Loosing Weight - Babylon,NY

WEIGHT WATCHERS!
You won't get instant results, but you will lose and keep it off. I think I had lost about 2lb/week on average when I joined. If you follow it it does work. Best of Luck!

Hey V., I had my baby girl in August and I gained a total of 70 pounds when pregnant with her. I know that is a hugh amount of weight! I joined weight watchers a few weeks after giving birth and already have lost 60 pounds. I really feel that weight watchers is the best way to go. If you stick with it you will loose the weight. At first I would go to the meetings and pay 40 dollars a month to get weighed in but money was also getting tight with my family so now I just follow the program and weight myself every week. I hope this info can help you.

cut out coffee(as much as you can)& drink a ton of water. also go for as many walks as you can. i don't mean miles or anything, just walk the dog more or incase you don't have a dog, walk around the block. it worked for me.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Victoria…

I have a few suggestions for you the fist one is there is great book “Eating for Life” by Bill Phillips it is a cooking book with really great recipes and it helps you put together shopping lists and a weekly meal plans. The best part is the food taste great and makes you feel great too. The second thing is there is a gym for women called Curves I am not sure what it cost to go but I Have heard great things about them. You learn what to do and how to do it. The third thing is you could always get into the routine of doing some sort of video at home. I have been doing winsor pilates on DVD for the last few years. It is a great work out and it offers a few different levels. Both the book and I believe the DVD you can find on Amazon.com

Good Luck….S.

Hi V.,

I completely understand, I am a mother of 2 young kids and working full time. I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and a 6 month old son. I feel really unsexy since I cant fit into most of my clothes. Too tired to excercise and even if I was not, too lazy. (LOL) I also love junk food. But since I am motivated to take better care of myself, I have just altered the junk food. I would never completely not eat junk food, but I would have it in moderation. I would maybe have one snack size bag of baked chips instead of just eating out straight from a big bag everyday. For sweets, make sure they are the individual sized ones as well or the (2 little bite size snickers is better than having a whole king sized chocolate bar), or try the 100 calorie packed oreos or chocolate chip cookies. Not the same as the orignals, but it can satisfy a craving. It will help with portion control. Make sure they are the chips are the baked kind too since they have less calories. I also try to limit my carbs. You can't not have any, but you should limit pasta, potatoes, bread and rice to maybe once or twice a week. And use the brown rice, wheat bread and wheat type carbs. They are better for you. This was actually harder for me to do than dealing with the junk food. Eat more salads and veggies with your meats and seafood rather than the carbs for sides. Most of the leafy green veggies are great stir fried in garlic and olive oil. Very quick and healthy. And for my kind of exercise - WALK. Walk at a brisk pace to any stores you need to go to. It is even something nice to do with your kids since they will get some exercise too. This is just what I do, and it has helped. I am 36 yrs old and my metabolism just is not what it used to be. Let me know how it goes.

Try Curves, it only takes 30 minutes and they are very helpful.

Hi V.,
Bless you for writing what many of us are feeling. I too have weight issues, and of course as I get older the hardest thing to do is get it back off.
I read your note and saw myself.
I just started to go to the YMCA for that extra push in excercise. I know you said money is tight for you...they offer scholarships and there is Free childcare with your family membership. The mindset there is family fitness. It is just a thought. Remember too, that you are the only mom your kids have and you HAVE to take care of YOU first.
One thing that I just found out was a great vitamin... Naturemade Super Complex B with Vitamin C....it has really helped my energy level. Also increasing my water. Hang in there girl! Remember too, it took time to put the weight on, and it will take time to get it off. YOU can do it! WE can do it!

I would at least cut back on the junk food and coffee, and try your best to quit smoking. I'm a smoker too, and once we hit 35, the risk for health hazards increases. I would also try to join a health club and watch others exercise, or get a personal trainer. Life's too short these days, and it seems like the things that give us pleasure, can shorten our life.

Like everyone else here, I feel the same way. In fact, I have put on weight since my daughter was born 3 yrs ago and cannot figure out why!

The first thing I would suggest is that when you are shopping, don't buy anything you wouldn't want your children to eat. If you don't buy it, you can't eat it.

Also, find exercises you can do with your children. It will help them develop coordination and keep them active (especially when we are indoors for the winter). Simple exercises like jumping jacks, touching toes, and standing in a circle, backs to each other and passing a ball around. You could do this while all of you sing a song or listen to their favorite music.

Have "exercise" time be scheduled just like "nap" time and "dinner" time, so that it becomes routine and the children will help remind and motivate you.

Hi V. -

I'm sorry you are going through a stressful time - I know that also influeneces our habits and weight negatively. So I think the first step would be to try to release some of that stress in a more positive way than smoking and drinking coffee, so that you might be able to put these two habits a bit more under control i.e. not smoke as much and not drink as much coffee.

