When Baby Weight just becomes Weight

Stacivogue

Hello,
I've been on MFP for about 45 days and have been dieting for 60 days. MFP has definitely helped me to track what I'm eating, and I think that's been helping me to lose the baby weight. I gained 85 lbs when I was pregnant with my first child, and was not one of the lucky ones who lost anything with breastfeeding. I lost about 40 lbs of it, and then hit a plateau and just had not time to exercise and was too depressed to diet - since nothing seemed to be working.

I started doing a diet plan (the name to remain anonymous) and it started to work, slowly. The good news is, I've lost 24 lbs so far! The bad news is - the last time I was at this weight I was in a size 10, and now I'm in a size 14 top and a 12 bottom. And I know that means I've lost muscle and need to get to the gym. This is very depressing, because I am a bit overwhelmed with a new job, a husband that travels, and the 16 month old dictator who rules my life with a tiny, iron fist.

Here's my problem: going to the gym makes me really hungry, which makes it harder to stick to the diet, which is working, (albeit slowly) at 2.5 lbs/ a week. And I have to choose between spending time with him, or exercising. By the time I get him to sleep, I don't really want to work out, I want to pass out.

I've started to add in walking and running after the toddler should not be underestimated in calorie burning, but i know i need to start adding in exercise or this will all be for naught. I joined the gym at work, but haven't been able to get down there during the day, as I'm trying to get all of my work done so that I can get home and see my little man.

Support would be awesome.

Qarol

which is working, (albeit slowly) at 2.5 lbs/ a week

This is not slowly, even a little bit

mummy_gerdes

hi,

i understand your problem - i have a one year old (already!!!) and he also rules the roost! lol. i have started going to the gym before work which i have found really helps by going in the morning as i still get to see my son in the evenings. if this isnt an option maybe you could do the plank exercise each morning and evening? it only takes about a minute to start with and you can build it up. a minute a day isnt alot and you can feel your whole body shake as your doing it!

hope ive helped a bit.

poustotah

which is working, (albeit slowly) at 2.5 lbs/ a week

This is not slowly, even a little bit

I agree. This is a fairly quick weight loss.

withchaco

I agree with Qarol. 2.5lbs per week is not slow at all!

If working out makes you hungrier, eat more. Serious exercise means you need to eat more than you would without it, so you can fuel your body.

Can you get some exercise done during lunchtime at work?

jonesdy

I believe the average weight loss is 1.5 lbs per week... YOU are doing a GREAT job...

Absolutely put down chasing your little man as exercise, and I put down my housecleaning... It's calories burned!!!!

My baby is 14 mos old, and I'm still trying to get off this baby weight... I'm going slow, and not sticking to any diets, just following the guideline this is giving me to keep within my calories for the day. I'm eating what I want...(we had home made pizza for dinner last night)... BUT am making an effort to consume more vegetable and fruits!!!

Try to keep a positive attitude and do what you can when you can do it. Don't beat yourself up - you are losing and that is what is important!!!

Feel free to add me - the more support you have, the more motivated you will be to stick with it!!!

I am very grateful for this site, as I don't have any support around me - we just moved to a new city and state!!! The gracious people on this site are what has kept me going this week, and I believe they will keep me going for a LONG time!!!

GOOD LUCK & CONGRATS on what you have lost thus far...

theprices

Congrats on your weight loss so far. This is a journey we are all on to better ourselves, and you should be proud!

That being said, I think its also important to know that this page is FULL of people who are just like you - BUSY moms who somehow find the time/way to make it work. Being a mom, in general, takes a lot of energy - but I have found that the more I work out, the more energy I have for my kids during the day!

No disrespect meant by this post at all, I'm just sharing my opinion!

theprices

Oh, and your baby is ADORABLE.

jrreed1

I would do some squats and lunges holding my baby when my little ones demands didn't allow me to get to a gym.

Stacivogue

Ok, so that came across as pretty whiny. However, I have been doing a pretty drastic diet in order to lose weight with a strict 1200 calorie guideline and only certain foods, so after 60 days I guess I needed to get a little whiny. I really need some wine and it's not on the diet.

I know 2.5 lbs a week should make me really happy, but that is average. There have been weeks with no progress. And weeks with progress. And yes, I've dropped sizes, but I thought I'd be back in the same clothes I was in at the same weight 2 years ago, but that didn't turn out to be the case. Now it feels like I have to lose so much more to be in the same shape I was in before, so it's discouraging. And according to that weight loss, it will be December before I fit back into the majority of my closet. And I had to buy all new suits for work, which i fervently hope will not fit by then. That's if I don't slip off this ridiculous diet which is not sustainable for life.

I realize that "making healthy choices" is what everyone says is great - but I've made a bunch of healthy choices and nothing worked. Then I gave up and ate 10 lbs of pie. Now I'm paying for the 10lbs of pie and losing weight but I don't feel like I can keep this up. And I'm scared that if I stop, so will the weight loss, unless i can work out. And I've just got no time to do that.