Anxiety... help.

Navie42

So I've been on this site now for a week. When I joined, I was already in the process of changing our dinners over to low calorie, freshly prepared meals (and I've succeeded on doing so for 5 of 7 nights a week.. still need to find more recipes we like). I weighed myself last week on tuesday, started Jillian Michaels's 30 Day Shred and did 5 workouts in the last 8 days. I said no to junk food and desserts when I didn't have enough calories that day to cover it.

And I weighed myself this morning and I have lost just under 2 lbs since tuesday last week.

I should be really happy... but instead I feel super anxious.

Logically, I know this is wonderful. nearly 2 lbs in 1 week, even though I am building some muscle as well through the 30 day shred workouts. Emotionally however, I feel an anxiety over it. Here are some of the thoughts running through my mind:

1. What if this is a fluke? What if I don't continue to lose weight? What if I never lose again?(I've struggled so many times in the past, even though since joining this site I know now where I went wrong before. eg. starvation mode)

2. What if I am not building any muscle through working out? (but logically, my endurance has gone way up in just a week... that indicates SOME muscle build up... right??)

3. I should feel guilty on the days I dont workout. This morning, my 5 week old started kicking off and I only got in half of the 30 day shred wrokout... and I feel super anxious about it.

4. What if I am grossly overestimating the amount my daughter breastfeeds and as such it will mess up my calorie count? (5 weeks old, I've est. 20 oz. a day, since she can take 4-5oz in one go of formula. 20 oz = 400 cal)

5. What if I am grossly over / under estimating / reporting EVERYTHING and I am either going over my calories or not getting enough?


Ugh. I know these thoughts are not logical. I am super happy and proud of myself for planning my food out for the day, for having learned how to cook since going on maternity leave (before I couldn't cook even rice... RICE people!) and cook healthy meals nonetheless. I am also happy I've managed to find a groove with my infant where, on most days, working out with the DVD isn't a problem. But all of this gets overshadowed with the doubt and anxiety that today was only a fluke.

Anyone else go through this? Any advice?

aunienue

You're working out and have a 5 week old?? That is quite an accomplishment in itself. Don't be so hard on yourself, sounds like you are making some major changes during what can be an overwhelming time.

Good luck.

DeeDeeLHF

I agree! Your baby is only 5 weeks old. Give yourself a break! Best way to get back into shape is breastfeeding so stick with that. Be sure to eat enough to make that good milk!!! Keep her at the breast for as long as she wants and your uterus will just shrink back and your body will use those fat reserves to make the new milk.

Be sure that your body has completely healed before you push too hard. Mastitis is a nasty thing and can happen if you get too tired.

Congrats on the food prep! and Congrats and a new baby daughter!!! She will always be a joy to you.

Take a deep breath! Not every change has to happen all at once and you have already had a big change!

Your pics are beautiful! Just enjoy!

You will lose the weight if you are careful but remember nutrition comes first!

Again Congratulations! this WILL happen for you! have faith!

D

absie107

hon... these things take time. our bodies are programmed NOT to lose weight, so the fact that you lost any at all is actually freaking amazing.

I will address your concerns, and these are just opinions, but I used to be anxious too:

1) This isn't a fluke. Tell yourself that. Own it. You can do this.

2) If you're strength training/doing anything active, you're building at least a bit of muscle. Just don't overdo it.

3) Do NOT feel guilty!!!! Or try not to. That's really unhealthy thinking - every day is a new day, so if you don't get to work out a ton one day, just eat a bit less, or don't, and get back on track the next day.

4) If you're breastfeeding... please, goodness, don't worry too much about calorie counts. Be sensible. Eat wholesome foods, good foods, seasonal if at all possible. You've got a kid - it's amazing that you're at least aware of your physical activity and eating habits in the first place. Put the health of yourself right up there with your child, but if anything do not undereat.

5) Calorie counting is an extremely inexact science. I hate to break it to you, but you'll never really know EXACTLY how many calories you consume or expend because, well, we don't have that kind of technology, and frankly we shouldn't. Worrying too much about calories has given America a national eating disorder, and we're continuing to gain despite the diets and the shreds and the fitness routines.

