MelanieMamaof5 Member

It all depends on what I'm looking for that day. As a busy mama of 5, sometimes I just want to get out, away from everything, and think, pray, or just plain zone out in the quiet that is solitude. Other times I want and/or need the music to pick me up and motivate. And then again, sometimes I just want someone to talk to.…

First off, is this your first baby? Remember that your baby is only one month old. You are not even past your 6 week postpartum/hormonal craziness. :) Just take a deep breath and keep in mind that it took time to put the weight on....and it will take time to get the weight off. I have a lot of experience in this. My baby…

Great work. You are doing great!!!!

I whole heartedly agree. Remember that life still needs to happen. MFP is just a tool to help us be more aware of our intake and output. Don't get too wrapped up in it or dependent upon it. Your actual weight loss and/or gain is NOT determined by 100% accuracy at logging in your food and exercise but by a consistency of…

Excellent. And thank you.

Remember that you are the one out there RUNNING. Anyone worth anything would APPLAUD that, not judge your body for it. Go for it and good on ya!

Just go and have fun. Don't set a "time" for yourself. In fact, if I were you I wouldn't look at a watch AT ALL! Ditto to everything else mentioned above. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

I've been told I have a way of making people feel good about themselves.

For me a "goal weight" has to be something maintainable with a moderate lifestyle, meaning moderate exercise and moderate eating (yes, treats every now and then *gasp*....he he he). If I can't hang on to it that way than it's not worth trying for. I am currently on the down slope of baby #5 (she's 6 months old). Each time…

If I run in the morning I do it on an empty stomach...or eat a banana. It wont add a lot of "bulk" to your stomach and may keep things from "moving" to quickly. If you wake up a few hours BEFORE your run, try eating a bowl of oatmeal. That always sits in my intestines quite nicely. Unlike a lot of people here I can't…

I'm in the same boat. The last 10-20 lbs is always the MOST BRUTAL! Believe me....I should know. 1've had 5 kids and have had to work back to my goal weight each time. The thing is....it is doable. Those last few lbs just take a lot of extra dedication and work and watching what you eat. Weight training makes a HUGE…

Amen....and amen!

You should check out your race specifics but normally they have water/gatorade stations every two miles. Makes a HUGE difference. Also, the half I just did had energy gel at the 10 mile. If I were you, I'd carry something of your own...an not the gel....It's disgusting. It coats your entire mouth and throat with sticky…

The first time I ever started counting calories? Jolly Ranchers. Just about killed me to learn that only 3 had 70 calories! I was a HUGE candy freak back then....and a bit compulsive...and would eat sometimes 15-20 a night. (Don't ask). That's 350-500 calories just in "harmless" jolly ranchers, right? I might as well have…

As a mom of 5 I just have to fit mine in wherever I can. Mornings are my favorite. Early morning, when i don't have a tiny baby, are the best because it is DONE and over with. Even if everything else in your day is hectic, or goes wrong, you accomplished SOMETHING anyway. It may kill you the first few days but it is…

For religious reasons I fast once a month for a 24 hour period. It's a great reminder that our minds/spirits are stronger than our bodies. That I, I mean really ME, is in control over my body and not my body in control over my mind/spirit. This is helpful for a number of reasons. I don't buy into the intermittent "diet"…

Absolutely. My husband hits on me all the time. Especially on the days that I shower. ha ha ha..... Seriously, though...my husband in incredibly sincere and awesome. He is always telling me how lucky he is and how beautiful I am. Makes a girl blush. Oh....and my kids don't actually hit on me...but they have all hit me at…

Bad days are going to happen. And that's okay. If anything, a bad workout is still a workout. It's helping to keep you in a good habit. Some days you will "feel it" some days you wont. Just keep on trucking. Don't feel bad about a crappy workout. Give yourself kudos for getting it done.

Good luck friend. :) As a mama of 5 (4 rambunctious boys and a precious baby girl) I understand the stress, losing ones self, etc. I haven't had a child with Autism but depression which has caused me to worry for him. Good job taking time for yourself. It will do EVERYONE some good in the long run.

Sometimes wondering just how long you're going to have to wait in order to eat something you love again can be detrimental to a long term goal. Knowing how long you have can keep you on track. Knowing that at the end of the week you can enjoy that bowl of ice cream, or that candy bar, or whatever it is for you, can help…

Awesome! Way to go! Enjoy your success.

Oh my tasty yummy.

Ha ha ha...I get that. Anyone who I happen to be around, or even NOT be around for that matter, that has red hair MUST be related to me. Seriously? There are 7 kiddos in my family and only two are red heads. Out of my 5 kids, on two are red heads. Crazy talk. I bet your kiddos are adorable!

From one red head to another, I think we're just the same as anyone else. It's a whole package deal. Besides, it's the insides that count. Any "beautiful" person can be marred by a terrible personality. Out of 5 kids, two of them are redheads. I sure hope someone finds them attractive some day because they are AWESOME!

Also, eating 450 calories of pure carbohydrates (pretzels) after dinner could be detrimental to any weight loss program. If I were you, I'd try cutting that out for a few weeks and see what happens. Or....add your pretzels in, if you just have to have them, at another time of the day. How about with your lunch. I noticed…

Do not over cut your calories. Doing so can cause your body to go into starvation mode and it will begin to hold onto anything it can. Also, if you are not fueling your body correctly (with enough calories and the right kind of calories), you will more than likely have far more cravings and/or binge eating. I have YEARS…

Maybe try getting part of your workout done now and part of it later. That way, if you don't get to it later at least you did some of it. Good luck!

My brain. I'd be much better off if I could just learn to love myself, no matter weight or size, and be grateful for this amazing body that God has given me.

I'm a SAHM to 4 rambunctious boys and one sweet baby girl. I used to teach group exercise classes at a gym....now I just do it on the side pro bono.

That is a GREAT idea.