Pregnant - Nursing - Breastfeeders losing weight

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone would be interested in a monthly breastfeeders trying to lose weight thread. I know I could sure use the accountability. I'm only bfing for about 5 more months, but I've stopped losing weight in the meantime and I want to get going again. It would help to have a group to check in with!

:) Gale

I'd be interested. Haven't lost anything since giving birth. My mom said bfing never helped her lose the weight either. sigh!

Same with my mom. She did lose all of her weight with one of my brothers right away because she had a really bad stomach flu... not the way to go, IMO. ;)

It's been hard for me, not being able to lose weight while bfing. I feel abnormal in my circle of family and friends. I have 3 cousins that have had babies in the last few months and they were all back in their (teeny tiny) jeans within 4-6 weeks. I'm happy for them, but it makes me feel like there's something wrong with me.

I did get out and go for a walk/jog today with Caleb. He loves trucking along in his stroller. Since I have to be up at 5:30ish anyhow, I'm going to make it a point to get out that door at least 4 days per week. Hopefully I'll eventually be all running, but for now it's mostly walking with a bit of running interspersed. I ran a gigantic hill today, that was an accomplishment! I usually run the downhill and walk all of the uphill bits. Today I ran down and up... woohoo! :D

Good for you going out at 5:30. I'm useless in the morning. I've been trying to go to the gym around 9 in the morning when my mom can watch him but she had knee surgery today so I have to figure something else out. I'm thinking of trying to do it in the evening if I can convince dh to do bedtime - which is hard 'cause I'm bfing - lol.

My youngest will be 1 next week, but she'll nurse until she weans on her own. It took me until the 3rd kid to realize that I won't magically drop weight just by breastfeeding, though the denial that "maybe this time..." was strong. I started WW when she was 2 months old (though to be honest I didn't have high hopes, just thinking that I would never be able to lose weight while nursing).

Hi Kestrel! I also don't have super high hopes for losing weight while bfing, but I would like to get into the mode and see what I can do. I'm going to bf for a year and I figure I can get back into serious weight loss after he's weaned.

I went for a walk this morning about 6. It was slow, but it was something (about 2.5 miles). Better than nothing, I figure! Boy was I ever GROUCHY this morning! Poor DH, I was really a jerk to him. :( I've since gotten a grip on myself, but it made for a rough start to the day. Most of the time I'm ok with the 5:30am wake up call, but today it just grated on me. I'm going to choose to make tomorrow a much better day. And this weekend... yeesh! My in-laws are coming into town - we'll see how that goes. I have a feeling kiddo's schedule is going to get all out of whack, but I keep telling myself it's only for a couple of days (and repeat as needed.) :)

I'm in!

I am trying to run 30 mins 5 days a week. So far I've been doing that for the past four months. I started getting better w/ my diet around the end of May.

I am GETTING THIS WEIGHT OFF.

I've been really happy with my results so far, and finally decided it's time to start exercising too. :o Last week I started taking karate, and I'm loving it and getting a great work out. (I trained in tae kwon do when I was 17-18, but that was about 16 years ago. I'm glad to start training again.) DD2 is finally old enough to be away from me for a few hours without thinking she's going to die without a boob. DH is home with the three of them (all under 4 years old) while I go to class on Monday and Wednesday nights.

Saikin - I just read your post in the other thread, my daughter is 11 months also. She'll be 1 next week. (I'm also still nursing my 2, almost 3 year old but she doesn't nurse very often now.)

I'd like to join... I'm having a heck of a time losing weight while BF'ing. I thought it would be easy... 500 calories a day, right? But no, the weight is not going anywhere. I do supplement with formula, but not that much (today was like 4 oz.). I think my body just wants to hold on to its fat stores while I am BF'ing. I go back to work September 1, so I don't know if I will continue to nurse after that.

I will join you guys in about 10 weeks.....

I'm SO in! I have been bfeeding for 5 1/2 months and have not lost any weight since about the 7 week mark. I walk all the time and have decided it's time to evaluate my caloric intake a little more closely. Any advice out there? This is my 1st baby and I love every minute of it. I would just love it more if I could fit into my old jeans.....

I am nursing my 14 mos old. Have been doing Weight Watchers since January (I use 5 of the 10 nursing points because she eats solids too). I'm down from 242.6 to 195.8. It can be done! And you get to eat a bit more than if you are not nursing also.

