first time losing weight w/out gym access

dreawest

I understand the clingy toddler and don't have the option of older kid to babysit. My son can really get underfoot but I am trying to get him involved a bit. Do you want to try and do _____ with mommy? And like another poster said he likes being asked but it doesn't hold his attention long so he will watch a show while I try and do stuff. Kids are always underfoot but we still manage to cook and clean, do the laudry and bathe ourselves, this is just one more task. Get your toddler to walk up and down the stairs with you, it will seem dull quickly. Or do a stationary exercise while he colours or tells you a story. Pretty soon your exercise will be normalized and he will be used to doing something himself during that time.

RunsOnEspresso

I didn't read it all but why not walk with your toddler? Go to a park and let the toddler play and do some body weight exercises using playground equipment? Or just play with your kid at the park? Play some kind of ball? Have a race?

beertrollruss

You can definitely lose weight without exercising. As far as activity, house work still burns calories.

I'm not sure why a toddler is being viewed as an obstacle to exercise. Toddlers have so much energy. They love to play tag. Instead of looking at the toddler as an obstacle, figure out how both of you can get some exercise. I've always encouraged my son to be active and he's in great shape today at 12. As soon as my son started walking, we rarely took him anywhere in a stroller. When he got tired, we picked him up or we all took a rest. If you can, get the teenagers involved with some exercise too.

Because of your history, you need to stop comparing your current self to your young self. I was a teenage bodybuilder who could eat junk food all the time and never did cardio. Today, I'm almost 50 and I can't eat junk food anymore. I still want to look good in clothes, but my main focus is eating the right foods and lowering my pulse.

Stop thinking about the past and focus on your future. Do the best you can and you will feel better. Make it a family affair and encourage each other so everyone gets to feel better. Your toddler will pump you up more than any stranger on the internet can.

pmur

I have a teen and a toddler. The sister has to watch her brother for 30 mins, no questions asked. I can't understand why you cannot enforce that.

kellbot1

I guess I'm just wondering how far I can go before I start to plateau & struggle, and I'm worried about losing muscle while dieting without lifting. I really don't want to lose anymore muscle.

With my sports training I recently was feeling sad because I felt like I was too old to really get very far. I don't have the body bounceback of the 20 year olds at the gym, I started too late, etc.

A good friend of mine reminded me recently that we need to stop looking at failure before it happens. If you plateau and struggle, handle that when it comes, but don't waste energy anticipating it now. Let your body be the determining factor for how far you can go on diet alone, not your mind.

JulieE1002

As a mother of 8 children, I can empathize with your situation. 2 pieces of advice: you are on the right trick by being here! Log your food intake and be sure to measure everything; and second, although exercise isn't necessary, it is highly recommended. I have seen the "commercial workout" online - look for it. It's awesome! It gives you exercises to do through the commercials - you can have a "contest" with your child. "Honey, mommy is going to do these very silly exercises at every commercial - do it with me and let's see who can do it the longest!" And then change it up to "let's see who can look the silliest! If I lose then I have to eat this piece of broccoli! [then of course you lose b/c your child wants to see you eat that broccoli!] These exercises are very effective. Don't be fooled by those that say you MUST do 30 minutes of continuous exercise to get the benefits - not true. Definately aim for 30 minutes (to begin with) throughout the course of the day. Good luck! You will make it! Feel free to send me a friend request if you need support!

pukekolive

Hi

Have 'dancing time' to the radio/tv everyday with your kids, they will love it - shake that booty!

Also if you are like me and weigh every day (I always seem to go offtrack if I don't weigh daily) then www.trendweight.com is great for being able to see whether your weight trend is up or down.
You will need a free Fitbit account to log your weight then Trendweight (also free) brings this weight figure in and creates a line graph. It can then tell you which way you are headed and suggest how many calories you are under/over to keep to your goal. I love t!

Cheers

Elaine

jklamb57

You have been given a ton of great ideas and encouragement as well as pointing out that you really don't need a gym membership to get in shape.

To make sure you don't loose your existing muscle mass just make sure you are getting plenty of protein in your diet. One easy way to do that is with lean meats like fish or chicken breasts. Many of the frozen fish fillets and chicken breasts even have directions for baking them from frozen. Just stick to low calorie seasoning like pepper, lemon, a little salt, etc.... I would recommend serving these with or over some mixed vegetables.

You CAN do this!

gsheppy

I don't have a gym membership and have done great. I usually have one my three kids with me too. My boy 7 years old very active loves to ride his bike while I jog/walk. I you just have to find any second you can. Good luck