New to exercising and eating healthy...

mlclark86
mlclark86 Posts: 33 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hello. I have been on the site now for 5 days and really like it so far. The thing is that I have never needed to diet in my life and exercise was never on my mind. I ate what I wanted when I wanted too and stayed on the low side of a healthy weight. 16 months ago I had my second daughter and that is when it all changed. I thought I would bounce back just like I did with my first...boy was I wrong. I gained 50 lbs during my pregnancy and am still caring around an extra 20-25 lbs hanging around. I have tried and tried again to get back into shape but I can't seem to get the hang of it. I am full of excuses of being too tired, and not having enough time because of having two children, but the truth is my self control kinda stinks. I am hoping for a different result this time around but I am not all that optimistic...

Any pointers, suggestions, or people that know what this is like?

Replies

  • cardbucfan
    cardbucfan Posts: 10,571 Member
    I think most of us know what that is like! The key is not to think of this as a "diet" with a defined end time where you will resume the same habits that led to your being on here (not what got you pregnant-that you can resume!).

    Make changes to your lifestyle that are sustainable for life. That means don't give up all the foods you love. Deprivation usually leads to binges and unless you never plan to eat the food again in your life, learn to eat it in moderation or in a healthy amount. For example, cookies are my kryptonite. I can NOT have them in the house or I will eat them all (includes cookie dough too). So I don't have them here. I will still get A cookie at the grocery store or when we are out but there is not a box in my house.

    Don't change everything at once-it can be overwhelming and hard to maintain.

    Log everything you put in your mouth. Measure it first so you have an accurate count. This right here can be very enlightening! Use the recipe function on MFP to calculate the nutritional data in the meals you make at home.

    Find a form of exercise you enjoy and do it. You will burn more calories which means you will have more to eat! Win!

    Start resistance training now to avoid losing muscle while you are losing weight. You will NOT get big and bulky!

    Take pictures and measurements because the scale will lie to you. Plus when you hit your goal wright and go to post your success story you're going to want pictures!

    Good luck!
  • mlclark86
    mlclark86 Posts: 33 Member
    Thank you so much! There was so much good info and tips and I am taking them all to heart. Unfortunately I live with extended family who are NOT going to give up cookies and donuts and so they will always be in the house until my family moves out. I have decided that giving myself one day to eat the things I am missing ( though not all at once) will have to keep my cravings at bay. I find that being accountable for the calories and such by having to put them in to my food diary helps a lot. I feel guilty about going over therefore I tend to work harder to stay at my goals.

    I am determined to get into great shape before my husband and I decide to try for another child. I think it will be easier to bounce back after if I am really fit to start and maintain healthy habits during pregnancy.

    Once again thanks for the advice!!
  • Fitastic14
    Fitastic14 Posts: 30
    Hi and welcome!

    As a former couch potato that canNOT live without exercise nowadays, this is what did it for me. May 2013, I 'forced' myself to workout for 30 mins/day, 5 days/week. Even though I felt tired &/or sore, I did it anyways. Well, after 3 weeks, I then CRAVED exercise! So, for 9 months now, I've been working out 5-6 days/week. I'll be honest and say I did quit for about a month around Christmas (it's the holidays...what an EXCUSE, eh?!), and I was so miserable! ...And that crave for exercise NEVER went away!

    My workouts consist of walking and cutting grass / shoveling snow (depending on the time of year of course). Easy.

    I workout to sustain mental wellness - I just feel happier all around and it's much more enjoyable to handle life's highs and lows when we're physically & mentally prepared.

    And as the other girl said, it's best to make simple changes, one at a time, to adopt them for life. I, for example, cut soda/pop out of my diet June 2012. I used to live on it, but now I can drink 20 oz a month or whatever I choose, but I no longer 'need' it every day. Once that was mastered, I quit eating out so much...or began majorly decreasing my condiment intake...etc. (That stuff is TOO fatty!) hahahah

    It doesn't take much -- 'consistency' is all. You can add me if you want - I'm always up for new supporters! :)
    Good luck!

    "You don't stop when you're tired/sore, you stop when you're done."
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