17 different women, 36 crazy children, 0 babies in utero
Adventures, Advice and Questions from a group of Mormon women who met in Queens, NY and have now scattered all over the place.
 

Monday, July 07, 2008

Time to Get Moving!

Alright, it's time to lose baby weight... again.

So I'm wondering, what is your most motivating piece of advice for getting back to "yourself"? Here's one of mine: Set a realistic goal. Not a crazy, Hollywood-type goal of losing it all and fitting into your skinny jeans by your six week appointment. And be patient. I try to focus just as much on feeling strong and energetic, as I do the numbers on the scale or how my clothes fit.

This time around one of my problems is that I'm so bored with all of my old health food stand-bys. I need to get excited about eating healthy with some new recipes or a new find at Trader Joes or my local grocery store. I do love the farmers market so that helps me get motivated to eat fresh fruits and veggies. Maybe I should invest in Carrie's cookbook.

And hey, if all else fails, just sign your toddler up for swim class where you're forced to get in a bathing suit seven weeks after delivery. YIKES! Obviously I'm not looking forward to that one.

So what works for you???? Give up your best diet and/or exercise tips for getting back to yourself post-baby.

posted by Beth @ 7/07/2008 01:18:00 PM   add to kirtsy


19 Comments:

  • One of the things that has helped me is to make a cutoff time for eating at night. My dh and I really enjoyed being able to eat dessert and watch some tv after the kids were in bed, but that packs on the pounds. Now I stop eating eating at least 2 hours before bed.
    posted by Anonymous Anonymous at 7/07/2008 02:14:00 PM  



  • Joining a gym that has childcare because I don't love working out but I love having other people watch my children :)
    posted by Blogger EmilyCC at 7/07/2008 07:22:00 PM  



  • for me, exercise it the biggest thing, especially when i am still nursing. i have gotten into running, so for me, i find a race that i want to do and sign up for it, then train for it. having that goal, and having paid the money, is such a good motivator for staying up on my running. i still don't lose all of my weight until i finish nursing, but once i stop, all that weight just melts off, and then to top it all off, i am totally toned from the running!
    posted by Blogger Morgan at 7/07/2008 08:48:00 PM  



  • Honestly, if you are nursing, I think your body hangs on to weight for a good little while there...I try not to actively try to lose weight until at least month 6ish....so yes, eat healthy and try to move in your life until then...but I think it is pretty difficult to lose weight until you are 6 months out from pregnancy.

    Once you are and you have sleep trained your baby to sleep through the night, consider waking up before the baby. My favorite and most effective time to exercise is an hour before my children wake up...then I am ready to face the day and THEM!

    Also...walk, walk walk...put those babies in the stroller and go on a long walk every day....you will all enjoy it.
    posted by Blogger Kage at 7/08/2008 07:45:00 AM  



  • I wish I had some answers Beth, but I don't. I keep wishing I could get to the gym, but it seems practically impossible with Dh's work schedule and the older kid's schedules and the baby's schedule.

    So I am going to give myself a break and wait it out a bit until everything shakes out a bit.
    posted by Blogger This is Carrie at 7/08/2008 08:01:00 AM  



  • When I turned on my computer today I saw this article about losing weight that I thought you might be interested in, http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080708/hl_nm/diet_diary_dc

    Basically it says that people who kept a food diary with everything they ate for the day written down in it w/calorie counts were much more successful at losing weight and keeping it off than people who did not keep track of their food intake. I did this when I first started trying to lose weight and it really did help me to see what I was doing. I've lost 36 pounds and kept it off for about a year. I don't keep a food diary anymore, but I still keep track in my head about how many calories I've had throughout the day.
    posted by Anonymous Anonymous at 7/08/2008 09:48:00 AM  



  • MKC - You're so right about eating too close to bedtime. Lately I've been having tea late at night and that has been fine, but I don't know how long it will last... I always get a sweet tooth at night.

    Kage - That's really good advice, and it's always nice to hear that we should give ourselves (and our bodies) a break, while still staying healthy. I'm like you with working out in the morning. If it hits 5pm and I haven't exercised, forget it... not gonna happen that day.

    Carrie - I'm not sure when I am going to find time to exercise, either. I don't really have a routine yet with the two kids so finding time is really sporadic. I think I'm gonna have to rely more on what I eat, and then exercising whenever DH goes into work a little later in the day. So if anyone has any favorite health/diet foods & snacks, please pass them along.

    When I was trying to lose weight with #1 the best thing I invested in was this elliptical. Yes it's expensive, but after doing the math as to what a gym membership would cost, and then factoring in the reality of actually getting to the gym, I thought it was a good investment. It's the smallest I could find b/c we live in an apartment, and it has totally paid itself off and then some. The elliptical coupled with the TiVo is the easiest way for me to get some cardio.
    posted by Blogger Beth at 7/08/2008 01:59:00 PM  



  • beth, I can totally see how the elliptical would pay off (if you make yourself use it!) considering how expensive gym memberships can be.

    I'm with mkc on the late-night eating problem. I've tried to get in the habit of brushing my teeth right after I put Max to bed. It's a good reminder whenever I go to snack, "Oh, I've already brushed my teeth, I guess I won't." Works for me at least.

