Motherhood, Breastfeeding , and How I lost the weight!
- Dana Taormina
- Sep 21, 2017
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 12, 2024
I wanted to start with the most uncomfortable photo I could find of myself right after I had my daughter Phoenix. This photo was taken in July 2015. My uncle took this photo of my cousin and myself. It was supposed to be a beautiful moment captured. After he sent the photo to me I was shocked! What I saw in the photo was not who or what I thought I looked like. Although the camera can add a few pounds, this photo was more of a dose of hard truths. The 55lbs I gained on my petite 5'0 frame was more then it could handle. More then I could handle. This photo sent me on a downward spiral of self shame.
The EGO is a killer, a negative default that will tell you lies if you don't CHOOSE HAPPINESS despite how vulnerable you feel. I was under some major body shame. My courage to support my inner beauty had left the building. Lets be real here, I am not unique. So many women go through the very same thing. However like many of us women we take our personal pain and store it deep inside, and appear to be brave on the outside, but hurt internally. Weight gain can simply steal a piece of on inner self worth.
Pictured here I was just about a month pregnant and had no clue, it was September 5th 2014 my cousins wedding. I had just suffered another miscarriage, at this time that would make my 2nd. It was the beginning of August, my grandmother passed away just a few weeks before this. So I had no sense that I was pregnant again so soon, it seemed impossible as I was waiting for my period to return to then try again to get pregnant. I will talk more about miscarriage and my story on a different post. But the point of this photo is to illustrate how different I looked only 8 or 9 months prior to the first photo.
I was a gluten free Vegan for years and throughout my pregnancy as well. I ate clean, and I could not understand how I could have gained 55lbs on my petite 5'0" frame. Eating clean, and exercise have always been top priorities for me. No matter what you think you know, or how you prepare, pregnancy can and will take a hold and leave you feeling completely different, you become a foreigner to your body. I had become a new version of myself that I was not willing to except. Although I was embarrassing the gift of childbirth, and loving being a mommy, I also was struggling trying to reconnect with myself. To feel whole again, to be present for my husband.
When I look at the photo above and see how my face was significantly thinner of course it bothers me. Something I have had to except. I have had to learn to love myself again, and focus on making sure that my beautiful baby was being cared for the best way I knew how. That I maintained a positive attitude so that I could have a pleasant time breastfeeding. As I started to embrace my new body I began to understand that no matter what maintaining my health was the ultimate goal, everything else will fall into place. Breastfeeding was a huge priority, after doing my research online I read a few things on other women who struggled to loose weight and it did provide me with hope. Which is why I am writing this post today, I hope it reaches other mothers out there who felt like I did, who need to hear from another mom that everything will return to a new positive normal. I want to you give you real tips, and items that I used and still follow.
But first I want to blow the top off the MYTH that Breast feeding helps you loose weight quicker.
Maybe that may be the case for some women, but not for me, and I am certain there are many of you out there who feel the same. I breast feed Phoenix for 19 months. All of which was an amazing experience that I would not trade. I made sure to eat clean, and I worked out regularly. But I must say that I only lost the initial water weight then a few more pounds after the birth, but the last 25lbs or so were the real challenge. I lost weight slowly over the 19 month period. Very slowly.
While you are nursing your body produces the hormone Prolactin to produce breast milk, and this could prevent you from losing weight. Sleep deprivation is a huge culprit as well. Getting sleep is so important, and extremely difficult which is why having patient while you are nursing is so critical.
Working out was important for my mental health. But it didn't do to much in helping me loose weight. It kept me firm, and gave me energy. Which I highly recommend. I highly advocate working out at home. Continue reading below for my tips and tricks on what I did to maintain a slow and steady routine to get back to optimal health!
Below I am just a few weeks FREE of nursing, eating a new Paleo diet, and feeling awesome!
None of these photos are good quality, they are real unedited moments of my life. I don't like to take photos of myself. If you scroll through my camera feed it's photos of food, and my daughter, or my husband holding my daughter..... So I had to take a selfie as I am writing this to show you me now! I am keeping it real. There is no filter!
Lets get down to business....
Here are a few things that I did to recover from childbirth, To aid in 19 months of breast feeding, and to help me loose weight the healthy way.
