Weight Loss #4 Week 3

Unfortunately, I have to put my weight loss on a break. I have been "swimming upstream" for the past week and I NOW know why.

I am on Domperidone. One of its side effects is WEIGHT GAIN. Yup.

During Christmas my family and I suffered a horrific cold. My milk took a dip and I tried everything to get it going again. I fortunately have a wonderful support group on FB called the 'Crunchy Families' and got several tips on how to increase my milk supply. 

I did as much as skin to skin as possible with baby, including drinking dark ale, mother's milk teas, eating oatmeal after oatmeal, drinking enough fluids, pumping... you name it and without success. I met up with a La Leche League trainer and fb friend who pointed out some "anatomy issues" regarding my struggle to feed baby well.

Now wiser and smarter I went to see my Dr. and she prescribed Domperidone 2 pills 4 x a day. Within like 4 days I filled out! I was carrying stones.... ouch! I went down to 2 pills 2-3 x a day and I feel better. Yesterday, I upped my placenta capsules too, to 2 capsules 2x a day. I'm hoping for a good balance.

So, because of the silly vanity I still seem to have within me I "Dr.Googled" weight loss with Domperidone, thinking that since it was producing milk on "overdrive", I must be losing weight faster, I hoped... BUT to my disappointment, it is the exact OPPOSITE!! 

Apparently hundreds of women suffer weight gain while nursing on Domperidone. Bummer.

Well, so until I stop taking Domperidone, I will stop weighing myself, I will accept that I probably won't lose any and might even pile some pounds on and will just focus on loving me the way I am right now. I will eat healthy, I will keep hydrated, I will do Pilates and Yoga... I will enjoy every day that's been given to me. 

I will keep posting recipes and my thoughts. Stay tuned!

As I type I have a 

Greek Yoghurt & Honey Mask on...

Ingredients

1T Greek Yoghurt

1t honey

Mix well, and spread avoiding your eyes, let it soothe for 15minutes + and wash.

Have you been on Domperidone? What was your experience like?

Pelvic Floor Update

Here is another cross post, a blog post written by me on my other pregnancy blog. I felt this is important to share with other mothers, especially if you've had multiple births, so please read!

Physio Update

A few weeks ago I wrote this 

..."I've been to see a physio, who specializes in women's pelvic floor (pre- and postnatal). I have homework I need to do daily to strengthen/maintain my pelvic floor during the rapid growth of the baby, help in birth and fast healing post birth. But mostly, I am doing them so I stop peeing myself every time a sneeze or have a coughing fit! I know, too much info, but I know -you know what I mean!

Daily Kegels workout:

30 x 5+sec squeezes with 10sec break in between. This takes about 8 minutes to do. 

30 x quick squeezes with 10sec break in between.

I've been trying to remember to do this everyday for two weeks, and so far I have already seen felt an improvement. I have got two more weeks to do these exercises until my next appointment.."...

Today I saw my physio for a quick follow up appointment, to see how things have progressed with my 'dilemma'.

Two weeks ago, I couldn't cough, sneeze or laugh (and at times with no reason) without "leakage". I was wearing a thin liner and had to change it 2-3 x a day. I know I was 22 weeks pregnant, but this was alarming and I needed to seek professional help. 

There was no way that I, age 31 (or ever) had to be in such a weak state, where there was no connection with my mind and body, in such a way. All I can say that I am happy that I went and paid that money to see the specialist physio.

Here is where I was

• leakage, pad change 2-3 x a day
• pregnancy week 22
• waking up at night to visit the wc
• couldn't laugh, sneeze, or cough without leakage
• couldn't hold a kegel for more than 4 seconds

2 weeks later with these exercises

Here I am today

• No leakage, haven't worn a pad for 1 1/2 weeks
• pregnancy week 24
• no night time bathroom visits
• laughing, sneezing and coughing without leakage
• I can hold a kegel for more than 10 seconds

I cannot believe how fast this change took place and that it's not rocket science, as my physio puts it! Simple, simple exercises that don't make you sweat, don't take up too much time, can be done anytime and anywhere -has done so much in such little time frame.

My exercises have moved on to new ones, which I will be doing throughout my pregnancy and also after birth. I have a follow up appointment 2 months after birth to see what needs doing regarding my pelvis alignment etc.

Ladies, I urge you! Get sorted before it's super hard or too late!

Mini testimonials welcome, leave a comment!

Weight Loss #3 Part 7

Okay, before I tell you about how much I've lost so far, I want to share with you my two top lunches that I love, and about my new -old -thing, which I have taken more seriously than ever! Keep reading...

Here are my top two favorite lunches. 