I don't know what works for you, but here are a few activities which work for me, as far as relaxation and stress relief goes:
- yoga (you don' need a gy, there are some very affordable, excellent yoga videos on the market and I'm sure you can also find some 2nd hand)
- taking a hot bath (particularly with relaxing aromatherapy oils like lavender)
- making myself a cup of good herbal tea (herbs like verbena and chamomile promote relaxation) and curl up on the sofa with a good book after the kids are in bed

There are also two activities that help me de-stress while also helping me get exercise in; one is walking - in nature or in a quiet area, not downtown where the noise and smog would worsen the situation; the other is kickboxing, for those times when in order to de-stress you need an oulet for anger or tension. Both activities require little equipment and are fun.

Since you mentioned your bad habits, I'm sure you realize you have to make some changes in order to lose weight, get healthier and feel better about yourself. But they don't need to be radical. The tips above are very doable I think, try to include them little by little.

One thing that will require a bit more overhaul is your eating habits. Junk food is not only bad for your weight, it's bad for your health, and evn worse for the health of your kids - growing bodies require food packed full of nutrients, not foods high in trans fats and sugar, among other things. Set some simple goals for yourself:
1. drink water, not juices or soft drinks
2. choose more unrefined carbs - instead of white bread and white pasta, choose whole grain. Whole grains contain more fiber, which makes you feel full longer so you eat less, and also slows down the absorption of sugar, so you don't get cravings and protect yourself from diabetes; they also contain more vitamins, especially B vitamins, which are particularly important foer your mood and to handle stress.
3. eat more vegetables: include a salad with lunch and dinner, and leave some cut-up celery, fennel and carrots in the fridge for you and the kids to much on at snack time; again, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
4. Eat less sugar: eat fruit for dessert and allow yourself 1 treat a week, like a donut on Sundays for breakfast or a piece of cheesecake after Sunday lunch.
5. ALWAYS eat breakfast, which sets the pace for the trest of your day.
6. Include protein in all its forms: meat, fish, eggs, dairy (in moderation), nuts, beans, tofu and tempeh.

Implementing these changes one at a time will make a remarkable difference, I promise. Don't feel overwhelmed, it doesn't have to happen all at once; consider it a "work in progress": as long as you include some and increase the positive changes over time you are progressing in the right direction.

Good luck!

I know this is going to sound kind of corny, but I bought exotic dancing tapes for the same reason. I figure if I am doing it for him, i might as well REALLY do it for him. ;) That and I am starting to feel sexy again. I can get you the brand/ website if you are interested.

I know exactly what u are going through. Try weight watchers at one time it really worked great for me. I just think ive did it so many times that I have no interest anymore.

Hello! I only have two words for you... Weight Watchers!!! It is the best thing. And the best exercise you can do without putting any effort is simply walking. When u take the kids to the park run around with them. Trust me I know how you feel. I don't work out or am not part of a gym but I do walk a lot and it definitely helps. When you join weight watchers it really doesn't feel like your on a diet. And the meetings keep you inspired and motivated.

Hi V., I know exactly how you feel. I am also trying to loss weight this year and have a tight budget. I suggest a really good book called You On a Diet. You can get it just about anywhere. I have to warn you its a boring read but full of very good information. They show you what to look for when shopping and give exerises you can do at home with no extra equipment. Its really about eating better and getting more active. One of the big things they say is to start walking more which can be a great activty to do with your kids. Hope this helps and good luck!

Congratulations for your initiative.

Pick up a copy (very cheap- maybe 10 bucks @ Target/Best Buy) of Denise Austin's Pilates (there are many to choose from)

Stop eating after 8:00 p.m. and drink water (8 glasses per day)
No more soda- and take the kids out for a 30 min walk daily.
You will start to see changes in your body immediately.
have fun with it- the kids can do it with you on the floor in the privacy of your home.

(not yelling) quit smoking please-your family needs you healthy and cancer is a long painful death -especially for those watching you go.
Please try- patches are free in most areas.
Good luck- you can do it!!!

Congrats on wanting to shed some weight!!!

My hubby and I (ok mostly him) started a portion controll system while I was pregnant (reversed what we where doing I ate more and he ate less) It has worked great.

The thing about doing portions is that its not a fad diet to get the weight off in 7 days (VERY BAD FOR YOUR HEART!!!!) its a lifestyle changing diet. You can eat what ever you want just in moderation so dont eat 1/4 of a cheesecake (my fave vice) have a small slice with some fruit.

