From Closet Tears to Confidence: How I Lost 39 Pounds After Baby #2

If you're a new mom feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to "bounce back" after pregnancy, I've been there—and I'm here to tell you, it doesn't have to be this way. Here's how I achieved healthy postpartum weight loss, losing 39 pounds by simply working with my body, not against it, and how you can too—even when you're juggling multiple kids and barely have time to shower.

There I was again – standing in my closet, desperately trying to squeeze into my favorite workout leggings. You know the ones – those trusty black LuluLemon’s that had seen me through countless workouts, grocery store runs, and coffee dates. But this time? They didn't even make it past my thighs. YOGA pants.

Cue the hot tears streaming down my face while my baby monitor crackled in the background.

If you've ever had a baby (or two!), you know this moment. The moment when you realize your body has completely transformed, and you're left wondering if you'll ever feel like "you" again.

Today, I'm sharing my raw, unfiltered journey of losing 39 pounds after my second pregnancy – not through some miracle diet or punishing workout regimen, but through small, intentional changes that actually worked for my busy mom life. Unlike my first postpartum experience where every pound was a battle, this time the weight almost seemed to fall away because I finally discovered what worked for my unique body, age, and genetics.

This is also the same template I've been using with hundreds of other moms to help them reach the same goals you have so I know it works, but now it was time I was putting it to the test on myself.

The Reality Check

One month after giving birth, I stepped on the scale and saw I'd naturally lost 24 pounds. My body had released all that baby weight, extra fluid, and placenta goodness (sorry, not sorry for the TMI). But I still had 17 pounds to go before I'd be back at my pre-pregnancy weight.

Those 17 pounds felt like a mountain I couldn't possibly climb while surviving on four hours of broken sleep and constant newborn demands. After my first baby, I remember feeling stuck at this same point, trying random weight loss meal plans and workouts with minimal results. This time, I knew I needed a different approach – one that worked with my body instead of against it.

Sound familiar?

Studies show that women retain an average of 1-5.5 pounds after each pregnancy, with some retaining much more. According to research in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, approximately 75% of women are heavier one year postpartum than they were before pregnancy, with nearly half retaining more than 10 pounds. This "baby weight" can stick around for years if not addressed – but not because moms are lazy or unmotivated. It's because the postpartum period is INTENSE, and our own health often falls to the bottom of the priority list.

Start Small, Start Somewhere

Here's what I want you to know: I didn't set out with some grand transformation plan. I was just a sleep-deprived mom trying to feel comfortable in her own skin again.

My first "workout" was simply walking to the end of the street and back with the stroller. Just once around. Some days, that felt like running a marathon. With my first baby, I'd pushed myself into high-intensity workouts way too soon, leaving me exhausted and discouraged. This gentle, gradual approach felt completely different – and to my surprise, it was far more effective for my body.

Research shows that even just 10-15 minutes of walking per day can make a big difference in postpartum recovery and weight management. A study found that this small amount of activity can help with weight loss and improve overall health for new moms. But more importantly, it gave me those precious few minutes to breathe fresh air and remember I was still a person outside of being 'mom.'

Some days I'd pace around my living room, rocking my fussy baby, thinking, "How am I ever going to find time for myself again?"

The answer was: five minutes here. Three minutes there. Small pockets of movement that eventually built up my stamina and strength – a stark contrast to the all-or-nothing approach that had failed me after my first pregnancy and countless times before that. .

Nutrition Without Restriction

Let me be clear: I did NOT follow a restrictive diet. As a nutrition coach, I know firsthand how diets can backfire—especially when your body is in recovery mode and needs extra nourishment, especially if you're breastfeeding.

After my first baby, I tried meal plans that cut out foods I loved and obsessed over every calorie. But that approach never worked for me—and trust me, I'd tried every trendy diet out there over the years, from juice cleanses to Atkins to intermittent fasting. I was a seasoned dieter with nothing but frustration to show for it. This time around, I took a different approach. I made small, sustainable tweaks that fit my body’s needs:

• I stopped reaching for dates and peanut butter every night (my forever craving that never went away).

• I cut back on the cream in my coffee (which actually led me to skip it altogether since I'm one of the rare people who doesn’t love coffee that much anyway).

• I still enjoyed my pizza, but skipped the pepperoni and left a little extra crust behind.

One night, I found myself eating peanut butter straight from the jar while standing in front of the fridge. Mid-spoonful, I paused and thought, "Do I even really enjoy this as much as I think I do?" That simple moment of awareness shifted everything for me.

Mindful eating (when possible between diaper changes) helped me tune back into my body's actual hunger cues, which had gotten lost in the chaos of caring for two kids. This mindfulness was a game-changer compared to my rigid approach the first time around.

The Scale Doesn't Tell the Full Story

Here's something I rarely share: I only weighed myself every month or so during this journey. Why? Because I refused to let the number on the scale dictate my emotions or sense of success as it had in the past.

With my first baby, I'd obsessively check the scale daily, letting those fluctuations determine my mood. This time, I knew my body, age, and genetics responded better to a gentler approach focused on how I felt, not just how much I weighed.

Instead, I celebrated non-scale victories:

• The day I climbed stairs without getting winded

• When I could play with my toddler without back pain

• The first time I did a full workout without modifications

• When those black leggings finally slid past my thighs (hallelujah!)

A fascinating study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that women who focused on behavior changes, like planning meals and making healthier food choices, actually maintained healthier habits long-term. This isn't just about losing weight – it's about rebuilding your relationship with your new body by focusing on sustainable changes that help you feel better overall.

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

If I could go back and whisper in my own postpartum ear, I'd say:

Your body just performed a miracle. It grew and delivered an entire human being. The pressure to "bounce back" is toxic nonsense that ignores the magnitude of what you've accomplished.

Recovery isn't linear. Some weeks you'll feel strong and motivated; others you'll be in survival mode – and both are perfectly okay.

Small, consistent actions matter more than grand plans that fizzle out after three days.

And my most important realization? The goal isn't to get your "pre-baby body" back. That body doesn't exist anymore. You've been forever changed – and that's not something to mourn, but something to honor.

After my first baby, I spent so much time fighting against my new body. I tried to force it back into pre-pregnancy clothes that didn't fit, pushed myself into intense workouts before I was ready, and restricted foods I actually needed for energy and healing. This time, I learned to work with it – respecting its need for gentler movement like walking instead of intensity, eating nutrient-dense foods and a little less over all rather than overly restricting, and giving my core and pelvic floor proper time to recover before attempting challenging exercises. I stopped viewing my softer belly as a "problem" to fix and started seeing it as a reminder of the incredible journey my body had been through.

Where I Am Today

Those 39 pounds eventually came off – not in a dramatic transformation, but slowly and steadily over months of small, sustainable changes tailored to my metabolism, age, and lifestyle. The difference between my first and second journeys wasn't just what I did – it was about finally listening to what my unique body needed instead of following one-size-fits-all advice.

But here's what matters more: I've found peace with my body. The wrinkles from extra skin that map my belly tell the story of my children. My softer hips carried them for nine months each. My arms, stronger now than ever, can hold both kids when they need comfort.

This journey taught me that postpartum health isn't about erasing the evidence that you've had children. It's about honoring what your body has done while helping it feel strong and capable for whatever comes next.

If you're in the middle of your own postpartum journey – whether your baby is 3 weeks , 3 years or even 13 years old – I hope this helps you feel less alone. I hope it gives you permission to start small, to be patient with yourself, and to celebrate every tiny victory along the way.

I'd love to hear about your experience. Send me a DM on Instagram if you have any questions about my journey or would like to share your own. We're all in this together, mama. ❤️