Right now you've got a little one to dedicate a lot of time and energy towards. Please, please eat enough, exercise when you can, but above all try to get as much sleep as humanly possible!!!

suzikelley

You have made some SERIOUS positive changes in your life!!! Be proud of what you've accomplished!! My "baby" is almost 4 and I've finally decided to exercise and get healthy!! LOL! You're doing it 5 weeks after giving birth!! " WOW" is all I can say to that!!! Just keep logging and exercising and you WILL keep losing! You're doing great! Our minds have a way of sabotaging our successes - don't let that happen! Even if you don't lose every single week, you're getting healthier - and that definitely counts!! :-)

sallyLunn

It really sounds like you are doing great. Its hard to work out with an infant. I used to have to put mine in her swing so she could watch me work out. I remember lots of times the baby loosing it when I only had 5 or 10 minutes left on the workout tape (it was the 1990s) and trying to let her cry while I finished and then giving in. Still, the 20 or 25 minutes that I got in were better than sitting in a chair. It paid off.

Personally, I don't work out 7 days a week. I aim for 5 days at the gym, and really happy with 6 and I make sure that I don't do anything more strenuous than walk the dog on the 7th. Also, I am not hesitant to count strenuous house/garden work as a work out. If I've spent the day painting the living room, that counts.

If you are loosing weight, it is working. I think there is a thread somewhere on MFP that is made up of breastfeeding mothers who are dieting. Maybe you should find it and friend some of them. I bet that would be helpful.

Take care and keep up the good work.

johnthefatman

Hey don't get stressed - and just stick with your plan - don't go overboard on the exercise you have enough to cope with at the moment - and don't worry about missing days- you will loose weight - listen to your body - if your very tired skip the workout - if you're hungry eat something healthy -
j

Navie42

Thank you all for the positive words. I would like to say I am eating right up to my calories every day, including those I earn back through exercise and breastfeeding. I get my five a day of fruit and veg on most days, and eat a well balanced diet, because my little girl needs her milk to be wholesome ^_^

I will have a look for that breastfeeding group, thanks!

And thank you all again, sometimes just a few positive words can make such a difference.

@Sally, that's what I do: diaper change, feed, and then put her in her swing and hope she lasts 20 minutes LOL. Most days she does, and quietly watches the TV as the DVD plays.

billgiersberg

I don't like to get overly involved in some of the questions from women because as a guy, it's difficult for me to relate. However, as a healthcare worker, your message raised some red flags in my mind in that you mentioned you have a 5- week old child. Initially it sounds to me like you are trying to do too much too soon and I'm inclined to suggest you consider taking smaller steps. It's possible your body is in a state of postpartum hormonal change. Most of your anxiety may be attributed to postpartum mood swings. This website may offer some information: http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy/pregnancy_48.html or you can Google search "postpartum hormonal changes." This kind of stuff is completely out of my realm of expertise but I would suggest you talk to your doctor about this and ask them for their recommended plan for their patients to return to their pre-pregnancy weights. You're not the first woman who wants to do this and they surely have a plan that is known to be safe and that works. I don't know but it seems to me if you try to do too much too soon, you could turn off the breast milk supply as your body may say, "oh...I better turn my attention to a fight or flight response and sacrifice the baby. We are in a danger situation."

Again, take it for what it's worth but it seems to me you have a lot going on right now and you may want to consult with a physician.

melbhall

I agree with Bill. The anxiety could be due to the fact that you just had a baby and all horomones are out of wack. I think its amazing that you are already so dedicated so give yourself a break. If you really want to lose the weight and have a healthier lifestyle then you will, it is not a fluke. And 2lbs in a week is amazing. If you are really worried about calories burned get a heart rate monitor (although I don't know if there is an accurate way of counting those bf cals other than your formula). Finally, you've got to relax and not stress so you can be the best mommy you can be. I was so stressed about moving, living in a small hotel room and a short sale that my milk supply went to literally nothing and I had to put him on formula at 6 months. So enjoy this time and keep doing all the amazing things you are doing, and that weight will come off in no time!