Burnt out mom/nurse wanting to lose weight but can't

ThatGroovyAfroChick

Hi everyone, I'm Mallory. I've been active on this site for almost 4 years off and on, and had enourmous success (lost almost 50lbs a couple of years ago) with it. Buuut then I got pregnant, and had my baby boy, my husband and I moved to the middle of nowhere an hour away from family and friends, and needless to say I gained the weight back due to the stress of new mommy-hood and lack of social support. I work mostly second shift while my husband is a 9-fiver, so I watch my son during the day, while the babysitter watches him while I'm at work until my husband comes home.
I barely have time to get myself to the gym and I find it hard to eat right if I can't reinforce it with gym time. I do walk my son in his stroller, but its nothing like going to the gym and pumping iron or being on an elliptical. There isn't a 24 hr gym close to me, and all the other gyms don't mesh with my schedule. How have some of you done it with so many things working against you? Can you give me any suggestions? Thank you!!

urloved33

Do whatever it takes to get yr workout in. Healthy happy mommy = healthy happy baby.

2wise4u

When you can't get to the gym for a workout, try little things that'll help you move around more and burn more calories. Try taking the stairs (especially if you work or live in a multilevel building), when you go to the store don't park as close as you can, park out a ways and walk to the door. If you have a free hour, put your baby in his stroller and walk the block in your neighborhood. Get some hand weights and use those before bed. There are small things that can be incorporated into your schedule that may help.

For me, I could NEVER find time to work out and finally decided that unless I tried something, I would not lose weight. With my new job, I'm literally across the street from a YMCA but I have to pick up my daughter, take care of the house, etc, etc so I decided to wake up at 3:45 am and go to the gym at 4:45. My husband drops her off and I'm at the gym M-F for at least an hour and a half before the crack of dawn (and I'm not the only one) but that's the only way I can consistently work out. I won't lie and tell you it's easy but it works best for me and is the only time I can find to work out. That also allows me time to spend weekends with my family and still stay on track if I don't get crazy with food.

Just sit down one day when you have time and think of small ways that you can fit a little extra exercise into your routine and I'll bet you come up with something that'll work.

whatatime2befit

ThatGroovyAfroChick wrote: »

Hi everyone, I'm Mallory. I've been active on this site for almost 4 years off and on, and had enourmous success (lost almost 50lbs a couple of years ago) with it. Buuut then I got pregnant, and had my baby boy, my husband and I moved to the middle of nowhere an hour away from family and friends, and needless to say I gained the weight back due to the stress of new mommy-hood and lack of social support. I work mostly second shift while my husband is a 9-fiver, so I watch my son during the day, while the babysitter watches him while I'm at work until my husband comes home.
I barely have time to get myself to the gym and I find it hard to eat right if I can't reinforce it with gym time. I do walk my son in his stroller, but its nothing like going to the gym and pumping iron or being on an elliptical. There isn't a 24 hr gym close to me, and all the other gyms don't mesh with my schedule. How have some of you done it with so many things working against you? Can you give me any suggestions? Thank you!!

My 2 cents
First, you need to separate the eating and gym time. You don't have to go to the gym to lose weight. Sure it's great to get that time there (I love it as well), but you can't use that as the excuse to not eat well. Work on your eating habits. Eat at a deficit, you WILL lose weight (just make sure you are weighing your food to make sure you are within your calories)

Second, you don't have to go to a gym to exercise. Buy some weights to use at home. Or if you don't have the room for that, do body weight exercises. There are tonnes of videos on youtube that will help you get in shape using bodyweight exercises for it.

Get your workout in while baby is napping. That way you don't feel like you are taking time away from him, but you are being good to yourself as well.

BTW I have 3 kids and work full time, so I fully understand how hard it is to fit workout time in. You just need to make the time.

Good luck

Kalikel

Does your gym have child care? Maybe you could do an hour while the baby plays?

Have you considered jogging? They have jogging strollers. I never used one and don't know if they're good or not, but have seen people do that.

Workout DVDs or YouTube workouts in the house is another idea.

Congrats on the baby.

azulvioleta6

Find a gym with child care. Go during the day when your husband is at work.