On the Way to My Skinny Jeans

I recently celebrated a milestone...I tossed a pair of perfectly good jeans into the donate pile. This is unusual for me because I keep jeans forever and in fact am inclined to grant sacred status to a good, well-fitting pair of jeans. Even when the material is worn thin and has a few holes in it, I can still wear them while working around the yard or cleaning house, so they stay in my closet. I have about 10 pair in various sizes, cuts, brands, and shades, but only half of them are pre-baby jeans. I don't know if that's a lot of jeans, but it feels like a lot to me, and I'm trying to whittle it down.

You see, the pair I tossed was slightly too big, and that morning I had moved down into the next pair between me and my skinny jeans. I walked confidently into the kitchen and started making breakfast hoping a certain someone would notice my new (old) look. Hubs noticed immediately and showered all sorts of praise about how good I looked, and I enjoyed every minute of it!

When I say "skinny jeans" I'm not talking about the ultra skinny low-rise type that seem to be very popular now, I'm simply referring to my favorite jeans from my skinnier days.

I love my skinny jeans. I've had them since 1994, though I haven't worn them since I got pregnant with Baby #1. I came close between Baby #1 and Baby #2, but never quite lost the weight between Baby #2 and Baby #3, and losing the pounds from Baby #3 has been a painful trial. My new hobby of baking artisan bread probably doesn't help! I've been sorely tempted to try any crazy diet or diet pills to get my pre-baby body back, though I've found for me the only real way to lose pounds and keep the shape I want is to exercise.

When I see moms who have their figures back just a few weeks after delivering, I try with all my might to squelch feelings of envy, but I can't. I envy that they have their figures back, envy that maybe they have somehow found the time to workout, that the baby actually slept while they went out with the jogging stroller or at least didn't pitch a screaming fit. And I am completely jealous of women who have someone to watch the children while they get some exercise. Way back when, just after college, I was a nanny for a period of time for a family in which the wife was independently wealthy. Every morning I took care of the five-year-old girl and twin two-year-old boys while she worked out with her personal trainer. In my naive young adult mind I thought that was just ridiculous; now I understand why she did it! She could afford it, and it helped her get back her pre-twins body.

We have a few pieces of equipment that I can use, so that's not an issue. The hard part for me is keeping the kids in check while I work out. I find myself stopping every two minutes to break up an argument, comfort hurt feelings, or check body parts or furniture or the walls for damage. While a personal trainer would certainly help me get past the plateau and back into those skinny jeans, I think the thing I need the most is someone to watch the kids while I hit the treadmill or the rowing machine. Any takers?

Original DC Metro Moms Blog post.

When she isn't obsessively trying on her skinny jeans, Andrea writes about her adventures in the kitchen at Andrea's Recipes.

Comments

[Meg]

Hey there - I have dropped 18 lbs since New Year's by counting every blessed calorie that goes in and exercising practically every day. I am back in my "skinny" jeans! Wooooot! In fact, I had a skinny pair of khakis that I almost gave away for fear I'd never get into them; by the time I rediscovered them recently, the butt's all baggy and really, one could say they're too big for me now.

Guess it's time to go SHOPPING!

[Megan]

Let me start by saying I am NOT a morning person. But the only way I get exercise in and not take time away from the kids is -- get up and run before dawn. I run at 5:45am. ICK ICK ICK. But its what works for me (i haven't lost the baby weight yet, but that is a food consumption problem - not an exercise problem!)

[Megan]

oh, and CONGRATS!!!!!

[Caitlin]

Congrats :). I recently joined a gym that has child care ($10 a month for up to 2 hours a day and I think they have family discounts for multiple kids). My son has a late birthday and won't start part time preschool until September. He loves the kid's gym and keeps asking to go, which helps me make it to the gym on days I don't feel like going. It's certainly an improvement over exercising at home, since my 3 year old, dog, and cat mistake me doing an exercise dvd for a game of "ATTACK THE MOVING FEETS!!".

