Today is my due date. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first child; a son. I am living all the end stage pregnancy complaints and feel bound to my couch. I have spent the last nine months consumed with thoughts of this little boy growing inside of me.

But, in the last couple of weeks, thoughts of what my post-partum body will be like have taken up residence in my brain. You see, I am nearly 35 pounds heavier than I was pre-pregnancy. And I’ll be honest, watching my stomach grow bigger than a basketball has been equal parts amazing and horrifying.

I just keep thinking…what am I going to look like when this is all over? How hard am I going to have to work to have any semblance of my old body back?

I admit it – I’ve indulged. There has been ice cream dates with my husband, too many cheeseburgers to count and an overwhelming love for waffles. I could literally eat waffles every day.

But, hopefully in just a few short days, (maybe today?) it’s going to be time to take my weight and fitness level seriously again. Pre-pregnancy, I was a healthy 135 pounds at 5’8.” I worked out either by hitting the elliptical at the gym or walking, jogging or hiking outside at least a few times a week. I was a semi-contentious eater, making sure to eat lots of fruits and veggies but I have a wicked sweet tooth and a voracious appetite. I’ve hung on to those ‘last five pounds’ since my freshman year of college and I know that if I took seriously a healthier attitude towards food and exercise, I could meet my goal.

The other thing about losing the weight post-partum is that I know that if I’m taking my health seriously, it’s going to make me a better mother. I know that if I feel good about myself, that attitude is going to pour into my son.

So, this is my plan:

• Buy a few sessions with a personal trainer once I am cleared to go back to the gym. I’ve never worked with a trainer before but I think this would be really beneficial for me. It will help me focus on a few key areas of my body (obviously targeting my core and I would love to strengthen and build definition in my arms) and I know I can follow a routine once it’s been built for me.

• Hit the gym or do a work out video four times a week.

• Go for a walk everyday. I know it will help my energy level and emotional state. Some of my girlfriends have laughed at me when I’ve mentioned this because they don’t think it’s possible with an infant, but I’m committed.

• Eat fruit and vegetables for snacks. I’m planning on breastfeeding and everyone says it makes you voraciously hungry. So, if an apple or carrots aren’t going to cut it as a snack, my plan is to add a protein.

• One splurge day per week. This has been a long-held never accomplished goal. I always say I’m going to give myself one day to have a treat each week, but I blow it every week, usually by having a treat everyday.

I’m starting cautiously, knowing that I can tweak and ramp up in intensity depending on what my schedule looks like and what my newborn needs from me. I am genuinely excited to see where this new commitment to health and fitness takes me. I’ve had goals of running a 10k and hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon for a few years and I really think this year could be the year to accomplish some of those goals.

Because, when I think of what my body is capable of and what it’s already done, having grown and developed a human life, how hard could it really be to go for a jog or do 30 Day Shred?

– Article written by Andrea, who blogs at Traveling Mercies. She wrote this on October 17, and her son Jackson was born October 23, 2008, at 8 AM. We’ll be checking back with her to see how she’s doing with her fitness goals, and to see if new motherhood required her to adapt her plans. Congratulations on your baby boy, Andrea!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 at 9:45 pm and is filed under Challenges, Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.