Ugh! Baby Weight

Hi A.,

I also gained alot of weight with my last pregnancy and was on a tight buget. I went to the library and borrowed some of their exercise videos and went for long walks. You could also try to check out the listings from you cable company, I know that they have a few exercise shows on during the day.

I aslo had borrowed a few books from the library about home exercises. They have tons of stuff there and you could probably meet up with some other moms too that are in the same situation and maybe meet someone who you can buddy up with too.

Good Luck

I know just how you feel. I didn't gain a ton of weight during my pregnancy, but I really packed it on AFTERWARDS. I don't know if it was my insatiable hunger due to BFing, or being at home with my dd all day, or believing that I couldn't GAIN weight now that I wasn't pregnant... but in any case, I put on more weight in the first 3 months postpartum than during the pregnancy. I had a couple of weddings to go to this summer, and I too wanted SO BADLY to NOT be one of those women that people say "oof. she has not bounced back well." So I joined weight watchers - online. Its only $13 or so / month, and its really pretty easy to follow. AND they accomadate the program for pregnant or nursing mothers! I've only been following the diet portion - I'm hoping to start excersising soon (y'know, other than chasing my 10 month old around, and the incessent rocking to sleep, etc). I started in January and I've lost all of my pregnancy and postpartum weight, and then some. I want to lose 5 - 10 more llbs still, but I'm pretty happy where I am now. Think I'll have to start doing some consistant excersizing to lose the last few anyways. I did take about a month and half off; we were traveling and I kind of just fell of the wagon, as it were, but I didn't really gain anything back - just didn't lose anything either. AND let me tell you, I looked FANTASTIC at the weddings! it was a great feeling.
ANYWAYS, that's my story, and I really hope it helped - sorry it was so looooong! GOOD LUCK!

You could just do regular exercises if your on a limited budget. (While the baby's sleeping for example) I go with my 11 month old daughter to stroller strides. It does cost some money but I think it is well worth it. I look the best I have ever looked. I go to the one in Boxford. I have a membership for $60.00 a month. I am a stay at home mom also. For Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we meet in Boxford and for Tuesdays and Thursdays we meet in topsfield all for the same price. We also have playgroups such as going to the park, zoo's ect. You can look on strollerstrides.com and find one most local to you if your interested. That's the best tip I can give you. Good luck! Steph :-)
P.S. They do have other programs that you can look up online such as strollerfit.com, babybootcamp.com but I just found stroller strides the best to fit my budget.

Hey A....

The #1 tip I can give you (as a mother with a 7 year old and a lot of hindsight pounds to get rid of still) is to always do SOMETHING and keep up with it right now while your baby is young. The faster you get started the easier it will be. It doesn't have to be anything hardcore. They say you only need to work out for 30 mins a day 3 to 4 times a week in something that gets your heart rate up. One thing that worked for me when my daughter was a baby was putting my baby in her stroller and going walking. It was great because being outside actually put her to sleep and she always had a good, long nap. Plus, I could walk pretty fast with her to get my heart rate up. As I noticed I was finishing my route faster, I'd add laps to it, which was obviously better for me.

You could also check ebay and amazon.com for used workout dvds/videos, or if you have it, a lot of cable companies offer workout shows on demand. The key to an exercise regimen is mixing it up, so you don't get bored with one thing. As I said, stay with something, do a little bit each day (remember, 30 mins) and it will work wonders. OH, one last thing I've learned...try to exercise on an empty stomach. You burn more fat that way.

:)

Wishing you all the best....

Hi
I know exactly how you feel. I had my son and before I lost all the weight I had my daughter. I was 160 after I had my daughter and I was 122 before I got pregnant. I was so depressed and never wanted to leave the house. I started packing the kids up and hitting the bike path. My kids love it because they get to look at all the scenery and I love it cause I lost all the weight and then some. I am smaller then ever and we all look forward to it.. I also cut out all white bread and white rice. I eat alot of omlets and brown rice. I dont even try to loose weight i just eat the RIGHT things. My kids are healthier then ever as they are eating all the right foods to. We do indulge we have ice cream cones here and there I just put enough in the cone and that it... I hope you realize it takes a while mentally and physically to get back. Alot of people say it takes a good two years to feel the way you did. My daughter just turned two on Wednesday.

I hope this helps and just realize we are not famous with nannies and trainers and personal chefs.. We are stay at home moms with tight budgets..

