dear butterbean: Sweating to the Oldies

On Monday, I was finally cleared by my doc to start exercising again. The moment she gave me the 'ok,' my first thought was: "I am seriously about to go all Heidi Klum up in this piece [because that's how I talk now]. If she can be bikini-ready mere weeks after giving birth, then so can I!" My second thought was: "Jamie, you are delusional. Please get ahold of yourself immediately." In case it's not obvious (because apparently it wasn't to me at first), there is a vast array of differences between Heidi Klum and me. For starters, I don't know that I've ever been bikini-ready so...there's that. Also, unlike Ms. Klum, I gained more than 6 pounds during my pregnancy. Way more. Turns out keeping your own weight a secret from yourself during pregnancy ain't such a grand idea. I mean, ignorance is bliss at the all-you-can-fit-in-your-cup, pay by the pound fro-yo and topping buffet, but there comes a time when you have to face reality. And reality can be an ugly little bastard. The good news is, I'm only about 9 stomach viruses away from my goal weight.

As appealing as it sounds to let influenza do my bidding (because who doesn't just looove a good stomach bug?), I suppose I'll go about it the old fashioned way. I'll ride my sweet new bike, swim with my old lady friends at the JCC and hoof it through the neighborhood with my baby. It's less Heidi Klum and more Jane Fonda. Less of a Project MILF and more of a Project MILLAWG (Mom I'd just Like to Look At Without Gagging). Should be fun. Wish me luck.

And speaking of my baby...here's the cute little face that makes every single pound I gained worth it :)