My OB told me the only way to repair it was with plastic surgery when we're done having babies.

I wasn't happy with that prognosis (since we're planning on more kiddos) so I did some research and discovered the Tupler Technique.  It is a six week regimen aimed at closing the abdominal separation by strengthening specific core muscles.  It may take longer than six weeks to close the separation entirely, but the class to get you started is six weeks long.  To my happy surprise, I found we even have an Physical Therapist in the Portland metro area who is certified in the Tupler Technique!  Her name is Kelly Dean and she runs "The Tummy Team" in Vancouver, WA www.thetummyteam.com.  I called, made an appointment and today is my first class.

As I was sitting here this morning thinking about what I could accomplish in the next six weeks, I realized I had several areas of my life which could be improved in six weeks time.  Six weeks is a reasonable time period to follow through with a goal - right?  So I made a plan..... six goals in six weeks time.  A decision had been made:

1) Lose 10 pounds
2) Diastasis class
3) Exercise
4) Get Ari in bed and asleep by 9pm
5) Get Lilah to FINALLY sleep through the night
6) Wean Lilah

1) Lose 10 pounds - While I may never be 115 pounds, it's unacceptable for me 163 pounds when I'm only 5'3" tall.  I'm 10 pounds heavier than when I got pregnant, 20 pounds overweight, and 25 pounds heavier than when I got married. More than just losing weight, I want to model healthy eating habits for my children and I want to stop turning to food whenever I feel upset, bored, or tired. My plan is to follow Weight Watchers Points Plus system on my own without actually joining the program.  I think 10 pounds in 6 weeks is a reasonable goal.  Starting today I will reclaim my will power and my dress size by reestablishing a healthy relationship with my food.

2) Diastasis Class - One of my worst traits is to start things and then get lazy and give up.  This class requires several abdominal exercises to be done several times a day and to change the way in which I use my core muscles in several ways.  It requires a true commitment to follow through.  It may take me 6 months to fully close my abdominal separation, but if I can really follow through for at least 6 weeks, then I hope I will see enough improvement that it will keep me going.  Starting today, I will reclaim my confidence by following through.

3) Exercise - While I was still working, I worked out every day.  Now that I'm a stay at home mom, I seem to never find the time.  The kids won't sit in the childcare at the gym and the Portland weather isn't conducive to long walks with the kids.  Well, enough is enough!!  My goal is to do SOME kind of exercise EVERY day - even if it is just running up and down the stairs a few times or having a 'dance party' with the kids.  Starting today, I will get off the couch and start moving simply because I know it's better for me and my children.

4) Get Ari in bed with lights off by 9pm - Ari's bedtime is out of control.  There are many nights he doesn't go to bed until 10:30 simply because I'm too tired to fight with him about it.  It's obviously too late for a 3 year old to be up and it interferes with the small amount of time I have with my husband.  As with so many other parts of parenting, I know what is needed is to simply be consistent.  I will commit to getting Ari upstairs at 8:30 EVERY night and will walk out of his room with the lights off by 9pm.   Starting tonight I will help my child get the sleep he needs and reclaim my evenings to be spent with my husband.

5) Get Lilah to sleep though the night - Several weeks ago, I had hired a baby sleep coach because I was so desperate for sleep and nothing seemed to be working.  Suzanne Hanson at Ruby Sky Coaching www.rubyskycoaching.com saved my sanity.  Literally within one week, Lilah was only waking only once nightly...... Then Lilah had a seizure putting us back to square one, then we took a family vacation to visit my brother and it all went to hell in a hand basket.  Suzanne gave me all the tools I need to start the sleep process on my own, but I've been too overwhelmed.  Starting tonight, I will start the training process again to get Lilah and myself the sleep we need because without sleep I overeat, don't have the energy for exercise, and am a generally grumpier human being.

6) Wean Lilah - I'm ready to wean Lilah.  When she was in the NICU, they told us she may never be able to nurse.  Well, she surprised them all by latching.... and never letting go.  At 15 months, she eats solitds great and can handle a sippy cup so why is she still attached to me all the time!!!  As far as I can tell she mostly just wants the comfort, but can can give her that in different ways.  Starting tonight, I will start weaning my baby in a way which she knows I will always be there for her, but will have a some much needed autonomy for myself.

And there you have it.... my six goals.  I'll be trying to post my progress daily so anyone who wants can follow along.  Feel free to ask questions and comments :)

Wish me luck!
Naomi