If you slowly cut back your body wont notice as much that you are eating less. Also eat small snacks and drink lots of water (soda packs on the calories so less is really more) this will help with the weight loss. Another thing that has helped us is dont keep anything in the house to munch (no chips, cookies, and keep the heat and eat meals like frozen pizza on the healthier side like vegi topping instead of a supreme) This will cut back on your boredom snacking which will halt weight loss-and if you have to cook something you are less likely to bust out pots and pans to make a snack at 11pm.

If you also do some light workout of anykind (I use 3 lb weights 5 days a week for 5 minute sets every time my son is napping throught the day) this will help too.

so moral of the story since last January to august my husband lost 40 lbs and after having my son in April I have lost 35 Lbs. We didnt join a gym or buy those meal plans (that are outrageously priced at like $15 a meal or something crazy like that.) Just moderate cut out the junk and drink water instead of sugary juices/soda (you can have some just not a 2 leiter in one sitting).

If youd like more tips on this just email me and I will try to help you out,

K.
this will also help stretch your food budget making less means more for later.

Steve lost 25Lbs in the first 2 months it was mostly water weight and he was up to 300lbs so keep this in mind when you think hey that came off easy. LOTS OF LUCK AND I HOPE YOU WOW YOUR MAN!

Hi my name is A. I'm a stay at home mom I'm also a nutritionist I mainly work with gastric by-pass patients before and after surgery. The best thing you can do is the 50% way of life for suger and junk food as well as coffee for a week use 50% the amount after a week do it again and cut an additional 50%. maybe switch to half cafe 1/2 decaf 1/2 cafinated. I also recomemnd walking it's the best, I love the gazelle from tony little I have back issues and can't walk outside do to the pain and but walking outside works really well with children they can get involved, or you can have some quiet time. I also like the walking away the pounds video it's a very good no hard impact video.
But back to food suger is the main thing people cut to lose weight you'll be surprised to see how much I'm not saying lose it all together thats the best way to fail but if you want sweets have grapes they are sweet and taste great if you need additional help e-mail me and we'll talk ____@____.com I hope this helps you. The smoking can be dealt with at a later point in time one vice at a time.
A.

Hi V.
First congrats on your decision to get healthy. I won't yell about the smoking, you don't need that and besides as an adult i am sure you have heard it all. What helped me was cutting back the caffiene: i sued to drink a 6 pack or more of caffine in various forms daily. Now at most i do is 3. Small thing made a BIG difference. Another thing you can do is walk. Go out with the kids to a park or just around your neighborhood. Add more water, and use a food journal.

Most of all.. don't do this for hubby but for you. I'm sure you love the kids and hubby but you need some you time. take up a hobby that you can do instead of eating. Good luck on your journey

Drink tons of water. I looked back at a food diary I had and the times I drank a lot of water (I normally drink 8-10 glasses) like 12-14 glasses I was losing even when I didn't change my eating habits a lot.
I also joined curves and love it. It is so easy to do and is just 30 mins. I go while my 2 are in preschool and I do about 45 mins so I can get a little extra. I am working on it.
Breaking the junk food habit is not easy. I am not a soda drinker but when I do drink it I crave it fast, then it takes about 2 weeks to stop craving it. Try little changes here and there and really really drink your water!!!!

Hi V..

You are not alone in wanting to lose weight. It can be difficult to do under the most ideal circumstances. Certainly it is a challenge when you have kids and a hectic schedule. But that doesn't mean it's not possible.

My experience is that any diet regime or exercise plan works so long as you stick to it! Which is easier said than done. But none the less, the secret or trick to losing weight is 1) picking a method adn 2) sticking to it. So whatever diet you try, stick to it to see results. Cheating will reduce or halt any weight loss, which will only make you feel defeated and lose interest.

My suggestion for you is what worked for me. About 4 years ago I tried out a new eating plan to lose weight. I dropped 15 pounds the first month, 10 lbs the next month, and 3 lbs. the third month. I went from 162 lbs. and a size 12 to 134 lbs. and a size 6. When I went back to eating chicken, dairy and some fruit juice on occassion, I gained back 10 pounds in the first year and a half and nothing more after that for nearly 4 years, until I became pregnant :-)

I gave up all meat, dairy, fruit juices and traditional desserts. That means no milk, cheese, chicken, beef, juice, cakes, ice creams or puddings. Instead I drank soy milk, ate cereal, bread, rice, pasta, fish, seafood, veggies, fruits (fresh, frozen or canned in juice not syrup), V8 veggies juices, and enjoyed flavored rice cakes and homemade pinacoladas for dessert(canned pineapple in juice, silk vanilla soy milk, coconut milk [unsweetened in can] and splenda), and I even had french fries or chips once a week. Cereal and toast for breakfast, tuna fish sandwich for lunch, fish or tofu or vegetarian chicken patties for dinner and a big green salad with lunch or dinner.

