Hello from Las Vegas!

dinosgirl

Hi everyone. My name is Elyssa and I am a 28-year-old mother of two (ages 3 years and 18 months). Within the past year, I have gained about 20 pounds and lost considerable muscle mass. I used to be quite active (I worked out throughout both pregnancies and regained my shape pretty quickly following the births) but once I returned to work fulltime after my last maternity leave, I have found I have very little free time between my job and my children, not to mention my husband, to workout.

A little history about me. I was very active throughout high school and college. In fact, some would say a little too active. Workouts during that time consisted of at least an hour of cardio plus another 45 minutes to an hour of strength training a day (6 days a week). My "day off" was an hour of yoga. I also ate very well - no candies, cookies or cakes but alot of fruits and veggies. I was in the best shape of my life. Once I got married, I started to slack off in the exercise department but was still eating well. I gained about 5 pounds (bringing me to about 117-120) by the first time I got pregnant.

As I mentioned, I worked out throughout my first pregnancy and only gained a total of 30 pounds of which I lost 25 shortly after my son was born and I continued to exercise at least 5 days a week although my diet had changed because I found I now needed to eat on the go. Also, my workouts shortened to no more than 30-45 minutes. Whatever I could fit in at nap time. I maintained that weight of around 125 pounds until I got pregnant with my second. Again, I worked out the entire pregnancy and gained about 25 pounds, all lost immediately after the birth. Before I returned to work, I was working out 6 days a week (40-60 minutes) and watching what I ate. However, it was the returning to work that changed everything.

I found that I couldn't get up early to fit in workouts because I was exhausted from being up all night with feedings. The once I got home from work, I wanted to spend time with my children, feed them, bathe them, put them to bed, do some chores that needed to be done around the house, take care of our animals and before I knew it, it would be almost midnight - too late to workout. If I could fit a workout in - it was sporadic. Twice a week here, four times a week there, none the next. My eating habits also changed again because I began craving more sweets and junk to give me that quick energy boosts I needed. So I gained weight bringing me to the 140 I am today.

Now that both my children are older and have a better set schedule/bedtime, and there are no more middle of the night wakings , I made a promise to myself that I am going to try and fit in at least 40-60 minutes of exercise a night, 5-6 days a week as well as make some changes to my eating habits - smaller protions, better choices, etc. I am hoping to find support here.

My goal is to lose about 20-25 pounds. I'd ideally like to be around 115 pounds like I was before. But I would also be happy to just lose a few and gain more energy. I have resigned myself to the fact that my stomach will never be the flat six-pack I once had...hee, hee.

Any tips form other moms or stories to get me motivated? I really want to try and get in yoga at least once a week, I found it helps me get the most out of my other workouts. Also, if anyone has any healthy recipe ideas that will please both myself and my picky eaters (and a husband who will not be dieting), please let me know. Thanks in advance and I look forward to meeting all of you! Sorry this post was so long - I hope I didn't bore you!

dinosgirl

Hi everyone. My name is Elyssa and I am a 28-year-old mother of two (ages 3 years and 18 months). Within the past year, I have gained about 20 pounds and lost considerable muscle mass. I used to be quite active (I worked out throughout both pregnancies and regained my shape pretty quickly following the births) but once I returned to work fulltime after my last maternity leave, I have found I have very little free time between my job and my children, not to mention my husband, to workout.

A little history about me. I was very active throughout high school and college. In fact, some would say a little too active. Workouts during that time consisted of at least an hour of cardio plus another 45 minutes to an hour of strength training a day (6 days a week). My "day off" was an hour of yoga. I also ate very well - no candies, cookies or cakes but alot of fruits and veggies. I was in the best shape of my life. Once I got married, I started to slack off in the exercise department but was still eating well. I gained about 5 pounds (bringing me to about 117-120) by the first time I got pregnant.

As I mentioned, I worked out throughout my first pregnancy and only gained a total of 30 pounds of which I lost 25 shortly after my son was born and I continued to exercise at least 5 days a week although my diet had changed because I found I now needed to eat on the go. Also, my workouts shortened to no more than 30-45 minutes. Whatever I could fit in at nap time. I maintained that weight of around 125 pounds until I got pregnant with my second. Again, I worked out the entire pregnancy and gained about 25 pounds, all lost immediately after the birth. Before I returned to work, I was working out 6 days a week (40-60 minutes) and watching what I ate. However, it was the returning to work that changed everything.

I found that I couldn't get up early to fit in workouts because I was exhausted from being up all night with feedings. The once I got home from work, I wanted to spend time with my children, feed them, bathe them, put them to bed, do some chores that needed to be done around the house, take care of our animals and before I knew it, it would be almost midnight - too late to workout. If I could fit a workout in - it was sporadic. Twice a week here, four times a week there, none the next. My eating habits also changed again because I began craving more sweets and junk to give me that quick energy boosts I needed. So I gained weight bringing me to the 140 I am today.

Now that both my children are older and have a better set schedule/bedtime, and there are no more middle of the night wakings , I made a promise to myself that I am going to try and fit in at least 40-60 minutes of exercise a night, 5-6 days a week as well as make some changes to my eating habits - smaller protions, better choices, etc. I am hoping to find support here.

My goal is to lose about 20-25 pounds. I'd ideally like to be around 115 pounds like I was before. But I would also be happy to just lose a few and gain more energy. I have resigned myself to the fact that my stomach will never be the flat six-pack I once had...hee, hee.

Any tips form other moms or stories to get me motivated? I really want to try and get in yoga at least once a week, I found it helps me get the most out of my other workouts. Also, if anyone has any healthy recipe ideas that will please both myself and my picky eaters (and a husband who will not be dieting), please let me know. Thanks in advance and I look forward to meeting all of you! Sorry this post was so long - I hope I didn't bore you!