From Triplets to Terrific in 12 Weeks: Emily’s 12WBT Journey

After giving birth to triplets,  mum of four and blogger at Zee + Three, Emily is ready to get her body back into shape. Join her as she shares her 12WBT journey…from triplets to terrific in 12 weeks!

I’ve never been more amazed by the human body and what it’s capable of before now. After having triplets almost 10 weeks ago, I stop and look at our little miracle babies everyday and wonder how the hell they all fit in my belly. I’m only 5.4” so not really the ideal body type to be having multiple babies. But, I did, and I managed to birth three very healthy babies, totaling an impressive seven kilos between them (plus three placentas which would take the total up to around 10kg!)

Throughout my pregnancy, I put on just over 25 kilos, and after 10 weeks, I still have about eight kilos to loose. I also have about 18cm to lose around my waist, which is partially due to swelling from pregnancy and partly due to the fact that I haven’t been eating right over the past six months (thanks Melbourne for the coffee obsession and the Nutella donut craze!).

Some days, I will look at the clock and its 2pm and I realise I haven’t eaten. Then, to try and pack the calories in (to ensure I’m eating enough to produce milk for breastfeeding), I eat less than healthy options – pretty much whatever I can find in the house. It’s not like I can just pop down the street and buy healthy options with four children under the age of two, so unless I’m organized (which I haven’t been!), I’ll just eat what I can find.

I also haven’t exercised since I was about 12 weeks pregnant. I’ve done the occasional walk, but I just haven’t found the energy. I also have significant muscle separation, and I have lost a lot of my muscle due to lack of exercise during and after pregnancy. I really haven’t exercised in almost six months, and I’m definitely feeling the most unfit I have ever felt.

Carrying triplets really put a strain on my body in every sense possible, much more so than my first pregnancy – even though our two year old was a whopping 4.5kg at birth! This pregnancy was the hardest thing I have ever done, and also the most amazing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not unhappy with my new post-baby body, I’m amazed by it – but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to look and be your best, and I think it is very important to make some time each day for yourself.

Our two year old requires a lot of energy. He loves being chased around the house, carried, tickled, and wants me to climb the play equipment with him at the park. It’s tiring, and I can only imagine what it will be like when the triplets are his age. I’ve also noticed how he won’t do a thing I ask him to do (how awesome are the terrible twos!?) but he will copy everything I do. This made me think that if I am constantly sitting down watching TV or eating junk food, that’s exactly what he’s going to want to do. On the other hand, if I am eating healthy foods and exercising, or being active – he will want to do that too. I want to set a good example for my kids, so we can all have a healthy, active lifestyle.

So, I have decided that there’s no time like the present… I’m going to get my body and fitness back over these next three months, just in time for summer and my gorgeous friend’s wedding – where I’m a bridesmaid – on New Year’s Eve! I don’t just want to look healthy, but I also want to feel fit so I can keep up with my growing family. Having three boys and a girl (all two years and under) is hard work, and I need to be at my best to keep up with it all.

So, this week, I’m starting the Michelle Bridges 12WBT. I did the program about two years ago and lost eight kilos! This time however, it’s not really about the weight loss, sure I’d love to get back to my ideal weight of 55kg, but it’s more about making sure I am eating right and exercising to help repair the damage done to my body carrying three babies.

The biggest challenge for me is going to be organised and keep motivated. I need to make sure that the fridge is stocked with healthy options, my meals are prepared in advance where possible, and that I can set aside time for exercise. I also need to remember to cut myself some slack. If I can’t exercise everyday because the babies are unsettled, that’s okay. If I need to eat more one day than the recommended daily allowance to keep up with breastfeeding, that’s okay. If I have a momentary lapse of concentration, that’s okay. As long as I try my best and stick to the program as closely as I can, I know I will see results. I just need to make sure that I keep going and don’t get thrown off course if I’m not perfect. I’m going to try and treat each day as a new day and always just try and do better than the day before.

I’m excited about this challenge and I plan on sticking to it and finishing strong. I’m doing the Post Pregnancy Program, and I get to have an extra 500 calories for breastfeeding. It will also focus on core strength, which will help me repair the muscle separation from pregnancy.

Over the next 12 weeks, I have to focus on eating right, exercising 3-4 times per week and getting enough sleep – which means forcing myself to have naps during the day if the babies keep me up all night. There is no quicker way to lose your milk than doing too much and not eating and resting enough, and I have three babies to consider and above all, my kids are my number one priority!

Mostly, I’m excited that there are calorie allowances for ‘dairy snacks’, or in other words – coffee!!!

Bring it on.

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