15 Months Post Partum

I know that I said here that my 9 month post partum update would be my last, but lately I have been telling a lot of new mommies out there how much has happened to my body since that time. It took me 9 months to lose and keep off all of my baby weight, and I think that having it off by 9 months is a good, attainable goal. However, I now would advise most people to wait until 12 or 15 months post partum to expect to have their "old body" back.

 (3 days vs. 15 months post partum)

 Something has happened in the past few months and all of the sudden my tummy is flat, my face isn't chubby, I have more energy and my hormones have leveled out. I now feel so much more like my old self. Some things will never return to normal, but in general I look in the mirror and feel like me again.

 (8 months vs. 15 months post partum)

Around 13 months post partum I did Best Body Bootcamp, which I think helped move things along, and I also believe that extended breastfeeding has continued to keep my weight low (and in fact some days I still struggle to eat enough, depending on Lydia's preferences). But beyond the number on the scale I am finally seeing muscle tone again which was something I wasn't sure would ever come back!!

So in short... just be patient. Having a baby is a huge thing for your body to handle and sometimes I think we are too hard on ourselves and on other women. Some things just take time - and getting your old body back after baby is definitely one of them.