Losing the baby weight... for blokes!

ljones27uk

Hi all,
I'm pretty new to this site, I've been using it for a month now and have to say its really helping.
Just wondering if anyone else out there is on a mission to lose baby weight? I'm coming at it from a slightly different angle as, hopefully clearly, I'm a bloke.
Since having children, Ive got a 3 and a 4 year old, I've found most of the spare time I had for sport has gone out of the window, and whilst Im striving to build the time back into my diary, its not easy. At the end of the day, once work is complete and the kids are tucked up in bed, I find it really easy to just slob on the sofa, often with something sugary to snack on... And here I am 3-4 years later and a few pounds heavier.
I've just invested in a cross trainer and a treadmill and so far so good, I am using them with decent regularity and, combined with sensible eating, I am seeing some good results.
Anyone in a similar position that has any good tips on how to keep motivated and ensure I stop myself from going back to those bad old habits, I'd appreciate the tips... this has to be change for the long term.
Cheers
Luke

misskarne

No time for sport? Are you kidding?

At 3 and 4 they are the perfect age to take them to oval on weekends! A cricket bat and ball! A baseball bat! A football to toss around and kick. Teach them to throw and to catch. Run around with them - you must know that nothing gets you moving like chasing little ones.

Your sport is right there. Include your kids. You'll have a ball, it'll help their motor development skills, and you'll get some exercise in. And maybe you'll tire them out enough to get some time on the treadmill or crosstrainer while they nap.

ljones27uk

hi,
I dont disagree and these are some good ideas. I guess I'm thinking more about competitive sports, and then when I get home from work and its bed time for the kids, its difficult to get to sports after they are in bed as they obv cant be left alone. Weekends are definitely a good time for doing things together, and we do.. I just struggle more during the Mon-Fri and stopping myself from slobbing on the sofa once they are in bed.

FindingAmy77

when they are awake play tag with them, hide and seek, go to the park. focus on feeding them and you healthy. when they go to sleep set yourself a timer that gives you an hour or so of you time then call it a night. sleep is just as important in weight loss. keep finding ways to add in activity into all of your lives and don't be so hard on yourself.

csec6pak

I work full time and my husband travels a lot, so I am on my own with the kids during the week. I get where you're coming from with wanting to just lounge on the couch once they're finally in bed. But you can't let yourself do it. I have two strategies:

1. If the weather is cooperative and there is time before dark, I pile them into the double jogging stroller and go for a run as soon as we get home from work/school. We stop at the park to play. Sometimes we even pack or pick up a healthy dinner and have a picnic. The kids LOVE this and ask to do it daily. Mine are 2 and almost 6 years old, and even the older one still doesn't mind riding in the stroller for 30 minutes as long as there is a park at the end of the ride. We have the BOB Duallie jogger which is big enough to fit two BIG kids. If biking is your thing, you could also do this with a bike trailer.

2. If strategy 1 fails due to weather or time constraints, I just suck it up and work out at home in the evening. I plan it into my day and don't let myself rationalize my way out of it. Log the exercise calories in MFP ahead of time so that you are accountable to actually burning them. We let my older kid watch 30 minutes of TV each night if she does her homework without complaint, so while she's watching her show, I do 30 Day Shred. I stay in the same room as her and we can talk a bit. This is after the younger one is in bed.

Kids definitely cause a lot of time constraints but you have to get creative and involve them. It's good for them to see Mom and Dad working out and setting a good example.

Liftng4Lis

Get those kids out and play, that will exercise you plenty, not to mention giving your partner a break!

heartimpelled

u can go Every day Gym 1 hour only to lose anything have nice Day