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Back Fat

I have gained three pounds since my marathon. It may not seem like that much, but it seems like a lot when it makes your weight loss goal jump from seven to 10 pounds.

So that is my weight loss goal as of today: 10 pounds.

Obviously, running is a key to accomplishing that goal. Once my legs are back to 100% (hopefully by next week), I can get back to running 20+ miles per week instead of the less than 10 miles that have resulted in those three pesky pounds.

Besides my legs, there are two things that will be key to reaching my goal. The first is what I put in my mouth. I am not a terrible eater, but I could be better. And I will. I am going to focus on eating six times a day. Right now, I rarely eat a snack between my three meals unless it's a handful of candy corn or something along those lines. I am going to try to eat a piece of fruit or yogurt or an energy bar a few hours after each meal and then eat a little less at each meal. This has worked for me in the past and will hopefully do the trick now as well. I'm headed to the grocery store to stock up as soon as my girls wake from their naps.

The second factor in my weight loss is the fact that I am still nursing my baby (my male readers are understandably welcome to skip to the last paragraph). When my weight seemed stuck a few months after I had my second baby, my doc told me it would be hard to get the scale to budge. Instead of being one of those lucky women who seem to lose a pound every time they sit down to nurse, my doc said my body was going to try to hold on to those last few pounds because of how much I weighed before I got pregnant. I was a healthy weight, but I didn't have much extra. I SLOOOOWLY lost several more pounds, but I am still 6 pounds heavier than I was the month I found out I was pregnant.

My weight the month that pregnancy test came up positive is like magic. With both my pregnancies, I acquired this awesomely annoying back fat. It's just this little extra roll above my waistband. When I finally hit that gloriously magic number on the scale in January 2008, the back fat was finally gone; within two months it was coming back. Yes, I finally hit my pre-pregnancy #1 weight the month I found out I was preggo with #2. (For those keeping track, my ultimate goal is 4 pounds less than my pre-pregnancy #1 weight.)

Anyhow, the point of the second weight loss factor is that I may not be able to fully reach my goal until I stop nursing. I actually started weaning my little one around her first birthday, but her pediatrician said it would be good to keep going until my baby's 18-month appointment if possible because she is such a little thing (8 lbs 6 oz at birth up to only 17 pounds at 1-year). She is healthy and happy (and my first little girl followed a similar weight gain pattern, so I just have little girls), but she is still an enthusiastic nurser so we'll keep going while we can.

With that in mind, I know the weight loss will be slow. I am fine with that. But making positive changes in the right direction is the first step. And putting it out there makes me more accountable. So I'll keep you posted with my progress (and will let you know when that back fat is finally gone again).

Comments

  1. I was just checking out my back fat today in the mirror of the gym. My back fat is above my sports bra. I feel your pain! Keep at it :)

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  2. ugh, just be lucky it's not 20 pesky pounds ...
    I don't get the back fat above the waist line though, like unathleticrunner, it's above my sports bra. It's completely un-welcome too. Along with every other spot of fat on me ... I have faith it'll be gone soon enough.

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  3. I have HUGE kiddos...I cannot imagine trying to kep up with those kids appetites.. WOWZERS!! You are one dedicated Mamma..

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  4. Eating every 3-4 hours is definitely key! Take it from me - I'm a dietitian and a runner who suffered from some weight gain after my first marathon. Why? I think I kept eating the same way I did when I was training, but no longer logging those miles! Skipping meals and snacks is the worst thing you can do. Going 5 or more hours without eating will set you up for grabbing the wrong types of food and overeating. You can do it!!

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  5. I eat 6-7 times a day and have been able to maintain my weight for almost 3 years now. 3 years after my youngest child was born, I finally got off the 15 - 20 extra pounds (yes, it took 3 years to realize how heavy I was)it only took about 4-5 months to get it off and it has stayed off since then and my youngest is now 6 1/2. You can do it! Eating 6-7 times a day will help, shoot for 100-150 calorie snacks with low fat. Also try to limit carbs to 1-2 meals a day instead of 3 meals and eat tons of fiber and whole grains! The fiber will kill you for the first week or so but then the body gets used to it!!!
    Good luck and keep us posted!!

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  6. What is with the back fat?!?! That was my area too. I had never had that until I was preg. Then it hung around and hung around. Sheesh!

    Good luck reaching your goal!

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  7. Well I don't have back fat but I've got some a** fat that I'd love to lose lol. Happened upon you blog while surfing tonight. I'm adding you to my reader... looking forward to following your running life.

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