I’m still working at it…

And I’m 7 1/2 months post partum.

If you’re breastfeeding, you’re not supposed to diet or lose weight too quickly.

The experts say your weight should come off slowly and steadily over about 9 months – 1 year.

Since I didn’t want to jeopardize my precious milk supply, I took this advice to heart. (When you’re breastfeeding all you think about is your milk supply!)

So dieting was off the table.

I took all the new mom advice – sleep when the baby sleeps, relax, heal, and enjoy time with your new sweetie.

And then at my 6-week post partum checkup, I was still about 22 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight, and still not fitting in most of my clothes.

My doctor gave me the okay to start exercising.

So I signed up for Orange Theory, a group fitness class that is sort of like HIT (high intensity training). The work-out is a mixture of running, rowing, and free weights.

What I’ve learned:

Going to the gym or an exercise class is a breeze when you’re on maternity leave and that’s one of the only things you need to focus on.

For the working mamas:

It’s nearly impossible to muster up the strength to go to the gym at 6:30 am, after being up with your baby all night, and having to face a long work day ahead of you.

We mamas do the best we can – but sometimes that means skipping the gym.

So far I’ve made tremendous progress with Orange Theory – I’ve been working out for about 5 months now and have lost about 15 pounds.

The weight loss seems to be slowing now, but I’m trying to keep up my routine – and hopefully lose those last 7 pounds.

I’m hopeful that when I stop breast-feeding the weight will just fall right off. 🙂

Could breastfeeding be making it harder to lose weight?