I am currently working on losing weight from baby #2, and it IS so depressing because it takes a while! But what I learned works after my first daughter, and even now as I begin again, is that you have to do BOTH diet and exercise for the best results. The suggestions from others about exercise videos are great; try Billy Blanks Tae Bo series. Also, maybe you could go for a walk or run before your husband leaves for work so you can push it a little harder without the stroller? If not, definitely walk with the baby. The resistance of a baby and stroller is great for calorie burning! If you can't join a gym, try buying a treadmill off craigslist that you'd have through the winter so you don't slack off. Finally, as far as food goes, be smart - increase the fruits and veggies, switch to fat-free dairy, increase the whole grains, avoid processed foods and hydrogenated oils. People say "nine months on, nine months off" and it's true... I saw a big change when my first hit nine months. Some women just don't have the genes where the weight melts off two weeks after birth! Don't give up, you will do it! Good luck!

Well, there are experts that say it can take a good 18 months to get back to "normal". However, cardio is the best thing to do to get your heart rate up and burn fat. Do some walking every day, and of course you need to watch what you eat. In addition to low fat and low calorie foods, look for foods high in dietary fiber. (That's a weight watchers tip). Good luck.

wel- baby weigh tis no fun but it is will com eoff with work. I breast fed and did weight watchers and walked and mine fell off. Try todo some sort of exercise everyday and yu will notice a difference. I know with $$$ you dontwatnt to spendit on the gym - so walk or do things at home like run the stairs but i think diet is huge- even if you cant affrod the emtting- check in with your girlfirends- to hold you accountable to weigh in every week- you have time- you can still look great for October
Good luck

Hello there! I have a great way for you to knock off that baby weight...Breastfeed! I had an emergency c-section performed and was unable to do any kind of exercising for about 2 months after the birth. But I found that because I was breastfeeding, I was still losing the weight. Once I could exercise, I went out and purchased a jogger stroller and found I could still rollerblade safely with his stroller, provided I was on relatively flat ground. I actually took up jogging first, which worked for a little while, but I've found that it's really putting a strain on my joints. I also wanted to target my tummy (don't most most moms post-partum!) and I will tell you my secret...it's part of the turbo jam collect and it's called 'ab jams'. If you have ONDemand, it's in the fitness section under Exercise TV under abs and I think it's available until the first week of August. My suggestion: do cardio about 3-4 times/wk (about 1/2hr-hr each time) and then the 20 mins of ab jams everyday...and obviously, stay away from fattening stuff and eat lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains! good luck!! and don't give up...I know it is hard and you probably are dying to have your pre-pregnancy body back, but remember, it took you 9 months to lose it, it's going to take about that long to get it back!

Try your local Y. They have some great weight loss programs and they are really reasonably priced. Plus they have onsite childcare for free.
Good luck!

Congrats on becoming a new mom and for deciding to stay at home! Before you get overwhelmed with losing weight remember- your not over weight because of lazyness or poor eating- you did what you needed to do for a healthy baby! That makes it all worth it. Next- be creative! find ways to "exercise" at home with the baby. Walks are great, house work burns major calories, stairs- climb, climb, climb!, tummy time with the baby is a great time to work the abs with planks, crunches and push-ups. Lunges can be done while holding the baby- it even appears fun to them :)
Remember to be patient- it took 10 months to get to where you are now. God Bless

well I totally understand where you are coming from...I have a 2yo and am still trying to loose baby weight...however, I am working all day and busy all night with catching up with my baby....I would suggest trying to do lots of walks with the baby in the stroller...go to a local pool and have fun splashing around w/ baby, do a workout video when the baby naps or find a mom & baby workout video to help motivate you...just make exercise a part of your daily routine. Also, watch portions of what you eat. I have finally put the effort into losing baby weight and i have lost about 20 lbs just by adding in daily exercise and wathing the portion of food I consume. I don't count calories or measure etc I don't have time for that, but I do eat more fruits and veggies and smaller portions of carbs and little to no junk food, empty calories. Just make what you eat worth it. hth and best of luck

I have always followed the Weight Watchers diet, which you can do online, and the baby pounds and holiday pounds would fall right off. As far as exercise, I walk either every day or every other or I do the Biggest Loser work out video. Good Luck and Congratulations

South Beach Diet. Lost 40 pounds in about 5 mos. and have kept it off. Still have more to go - after a relapse - but is very easy to do and they give you recipies and suggestions. Walmart has the book for about $10 or you can get it at the library. Good luck.

