When It’s Time to Get Healthy

All my life I’ve been in relatively good shape. My weight would fluctuate ten pounds or so but always manageable.

A low calorie and exercise worked for me. Even after my first two babies were born.

But everything seemed to change after the birth of my third baby.

I am 36, tired and I know I need to lose weight.

But part of me is too exhausted to care. I can’t seem to find any energy.

Three boys, severe autism, stress, and not sleeping through the night is working against me.

A Geriatric Pregnancy

I got pregnant with my third baby at 34 years old. A tiptoe away from being a geriatric pregnancy.

I made it my mission to stay healthy and not gain a ton of weight.

I walked every single day with my dogs.

I never sat down when I was home. I thank my other two boys for that.

But my body does this funny thing when I get pregnant. I get the confirmation and I start packing on weight. Almost immediately.

I eat an apple and gain 5 pounds. But I was bound and determined to not gain a bunch of weight.

Then, around 12 weeks I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I haven’t really shared that publicly.

I was embarrassed. I felt like my body had failed me. I was scared and sad about it.

I immersed myself into blogs about GD. I was terrified.

I had one goal. To stay off of insulin.

Then a few weeks later I had a gallbladder attack while at my job that put me in the emergency room. Even after the birth of three babies, that gallbladder attack was the worst pain I have ever experienced.

I was positive I was having a heart attack. And simultaneously losing my baby.

No one at my work knew I was pregnant yet so I drove myself to the hospital with one eye open. Not smart.

Worst pain I have ever felt.

Diagnosis…I had a golf ball size gallstone. The goal…to wait until after my pregnancy to have it removed.

When I got home that night from the ER I received a phone call from my dad.

My step-mom had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. But she was going to fight it.

At that moment I was pretty sure my body, baby and the universe were out to get me.

A Healthy Pregnancy

I lived the next 7 months eating no dairy or carbs. I gained less than 20 pounds.

I was healthy. And I was in great shape from walking every single day.

In the 2 weeks following my delivery I lost all 20 pounds. I was stressed over recovery, breastfeeding, adding in a third baby, autism and I forgot to eat.

The weight was gone but I was so squishy. It felt different than my first two pregnancies. I felt old.

My baby will be one in 3 weeks.

I need to lose weight. I look in the mirror and hardly recognize myself.

And I need to get out of this funk that I am.

I need to get active. I need to eat healthier. And I need to feel better about myself.

It’s time.

Time to get Healthy

I’m now 36. I have three active boys. One with severe autism who is going to need lifelong care. I need to be able to get on the ground and move him.

I need to be stronger and bigger than him. Forever.

But I feel like the universe is working against me.

The weight won’t come off. Each time I lose a few pounds something happens to derail me.

My stepmom died. My dog died. My baby stopped sleeping through the night at 10 months old.

I know the biggest issue is stress.  And exhaustion. If I can’t get my baby to sleep I need to find energy somewhere.  

I still don’t sit down.

Work, laundry, hockey, therapy. It all demands more from me than I have to give. And at the end of the day, making time for my health seems impossible.

The Plan

So, here is my commitment to you. To me. To my kids.

I am going to get back to basics.

I am going to walk every single day. I am going to prioritize exercise and getting outside into the fresh air.

I will use my lunch break if I’m working. I will take my baby if I’m with him. Go early. Go late. Whatever.

I am going to focus on finding the energy I need to be a good mom and get healthy. I started using Smart Cups, the world’s first and only printed beverage cup.

I love caffeine. I have no shame in saying that. But I also want something that is zero sugar, and low calorie and low carb. I don’t want to drink my calories or crash. Smart Cups delivers that.

I started drinking them in the afternoons before my walk. They taste great and are easy. Just add water.

They travel well too so sometimes I even bring one with on my walk. Thank you stroller cupholders.

My favorite flavor is Margarita! I can pretend I am on a beach somewhere! You can check them out at SmartCups.com. I nosed around on their page and found a promo code for 20% off! Use TIREDMOM20. How fitting is that?!

I am going to cook dinner and make healthy food choices. I know my body and for me, losing weight means a combination of eating low calorie and exercise.

I need to have healthy food options in the house and even more specifically, healthy snack options.

Lastly, I am going to figure out how to let my body and mind rest. I need to lower my stress.

This will probably bet he hardest one! Anyone have any suggestions?

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.