I always gain weight the first few months postpartum, it's frustrating! At around 6 months the weight starts coming off a little bit. My DD is 18 months and we're still trucking... 70 lbs down, yay! It can be done! Slow and steady wins the race lol

Ok I pretty much NEVER post here...but I just found this thread and soooo happy I did! My daughter is 9 months old and nowhere near done nursing yet. Though lately she's been getting teeth and it's been hurting really, really bad, combined with my weight issues I've considered stopping soon...but I REALLY want to hold out and keep going, it's just hard, most people ask me when I'm going to be done and I don't have a lot of support anymore. I think nursing has been my excuse for not getting serious about a diet/exercise plan but I can't wait anymore, I need to do something! It's just overwhelming starting from scratch. Not to mention the fact that I am going to have to eat super low calorie foods now because I eat a TON and am always hungry, esp. after feeding the baby!

I'm still trucking along here. I lost about a pound this week, not too bad! :) My in-laws were in town this weekend so everything was thrown off and I didn't make time to exercise. The kiddo's schedule was WAY out of whack and he responded by not sleeping at night. Sigh... He's been sleeping through the night for 6 months and now, just when I needed him to sleep the most (since I had late nights), he decided to wake up at 4 AM. You know what I think about 4am??

Anyhow, back on the wagon today. In fact, I'm going to go strap him into his stroller and head out!

Welcome breakfastsurreal! Have you checked in with your local la leche league? They may be able to help you with your pain problems right now. Sometimes with teeth babies need to relearn to latch 'cause things feel different to them (or so I've heard ds still has no teeth!). I also found that paying better attention to positioning helped when we started having some pain (kind of like when he was a newborn).

Went to the gym this morning. Honestly, when I'm feeling so unmotivated to go the gym having to bring ds to my mom's then go to the gym, come back, visit for a bit & then drive home means a 3 hour committment!!! Not helping with the motivation level for me - sigh. But I went this morning & that's gotta count for something.

I think I'm down a couple pounds but don't want to believe it until the scale stays put at least a week!

Does anyone else have an unfounded fear of springing a leak mid-workout? I rarely leak now during the day but I'm so scared that I'll be working out & look in the mirror to see 2 big wet spots. I have to wear two pretty compressive bras to workout comfortably (darn big boobs!). LOL

Hiya, sorry im a but late but i just wanted to see if i could join too. my baby 8 1/2months, so obviously weaning and breastfeeding, but he still feeds 8 times day so it affects my appetite a lot! im planning to keep feeding till he self weans. im thinking about doing WW but for the moment just counting calories, trying to keep between 1200 - 1500 per day.

Welcome breakfastsurreal! Have you checked in with your local la leche league? They may be able to help you with your pain problems right now. Sometimes with teeth babies need to relearn to latch 'cause things feel different to them (or so I've heard ds still has no teeth!). I also found that paying better attention to positioning helped when we started having some pain (kind of like when he was a newborn).

Went to the gym this morning. Honestly, when I'm feeling so unmotivated to go the gym having to bring ds to my mom's then go to the gym, come back, visit for a bit & then drive home means a 3 hour committment!!! Not helping with the motivation level for me - sigh. But I went this morning & that's gotta count for something.

I think I'm down a couple pounds but don't want to believe it until the scale stays put at least a week!

Does anyone else have an unfounded fear of springing a leak mid-workout? I rarely leak now during the day but I'm so scared that I'll be working out & look in the mirror to see 2 big wet spots. I have to wear two pretty compressive bras to workout comfortably (darn big boobs!). LOL

Lifeguard,

I use the Lansinoh disposable nursing pads when I work out. They are super absorbent and I've never leaked through them.

Just wanted to join the party!

I have 4 children, our youngest was just born in May. Weight loss has been about 1 - 1.5 lbs per week for me. I am counting calories and sticking to 1800 per day. 1500 for me - 300 for him. I am exercising at least 4 days a week. I was a runner before this baby and ran my first Half Marathon last May. Had to be on bed rest off and on with this baby, I just soothed myself with food and gained to much.