Recipe one

Serving(s) 1

Weight Watchers points 7

1/2 C quinoa, cooked and chilled

1/2 cucumber, deseeded and cut in chunks

1 tomato, deseeded and diced

1 T fat free Ranch dressing

100g extra lean ground beef, fried and seasoned.

Mix -ENJOY!

Recipe two

Serving(s) 1

Weight Watchers points 9

1 whole wheat tortilla

1 slice of cheddar cheese (wrap)

100g extra lean ground beef, fried and seasoned (preferably with taco spice)

handful of shredded lettuce

1t death sauce, or any other spicy hot sauce (speed up that metabolism!!!)

1T salsa, hot

And now, the updates.

Last week I pulled my back for the second time in a few months. This is not good. Obviously, I have been so focused on weight loss and exersice that I have lost focus on well-being within, meaning the core. Well-being for me, is STOTT Pilates. I, as an instructor, should know that it's the best way to heal the body, especially the core. Not only does the body get stronger and leaner, it actually sculpts the body as well. No other exercise has been as fast as STOTT in losing inches around the waist. It's incredible. I suffered years of back ache, neck ache and so on, had to quit my job as a hairdresser 2005 because of it. Ever since I started doing STOTT Pilates in 2009, the pain and aches went away.  Hence the reason I became an instructor.

Back to the story, so yes, I pulled my back for the second time! This is because since giving birth to our 3rd, I haven't done any STOTT whatsoever. Why? I don't know how to answer that, I don't know why. I guess the people or places you associate with weekly rub off, a certain way of thinking, especially when it comes to health and fitness. No, I'm not putting the blame on them, I am keeping the blame on myself, myself only. I had attended group ex body pump and so on without strengthening the core at the same time. This is a big mistake. I won't even blame the group ex pump for my bad back. The pump did amazing stuff for the rest of my body, but focusing on the superficial muscles, made my problems worsen. Since I pulled my back, after my back felt a bit better, I've been on the mat again and after one session of STOTT Pilates, the difference is amazing. I feel way better and feel like I'm on the road to recovery and well-being. I won't quit lifting weights, however, it's not my priority. It's high up there on my priority list, but STOTT Pilates is for sure #1 at this moment.

Then for some picture updates... tam-tam-taa! 

was 205 lbs

I found that top which I am wearing in the top picture, to show you the difference in how it fits me today. On top, it's tight. Below, not so much!

Yes, I'm being silly.

Now I am  185 lbs!!! Yay!

This means, I have lost -20 lbs!

I have give or take 40 lbs to go!!!

Here is my Diastasis Recti -Seperation of the abs. I am doing STOTT Pilates to help my body to bring it closer together and give my lower spine the support it deserves! I'll keep posting updates on that side of things as well.

Read more on my weight loss #3 here, where it all began

Read more on STOTT Pilates here, where you should begin

Read about my Diastasis Recti here

Diastasis Recti

DIASTASIS RECTI 

It means abdominal separation. In pregnancy, diastasis recti is caused by the stretching of the rectus abdominis by the enlarging womb. It’s more common in women who have had more pregnancies, due to repeated episodes of stretching. Basically the left and right sides of your abs (rectus abdominis) aren't joined together anymore.

This is what it looks like,

Like I would be 5 months pregnant, always. (11months since our 3rd child was born and do note, she was 11lb when she came out!)

Is it "curable"?

There are a few different methods to deal with it, two which I know of and recommend if need be, are one, surgery and two, STOTT Pilates. Surgery maybe for those who have it "severe", and STOTT Pilates for everybody! 

I pulled my back for the 2nd time since our 3rd baby was born yesterday and today someone asked me if we were expecting our 4th. Oh man, it's time to tackle my core and get some support, literally.

As a STOTT Pilates instructor, I'm going to go the STOTT Pilates route and, I will be blogging updates with pictures!!  Stay tuned!

Find out more about the STOTT Pilates method HERE

and find out more about my weightloss #3 HERE

Stott Pilates

Writer: Cathy
As some of you may already know, I am currently doing my STOTT Pilates Intensive Matt plus Instructor Course located in Helsinki center, at PilatesHelsinki Studio.

Well, I am so excited! I have definately found something special, and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for me in STOTT Pilates. After this course, I am allowed to teach and I can't wait! Especially because I am so close in finishing my courses in Nutrition Therapy at Stone Bridge College! Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me since I would love for you to be a success story! Hint hint, nodge nodge**


Have a look at the link above for what STOTT Pilates is and how it differs from the Regular Pilates.

Peace out, be blessed!

xx
p.s I am going to post some "before and after pics" of myself and Simon! We've been our own guinea pigs and aren't finished yet!