A., I feel like I am reading about myself when I hear your story. My daughter is 4.5 mos old and between her eating and sleeping schedule, I feel like I barely have any "me" time and by that, I dont mean pampering and shopping, I mean more time to work out and concentrate on getting into healthy shape. I too decided to stay at home and I have a Masters degree in Italian! I am hoping to put it back to use some day but for right now, my priority is to nurture my family to the best of my ability. In any case, I too feel like I have to lose some serious lbs.! Has anyone gotten back to you about a good way to deal with the weight issue? For me, I feel like I am letting myself go and it's really getting me down...

Hi A.,

Congratulations on your little one! In regards to weight loss, did you breast feed at all? That is the #1 way to lose the weight fast! My little girl will be 6 mos. on 7/29, and I have been struggling with the last 10 pounds. She still breastfeeds but is supplemented during the day with formula with the nanny. I am doing the Atkins diet for a few weeks to drop these last 10 pounds, and I've already lost 4 pounds in the last week-and-a-half. My main problem is I don't get enough exercise. I do not plan on doing the Atkins for long as it's not a healthy long-term diet, but it's a great way to jump start the metabolism.

Good luck to you!
T.

Hi A.

Congrats on your baby. The old fashioned way has worked best for me....take your baby for lots of walks. Find a park or walking trail and head out for an hour or two everyday. The baby weight will start to come off in no time!! Good luck.
Also a note on the SAHM and being financially tight, have you thought about trying a home business? I know there are alot of scams out there, I was a career woman until I had my daughter in January. I started a Pampered Chef business. It's really a great fit. The company is all about family and quality time. You work when you want to and around your schedule so that your family time is not lost. It also gives you an outlet to be contributing to the family finances and get out and about without baby a night or two each week. If you would like more info on the business, please feel free to contact me (phone ###-###-####, email ____@____.com, website www.pamperedchef.biz/alisonlarkin).

A great place to go would be a gym that has child care right @ the gym. I know you said finances are tight, but there are some gyms out there with reasonable prices. The only other thing I could suggest is to buy an aerobics video and do that when your child is napping or after you've put your baby down for the evening! Believe me, I know how it feels to be overweight after having a child! Just find something that works for you and stick with it and I'm sure you'll see results in no time! Good luck! Let us know how it panned out! :)

The weight will melt off if you cut out anything and everything that has the following "components". I've done this for 3 months now and have lost 35 pounds and 13 inches:

No Dairy of any kind (nothing made with eggs,butter,cheese etc.which includes pasta's, etc.)

No sugar of any kind (no condiments w sugar, either)

Red meat only one time a week and only ground beef or pork.

Things you CAN EAT:
Chicken, tuna, turkey, fish daily
egg whites/egg beaters ONLY
butter spray or cooking spray ok.
white rice or no-yolk noodles are fine.
raw veggies or raw "cooked" veggies. (no canned/boxed/frozen)
oatmeal (no milk no soymilk no ff milk = NO DAIRY)
Splenda
Sugar Free Popscicles (ok) 1 per day: Frozen peeled banana (wrapped in saran wrap and frozen. Replaces "ice cream" cravings)

NO LATTES, NO DRINKS W MILK or DAIRY. No Yogurt, etc. (use nondairy creamer if you must)

Hey A.!

Boy do I empathize with you. I am also an OOB SAHM of a 5.5 yo & 1 yo. I chose to stay home for what sounds like similiar reasons.

I too am the heaviest I have been EVER! If you do live in OOB & want to get together and walk/playdate whatever...write me back.

Have a good day,
Michelle V.

Of course it's depressing! I gained so much weight (55lbs) with my second that I couldn't wear skirts because my thighs would rub together in the summer and it was so uncomfortable! I breastfed both my boys, and the first time, I just lost the 25 pounds that I gained in a month! It was amazing! Well....with the second one, who is 9 months old now, I still have 10lbs to go - not so lucky this time ;-)
Doing a video or OnDemand when baby is sleeping is a very good advise. Also now that the weather is good, WALK! I work full time and I am exausted by the time I come home but if you can find the energy to just take a 30min walk and cut out the sugars and "bad" carbs you will be fine. Lots of veggies and lean meat!