mommy's out there? advice please?

getinzeechoppa

hey guys, i am a stay at home momma of two boys ages 2 and 10 months. obviously i had two kids in two years so my body is completely changed. before i got pregnant i was 135lbs and just a tad fluffy looking (i am 5'3''). my highest weight when i was pregnant was 198lbs. i lost some weight after having the first, then the second, and i tried dieting and exercising a few months ago. i started at 172 and got down to 154 before giving up because i went on vacation and ate a LOT. got home and i haven't tried to lose the weight yet. im stuck in pizza and mt dew mode. yadda yadda yadda

anymahwho the reason i write all that is to ask if i'll EVER get my body back the way it used to be (or better) before i was pregnant. i do see a ton of success stories on here about mommas that lose all the weight and more and look terrific but i have like zero self confidence and zero motivation to push myself to be better. i look at my already-hanging momma pooch tummy and i go YUCK thats DISGUSTING why does my husband still even want to have sex with me?! and then i just tell myself well i already suck, might as well eat anything i want. no lie, i just finished off a bag of powdered doughnuts, washed down with a can of mt dew. so mommas, what were your methods to losing weight (and keeping it off)? did you start out with a crap ton of cardio and then switch to heavy lifting? did you keep your calories at 1200 or did you say EFF THAT and eat 2000 a day? were there certain workouts that you did to get rid of that tummy pooch?

i don't have any money whatsoever at this time to purchase dvds, shakes, protein bars, gym memberships...i live in a 900 sq ft apartment, 2nd floor with a-hole downstairs neighbors that yell at us if we make even the slightest bit of noise, and my complex doesn't have a gym. my husband works 12 hour shifts and weekends so my days are LONG and boring, and STRESSFUL. i do sound like i am complaining but c'mon, its not exactly the best environment for someone to start another weight loss journey...! excuses? no. i'll work with what i have, but i need the momma tips to get started cuz clearly i was doing something (everything?) wrong the first time. i know im not going to be thin by summer and thats fine. i want to give myself the rest of 2013 to lose the weight. i am 183ish lbs (and gaining every day..) and i want to be 130lbs.

have at it, mommas. please? :'-(

BusyRaeNOTBusty

First thing tomorrow get up, do some crunches, push ups, body weight squats and lunges. I find if I work out first thing it just puts me in the right frame of mind for the rest of the day. Take the 2 year old and lift him up over your head as many times as you can, rest a minute, then do it again.

Don't go 1200, that's too hard. I aim for 2000 but I'm also tall. Maybe start with 1800 or so.

Don't worry too much about exercise at first. Just do what you can to increase your NEAT (non exercise activity). Dance while you clean, take your kid to the park and play on the equipment with them. Do you have a double stroller? Go for walks. Maybe watch the garage sales and Craigslist adds for some dumbbells that you can stick in the corner of your living room.

No one can motivate you but you. You've just got to make the decision to change. You know that beating yourself up doesn't work, that just makes you feel worse. Focus on positive things. The excess fat and skin you have in your stomach will go away with time.

cjgsmg

I have 4 kids and at my very highest pregnant I was 196 pounds. Yikes! It is possible, but it takes some self control and desire to change. I have also found that if I exercise in the morning, my entire day is better. I tried eating only 1200 calories and I found that I couldn't do it. When I saw that I went over then I wanted to throw it all away and I'd binge. Because of it, I allow myself to eat more and exercise helps a ton. I also love the book Intuitive Eating. To me, it is by far the best way for me to lose weight and be happy.

amshumaker88

Hey there! I feel like there are parts of your post that I could have written myself. . . I am 24, with 3 girls ages 8, 5, and 3. I started out at 103 pounds when I got pregnant with my first, and my highest weight was when I was pregnant with my youngest, I hit 197.6 . I am currently at 157.4, I lose weight slowly apparently. The lowest I have ever been since having my oldest was 145, and I am working to get back ito approximately 125ish. I am a person who also likes to drink Mt. Dew, but seriously I have almost cut that out completely at this point. I figured out I was drinking it for the caffeine and switched to crystal light energy - less calories and no sugar. To answer your question, eventually, if you are willing to work at it and put in the effort, your body will start to improve. Even though I am only half way to where I would like my weight to be, I have seen many improvements because of working out and mainly eating properly, my mommy pouch has definitely shrank, and I know that as long as I keep up with the routine, it'll disappear completely.

I agree with BusyLady406, make yourself more active - it doesn't necessarily have to be first thing in the morning, but make time for it. When I first started out (2006), I started with walking, and then added Turbo Jam, and have since done other videos. I know you say you don't have the resources to purchase stuff and I can completely relate. Just start with exercises that require the use of your body. Maybe look for some free fitness videos online that you can do - I haven't personally used them but I am sure you should be able to find some as I have heard others suggest them to others.

Anyway my advice is, take it one day at a time, if you have a bad day, forget about it and move on to the next. If you like, feel free to friend me.

ddky

check out youtube videos on yoga... free and you will get a good workout without bothering your neighbors. Also isometric exercises will help. Good luck to you.

momzeeee

I have three kids, all 22 months a part from the next one. They're now 8, 6 and my youngest's 5 year old b-day is today After he came along I really lacked the motivation to do anything about my weight and I coasted along, slowly gaining over a period of several years. It wasn't until I had a diabetes scare last fall, that I really got the kick in the butt I needed to get serious about my weight and health. Thankfully my fasting glucose test came back in the normal range, but I knew it was only a matter of time before it came back as positive for diabetes, (big family history of type 2 and I lost one of my grandfathers to it).