If you choose this diet or another, I wish you the best of luck in achieving your goal, and a wonderful homecoming with your husband.

What exactly is your job? I just wanted to tell you something that worked for me, an army recruiter had told me to do it. I also am a junk food junkie. What he told me to do is buy sugar free candies instead of fat free but if u can get both thats even better, and make sure you drink 8-12 glasses of water. When you eat meals its better to eat 6 small meals a day then 3 huge ones because your metabolism kicks in everytime you eat. I just made them changes, no soda, less coffee and more water. He had also told me to do sit ups but all I did for excersise is park at the end of parking lots and take stairs instead of elevators. I ended up losing 80 pounds in a little less than a year. I plan on doing this again once I have the baby. I forwarn you though if you cut out the soda n cut down the coffee youre bound to suffer from headaches for a few weeks from caffene withdrawls. Hope this helps. Small changes do wonders start out slow and increase your efforts so you dont overwelm yourself.

Hi V.,
I have to tell you when I read this, I felt like I could have written it myself. I'm the same as you. I only have 1 child, but I smoke, I actually hate exercise and I love all the wrong foods. I was 121 lbs. before I had my daughter and now I'm about 155-160 lbs. I gained A LOT of pregnancy weight. I got all the way up to 197 lbs.!!! Yeah...I was huge, LOL! We also don't have a lot of money, so it's not like I can join a gym or even buy those send away diet meals. I don't have any really helpful advice other than I heard that it takes your body up to 2 years to get back to where it was after child birth. Now that my daughter will be 2 tomorrow, I realize that my extra weight is because I like snacks - not due to hormonal things. I'm kind of hoping that I will eventually lose it; it'll just take a bit longer. Drinking a glass of water before meals helps and adding lemon appeases the appetite. I think they say not to eat anything 3-4 hours before bedtime. I'm sorry I could give you any helpful advice, but know that you are not alone. It's like you took the words right out of my mouth. I wish you luck.

I am on a eating and excercise plan right now. It is going great but I hate to excercise and I love my food. With a 2 year old in the house, we have alittle bit of junk food that calls me all the time. I am happy to say though that anyways I have slipped more time then I like to admit and skipped excersing more time then I would like to admit, the pounds are still coming off. Slower then if I would just stick to my plans but atleast this is a care truthful way to lose weight. I buy whatever is on sell between the weight watcher and the lean cusines. Eat four to five of them a day. You do this you wont be hungry and they taste pretty good too. They even have correct portioned desserts. I cant afford to go to a gym right now so I take my son on a jog in a jogging buggy. Now I know you have three kids but they have three seaters in jogging buggies. They cost $200.00 but then you would be able to lose weight, show your kids that it is positive to excercise, and spend time with them. I love it. After I am done with my jog, I bring my son to the park to play. More time for mommy to be with her kids and more calories burned. If you ever want a jogging buddy or some help just let me know. I would be glad to help anyone achieve a healthier lifestyle. By the way just to prove it can be done, when I started excercising I was 240 pounds now after 8 months of working at my body, I am at 167 pounds. My goal is 115 to 120 but I am excited abouit what I have achieved so far.

I think there are many women in our same boat. I too am trying to lose weight. I started in January & have had pretty decent success - 2lbs a week. I write down everything I eat - once you see in black & white all you consume you will see where you need to make adjustments. I'm not doing a restricitve diet because I know that's something I can't live with. I'm just trying to limit what I eat - not eat as much - & make healthier choices. And I reward myself with a small treat if I have a good day! Watch you calories. I've tried to step up my activity too. (I don't have money for a gym) I walk up & down my stairs a few extra times, I have a dance party with my girls, & I can't wait for warmer weather so I can put them in the stroller & go for a walk. I try & include my girls in my exercise cuz they think it's fun & it is good for them too. Good Luck!

I am a mother of two.. ^ yrs old and * months. Eating consistant times is important and drinking water is the most important thing. Eat B L and Dinner during the time yopur kids eat!!!!! If you like cereal or a healthy bar- Ntrigrain its a start with water. Lunch make a sandwich of Tuna turkey or Chicken breast and fruit light on MAyo or dressings. Shakes are good if you can't get a meal in with a fruit. Dinner what ever you give your kids and try and stay away from Fried food. At work drink a lot of water... No sugar or soda. Calories you don't need!!!! If you can do in the morning or in the after noon crunches , body squat wall pushups or jumping jacks.. Anything that keeps your Hrt beat up and makes your muscles burn... Burn more calories than you consume@@@
You don't need a gym to lose weight. Your husband homecoming is a great motivation to get with it! Good luck. I am a nutritionist and in home personal trainer. New Jersey Transplant from Houston TX.

Hola V.! I agree with the others, exercise and water! Good Luck!