Big Bottom Momma

I have goals. Lots and lots of them. After having a baby, I have some weight loss goals too. I want to document this to motivate myself and also to see if it really works like I've planned.
I can't believe I am going to do this, but whatev. Numbers are easier for me to follow.

Carson:
Pre-Pregnancy Weight - 159 lbs
Min Pregnancy Weight - 156
Max Pregnancy Weight - 190 lbs
Total Weight Gain - 31 lbs
*The first time I got on a scale after having Carson was around 4 or 5 months later. I had NO idea what it would say but was curious. Lo and behold, it read 153. I have no idea how long it took me to lose the weight, nor was I trying. Phew.

Drake:
Pre-Pregnancy Weight - 145 lbs
Min Pregnancy Weight - 143 lbs
Max Pregnancy Weight - 197 lbs
Total Weight Gain - 52 lbs
*The first time I got on a scale after Drake was around 8-9 weeks later (can't really remember). I was 166 fully clothed, in the middle of the day. I had just purchased a scale so I could see how I was doing, and was pleasantly surprised. I started working hard at that point to get the rest off and was down to 145 at exactly 4 months thanks to the stomach flu. I was grateful to shed the last few pounds, but had to FIGHT to keep up my milk supply for the 4 days I couldn't keep anything down. That was NOT fun.

Brooks:
Pre-Pregnancy Weight - 145 lbs
Min Pregnancy Weight - 145 lbs
Max Pregnancy Weight - 196 lbs (don't even get me started on this one. I went in at 39 weeks 2 days for an appointment and weighed 189 I think. I was DONE being pregnant at that point (even though I still had 6 days to go), so I started walking about 5 miles a day as opposed to my usual 2-3 hoping that the baby would come. My appetite decreased significantly at that point as well, I just wasn't feelin' too hot. SOMEHOW my weight managed to jump THAT much by my 40 week appointment. Do you know how many calories I would have to eat to put on so much weight in that time; on top of all that walking. 27,000 calories!! I am a big eater, but that is even impossible for me! Talk about adding insult to injury...)
Total Weight Gain - appx 45 lbs (I think this is an accurate number because this go-around I was weighing on two different scales which gave different readings. The low number is from the scale I like better because it tells me numbers I'd rather see, and the high number is from the scale that hates me :).

Here is my plan:
-No junk food
-No overeating
-Eat a lot of whole grains and a wide variety of fruits and veggies
-Exercise regularly
-Weigh in once a week, same day, same conditions
- Drink TONS of water

NOT part of my plan:
-Cutting calories (Hello! Can't do this! I am a nursing momma and think this is a bad idea. I am not even much a fan of cutting calories to lose weight anyway. I prefer to fill my "diet" with healthy food choices which, if done right, fill me up faster, better, and last longer, naturally cutting extra or unnecessary calories)
- Exercising too much (If you know me well, you know that I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE to exercise, and really really sweat and work hard. I love to get on a machine and see how many hundreds, or even thousands of calories I can burn in an hour! Once again, I want to keep a good, strong milk supply, so I am burning some calorie as I "work out", but am more aiming for a more efficient metabolism, and strengthening all my systems in order to be a healthy mommy.)

My specific goals are:
-To lose 1.5 pounds per week. (So far I have been as much as 2.4 pounds, and a little as 1.0 pound in a week, but I am averaging out nicely, so am right on track). I feel like 1.5 pounds per week for a body as large as mine is a-ok for a nursing mother. I know I could shed the weight faster, but don't feel it's a good idea for optimal health for me and the baby.
-Ultimately be back between 145 and 150
-Lose all the weight by October 1
-To not have to buy any new clothes. I want to fit into my pants when it gets chilly.

I should mention that all my weight is in my rear, hence the title of the post. My stomach never gets very big, even pregnant. If I were to put on 100 pounds, I would be one of the funky looking anomalies that has a tiny little waist and an ENORMOUS tush that you try and sneak a picture of because you haven't seen anyone look QUITE that odd. Because of this, all my shirts fit just fine; it's my pants that cause me all the grief.
Also, lest any of you think I am obsessive about this, I am not :). I LOVE a good challenge, and while I am sure my body would do what it has the previous two times (shed the weight fairly quickly, and without much thought or effort), it is fun for me to create an eating and exercise program for myself.
Lastly, one of my biggest motivations to lose weight is my knee. I actually feel really awesome at the weight I am at now (in the 160's), but losing another 20 pounds makes a HUGE difference on my poor little, arthritic, degenerating, weak left knee. I have had a few surgeons work on me, all of which have mentioned the need to stay thin for the sake of walking and being able to live life, especially as I age.
So there you have it. I have shared all my numbers with you and now I'm feeling naked!