There's a discussion going on right now on (or do we say 'in'?) the adoption.com forums about losing the weight gained after adopting their child. Since I am forever seeking that magic advice about losing weight (besides eat less, exercise more...how boring!) I read it all. I was surprised to find that the weight gain thing seemed to be commonly accepted as something that typically happened after adoption.

I guess it's a miracle that I didn't gain weight after we adopted Little J. I was already up about 30 lbs from being pregnant 5 times in 2 years plus all the fertility drugs, so it's really a good thing I didn't gain more. I was already doing my part as a member of the obesity epidemic. Since then some of it has come off, but not all. No, certainly not all. But I haven't given up hope yet. There has to be a magic pill out there, doesn't there?

I looked up "post adoption weight gain" on Google and I came up with a bunch of links to post-adoption depression syndrome. Gaining or losing weight atypically is one sign of that problem, which makes sense, since it's also a sign of the regular old clinical type of depression. (Why are you looking at me that way? I never eat when I'm depressed!)

The depression angle would explain PAPs (Post Adoption Pounds Syndrome - I'm coining that phrase right here and now - maybe I'll write a diet book about it if I ever become a Fit TV model and can get some glamour shots made). Anyhoo, the women (I'm assuming women) on the discussion list report weight gain as a result of stress. Some people, apparently, eat as a way to deal with stress. (Why are you looking at me that way? I am not a stress eater!)

I can also see weight gain as a result of lifestyle change. Let's say that you adopt your little Russian pumpkin and you decide that you are going to quit your full time job for a year or so to stay home with the babe. It's easy to envision what could happen. One, you're bored. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you can love love love being a stay-at-home-mom and it can be the best job ever! but it can get rather boring only having a little munchkin to talk to all day long...especially when that munchkin doesn't even speak English, or speak, period. So you snack here and there and before you know it - blimpo. Woops.

Kids' snacks are also rather tasty. I have been known to eat a teddy graham or two in my day (a tip about teddy grahams...they are good plain, but even better on ice cream with chocolate syrup). And that handful of goldfish crackers your little darling left behind? Delicious...but even better dipped in a bit of ranch dressing. Mmmm. Ranch dressing.

Also, the gym membership may have been let go in an effort to save money, or maybe you dont feel comfortable bringing your new child to childcare. That makes sense, but as someone who's fought the battle of the bulge (and mostly lost) for the past 10 years I have one small piece of advice for you: don't let exercise go by the wayside. It's really, really important for your health - mentally and physically. So here's where you really have to put your foot down. When Daddy comes home you go - for a walk - do a tape - run up to the gym. It will really make a difference. It will also help to make up for the extra 3/4 grilled cheese sandwich I saw you eat when little sweetie pie left it behind on her plate.