9 Months On, 9 Months Off- This is not a weight loss story

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This article made possible thanks to We Made Me, dedicated to enhancing and supporting the wellbeing, comfort, and the bond, of parents and their babies. Thanks also to Mama Strut, Bamboobies, and Britax.

 

I am enough just exactly how I am.

That doesn’t mean I can’t want to change somethings.

Like I’d like to not feel winded going up a set of stairs.

Enter the postpartum weight loss plan!

Just kidding. We’re not doing that.

They say it is 9 months on, 9 months off when it comes to shedding pregnancy pounds but in my experience, it isn’t just the pounds our mombods are dealing with. It’s the lack of sleep, the aching hip joints, the lack of sleep, struggling to find time, and the lack of sleep.

Did I mention lack of sleep?

Which is ok, really. It’s fine. I mean, no big.

Except it kind of is.

Lucky is 9 months old now and I feel like my body is still sorting things out. Expectations are constantly fluctuating, much like my breasts are depending on when Lucky fed last.

I’m working on getting moving more because the truth is, I just FEEL better when I do. But this time around I’m looking at what it means to be moving towards better health over all. Because as a whole, that’s what I want. Figuring out what that means for me right now has been a bit of a journey. It isn’t as simple as just getting in shape because everything is connected in my life. I want to move towards better health in my relationships, in my work life balance, in my personal growth, in my physical health including sleep and physical activity and my relationship with food.

Getting moving, having forward motion in my life looks different at all different stages. Last year, in the midst of an HG pregnancy, getting moving looked WAY different than it does this year. And next year it will look different again with an active toddler in the picture. In immediate postpartum, getting moving looks different than it does at 6 months postpartum. That’s ok. Realistic goals and expectations along with a perspective that there’s a lot that matters in my life that deserves movement helps me stay inspired to keep moving.

So I’m keeping it real and sharing on The Leaky Boob Instagram and Facebook page. Right now, most of my physical movement is done with the cutest companion which means it is low impact and, well, sporadic. I’m hardly #fitspiration. But I’m making movement, slowly but surely. That’s not all, either, I’ve started some intentional steps to make movement in the other areas that are important to me; my relationships (including my partner, children, and friends), my creative expression, my personal growth and healing (yay therapy!), and my sleep.

I don’t know if you have goals to get moving or what areas of your life need movement but I hope you’ll share them with us.

The team that has come together as our #TLBmoves2018 ambassadors are some incredible people. They are bravely sharing their experiences and journeys and what “getting moving” means for them. From the immediate postpartum to due in a few weeks or a month or so, from first time parents to experienced veterans, from fitness guru to not-exactly-fit, from disabled to able-body, our #TLBmoves team for 2018 are each inspiring. They encourage me to move in my life in new and brave ways.

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Meet our Campaign Ambassadors

These hand-picked, fearless #TLBmoves 2018 Campaign Ambassadors are moms just like you and me, overwhelmed with joy, and just overwhelmed, needing both sleep and coffee, and trying to figure out how they can keep looking out for their own health while tending to the wellbeing of someone(s) completely dependent on them. They are us. We are them. Follow their Instagram accounts to keep up with their #TLBmoves experience, to get their first-hand impressions of the products featured in this campaign giveaway, and be sure to follow The Leaky Boob’s Instagram as I will be featuring their best content there too.

Alicia: mom of 2 (ages 10 and 3), and expecting #3! Activities that keep her moving: chasing 3 yo everywhere and dancing with her while cooking.

Alyssa: 5 kids, 3 cats. Keeps moving by lifting weights, aerial, and running. Huge weight watchers advocate!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alicia’s Instagram ~ Alyssa’s #TLBmoves posts will be on TLB’s Instagram

 

Destiny: 2 kids (2, and 2 weeks old). Gets moving by going for walks and letting her 2 yr old run himself to sleep.

Kita: 4 kids, babywearing educator. Always out and about with her kids. Wear all the babies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Destiny’s Instagram ~ Kita’s Instagram

 

Nikki: 2 kids and one on the way. Currently working hard at keeping that baby in!