Last October I weighed my highest at 171and had just started wearing a size 14 jean (actually used birthday money to buy my first pair in that size-most depressing shopping trip of my life). After hours and hours of reading nutrition books, watching documentaries and lectures online etc etc. I decided to go with an unconventional approach, called alternate day intermittent fasting, also known as adf or JUDDD. I got the information for the plan in Dr. James Johnson's book, The Alternate Day Diet.

Since then I've lost all my extra weight and then some, broke bad habits like nighttime mindless eating, and I now control food-it no longer controls me. I also now know what real hunger is vs. habitual eating. These are things that I've carried over with me into maintenance and they'll give me a much better chance of long term success.

In March I hit my goal weight of 135lbs, which I weighed on my wedding day, over 10 years ago Started transitioning into maintenance and went with a more laid back intermittent fasting approach, as laid out in Dr. Michael Mosley's book, The Fast Diet (he also has a BBC documentary and a PBS special out-good stuff!). I also started walking and doing Mark Lauren's strength training program around this time (his book for women is called Body By You and was $16 at Barnes and Noble-LOVE this program!)

Then in April I really felt led to go in a new direction and started transitioning to primal eating, with intermittent fasting still thrown in once or twice a week. Since then I've eliminated almost all grains, sugars, processed foods etc. I'm not super strict about it, but I'm feeling really good about the direction I'm heading in now. Making these changes caused more weight loss and as of today I'm at 124lbs and wear a size 2 jeans. It's been an exciting and surreal journey, and I'm really looking forward to getting established in primal eating and continuing with the strength training/taking that to the next level.

I highly recommend Dr. Johnson's and Dr. Mosley's books-they really have been life changing reads for me
And if you're interested in primal eating, Mark Sisson's book, The Primal Blueprint, is awesome!

Also, there's mfp groups for all three plans-the alternate day intermittent fasting one is called JUDDD, Dr. Mosley's group is called 5:2 Fasting, and then there's a few primal groups here.

_DaniD_

What time does your husband leave for work? Can you wake up early and go for a run?

bjune5

I’m sure you are exhausted caring for your young children.
I completely understand the daunting feeling of having to lose the baby weight, so why bother. But you can do this.
First thing …put down the Dew and walk away! LOL

You will feel better if you start back exercising. I agree with the suggestions like taking the kids for a walk around the neighborhood or at the park if you can, and doing exercises that you don’t need any equipment. Make small changes every week in your diet and exercise plan.
Using MFP is a great way to stay motivated. Check-in to MFP every day and communicate with a couple of people daily. You can encourage each other and check-in.

Also, what I found helpful is having workout buddies. Is there another mom near you that you can workout together? Or you take turns watching the kids so the other one can workout.
I belong to a fitness group that I meet with several days a week at the same gym for group classes or we’ll meet to do a walk/run. Trust me, if I’m not there, I get a call or text from one of them. LOL

Good luck!

Becky

jenstanley13

One - try moving however and whenever you can. I know being a new mommy can be exhausting we have all been there; and I can only imagine how tired you are wtih two. Movement through dancing with your kids, walking up and down stairs at your apartment, yoga, anything other than sitting will help you burn calories and start to feel better about yourself.

Two - try cutting out the Dew (or at least try switching to diet); add some water throughout your day. This alone will help you drop some of the weight.

Three - quit being so critical of yourself; you body did an amazing thing and grew two humans...you are beautiful and can do this if you set your mind to it.

Good luck in your journey!

mommylifter

I have 2 kids, ages 2 & 4. I gained 50 lbs when I was pregnant with my youngest son. I breastfeed about 40 lbs of it off and lost an additional 20 or so lbs after that. I lost 15 pounds with a diet book: ''The 17 day diet.'' Easiest diet to follow. Honestly if you have not starting losing any weight, I would recommend this book. I lost 12 pounds in 2 weeks. After the diet, I incorporated working out/eating really well, and have been doing so for over a year now. I now weigh less than I did in high school and have way more muscle. You can invest in some at home DVD workouts to do when the kids are napping from Target or wherever. But you have to find the motivation to do it. Mine came from Pinterest, the fitness section. I am sure lurking around this site will also help. Good luck!

mommylifter

Sometime I even pick up my 2 year old, put him on my hip and do walking lunges from one end of my house to the other. I am beat tired by the time I do that a few times and he loves it! I also squat with him sitting on my shoulders. Anything to squeeze in a few workouts here and there!

socajam

Walking is cheap, it does not cost any money - except a good pair of sneakers. I bought a decent pair of Nike sneakers from DSW reduced from $85.00 to $32.00, they were last year's fashion, but so what they do the job. I walk over 4 miles every day - he best sleep medicine that is available for free.

oregonzoo

What time does your husband leave for work? Can you wake up early and go for a run?

Seriously see if there is a way he can help you make time.
And then you just have to stop making reasons you can't go.

You know. I know there are obstacles for you right now, but rather than focus on those focus on solutions.

BrittanyMegan88

I have a one & a two year old, only 11 months apart. I gained tons after my second baby was born. I got up to 183. I started eating 1400 cals a day & I do the workout calendars from http://www.blogilates.com

They're free & super effective. Most of it's Pilates so it's not super noisey. There are a few HIIT videos that can be loud since there's jumping involved but other than that it's all pretty quiet.

There's a group here that someone started for this months workout calendar with links to playlists for all the videos for the day too. Here's the link if you want to check it out.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/13946-blogilates-maymuscles