Weighed today and maintained. Blah! I was SO hungry last week and I just plain made bad food choices. But I have done well today - and today is all I have.
:hug: To Everyone! Let's hang in there together!! :hug:

I went for a walk this morning, did a couple of miles. Yesterday wasn't great. I did exercise, but I had french fries and a soda with dinner. :( Oh well, onward and upward.

I'd LOVE to join you!

I am nursing my 8 month old and plan on continuing until she self weans. The weight melted off the first 6 weeks but has slowly crept back up the past few months. I definitely need to kick my butt in gear because I have a ton of weight to lose!

My kids self-wean too, Tania, so I know I have a while to go!

This has been a hard week for me. One daughter just turned 3 last Saturday and my youngest turned 1 today so there has been lots of cake. More cake than willpower. :o

Ds seems to have backed off on nursing a little this week & I am super engorged. It's been a long time since I've been engorged like this - ugh!

I'm so exhausted all the time. I got myself organized tonight & have set up all my vitamins (that I should have been taking all along) so I remember to take them. I think I'm pretty depleted overall.

Lifeguard, Caleb does that too sometimes. On the days that he doesn't eat as much I just pump the excess. He's been eating less because it's summer (and who wants to eat much at all when it's 100 degrees out?) I'm going to nurse 'til a year, so I'll probably have a bunch of milk in the freezer. But, I figure it's better to have it and not use it then to need it and not have it. I know it came in handy when I got the stomach flu - I was so dehydrated I didn't produce any milk for about 12 hours.

I went for a walk this morning. It's certainly not going to counteract the binge I had last night though. :( Note to self - pizza and cookies are NOT a wise dinner choice. Oh well. "Today is a new day, fresh, with no mistakes in it - yet." :)

Hi ladies! May I join you all???

I'm Sommer, a homeschooling/stay at home mommy of 4! My youngest is a 10 week old booby boy! I also have 10 and 3 year old boys and a 4 year old girl. This is (sadly :( ) our last baby. My body is strange, I often lose weight when pregnant, except for my Irish Twins (who are a year and a day apart)... they did a number on me..lol. This time I lost 12 pounds.. started the pregnancy at 258, was 246 at my 6 week postpartum check up. I have gained 5 of that back and started back on my journey to lose this weight this week. I'm a calorie counter.. allowing for 1800 a day right now. When I don't count I'm sure I'm comsuming over 3000 a day because the junk food calls me CONSTANTLY.

Anyway, I'm happy to have found you all and I look forward to getting to know each of you!

Welcome Sommer!

Gale - I have been pumping the excess. I've had terrible luck with my freezer stash - lost it 3x due to the fridge/freezer breaking & we moved back to Canada from Costa Rica & lost it then. So I have very little in the freezer. Dh doesn't like to watch ds without a good supply "just in case" so I definitely don't mind any opportunity to pump off some extra.

I am sleeping just horribly. I didn't sleep all night last night, so of course I feel terrible today. It is my own sleep issues - ds slept through the night. I think maybe I've got some sort of bug in my system.

Hi Sommer! My brother and I are Irish Twins (also a year and a day apart) and I loved growing up with him. Your kids are so lucky to have each other. I feel you on the junk food calling to you.
I seemed to have reached a plateau at 159-162. IS this normal? I have been counting my calories and eating really healthy and continuing to exercise and....nothing. I am not too worried about it I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can to be healthy and still nurse.

Lifegaurd, my little guy sleeps through the night, he is my best night sleeper yet! We haven't gotten up at night since about 6 weeks!! But I'm still up several times a night to check on him or the one or both of "the littles" come in and say the famous line "Scootch over mom." So then the hubby and I have to fit them in or drag them back to their room. I think most of the time I get up more tired than when I went to bed.

linds, I LOVE my Irish Twins, they are sooo close to each other. They are part of why we homeschool, it would crush them to be apart for school hours! They do have their moments where they roll around on the floor with fists flying (where they get this I will never know!), but over all they have a bond like no other! About the plateu, yep they are normal! Try switching things up. Try to up your calories for a few days then lower them for a few. Remember we shouldn't go below 1800. Also remember, you may not ever get back to exactly what you were before the baby, our bodies go through some seriously drastic changes and some of those changes are perminate, no matter what we do.