    My newest healthy breakfast/lunch has been some nonfat yogurt with fresh berries and granola on top. I'm also big on grilling up a bunch of extra chicken breasts at dinner one night, and then I have them when it comes time to eat lunch - great rolled up in a wrap, with lettuce as a salad, etc.
    posted by Blogger marian at 7/08/2008 05:28:00 PM  



  • Invest in a number of workout videos you enjoy. When life doesn't get as crazy and you aren't as tired, do it when the little one is napping, and your others ones are awake, if they are old enough to entertain themselves. And that way I could still get a nap when my others ones took a nap at the same time the baby was. Also I found this website, that I love called sparkppeople.com It has a place to track your workout minutes and tells you the calories you have burned. You can track your food, there are articles to read, tons of recipes and lots of group for support. While signing up they suggest another site if you are nursing, but I didn't like it. I just made sure that I ate more calories like they suggest if you are nursing. And the best part is it's free! I'm part of a group called Mormon Mommies which I love.
    posted by Blogger Erin at 7/09/2008 11:39:00 AM  



  • sparkpeople is awesome! A great place to get workout videos is collagevideo.com They have previews of all the videos, ratings, and if you don't like the video you buy they let your return it.
    posted by Anonymous Anonymous at 7/09/2008 11:56:00 AM  



  • The best thing that helped me lose weight was Weight Watchers. It is very motivating and east. you can find their treats, and eat good things you still want to also. Also if you are breastfeeding you get more points!! I lost 20 LB and it helps to exercise too. Best wishes
    Liz
    posted by Blogger Liz at 7/09/2008 09:28:00 PM  



  • I just have to second the food diary! It works. You have to try it. It not only lets you know just how much you are consuming, it will blow your mind, but you can actually cap it off and you will lose weight. I lost 4 pounds in two weeks changing not a think I ate, but the quantity. When my 1500 calories were up, that was it... I did go to bed hungry, but that was my fault for chosing the donut and Dr. Pepper for breakfast! I now know how many calories are in pretty much everything and I don't keep a diary anymore, but I can still get a sense of what I am eating!

    I also must say that I recently made peace with my body weight being 10 pounds more than pre pregnancy. It is where my body is suppose to be, cuz it just stays there, doesn't go up doesn't go down. I am now fine with that. It is after baby body. It is beautiful! So there you have it!

    Good luck. There is no way you have far to go!!!! You can do it!
    posted by Blogger Kelly at 7/10/2008 08:54:00 AM  



  • I am in the same boat, I know I need to exercise, but can't make myself. However, it was pointed out that I might not be eating enough for nursing. So, what and how much are you all eating?!
    posted by Blogger Carrie at 7/10/2008 09:13:00 PM  



  • Carrie - That's a great question. Maybe I need to do some research on nursing/calories. I've been exercising pretty good this week, but I try not to have too high of an expectation this soon after baby girl being born so that I'm not disappointed in myself. I've been watching what I eat, and I'm like you, am I eating enough for nursing???

    Liz - I'm not doing WW, but I do know how it works and have one of their cookbooks which I love. Maybe you could tell us how many points nursing moms are supposed to consume.

    And Z - You look HOT after baby :) And I'm with you on the food journal. Definitely sheds a lot of light. My portions are bigger than they should be I'm sure... and I am trying to cut back on seconds. :)
    posted by Blogger Beth at 7/10/2008 09:47:00 PM  



  • I lost 40 pounds last year doing WW. And I was a nursing mom during part of it, too.

    It's hard to say how many points nursing mothers get, because even just "regular" points are individual (based on weight, age, height, level of activity, and gender).

    For me (I'm 5'10", 29 years old, fairly active) while I was nursing, I ate 38 points a day. When I stopped nursing, it dropped to 28 points a day. Of course, as you lose weight, you lose points, too. Right now, I'm supposed to consume 26 points a day, and that's only because I'm maintaining and not losing anymore.

    Those extra 10 points for nursing are not a whole lot, though. I mean, one slice of bread (whole wheat) is usually 2 points. One TB of PB is 4 points. So, you have to be wise with the extra points. And then there's the knowledge that Vegetables are 0 points, so you're encouraged to eat a lot of those --but only until you are satisfied (never full).

    It's a complicated thing, this food business. But once you figure out what works for you, it rocks. Totally rocks. :)
    posted by Blogger Cheryl at 7/11/2008 07:03:00 AM  



  • I rarely focus on food, just exercise. The reason is that when I am exercising regularly my body craves healthy, satisfying food and I eat better.

    Also, water, water, water. And walking. And 100-ab days (thanks Kage!) And pushups (man-style, not girlie).

    And, the BIGGEST help? Going to bed early (groan) and getting up early. It's the only way I can be super productive, get my exercise in, AND accomplish my other goals for the day.
    posted by Blogger the Rew Crew at 7/11/2008 10:31:00 AM  



  • Cheryl Thanks for answering that ? on how many points nursing mothers get.
    Depending on your age weight, height, and physical activty for the day, is what points you get.
    Liz
    posted by Anonymous Anonymous at 7/12/2008 04:59:00 PM  



  • I am a nursing mom and i figure out how many calories i would need to maintain the desired weight I'd like to be *not an unrealistic number*--baby steps to my goal....then I would add 400-500 calories to that to make sure i am eating enough for baby. I hope that helps it has helped me. I go for a twenty minute bike ride after kiddos go to bed--dh great supporter for me on this. Plus i second the water water water thing.
    posted by Blogger 5dollarFanatic at 7/12/2008 09:20:00 PM  



  • Okay- so I haven't had a baby in almost 10 yrs. BUT, I have been on IVF related drugs, and let me tell you, I gained enough weight in the last 5 years on that stuff I should be pregnant.

    I fired my doctors, and am now drug free (ha ha ha!) But this weight loves me or something.

    My best advice- do it with a friend. Walk, take a class, weigh in, whatever it is. FInd a friend who wants to do it too- or who already is there- and go out! It's fabulous-- free (or semi-free) therapy even!!
    posted by Blogger Melzie at 7/14/2008 12:28:00 PM  



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