Although I would like to place full blame on the 4 kids for my struggle to stay fit, the baller is going to have to bear some of that blame as well
One of the things it seems I have spent the last 8 years doing (besides having bad haircuts) is gaining and losing weight. I am a numbers kind of girl, so let me break it down for you like this:
I have spent 39% of the last 8 years pregnant.
I have spent 50% of the last 8 years breastfeeding.
I have had my body to myself for 11% of the last 8 years.
For me, that combination makes for a tough time staying at my goal weight. I am not one of those women who has weight just fall off of them when they are breastfeeding, instead I always keep an extra 5-7 pounds on until I am done. But as much as I have the pregnancy and breastfeeding making it tough to keep weight off, I think there is one other big factor that makes it tough to try and stay fit.
Here’s a hint: The factor is that cute basketball player in the picture that burns calories for his job.
When Joe and I first started dating, I was a division I soccer player. I could easily go bite-for-bite with Joe when we went out to eat. Polishing off half of a pizza? No Problem! Milkshakes every night? Sign me up! Joe could eat and so did I. But I never had to worry about gaining weight because I was burning calories as well playing soccer. But once I was done playing, I realized it was going to take some work to stay fit (I don’t use the words “thin” or “slim” to describe myself because I don’t really have that body type. I am not built to be called “skinny”).
I quickly realized it was going to be tough though because Joe still needed so many calories for energy and to KEEP weight on. He can put away around 3000 calories a day and never have to check the scale (you women who have husbands who are even bigger, they can probably double those calories in a day). And I couldn’t just keep high calorie foods out of the house because he needed those in order to be able to meet his daily needs.
I have always sort of envied those couples who lose weight together. It must be nice to clear the house of any “dangerous” foods and workout together. My husband works out for his job, we aren’t going to go on a walk/run together. And I certainly can’t keep up with eating enough to keep a small horse alive anymore. So I am on my own in the battle to fight off the baby weight!
Anyone else feel like their husband’s job is a hazard to their waistline?
That extra 5-10 pounds is what your body does to ensure you always have enough milk for your baby. For example, if there were to be a disaster or you’d get sick, your body could still produce milk for your child. I think it’s amazing how God designed us to care for our young like that.
I completely understand on the calorie deal. When Kevin was in college, he had his metabolism tested as a part of the curriculum for his major. His total calories burned just to maintain (not including trying to gain muscle mass)– 7000 calories per day! Early on, it was a major hazard to my waistline, but I learned to eat smaller portions if I wanted to eat all of the foods he did, and I also learned that when he ate again after dinner and before bed (for example), I did not have to follow! It’s HARD at times– still now– but if I didn’t, I would weigh a ton. The nice thing about it though? I did get some smaller portions of some very good foods that I otherwise would never have prepared.
I have some funny stories about our eating out though– like the waiter in Turkey who was always confused when Kevin would order two meals and polish off mine…
Maria recently posted..What type of Basketball Wife Am I
Haha! This is so true! I feel your pain Erin! Imagine how my 7 foot husband eats! I love food too so yes I too struggle to eat differently than he does. I played volleyball in college so my situation was the same as yours. I ate whatever I wanted and never gave it a second thought. I go to the gym most mornings while the kids are in school. It keeps me fit enough. But I am not the dieting or calorie counting type. I’d rather run more than do that. I think our husbands may struggle when they retire though because it is a very big adjustment to go from being an athlete to not being one. They have no idea what their bodies look like without exercise! I think my husband may do absolutely nothing physical for a little while after he retires but then I think he’ll soon realize that if he wants to look anything like he used to he’d better cut back or hit the gym. Good article. : )
Lol I’m right there with ya Erin except I was I’n the “skinny” group my whole life. When I think back to playing basketball at th juco being 6’1 and 140 wow yeah I was a bone. But now post running and running and popping out a nine pound baby the extra 5 pounds of belly fat has been a struggle. I think only way to get rid of it is to go practice with a team for a season lol. But on the topic of eating I have had to change my eating habits for if I continued to eat like college and like my husband who BTW eats 3 peoples portion per meal I would weigh a 1000 pounds. I unlike you do refuse to bring those fatning snacks In the house. If he wants them he can buy them or eat them while he out
Erin, not quite sure what you are talking about?
I think you look DARN good for having four kids and juggling the life of living overseas!! I hope I look like you after I have kids!!
Jenny recently posted..Time is rolling on!
Erin, I agree with Jenny! You look fantastic, babies or no babies!
My husband is different from many professional athletes in that he can’t eat all that much in one sitting. But he is a major snacker and prefers to eat many times throughout the day. I definitely have to watch myself to make sure I’m not eating again just because he is. I used to tell him “I’ll skip this meal and catch up with you on the next one!”
Ally recently posted..My Little Helper
I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOUR COMING FROM. LOL! I AM DEFINITELY A FOOD LOVER BUT ALSO A CALORIE COUNTER. ALTON EATS WAY MORE THAN ME AND YES…BURNS IT RIGHT OFF, NO PROBLEM. IN MY YOUNGER DAYS I WAS A “STICK” BUT I COULD THROW DOWN AT THE DINNER TABLE AND I USE TO GET TEASED ALL THE TIME ABOUT “WHERE DOES IT GO?” LOL! THESE DAYS, RUNNING BEHIND MY 4 KIDS HELPS ME STAY AT MY IDEAL WEIGHT AND SIZE, IN ADDITION TO MY YOGA AND PILATES CLASSES AND REBOUNDING FOR MY HUBBY DURING HIS INDIVIDUAL PRACTICES. PRACTICING WITH HIM IS HARDER THAN ANY OTHER WORKOUT AND HE DOESN’T GO EASY ON ME EITHER. LOL! IT MAKES FOR SOME FUN BONDING TIME TOO THOUGH.;)
Anita recently posted..Yes- she is 4 now
Good to know so many other wives are feeling me on this! I think when they retire it is us who will be the ones laughing though
I must agree. The whole being in shape issue has came up in the past. My husband thinks it should be easy for me and says i have no reason to be out of shape. But now im pregnant lol , and hes told me im gaining weight to quick. Oh well. Take me as i am