body after bump #2: 6 months

I decided to try something different this month.  I didn't take any measurements.  While I did weigh myself (and again after our vacation), I decided that I didn't want to focus so much on the numbers and more on how I look and feel and how my clothes fit.  Every month, recording those numbers would get me all worked up when I didn't see the numbers budge.  Should it really matter if I know I'm at my pre-pregnancy weight and I am feeling good about my body (most of the time)?  The answer is an obvious no.  And thankfully, the pictures can do the talking instead.

Oooh, hello summer tan!  I also look A LOT less tired now than I did at 1 week! Ha!

There are definitely some noticeable differences, but I really didn't need the pictures to tell me that.  Not all my clothes are fitting comfortably all the time, but for the most part, everything fits.  I will admit though, like every other woman in the world, I still struggle with body image and not feeling "good" about my postpartum body.  I think it is human nature to feel that way and sometimes changes take some time to get used to.  I know there is still work to do - strength training has been seriously lacking for the last few months - so I can't expect to look exactly how I used to pre-baby when there are obvious things missing.Thankfully, my nutrition has been pretty on point lately.  Yes, I still eat dessert every night and drink a beer (or 2) once or twice a week.  But, I am sticking to the 80/20 rule and giving myself some wiggle room in my diet.  I am eating healthy the majority of the time and I am doing much better on watching my portions.  For awhile this summer, I think I was actually eating too little, especially as my training has ramped up to prepare for the half marathon next weekend and my runs seriously suffered.  I'm still trying to find a good balance between calories in vs. calories out, but I'm getting closer.My mental health has still been the biggest hurdle to overcome.  There are days where I can't possibly imagine a better life.  I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful children, a beautiful new home, a job I love, and we are living comfortably, well within our means - and I know that.  How could I possibly feel that my life wasn't absolutely perfect?  But, other days I feel the exact opposite.  However, the breakdowns are so short lived - 20 minutes and then it's back to rainbows and unicorns - that I don't really think too much about them after they are over.  I am getting to the point now at 6 months postpartum that I think seeing someone about it might be a good option, especially since my emotions haven't changed too much in the past 6 months.  I am still learning my triggers (mostly stress and feeling overwhelmed) to help keep a breakdown from happening, so we will see where it takes me.