Dana's Tips and Tricks for Healthy Nursing and Weight Loss
Step 1 : first thing is ACCEPTANCE.
This was the hardest step for me, Breastfeeding in the beginning is very painful and can be extremely uncomfortable. Accept the pain and discomfort and know that in a few short weeks, the pain will go away, and nursing will become a effortless experience. I made the commitment to nurse my daughter and I had to shove my pain down and do what needed to be done to follow through. And I am so happy I did, Be Brave!
Don't give up no matter what! Consistency is key!
TIP: Find other mothers who you can relate to.
Join a lactation support group.
Journal everyday...write down your fears, dreams and goals
source inspiration on social media
watch motivational videos on YouTube...I love
Step 2: EAT REAL FOOD
Eat high quality fats everyday to fuel your body. Fill your plate with mostly vegetables, leafy greens, and little bit of protein, and always some high quality fat.
For example avocado, & coconut oil. Eat Avocado with eggs in the morning, eat them in your salad, eat it on toast. Use coconut oil to cook, use it as a spread over toast, and as an ingredient in your homemade salad dressing. Drink Bulletproof Coffee!
TIP: I highly recommend you purchase Bulletproof Brain Octane. You can learn more and purchase products from Bulletproof.com
I use this everyday when I start my day by having a cup of bulletproof coffee.
Step 3: NO REFINED SUGAR
Stay away from all refined sugar, this will only hurt you. Although your body will grave sugar the most because you are tired, you must fight the urge. This is why Fats are essential. They will aid in the defeat of sugar cravings, and will help to sustain energy and control your apatite.
When we are extremely tired we often get the impulse to eat, to help keep us awake. The to go for many in this situation is something processed and something sweat. Greasy potato chips, cereal, non-nutrient dense food, empty calories that only momentarily satisfy.
TIP: I highly recommend keeping Dates in your refrigerator. They are super sweat and Delicious and can help combat a sugar craving. Both Majool, and Deleg are perfect.
Have a cup a hot lemon water and add a little raw honey, this will help with digestion and will keep sugar cravings a bay, start and end your day with this.
Step 4: Meal Prep with Friends
It is extremely hard to cook when you are a new mom. Life is fast pace and daily chores can get in our way. But Meal prep will save your life and help you stay on track with your diet and weight loss. Ask your close friends to come over and take turns watching the baby while you all prepare some delicious food.
TIP: Follow The Whole30 recipes bloggers on social media. Find easy to follow recipes that are sure to satisfy and will make cooking fun... here are my absolute favorites...
And of course check out my news feed and blog for recipes and ideas as well!!
Step 4: Placenta Pills
I plan to devote an entire blog post to Placenta Pills, tonics, and why they are good for you. Just know that I could not live without them. And Yes, I saved my Placenta and had it dehydrated into pills. They gave me raw, natural energy that I honestly could not live without.
If you live on Long Island, then I highly recommend the Long Island Placenta Specialist.
More to come on this topic.
Step 5: Find An Exercise Program
In my opinion working out from home is the best possible path for sustainable success. But for many they need to go to the gym to workout. Either way find your place. Without any hesitation I recommend the Tracy Anderson Method. I found this method six years ago and It is the only fitness routine that has ever changed my body in such a sleek and toned way. It takes commitment because you are moving in unconventional ways. But once you understand the method you will become addicted. There is a monthly fee to stream her workouts weekly from her website. However you will get new workouts every week, it's exciting and never boring. If you like to be toned, and not bulky this is the work out for you.
TIP: Tracy Anderson Post Pregnancy workout DVD...
Go on long walks, they are another form of cardio that baby can be a part of.
YouTube workout channels I also enjoy:
Step 6: Keep Healthy Snacks on hand
When your hungry and don't have the time to make a meal because you are on the go keep snacks that are clean and minimally processed. If you have the time to prepare your own snack bags that awesome to. Below you will find shop-able links for all the items I list as approval snacks.
TIP: Here are brands that I approve: RXBars, Terra Chips, Paleo Granola, Almond butter to Go Packets, Primal Kitchen Chocolate, Tracy Anderson Clear Protein Bars,
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