As for me, I'm having a rough day, I am trying to break my habit of sitting here on the computer.. but every time I go to try to clean something or anything that has me up and moving, I want to head straight to the kitchen for something to shove in my face! I even imagined a great big cake sitting on the counter today because I want to eat one! I wish I had some gum in this house, it would make moments like this so much easier.. it is definately on the shopping list for my next trip into town!

Hey Sommer! I just wanted to say hello...I am also a homeschooling SAHM of 4 with a little one that is 11 weeks old. My little one is also the best sleeper I've had by far (he goes down about 9pm and sleeps til around 4am). Anyhow, just wanted to say hello.

My daughter turned one yesterday...and we're having her party tomorrow. I have a BIG cake in my fridge. My plan is to have some, but send big chunks of it home with everyone. We'll see. I also have lunch dates w/ some ladies from work 2 days next week (my last week off before work resumes). I think I can manage both those dates, but that's a lot of temptation for the next 3 days.

Then work resumes and the first 2 weeks lunch is off campus...so that'll be hard too. But I'm going to BE STRONG! My inlaws are visiting for Thanksgiving and I do NOT want them to see me FAT! lol

I went for a walk today. Not very long, but I got out a little late and it was already starting to heat up. Ahhhh... life in the desert. You can't walk past 7:30 am or you'll boil to death.

Way to go Gale! I'm a wuss and can't handle PA summers... I would die in the desert!

Saikin, stay away from the cake :) Cake is one of my BIGGEST weaknesses!

As for me, we had an absolutely crazy weekend. My brother and his family were here, well not here but about 2 hours from here.. the closest he has been to our area in 6 years! So even though we had decided we couldn't afford it, we decided last minute to go to where he was for dinner! It is crazy trying to get 4 kids loaded into the truck with enough supplies to hold them over for that long of a ride on a moments notice (we had about 15 minutes to get out the door in order to make it there by 5 when we decided to go!) It was great to see him again, but I ate more than I should have... tried to be wise and ate chicken breast but it was smothered in cheese and bacon and who knows what else..lol. We didn't leave there till 1am so we had to make a stop for some sugar to get hubby and I home, I ended up drinking a quart of chocolate milk and eating a cream filled donut! Well I learned that sugar to me is like crack to a druggie! I woke up Sunday morning and the first thing I thought of was wanting another donut and being pissed that I couldn't have one! I'm all back on track, and did my exercises this morning so all is good and well now.

Can I join? I nurse exclusively and I just had a baby about 4 weeks ago and am so ready to start getting back into shape. So far DH and I just go for walks at nighttime with our two boys, and I've been careful about what I eat (fell off the wagon a couple times) since DS2 was born. I'm starting at 175 with an eventual goal of about 120-125.

Of course you can join! Welcome, Kyla!

I'm thinking of dropping my calories to 1600 just to see what happens... I had issues w/ supply when I dropped calories, but since I've been off work and able to nurse nurse I'm doing well at 1800. My supply is doing well...I haven't lost anything in a couple of weeks.

My fear is that going back to work and dropping cals is a bad idea right now bc I'll be only pumping 1x a day at work (vs 3x a day during last school year). We'll see...

I won't go any lower than that til she's fully weaned. We'll see how my experiment goes. I put a calorie counting app on my phone so I can stop carrying around a mental tally or a post it note. hee hee.

Gale- I have a friend who lives in AZ w/a 2 month old and is having the same problem with walking! I complain about the rain here but I think I need to realize I have it good.
I did not do so well the last 3 days but I woke up this morning determined to do better. I ate a good breakfast. I have more fun now because my daughter just started eating solids and she loves sharing a banana in the am. I also dug out my old Jillian Michaels dvd (which kicks my butt everytime) and did a 30 min workout. I feel much better already and am going to try and get out this afternoon. I have a trip to see family and show off the baby in about a month and would like to at least fit into my jeans by then...
I hope everyone else is having a great week and good luck fighting the temptations!

Mortonpixie, forgot to respond to you. I'm so happy to have another homeschooler here. I have bumped into another one on the 100# club as well. It's even better to have another homeschooler with a new baby who is trying to lose weight!!!

Welcome Kayla!! I already miss the 4 week old stage!

