Eat crap and look good?

chickybuns

Anyone? I used to do this and it worked as long as I exercised a lot and kept my calories in check. Now it doesn't seem to be working so well, maybe because of my recent pregnancy and breastfeeding? I'm just wondering if I'll have to completely change my eating habits to look good again. I have been exercsising and losing inches from all places except my belly.

StacyReneO

Motherhood completely changes your body. I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted and not gain weight...til I had kids!

hadrianplott

Motherhood completely changes your body. I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted and not gain weight...til I had kids!

Same here! I never ate healthy and looked great. Thats my hardest part, is completely changing my eating habits after my baby

AJ_G

It doesn't matter what you eat, what matters is your total calorie intake at the end of the day, and your macronutrient break down. Set up correct macro and calorie goals and eat absolutely whatever you want to meet those goals.

chickybuns

It doesn't matter what you eat, what matters is your total calorie intake at the end of the day, and your macronutrient break down. Set up correct macro and calorie goals and eat absolutely whatever you want to meet those goals.

That's a good place to start. I was trying to eat 50/25/25 before, but find it hard to get enough protein? Do you think that's a good goal?

And ladies you're not giving me a lot of hope!! I know it is the reality though

LoraF83

Anyone? I used to do this and it worked as long as I exercised a lot and kept my calories in check. Now it doesn't seem to be working so well, maybe because of my recent pregnancy and breastfeeding? I'm just wondering if I'll have to completely change my eating habits to look good again. I have been exercsising and losing inches from all places except my belly.

Should you try to eat as many fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats as possible? Of course. Do you need to give up a treat or evening snack or a special meal now and then? Nope.

Do your best to eat the foods you need and then have some of the foods you want.

As far as losing weight from your midsection - you're just going to have to be patient. It may take time for that area to catch up to the rest of you. You aren't doomed to have a flabby stomach, you're just holding fat there longer. Keep losing weight/reducing your body fat percentage and it will happen.

AJ_G

It doesn't matter what you eat, what matters is your total calorie intake at the end of the day, and your macronutrient break down. Set up correct macro and calorie goals and eat absolutely whatever you want to meet those goals.

That's a good place to start. I was trying to eat 50/25/25 before, but find it hard to get enough protein? Do you think that's a good goal?

And ladies you're not giving me a lot of hope!! I know it is the reality though

Don't just choose a macro ratio and go for it. Calculate your protein and fat minimums, and fill the rest of your calories with carbs. The protein macro you want to shoot for is 0.82 grams per pound of body weight. The fat macro you want to shoot for is 0.4 grams per pound of body weight.

For example, I weigh 185 pounds, so my protein macro is 152g of protein, and my fat macro is 74g of fat.

Now to find the calories, since 1 gram of protein is 4 calories, and 1 gram of fat is 9 calories, you just multiply it out, so in my example, I have 608 calories from protein, and 666 calories from fat.

Since my daily calorie goal is 2000 calories, after protein and fat are removed, I have 726 calories left so those can all go to carbs, and since each gram of carbs is 4 calories, that comes out to 182g of carbs.

Now the only problem is that this breakdown comes out to about: 30% protein, 33% fat, and 36% carbs, and MFP only let's you adjust macros by 5% intervals, so just get as close as you can, I went with 30% protein, 35% fat, and 35% carbs. Hope that helps.

emirror

Your body may still be holding on to some elastin from the pregnancy, which is there to loosen up your ligaments for baby growing and giving birth. You have to wait it out for that stuff to leave your system. It helped completely relax all those muscles so they wouldn't tear as they stretched to make room for baby.

To otherwise tighten the core, you have to do much more intensive exercises. Crunches only isn't going to cut it; you have to get at everything that holds in your guts, including your sides and hips. One thing I do while sitting at my desk all day is suck my gut in and up. It makes you start using those muscles again. Suck in your gut when you are walking around... you may be surprised that you can't do it for very long.

Even when you lose the fat, you still may have loose skin. The only thing that will firm that up is time; it has to retract from all that expansion.

Keep your sodium intake under control, and drink enough water. Bloat and constipation will make your tummy look bigger.

Otherwise, as far as diet, slow changes to healthier options seem to work best for me. Plus, you can eat a LOT more raw fruits and veggies than you can potato chips or candy before hitting the same calorie load. When you get full from eating healthy food, and end up not eating over your calories because you just aren't hungry, you lose weight faster.

rahlpn

"Don't just choose a macro ratio and go for it. Calculate your protein and fat minimums, and fill the rest of your calories with carbs. The protein macro you want to shoot for is 0.82 grams per pound of body weight. The fat macro you want to shoot for is 0.4 grams per pound of body weight.