Rachel: 4 kids, and foster mom. Recovering from PSD, so her husband Noah will be helping out with the “Getting Moving” category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nikki’s Instagram ~ Rachel’s Instagram

Follow Nikki on her blog, AprilandOctober.com, and Facebook

You can also follow Rachel on her blog, SheRockstheCradle.com, and Facebook

 

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Meet #TLBmove’s Sponsoring Brands
And the Products They’re Giving Away!

 

We Made Me
featuring the Flow active wrap.

Flow is our life active wrap – soft, light and breathable. Flow has a flexible fabric, which shapes to the contours of your body, echoing the beauty in both you and your baby, but only stretching in one direction, providing comfort, room to move, combined with vertical lift. Made to fit around you and the day ahead, Flow is suitable from birth, and a versatile and intimate experience for you and your newborn. Retail value: $79.99

We Made Me was born out of a simple passion: to create thoughtful products, dedicated to enhancing and supporting you, and your baby’s wellbeing, comfort and opportunity to bond.

Our product collections are all made with good conscience and an unflinching commitment to style, functionality, and above all: safety.

 

Mama Strut

Mama Strut is a wearable soft brace that is uniquely engineered to deliver heat/ice therapy to reduce birth pain, swelling and cramping from vaginal deliveries, c-sections, and vaginal prolapse, while also supporting the back and abdomen with multi-directional adjustable compression. Designed by a Mom of three to offer women increased relief and mobility after childbirth. Retail Value: $129.99

Get a free accessory pack with the purchase of a Mama Strut using the code: tlb2018 @ mamastrut.com (add the pack to your basket).

Mama Strut brings clinically proven Sports Medicine Technology to mama care. It was specifically designed for mamas by a mama and has been validated by medical professionals as well as many mama users.

 

Bamboobies
featuring the Yoga Nursing Brahhh

The NEW, award-winning Bamboobies Yoga Nursing Brahhh is designed to keep new moms comfortable, fashionable, and feeling great throughout the day. You can rock your yoga class or just feel good walking around the park! This bra is so comfortable, we hear a lot of moms-to-be and new moms sleep in it for light support throughout the night too.

The bamboobies Yoga Brahhh is made with super-soft, eco-friendly bamboo rayon fabric, making it breathable and moisture-wicking for active moms. Retail Value: $29.99

Bamboobies’ mission is to ensure that new mothers and babies are happier and healthier, and so is their world. Their nursing pads and other SOFT Style solutions have been created with love from one mom to many others. For this campaign Bamboobies has offered a 20% off discount code for their website, just enter TLBmoves20 at checkout on any products excluding bundles and the Kelly Bra.

 

Britax
featuring the Britax Pathway Stroller

Pave your own path with this fashionable, lightweight, one-hand quick-fold stroller. Bold, colorful patterns peek out from below the large UV 50+ canopy, so your personality can be on display. Four wheel design gives baby a smooth and steady ride. Baby’s seat can recline fully for nap time on-the-go, and an extra-large storage basket plus a zippered pocket makes it easy to bring along everything you need. Click & Go adapters are included, so it can easily be made into a travel system if needed. Retail Value: $229.99

Britax believes that family life should be lived without limit – a world where parents and children are free to make the most of every moment together.

 

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The Giveaway

A huge thank you to the sponsors of #TLBmoves 2018 and this giveaway – brands that believe in supporting moms and their babies. This giveaway is made possible by them. It includes a grand prize featuring all of the products above, and 4 other winners will receive one of the Yoga Nursing Brahhhs. Please use the widget below to participate.

By participating in this giveaway, you are granting permission for The Leaky Boob to share your name and email address with the sponsors of this giveaway. Please be honest in your participation – we will be checking! Good luck, everyone! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments

  1. That pelv ice looks amazing!!!

  2. The stroller would get me to move the most… I like to take the baby for a nice walk!

  3. I would love the Britax Parhway Stroller! It would definitely help me get moving after my baby is born!

  4. Elizabeth Steel says

    The wrap would help me to get moving!

  5. Destiny Segura says

    The wrap would get us moving forsure, with a toddler in tow I need a wrap for the youngest one!

