After reading a bunch of pregnancy literature that invariably talks about husbands gaining "sympathy" weight, I have decided to try and match Sachiyo pound for pound as her belly swells to contain the two extremely active girls (Really, it is kind of weird to sit there and watch Sion and Hana roll around in there....like that movie Alien. I am just waiting for one to rip its way out....anyways....).
Instead of normal "sympathy" weight, I am trying for "sympathy weight-loss." I started my diet about 14 weeks ago which is about 14 weeks after Sachiyo got pregnant, but she was unable to keep any food down for the first 3 months, so we are about equal as far as a starting point.
After 14 weeks, we are just about equal: Sachiyo at +22lbs and Dan at -21lbs. Sachiyo's doctor wants her to put on about 40+ lbs by the delivery date so we will see if I can keep up. If I can keep pace with Sachiyo that will put me at about 205lbs by the due date. I think the last time I was that weight was most likely 6th grade.
If anyone is interested on my methodology, here it is...
I got my RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) tested. If you don't have a place to get it tested, there are quite a few RMR calculators online. I use my RMR as my calorie goal for the day, (Not the calorie goal after daily activities - given by most RMR calculators as well. That calorie level is to sustain your current weight). I picked up a "Calorie Fat & Carbohydrate counter" book and a "Food and Exercise Journal" book. Both books are by The Calorie King and are $8 and $3 respectively and both found at Barnes and Noble or online. Both are 4" x 6" books and easy to carry around.
I have tracked my eating for 14 weeks now and after about 3 weeks it is no longer annoying. I eat exactly the same way I did before my "diet," I have just adjusted portions and timing so that I hit my goals. Sachiyo and I have not had to prepare any special meals or shop fifteen days ahead of time of a set menu. I have just started eating the amount I am supposed to instead of the "American" portion. I eat three meals and have three snacks during the day (granola bars, crackers, chocolate, etc.) and I find that I do not get hungry during the day. I ignore fat, protien and carb levels and just track calories. Just writing stuff down has kept me from making bad decisions throughout the day on many occasions. I have not increased my physical activity by any appreciable amount during this period either. You will be surprised at how easy it is to eat more than your daily calorie level at one sitting in a restaurant...so be prepared.
One thing I did notice when I started tracking my calories was that I was regularly eating 2 times as much as I should in a single day. That was a shock. I also got my metabolism tested and was told that I have a pretty fast metabolism...there goes that excuse. I get tested (free on base) every ten weeks and my metabolism has actually gone up since starting this diet. That means I am now eating more and still losing weight. Which is nice. I have more energy, my clothes fit better, the physical activity that I do leaves me invigorated instead of tired now and overall, I am happier. I do splurge every once in a while and I haven't seen any negative affects. In N Out is good for the soul, if not the waistline.
It really just required me to look in the mirror and DECIDE to be healthier. Giving up my excuses and telling myself every time that "If you don't want to lose weight more that you want______, you don't really want to lose weight" was what it finally took. I still tell myself that when confronted by Ho-Ho's at the gas station. It even works sometimes. (Not being able to keep up with a three year old helped too.)
Time will tell whether I will be able to keep this up, but after 14 weeks, it is no longer a pain so I think that I will. Once I get to where I want to be, I will be able to relax a bit as well.
Time will also tell whether or not Sachiyo or I will win the Great Pregnancy Weight Challenge. Stay Tuned