Saikin, I rarely eat 1800 cals now that I'm counting them. Before I am sure I was eating 3,000 on most days because the junk food calls my name constantly and I would give in to it without thinking twice. My milk is doing fine, but then I am home all the time and nurse on demand. Little guy has been eating about every 3 hours during the day and sleeps about 10-11 hours at night (yes I know I'm lucky!! I have never had one who slept like this!!!) I have been trying to pump at least one bottle a day.. I can get an 8oz bottle out of a side in just a few minutes, so I have plenty of milk going on.

We splurged last night and had pizza. Another food that is like crack to me! I had to force myself (even though I was full) to stop at 3 slices. We went to a local shop that a friend of hubby's owns and had him make us a "diet" pizza.. he got the crust as thin as possible and skimped on the cheese then loaded it with peppers and onions and threw on a few mushrooms for show. It was really good!! I have to confess, I haven't been exercising this week. I just can't seem to stay awake in the morning when hubby goes to work, so I end up crawling back in bed till the kids start waking up.. then the opportunity is gone.

Way to go Linds.. send some of that exercise ambition my way!!

I played beach volleyball last night... seriously kicked my butt! My quads are so sore today. I had a really good time though. I used to play (indoor) volleyball 2-3 times per week until I had Caleb and now I haven't played since May. I think I'm going to start going back at least once per week. I've been bouncing back and forth in the same 5 lbs for months now. I'm currently at the upper end of those 5 lbs, unfortunately. If I'd start counting my calories I'm sure it would stop... bottom line is that I'm just being lazy. :(

I've been going off maybe 1500-1600 cals a day for about a week now and it hasn't affected my supply at all, if fact, it seems as if I am making too much for him. But it was that way with my first too, but I was also eating a LOT more with him. All I've been doing for exercise the last couple days is bouncing around the house to some music with my toddler, which really gets my heart pumping if I keep it up long enough.

Linds- I live in CO too and this weather just sucks butt. I was so ready for a walk yesterday and it started raining (not to mention DH took the baby sling to work with him on accident) so I didn't go, and today it's just plain freezing, I may still go later after dinner with DH like we usually do. Hopefully these clouds clear up.

Okey dokey, back on the counting wagon today. I'm going to start at 1800-1900 and go from there. I lost really well on 1600 the last time I was at this weight, so I figured I'd add in a little for bfing and see how it goes. *sigh* I suppose it's time to grow up and be a responsible adult, making good choices and taking steps toward what's best for me. Life is rough.

Gale, if I don't count, I put ANYTHING in my mouth! It's horrible!

Hubby just took all the older kids to his mom's for a few hours, and the baby is happily playing on the floor.. so I'm going to go sew. I have a dozen diapers cut for him that he is going to outgrow really soon if I don't get them sewn. Then I need to cut the fabrics I bought for his next size up. I also need to get some covers made.. I have a knit one on the needles, but he is down to 2 that fit so I need to get on the ball.

Day 2 of 1600 cals! I'm drinking lots of powerade zero (read that gatorade type drinks help supply).

Good luck Gale!!!

Findingfawn--I know what you mean about staying awake to exercise. I run after my daughter goes to bed. Many nights during my vacation I woke up at 11pm or midnight and JUMPED up panicking bc I fell asleep and didn't exercise. So I have been exercising at all sorts of wacky hours (because I DID get up and do it--even at midnight). Now that work starts back up tomorrow....that's going to be harder.

Kyla--glad the calorie range is working for you! Hooray!

Linds--Jillian Michaels does kick butt. I have the 30 day shred but I'd rather RUN on a treadmill than do her workout. That's pretty bad. lol

I have to join. I was a dieting QUEEN until I got pregnant. I don't know if I am a wuss or I had a super hormonal pregnancy, but I was a biotch. I started at 180 topped out at 274 and have settled at 240 :( I feel like I just have fat hanging off of me. I want to get back to who I used to be but (let the excuses begin) Its freaking HOT, I'm hungry all.the.time I've noticed if I eat I pump better (s I should eat good things right! Duh.) With both of us working FT where is the time to exercise or to cook healthy? My DH eats like a freaking toddler if it isn't fried or at least breaded he doesn't want it.

Man, I am full of excuses. So what if its hot? It wouldn't be so hot if I wasn't so fat, I don't have to eat cookies when I am hungry, there is nothing wrong with the bag of carrots in the fridge, my son naps at LEAST 2 hours when I get home from work. Can we say time to get on the elliptical!? What it wrong with me! I need to get my head in the game!