  6. The wrap would be the most useful to me! Baby wearing makes getting things done around the house so much easier!!

  7. These are awesome products! The stroller would be awesome to win because compact and easy strollers are just not affordable anymore!

  8. Veronica Bohan says

    The nursing bra would get me moving the most-something to support the boulders I now carry!

  9. Brittany Wilson says

    thank for this post! As someone who’s 2 months PP I’m being a bit hard of myself that I can’t physically do some things that I was used to pre pregnancy. I just had a baby and I need to give myself time. It takes time and that’s something I needed to hear.

    I am loving the flow active wrap and stroller. I didn’t buy a stroller (for cost purposes) and I just keep telling myself that baby carriers will get me through. I now see how a stroller would be helpful!

  10. The stroller would get me moving for sure 🙂

  11. I would love the mama strut! I had an episiotomy and a prolapse and having this would help my recovery tremendously

  12. Heather Campbell says

    That stroller looks awesome!!! And I’ve heard wonderful things about MamaStrut for SPD.

  13. Definitely the stroller would help get me more active!

  14. The stroller would be awesome!!

  15. Sarah Meints says

    The stroller would be such a huge help! We have giant hills in our neighborhood and our old stroller is SO clunky!

  16. Alyson Turner says

    I love the We Made We Wrap!

    I want one so much 😍

  17. Amen to keeping it REAL about postpartum recovery and healing! It’s so incredibly important we not only take it easy on ourselves physically, but also mentally! I personally have been working towards finding a comfortable balance between regaining my level of strength and overall fitness I had with my pre-preggo body and now as a mom! It’s definitely SO different than I thought it would be when I was pregnant! I was SO convinced I would have my daughter and immediately hit the gym and get that pre-baby body back ASAP! However, I quickly realized it’s slow and steady process and so incredibly important to be kind to myself!

    Great read!

  18. Sarah Bricker says

    My fav thing to get moving is a comfortable sports bra for these 36E’s! Trying for baby #2 means a wrap and a xomfy nursing bra ❤

  19. These would be awesome for baby 2!

  20. Amber Campos says

    Thanks for being so honest about everything. From the not so peaceful part of breastfeeding to the awesome ways to feed in a carrier and everything in between.

  21. The Mama Strut would help me get moving!

  22. Melissa Hunter says

    Definitely the Britax!

  23. Anna Jacobson says

    I would super love that wrap!!! Iowa summers are brutal and my almost 2-year old still loved to be worn.

  24. I have a toddler and another little one on the way. I know this time around I will be utilizing a wrap or carrier a lot more often to help me get moving!

  25. Debbie McCormick says

    I would love to try this wrap!! I joined Baby Wearing International to try out wearing my new babe but this wrap looks like nothing I’ve seen before. Summer babies require light weight wraps!! My little heat ball has me sweating even in a ring sling

  26. Marie Porcoro says

    What an amazing giveaway and a great cause to use for a giveaway. Currently pregnant with my number one and I know how hard it it sgoing to be to lose weight and remain healthy during my postpartum months so I love all this.

  27. Elizabeth Dodson says

    I think the wrap or stroller would help me start to excercise more! The stoller i currently own is not jogging friendly. & little man likes to be carried when hes nit sleping.

  28. Kathy zolondek says

    The stroller……………..put the child in and off we go

  29. Yareli Rubio Jasso says

    The brahhh and the pathway stroller will be very beneficial in my new exercise routine after having my baby #2. Thank for bringing awareness for products such as these 🙂

  30. The Britax Pathway Stroller would be most helpful

  31. I think the brace may be helpful in getting me moving, but definitely what I really need post-birth is more/better sleep 😴😘 I love Bamboobies, though, and baby carrying, and good strollers….

  32. Sarah Parker says

    The wrap would help me get moving since I could just put baby in there and get walking!

  33. The Britax stroller would help to get me moving for sure

  34. Cierra Werber says

    Love your blog!

  35. Angel Braughton says

    Love this wrap

  36. Ariana Rodriguez Levin says

    Ahah totally need a single stroller 🤦🏻‍♀️ When I spent the fortune I did on our double I forgot that my oldest son was starting school soon. Now I have this enormous beast wit my little babe 😂😂

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