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- After giving birth, I was too focused on getting my pre-baby body back. I regret not being more focused on my son. (businessinsider.com)
New Mom Reflects on Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss: “I Was Too Focused on Losing the Weight”
A local mother shares her personal journey of navigating the pressures of post-pregnancy weight loss and the unexpected toll it took on her early motherhood experience.
Ashley Archambault, a new mom, gained 100 pounds during her pregnancy, a combination of indulging cravings, stress eating, and bed rest. After giving birth, she was surprised to find 80 pounds of “baby weight” remained, a significant amount that left her feeling overwhelmed.
“Before my pregnancy, my weight was very stable,” Archambault explained. “If my pants got tight, I’d adjust my eating and exercise.
But 80 pounds? That felt like a monumental task, and my approach quickly became an obsessive panic.”
The Slippery Slope of Over-Exercising and Restrictive Eating
Archambault, recovering from a C-section, was advised to walk for recovery. She took this advice to heart, taking her newborn son and dog on two to three long walks a day, each covering about two miles. At home, she’d add extra trips up and down the stairs, constantly seeking ways to burn more calories.
Her dietary habits also shifted dramatically. She fixated on low-calorie options, often opting for tuna on crackers, black bean soup, or cabbage “steak” with Sriracha for her meals.
“Looking back, I know now that I was putting an unnecessary amount of pressure on myself,” Archambault admitted. “I was rushing my weight loss in an emotionally and physically unhealthy way. At the time, I was just desperate to feel like myself again.”
A Distraction from Precious Moments
Archambault now regrets the intense focus on her body and diet, realizing it pulled her attention away from the fleeting moments of her son’s infancy.
“I wish I had been more solely focused on enjoying my son as an infant instead of putting so much effort into dieting and exercise,” she shared. “A more self-loving version of myself would have been forgiving and just allowed the weight to come off in time.” She wonders if simply embracing playtime with her son all day might have been enough activity, albeit a slower path, to shed the weight, removing a major stressor from her life as a new mom.
The Regret of Missed Opportunities
Archambault often reflects on what she would do differently if she were to have another child, emphasizing the importance of maintaining healthy habits throughout pregnancy.
“The effect my pregnancy weight gain had on me negatively affected my early days of motherhood,” she stated. “On top of the normal emotions and exhaustion, I was beating myself up and punishing myself with an aggressive approach to weight loss. I should have been celebrating my body for giving me my son and focusing on soaking up every moment with him.”
By the time her son was two, Archambault had lost most of the weight and felt more comfortable in her body. However, achieving her goal brought a new realization: what she had missed.
“My son wasn’t a baby anymore,” she lamented. This realization became a crucial lesson, prompting her to prioritize active play with her son and enjoy simple pleasures like baking cupcakes together. Her relationship with food and exercise eventually returned to a healthier, pre-pregnancy balance, allowing her the time and energy to truly appreciate her son.
“He really did grow up so fast,” Archambault concluded, “and I’m sorry that I didn’t realize enjoying him as a baby was the most important thing at the time.”