For example, I weigh 185 pounds, so my protein macro is 152g of protein, and my fat macro is 74g of fat."

I think you meant 0.82 g per lb of LEAN body mass. As females there would never be a need for us to consume 150g + protein per day. I also weigh 185 and I aim for about 80-90g per day which my doctor and a trainer at my gym have both told me is ideal.

Shellster831

You CAN NOT out train a bad diet.

RGv2

To otherwise tighten the core, you have to do much more intensive exercises. Crunches only isn't going to cut it; you have to get at everything that holds in your guts, including your sides and hips. One thing I do while sitting at my desk all day is suck my gut in and up. It makes you start using those muscles again. Suck in your gut when you are walking around... you may be surprised that you can't do it for very long.

Abdominal/Core exercises don't tighten/slim the midsection exclusively, that would be spot reducing. They build strength in the core and help add to your caloric deficit. Lowering body fat through diet/caloric deficit, work (compound exercises/cardio), and patience a slim mid-section makes. Many individuals with "slim" midsections -- 6 packs do very little "ab" work.

msstatz

You CAN NOT out train a bad diet.

^^ this

Shellster831

That's why they say a six pack is found in the kitchen. If you want to see one, change your diet.

Witchdoctor58

Yes, it does matter. You can't eat Twinkies and fried rice and expect to stay healthy. I don't know if you are still breastfeeding, but you could also pass consumed toxins to your baby in breast milk. You wouldn't want that for your baby, so why would you want it for yourself?

chickybuns

Yes, it does matter. You can't eat Twinkies and fried rice and expect to stay healthy. I don't know if you are still breastfeeding, but you could also pass consumed toxins to your baby in breast milk. You wouldn't want that for your baby, so why would you want it for yourself?

I am and I have done my research. The body is amazing. The only thing that really is a concern is too much trans fat.

AJ_G

Yes, it does matter. You can't eat Twinkies and fried rice and expect to stay healthy. I don't know if you are still breastfeeding, but you could also pass consumed toxins to your baby in breast milk. You wouldn't want that for your baby, so why would you want it for yourself?

So misguided...

BusyRaeNOTBusty

I eat "crap" and "look good" but I don't eat ONLY "crap", just like 30% and my definitions of "crap" are different than others.

How old is your baby? Give yourself a good year to rebound from a pregnancy and even then there might be loose skin and stretch marks that don't go away and that's okay.

andresconejo

To otherwise tighten the core, you have to do much more intensive exercises. Crunches only isn't going to cut it; you have to get at everything that holds in your guts, including your sides and hips. One thing I do while sitting at my desk all day is suck my gut in and up. It makes you start using those muscles again. Suck in your gut when you are walking around... you may be surprised that you can't do it for very long.

Abdominal/Core exercises don't tighten/slim the midsection exclusively, that would be spot reducing. They build strength in the core and help add to your caloric deficit. Lowering body fat through diet/caloric deficit, work (compound exercises/cardio), and patience a slim mid-section makes. Many individuals with "slim" midsections -- 6 packs do very little "ab" work.

Ive always had this concern, if what matter is the diet or abdominal excercises?

HeyGoRun

keep it 80% good 20% crap

chickybuns

He is almost 8 months. I probably eat 50/50, I'm going to try to work in more fruits and veggies to start

emirror

To otherwise tighten the core, you have to do much more intensive exercises. Crunches only isn't going to cut it; you have to get at everything that holds in your guts, including your sides and hips. One thing I do while sitting at my desk all day is suck my gut in and up. It makes you start using those muscles again. Suck in your gut when you are walking around... you may be surprised that you can't do it for very long.

Abdominal/Core exercises don't tighten/slim the midsection exclusively, that would be spot reducing. They build strength in the core and help add to your caloric deficit. Lowering body fat through diet/caloric deficit, work (compound exercises/cardio), and patience a slim mid-section makes. Many individuals with "slim" midsections -- 6 packs do very little "ab" work.

You misunderstand me, I think. The OP just had a baby. I'm not talking about spot reduction, I'm talking about getting those muscles strong again. Pregnancy seriously stretches and weakens the abs. You CAN spot train, otherwise there wouldn't be a hundred different excercises for each muscle. You CANNOT spot reduce fat, I agree. Fat comes off all over.

Getting (back) into shape is very different for new mothers.