I think I am secretly worried about losing my supply. It seems like no one breastfeeds anymore. Except you ladies. With working and breastfeeding and being a new mom and needing to lose weight, I am really starting to feel the pressure. I know that if I can get healthier I will feel better all round. I MUST be a food role model for my baby. I don't want him to struggle like I do. He looks a lot like me, I just prey he has his dads genetics.

[/QUOTE]We splurged last night and had pizza. Another food that is like crack to me![/QUOTE]

Oh my gosh i am totally there with you! i LOVE pizza, i can have it till it comes out my ears, it really is a drug! upset, angry, bored, whatever, pizza was always the answer! ive done well keeping away from it so far;) well see how long it lasts.

Anyhow, ive lost 2lb! :carrot: and thats including a slight slip one evening and ive been exercising everyday, yay! its starting to get easier, im actually beginning to think i could do this :D

I'm so proud of my self! I pushed my butt out the door today and walked for 35 minutes with both kids! (Gabe in the carrier and Isaac in the stroller) I think bringing them with counts for a lot of extra calories burned. Eating has been going good all day, but I am banking for calories tonight at dinner, we're going out with my parents before they head back to MN in the morning.

Kriket I know what you mean. I work in a school full of women--so there are preg women and new babies constantly. Not ONE...and I mean not ONE is breastfeeding. I just hit my YEAR milestone of breastfeeding and they don't seem to understand why I keep going. *sigh*

I too was terrified of losing my supply--and my supply did drop when I tried to lower my calories. Now that she's 12 months I'm not so freaked out. Good luck to you. I figured I'd get disgusted by my own self at some point and straighten out (I was diet queen too...lol).

I'm not running tonight. I try to run 5 days a week, so as long as I do it tomorrow, I'm good. I don't really need to take those 2 days off. I should at least walk on the days I don't run. Ugh. I feel like the weight should be dropping off me but it doesn't seem like it. I did buy pants 2 sizes smaller today, BUT (before I get too excited) I started back to work and no one has noticed I lost this last 24 lbs. Greeeeaaat. That's fat, my friends. When you can lose 24 lbs and no one can even tell!!! ARRRGGG

Kriket and Saikin - I'm right there with ya. I nursed my 3rd baby to 12 mnths (she just lost interest) and plan on going to 12-15 months with this baby. I also went back to work full time and pumped (in an office full of men only) That was a nightmare.

My mom didn't bf, nor my MIL, nor any of my friends...kinda hard to figure it out and even harder to keep going. You can do it! And we're going to loose this weight!!

Kayla - good job on getting out there with the kiddos! I have a double stroller that I put the baby and the toddler in, then have my 7 and 10 year olds ride their bikes. I bribe them with a stop at the park on the way back! :)

Saikan - I feel your pain with no one noticing the weightloss. I lost 70lbs before I got pregnant & not a single person noticed until I had lost 50lbs. 50lbs!!! SOOO discouraging. My Mom figures people are just too polite to say anything until they know for sure. I tell people they look slimmer anytime I think they've lost anything - I would like that myself.

I'm super unmotivated right now. I've never felt this unwilling to lose weight - it's not that I don't want to lose the weight I just have no desire to do the work 'cause it feels so impossible. I need a serious attitude adjustment - sigh. Doesn't help that my ankle is mysteriously swollen & sore making doing anything painful (even driving is hard).

Sorry to groan so much - hopefully tomorrow is a better day.

Saikan - I feel your pain with no one noticing the weightloss. I lost 70lbs before I got pregnant & not a single person noticed until I had lost 50lbs. 50lbs!!! SOOO discouraging. My Mom figures people are just too polite to say anything until they know for sure. I tell people they look slimmer anytime I think they've lost anything - I would like that myself.

I'm super unmotivated right now. I've never felt this unwilling to lose weight - it's not that I don't want to lose the weight I just have no desire to do the work 'cause it feels so impossible. I need a serious attitude adjustment - sigh. Doesn't help that my ankle is mysteriously swollen & sore making doing anything painful (even driving is hard).

Sorry to groan so much - hopefully tomorrow is a better day.

