Just calorie counting..

My fiance got a neck injury about three weeks after we started our fitness program that has seriously limited her ability to exercise for at least 6-8 weeks. So far it hasn't affected her weight loss at all, she is still dropping about 2 pounds or more a week.

Two other things, don't discount the energy you expend being the mom of a toddler. That takes a lot of movement. Also, putting your child in a stroller and getting out for a walk is therapeutic for you, and stimulating for you toddler. It's good both ways.

Cannot really give personal experience, but ...

While calorie counting + exercise is better than calorie counting, that does NOT mean that calorie counting alone is a waste! And don't underestimate the exercise chasing a toddler gives.

I can certainly understand where you are coming from. I have a 3 year old and 5 year old who don't know the meaning of the word "sit". But it is true, everything you do adds up. Have to bend over and pick up those toys, have to vaccuum or sweep up those cheerios, have to scrub off the crayon on the wall? Trust me, it all adds up. And, yes, throw the little guy in the stroller and head on down the road after lunch or even when it is nap time. My kids used to sleep in the stroller all the time. Walking is a big majority of what I do for weight loss and it works if you do it consistently and try to go longer and faster as you progress. I started out walking slow(2.0 mph) for 20 minutes a day and now am up to 3.5 mph an hour a day when I can make it. It can be done with a little bit of creative thinking. I find it too hard to just count calories and try to cut out 2 pounds worth every week. Mixing it up with exercise is so much easier.

Sorry, have to do an edit. Forgot that you said you work full time. I do too but from home so I take time out of my day whenever which obviously you can't do. Perhaps try to make it a walk after dinner then with the little guy in the stroller. Or just add things throughout your day like a walk at lunch or up and down some stairs. Going up and down the stairs for only 5 minutes can burn like almost 50 calories. While that may not seem like much, a quick trot up and down during lunch every day can add up(I lost 10 pounds in a year just doing that alone without changing everything else when I first moved into my house from my apartment)

I am mom of a toddler and an infant (toddler goes to preschool 3 days a week) and I've barely exercised and have mostly been just calorie counting, I've lost 13 lbs since January. I lost about 9 lbs in the first few weeks very quickly and then had a plateau for a couple of weeks, so I went a bought a food scale, and it really helped me get more accurate about my calorie intake. Since then I've lost another 4 lbs.

I can barely get a shower in, let alone finding time to exercise lol. Now that winter is over, I'm trying to get outside and walk a little more, even if it's just 10 minutes. I also have some dance parties with my kids lol I figure anytime I'm not sitting down, I'm burning calories, whether it's playing and keeping up with the kids, or cooking and cleaning, it all burns calories.