Sunday we celebrated Hailey’s 4 month birthday. I sang to her. She loved it.
I’ll do a post this week about all that she’s been up to (because it’s quite a lot!), but this post is about Hailey’s mama.
At 4 months postpartum I feel wonderful. Dare I say back to normal? Whatever normal is…
Exercising is going great. I don’t have any pain and I no longer feel like my insides are going to fall out when I bounce or run. Thanks to a new sports bra I feel well supported. I’m working out about 4 days a week right now. I’m loving pushing myself with the Couch to 10k program. I’m just finished up week 8 and am moving on to week 9. I also love going weekly to pilates at the gym. It’s reminding me of where my abs are supposed to be. I’m getting there 
Eating has been going great, too. Like I mentioned yesterday, after my refresher with In Defense of Food, I’m even more motivated to continue to eat healthy and explore new foods. This doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a cold brewski or chips and salsa, but 90% of the time I’m eating really clean- lots of veggies and very few processed foods. After the holidays, it feels SO good to be back on track and I can tell a difference in my energy levels.
Overall, I’m feeling really proud of myself. It’s not always easy to find time to work out and prep healthy meals for the week. I write my gym time on my calendar and view it as an appointment I can’t miss. Even if I drag myself there, I leave on an endorphin high. Evenings are somewhat hectic with playing with Hailey and trying to make dinner, but I balance it the best I can because putting healthy food on our plates is important to me. Some days I need an extra hug and to hear ‘you’re doing a great job’ and I’m lucky that Hubbs is there to provide that support, which really helps keep me going.
| 3 months | 4 months | difference in the last month | difference from right before delivery | |
| right arm | 10” | 10” | 0 | -.75” |
| high waist | 28” | 27.5 | -.5” | -6” |
| around belly button | 32” | 31.5 | -.5” | -11” |
| hips | 37.5” | 36.5” | -1” | -4.5” |
| right thigh | 21.5” | 21.25” | -.25” | -2.25” |
| right calf | 12.5” | 12.5” | 0 | -.75” |
| weight | 116 lbs | 114.5 lbs | -1.5 lbs | -29 lbs |
Over the holidays I wasn’t exercising much and wasn’t eating as clean as I like, so I was very surprised to see the drop in a few categories! I feel like the results show that I don’t have to be perfect, as long as I get myself back on track after I veer off.
And if the numbers don’t show it, this picture does!
It appears that not only did I lose a few LBs, I also gained some decent posture and less tired eyes 
Goal for this next month- focus on my arms! On that note… off to pilates!
What’s your favorite arm exercise to get the upper arms nice and toned?
Lindsay@FuelMyFamily says
You look great! I am 5 months post partum and finally feeling like my hormones are back to normal, it took a lit longer this time around. I think postpartum is kind of fun because you can see results so fast, especially with a little one sucking 600 calories a day from you!
Keep up the great work, it’s paying off and your showing hailey a healthy lifestyle more than you even think she notices. My 3 year old loves lifting with me (1 lb dumbbells) and begged me to let her run a race with me, and we did, a kids half miler!
Brittany says
Aw, a kids half miler sounds like the cutest thing ever! Can’t wait to run with with H 🙂
Sara says
You look amazing!! Keep up the incredible work!!
Maria @ a life to Bragg about says
You look awesome! You’re motivating me to post my update now haha. Can’t believe it’s been four months already!
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
You look great Brittany! I can’t believe it’s been 4 months….feels like I was just reading Hailey’s birth story!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
You look amazing! Go you!!! So inspiring, I love it!
And my favorite upper arm exercise is tricep kickbacks.
katie@newmamamac.blogspot.com says
You look great and I am happy to hear you say that you are proud of yourself. it is important to be proud of yourself and all of the hard work that you accomplish. it is nice to read a very uplifting post! keep up the good work! you are inspiring me to get out there more!
Krista says
You should be very proud of yourself, you look amazing!! I cannot WAIT to get back to exercising, I’m 38.5 weeks along with my second (and last). It must feel so good to feel like yourself again!
Brittany says
You must be getting so excited because the end (or the beginning!) is so close. Pregnancy was an amazing experience, but I do feel great getting to be able to be ‘me’ again. You’ll be there soon, too! 🙂
KaraHadley says
You are looking so great. And for upper arms I love upright lat rows and Arnold presses. Those two tighten things up really quickly.
Keep up the great work.
Brittany says
silly question.. what is an arnold press? I need to get these arms toned up STAT.
KaraHadley says
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj2w851ZHRM
Here’s a link to a video of a guy with biceps the size of Hailey doing them. It starts at about 1:15.
Katie @ Legally Fit says
Hailey is so cute! What a sweetie. You look great! I almost feel back to normal-I don’t think I’ll feel 100% back to normal until I stop breastfeeding (hopefully not for awhile!) and can wear normal bras again.