Yeah, the hardest part about "dieting" is getting started...that first stretch where you are making it a habit. I maintained an 80 lb loss for 5 years (gained 20 while trying to conceive and 60 during preg--yikes) and that maintaining was a piece of cake vs trying to get back on the wagon.

I wish I knew what to tell you to motivate you--if I knew I woulnd't be in this shape and I'd be a millionaire!! For me, it takes humiliation and fear of humiliation. I have to really get disgusted with myself to get started. I know I'm strong...and I know I can do this...so that negative mentality doesn't guide me through...it just gets me started.

I had my baby with zero pain meds...and I was WIDE awake for two solid days after she was born. In those two days I felt so powerful and so...STRONG! I swore that I could do anything...I knew it. I try to channel that. Wish I could bottle that feeling.

It's sad because the road ahead looks VERY long. I have 16 weeks til my in laws come to visit. That's helping to motivate me. Sort of. She thinks fat people are sub human...and I'm dead serious when I say that. So part of me wants to be a blob to spite her--but I really don't want that. I don't care to impress her...I just don't want her to have ammunition. And being judged for a solid week would kill me. Last time she visitied I was pregnant and she asked if I ever did nutri system. OMG.

Sooooo I'm thinking...Thanksgiving will be here before I know it. If I can stick with this for 16 weeks...that's hopefully 30 more lbs. I am thinking short term here.

16 weeks.

Wow, there's really only one word that comes to mind when you describe your in-law. But, unfortunately, it's not fit for discussion boards. Some people can be really cruel. :(

Oh Saikan - I feel for you & your impending visit. My MIL made a comment ONCE about dh's weight (basically that it was my fault he'd gained weight) & I LOST it on her (sooooo not like me). Told that yeah, we were fat, it was all my fat & that I didn't want to hear about it again. It worked - although I felt like a big jerk afterwards for being so rude - lol!

I think a huge source of my unmotivation right now is that it just feels neverending. I have hard time picturing it ever not being a struggle.

But today I started a new log for my diet/exercise/sleep & along with that I am going to start a list of reasons to stick with it & things I like about my body to help me stay focussed.

You're right - getting started is so much of the challenge.

But today I started a new log for my diet/exercise/sleep & along with that I am going to start a list of reasons to stick with it & things I like about my body to help me stay focussed.



Great idea.. and I love the list of reasons idea.

I'm not doing great these days. I can't stay away from the peanut butter :( I haven't exercised in a week and a half and I'm doing horrible putting my food in my fitday. Part of the fitday is that I'm trying to stay off the computer... maybe I should do it the old fashioned way... with a pencil and paper. I seem to never have enough sleep again all of a sudden. Cameron is still sleeping 10+ hours a night, but I find myself falling asleep while I'm nursing him like I did the first few weeks. Hard to believe he will be 3 months old in a few days!

Two things that helped me start counting cals better (since having a baby, getting to the computer and entering Fitday has been a challenge):

1. I always have a calendar on my fridge. I put a D for diet if I was on target, and I put an E for exercise if I did that (or R for run). Having that visual helps and I feel really ashamed if there are no initials on my calendar. I use a big black sharpie so it's very obvious where I'm slacking or if I'm rocking out that month.

2. I put a sticky note on that calendar every morning and have a pen stuck to fridge. I write down every time I eat something and keep my tally that way.

3. We survive on one paycheck basically, so live pretty modestly. BUT, I recently bought a blackberry. Weee! I downloaded a free app on it to keep up with calories. It's called Brio Calorie Tracker and it's very simple and straightforward. I can now put in my cals pretty much anywhere.

HOWEVER, this first week back to work has been brutal. Every single day is different. And every single day I'm bombarded with a table of sweets for breakfast. Lunches have been provided some days... Tomorrow is pot luck, Friday is lunch with colleagues. VERY difficult. I knew this week would be bad. It's the first time I haven't really been in control since May. I am not scared though--because I am in control. I AM.

Saikin - I just read your post in the other thread, my daughter is 11 months also. She'll be 1 next week. (I'm also still nursing my 2, almost 3 year old but she doesn't nurse very often now.)

Wow Kestrel, that is awesome. I'm nursing my 16 month old and plan to until she weans herself or goes to college, whichever comes first :D