I’m five months postpartum and things have settled in. I don’t feel like our family of four is a new thing anymore, it’s just our family. I don’t look at my body like I just had a baby, I just look and see my body. And I like what I see. “Like what I see” doesn’t mean I’m back to the exact weight and inches I was before kids, but should that really be what I’m striving for?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m close to where I was pre-pregnancy, but picking at the last couple pounds or inches isn’t what I want to be doing right now because honestly, I don’t care that much. My clothes pretty much fit and I feel healthy and fit. The pictures are getting pretty silly to take because well, it’s like I’m just showing you the difference between hairstyles.
This past month I have lost a little more but it’s largely just taken care of itself with time. I’ve been eating how I always eat and honestly, could be doing better with exercise. I’m working on fitting it in when I can, which is looking a lot more like family walks to the park and step ups on the playground stairs.
In between the walks though, there is a lot of up and down stairs, ‘ice skating’ around the living room with Hailey and afternoon scavenger hunts. While none of those would pass for an intense workout, I’m far from sedentary.
I have a lot I still want to accomplish. I want to run more, I want to tone my thighs and arms and I want to strengthen my core. So while I will not be documenting my weight and inches anymore, I will be sharing my fitness journey and what is working for me right now as a mom to two little ones.
For my final ‘weigh in’ —
| 4 months postpartum | 5 months postpartum | |
| Right Bicep | 10.75” | 10.75” |
| High Waist | 28.25” | 27.75” |
| Around Belly Button | 31.5” | 31” |
| Hips | 38” | 37.75” |
| Right Thigh | 22” | 22” |
| Weight | 119 lbs | 115.5 lbs |
I appreciate you letting me share my journey with you. It helped to see progress monthly when I wasn’t feeling it. It helped to hear your encouraging words that helped keep me accountable.
Now if only I could learn to dress this body! Hoping to give you an update on how the fashion challenge has been going soon 
What fitness goals do you have set for yourself at the moment?
How are you working towards reaching them?
John J. Stathas says
You continue to model a balanced common sense approach to healthy living – a good role model! Thanks for sharing and reminding.
Anna Phelan says
You are such an inspiration!! I love your posts and your blog in general. You are so real and honest.. and ps. you look AMAZING for have a baby only a few short months ago. I hope I am blessed with a body that bounces back that quickly after I have kids 🙂
Brynn says
I love your holistic view of your body and family. The picture of you walking with the girls is so precious- you look so happy and that’s all that matters at the end of the day.
Jen says
What a great update! As long as you feel healthy and happy, it’s all good.
My little one just turned five months on October 7th, and I think I’m in a similar place to you. I fit in my old clothes (um, not my tops, though, since my boobs are so huge!) which I love, I’m not doing anything special or crazy, and I would love to do some more strength training, but it’s just not happening.
I have also noticed how much more active I am in my every day life now that I have a child, and I realize that being active as a way of life is just as good (or better?) than exercising, if you know what I mean. I dance with my baby, we take walks, I wear her (and she’s a chunker!), I walk up and down the stairs a zillion times, etc. I do want to stretch more/do more yoga, and I would like to do a little more high intensity stuff, but right now I’m just doing what I can.
Katie Harding says
You look amazing!! You go girl! I’m 11 weeks postpartum and I’m slowly getting back into the work out routine, mostly just going for walks and chasing after 3 kids but you are truly an inspiration!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
You look great! Well-done mama! 🙂
I really miss working out in group exercise classes. That is a goal to get back to that point where I can do that. I particularly miss body pump, which was strength training. Budget for gym membership is one constraint, but time is even more difficult. I look at my day and think…when the heck would I get to the gym?! But the babies grow up and become more independent (sniff, sniff). One day our time won’t be as in-demand as it is now. Goals and expectations adjust accordingly.
Kathy says
You look great at 5 months postpartum! A good head on your shoulders as well!
Carrie (This Fit Chick) says
You look amazing! I love how you are doing these check ins to stay accountable. right now I dont really have a fitness goal– just keep on balancing!
Colette says
There is a great style website here in ireland, the style fairy, she has a blog and is on Facebook and Instagram, and regularly posts style ideas and looks. She is petite like you Brittany, so her looks would suit you. Maybe the exact items might not be available over there but I’m sure you could get similar.
http://Www.thestylefairy.ie
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says
You look great! You balance things so well and should be proud. You should really think about PiYo … it targets the areas you’re wanting to tone! Let me know if you’re interested 🙂
Jo says
You look great! Thanks for posting the updates, as a new mom I have really enjoyed following along. I’m stuck in this place where I want to get back into a workout routine but I am just so tired most days! I try to walk as much as I can and fit in a bit of strength training most days. I also just ordered a few new workout DVDs off amazon so hopefully mixing it up will help motivate me a bit!
Alex says
I really enjoy reading about your sensible and balanced approach to weight loss after a baby while providing and caring for your family everyday. Kudos! My current fitness goals are just to maintain a balanced gym schedule and continue strength training to build muscle to live a long and happy life.
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
It’s been fun reading your post-partum updates, but I understand where you’re coming from (loved it when you said “I’m just showing you the difference between hairstyles). Still, losing four pounds since your last update is a great accomplishment.
Glad to hear that you are happy with your return to your old self. Congrats!
christina says
you go girl! you look fantastic. 🙂
Maria says
4 pounds on us short girls can feel like 15 🙂 Thank you for showing that post partum weight loss, if you don’t obsess over it, is indeed possible without losing your mind 🙂
Laura @FitMamaLove says
Figuring out workouts with two little ones around can definitely be tricky. it’s why I love the Y and the very low cost childcare they provide. Without that, it would have been so much harder to fit it in.
Janet says
Hello! I’m so glad I found this blog. Your story is very inspiring. The weight melted off with my first daughter…daughter#2, not so much. At 5 weeks PP, I feel soft all over and stressed that I’m not experiencing the easy weight loss I did with my first baby. I gained 40lbs both times…had I known it would be harder to shed the weight this time, I would have exercised more discretion in what I are. Oh well…hindsight, right? I hope to be as successful as you in losing the weight – you look terrific. 🙂