[Linda]

yay, congrats!!!! I managed to squeeze into my skinny jeans this winter...ones I bought in 2003 before I had both kids...they were a bit out of style but still can pull off on some outfits. It felt great!! Good for you. We joined the YMCA this year and I love it because they have decent childcare and my kids love to go so it's fun for everyone.

[Leslie]

You go girls! Now go out and treat yourself -- buy some new jeans. There's nothing 5+ years old that could possibly still be in style. Jeans from the mid 90s? "Holey" Cow! I can't believe the acid wash hasn't eaten holes in them by now.

[Leslie]

You go girls! Now go out and treat yourself -- buy some new jeans. There's nothing 5+ years old that could possibly still be in style. Jeans from the mid 90s? "Holey" Cow! I can't believe the acid wash hasn't eaten holes in them by now.

[Andrea]

Meg, congrats!

Meagan, thanks! BC, I used to get up at 3:30 am (no kidding) to get in my workout before leaving at 5:30 for my morning two hour commute. That didn't last long... :-)

Caitlin, I know exactly what you mean! I used to do The Firm, which really does kick my butt, but the boys were constantly trying to climb on the steps or take away the hand weights. Oy!

Linda, yay for you and your skinny jeans! I think it's great that you have a Y close by. Our county Y is nowhere near, so I'm looking into other options.

[Andrea]

Leslie, you are right that my wardrobe is a bit in need of an overhaul! :-)

[kristen]

I agree with Megan -- first thing in the morning is the only thing that works for me. And, if you do it both weekend days, then you only have to exercise two days during the week. Every morning, I leave our house at 5:30 for a jog when my husband is still home to watch the boys. I've enjoyed my workout so much that I actually run almost every single day -- and am in all of my pre-pregnancy clothes!

[Jessica]

Fantastic! You deserve hearty congratulations. You are in your almost skinny jeans and you have THREE kids. Awesome.

Remember, when you used to wear those jeans you are slenderly cruising around in today not only were you pre-babies and the havoc those pregnancies can wreck on stomachs and hips, your metabolism was how many years younger?

You're a rock star. Celebrations are in order.

[Jessica @ A Bushel and a Peck]

Congratulations! Since I am due with #3 in July and currently the size of a house, I am jealous. But motivated, too...it CAN be done! :)

[Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah]

I'd love to have the name and phone number if you find a good babysitter.

Or an affordable gym with childcare.

[Vicky]

The best thing for me? Lady of America. It had free and good childcare. The staff is very nice and they have strict rules for the kids. I really love it as a whole and find it helped me tremendously when I wanted back into my old jeans.

[Nicole]

Great job !

I lost 15 pounds last year and have kept them off by watching carb intake.
It's a great feeling- revel in it and

CONGRATS AGAIN :)

[Linsey K / KrolikLegal]

Break out the champagne! This is truly celebratory! As for finding time to work out, Boot Camp at 5:30 has done wonders for me. I started in January and am loving it. I have discovered I have to eat well too, otherwise the lbs don't come off.... bummer. But since I have been watching what I eat and exercising hard 4-5 days a week (intervals - they work!), I have toned up a ton and lost 5 lbs. I have about 7 to go to my goal. Try the early morning thing - it is tough, but so worth it. There is no way I can find any other time in my day on a consistent basis with the kids and work and life and...

[Gift of Green]

Great job, Andrea! I am really impressed because I know how hard it is to stay motivated! I also have a pair of skinny jeans that I've kept - um, they have zippers at ankles if that gives you any idea of how old they are! :)

[Cheryl Wenzel/New Mom Central]

Well, you've got me motivated. I've started back on my elliptical trainer (bad knees...heard this was supposed to help). I've been using the "my kids won't cooperate with my workouts" shtick, but since you gals are up at the crack of dawn, NOW what excuse do I have?! Thanks a lot!! :)