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
You look tiny!!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
You look awesome! Nice work 🙂
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength says
Looking awesome and even better to hear you’re feeling awesome. You should be proud! 🙂
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
friend, you look AMAZING!!!! so proud of you for sticking with your exercise plan and healthy eating. you’re one hot mama 🙂
Lindsay says
Wow you look incredible! I hope that come late November I look as good at 4 months post-partum
Julie says
You look great!!! Keep up the good work 🙂
Mercedes says
You look amazing! Very inspiring and your baby is adorable!
Kathy says
You look great! And that picture of Hailey—Oh My goodness—ADORABLE!!!
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
Brittany, you look faaantastic! and so does little Hailey. Please oh please come on the Blend Retreat and bring her. I wanna play. 😉
R @ Learning As I Chop says
You look awesome! As someone about to give birth, it’s really motivating!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
Look at you!!! Inspirational. Shows it doesn’t take tons of hours in the gym and deprivation but just balance and drive. Rock it!
chelcie @ chelcie's food files says
you look amazing!!
Kristen says
You look great! You should be really proud of yourself! I am nearing the end of my first pregnancy and I can’t help but already think about my body after baby. Your progress is inspiring!
Jessie @ Graze With Me says
Looking good lady! Can you believe it’s been 4 months?! Crazy.
You’re much more motivated than I am right now. Lyric’s been going thru her 4 month growth spurt & I am EXHAUSTED! Hopefully I can get back to working out soon.
Btw, we have that same onesie. Did it come in a 3-piece set w/a little fleece coat & pants?
Sherry says
You are, and look, absolutely amazing! You are an inspiration to so many people. Any chance of having kale chips this weekend??
Mandy says
You look amaaazing! I’m so jealous! It helps to kick my own butt into shape, though. 🙂 Right now I just do some home exercises, since I’m a SAHM to an 11-week old in the middle of a snowy winter… but in spring I plan to be out with the little guy a lot more!
Haley says
you look AWESOME!!!! I’m so impressed
Sabrina says
ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?
You look hot. And like you’ve never had a baby. WTF.
Meanwhile I am still a mess with fatso thighs and a 4 month preggo looking jiggly belly. The only thing I have going for me is my skinny face, and thank God for that because otherwise I’d be in tears every day.
I am now inspired to work harder at this! I have been exercising a lot more, but I definitely need to clean up my diet more. Hopefully it will all be a lot easier once we get into our new home tomorrow and I can go to the gym across the street every day as well as cook meals every night.
I can’t believe the change in your body girl. You look really incredible.
Brittany says
Don’t worry I’m three months pp and I’m still a jumbo squishy fatty too ! My thighs/butt/HIPS prevent me from zipping up even my biggest pair of jeans. For me the weight is sticking even with breastfeeding and working out. I’m hoping to see a miracle once my baby weans… until then I’m going to live in mens size large tshirts and pjs. 🙁
Shanna, like Banana says
Daaaang girl, what a difference! Way to go!
I’m just shy of 3 weeks postpartum and hope to start shedding some LBs soon. It certainly is not as easy as I thought it would be!
Jamie @ Food in Real Life says
You. Look. AMAZING! Congrats!
Heather says
You look incredible!
marci says
You look amazing! i’d say your body is back. Try SDHP’s (sumo deadlift high pulls). not as scary as it sounds. It’s a great arm one and upper back.
Sabrina says
I can’t stop looking at the two pics. I’m obsessing. I need to have an amazing transformation like you, stat. Seriously.
Shayla @ The Good Life says
Wow Brittany you look amazing!!! And I noticed in your 1 week postpartum pic you still have that ab oblique muscle peaking through – which goes to show it pays off to keep up with your strength training and exercise throughout pregnancy – amazing! You look fantastic and you should be so proud of yourself – I hope to have the same postpartum experience when it’s my turn! 🙂
Jen@FoodFamilyFitness says
Holy shizz….girl you are freaking bad ass awesome!!! You look amazing!!!!
Bethany @ Forever After Blog says
Thanks for these posts…it’s refreshing to see a new mom be honest about the hard work that goes into getting back into shape. With so many celebrities seemingly dropping the baby weight the next month I applaud you for encouraging women to be real! And congrats on your achievement thus far 🙂
Sabrina says
..and I’m still obsessing….
kristin point says
You look amazing! Congrats you should be so proud of yourself! I hope to look as great as you this summer after I pop my little one out… Nearning the end of my pregnancy its so helpful to see posts like these!
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
You look fantastic! Looks like you did find your abs. 🙂
Jen says
You look so amazing! I really hope I look as good as you do in 2 more months. Though it’s hard to imagine I’ll ever get my stomach back!
Kalee says
Wow! You look great!! You are doing such an awesome job, and you’re such a good role model for your family and other mommas! I love pushups for my arms! I alternate between regular ones, tricep pushups, and wide pushups to hit all of the muscles! 🙂
Kinley @ Better Off Barefoot says
That is AWESOME for just four months! Way to go!!!
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
You look so great! And your baby is beautiful :).
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
You look freaking awesome!!!
Heather says
you look great! way to go girl! Keep it up.
Megan @ The Road to Skinny says
You look awesome! Keep it up!
Sarah says
you look amazing girl!
Christina says
You go girl!! You better work it! You look great 🙂