Joehenny

I just eat food that satisfies my nutrient goals. I don't know who would eat "crap", that sounds weird.

breeannalee

Ill tell you what happens when you eat crap but stay within your calorie numbers, you slooooooooooooooooowly lose weight, have soft pudgy bits that wont go away and the internal number i.e. cholesterol and other blood markers arent that great..
Trust me, i lost 40 pounds eating cheeseburgers within my 1300 calorie goal.
Wasnt until i started eating well, mostly veg, lean protein, healthy fat, minimal refined grained and carbs that i saw a change in my shape. Things tightened, i became leaner although the same weight and i had heaps more energy to work out, which resulted in even better results.
Like the lady said above you cant out train a bad diet, it will catch up with you. Calories do count but what counts more is the type of food you put in your mouth!

B

vienna_h

But why do you want to eat crap?

Considering you are a new mama and breastfeeding, shouldn't you WANT to eat healthy good food? It's more important than ever right now, and you will make a good example for your kid growing up.

Eat healthy for the right reasons, and the rest will come.

pchesnut

First off----BEAUTIFUL baby. Congrats
Next--with each kid my body changed even more. Something about the 3rd kid always kills ya. I have heard that from SO many different sources. Is this your 1st baby?
Also I have noticed that age has played a part in my journey. When I was in my 20's I never paid much attention to what I ate but now at 39......it's a whole new ballgame. Good luck

BigDnSW

Ya probably won't listen to the "old guy peanut section"...save yourself a lot of health problems by eating healthy for you. It varies from person to person and when you hit my age, you will want to be in the best shape body, soul, and spirit for you and your kid(s) and possibly grandkids. I'm glad I have eaten healthy most of my life as at 55, I look a helluva younger than most of my peers and act much younger (but not immature).

You have a lot to live for and that requires good choices and responsibility.

Old Fart with a Young Heart

RGv2

To otherwise tighten the core, you have to do much more intensive exercises. Crunches only isn't going to cut it; you have to get at everything that holds in your guts, including your sides and hips. One thing I do while sitting at my desk all day is suck my gut in and up. It makes you start using those muscles again. Suck in your gut when you are walking around... you may be surprised that you can't do it for very long.

Abdominal/Core exercises don't tighten/slim the midsection exclusively, that would be spot reducing. They build strength in the core and help add to your caloric deficit. Lowering body fat through diet/caloric deficit, work (compound exercises/cardio), and patience a slim mid-section makes. Many individuals with "slim" midsections -- 6 packs do very little "ab" work.

You misunderstand me, I think. The OP just had a baby. I'm not talking about spot reduction, I'm talking about getting those muscles strong again. Pregnancy seriously stretches and weakens the abs. You CAN spot train, otherwise there wouldn't be a hundred different excercises for each muscle. You CANNOT spot reduce fat, I agree. Fat comes off all over.

Getting (back) into shape is very different for new mothers.

The OP said she's losing inches from everywhere but her belly. I'm pointing out "core" exercises won't spot fix the inches not coming off the belly. That's more or less what I was getting at.

damajole

at 19/20 years old...i was eating burgers and working out daily, all the while losing weight.


two kids later wouldn't even dare.

BeachIron

Yes and no. It all comes down to how much "crap" and what you mean by "crap."

There's quite a bit of discussion on here about IIFYM vs. clean eating and the thing that is massively misunderstood about IIFYM is that while yes you can enjoy pizza, ice cream, chocolate, etc. on IIFYM it's not as if we are all binging on that stuff. There are a few on here that survive on fast food and it works for them but most of us, and the focus of IIFYM is to, eat plenty of lean meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts and to fit those into a framework where we get sufficient protein, good fats, and the right carbs to provide the vitamins, minerals and fiber that we need. Once that has been achieved, then it's okay to have some of the things that we really enjoy. That is what is meant by "80/20" or some of the other number splits that are thrown around: 80% what people often call "nutrient dense" or "clean" foods and 20% stuff that keeps us sane.

To put it another way, moderation and portion control are what matter.

MyChocolateDiet

You're gonna want to eat mostly healthy for the baby anyway but some junk won't kill you.

I hope you adjusted your cal intake for breastfeeding. The tummy will go away when your fat does thru weight loss.

It's not hopeless I was flat pancake tummy after my first baby 3 months later and that included a c section. unfortunately returning to college meant my milk went down and we just got out of the habit so then I started working out hard once I knew nursing had sadly come to an end. so yeah to me the priority is the baby but that's just me but you can get the weight off whenever you and the baby are ready if you want to use working out to do it. now if you stick to a cal plan thats reasonable for nursing and focus on certain foods to get the fat off you that's how my friend does it. lots of low fat foods but lots of foods. and patience. and prudence. it's not hopeless at all. not in the least.