HI Everyone...

I know losing weight after having a baby ISN'T easy, in fact sometimes it seems and feels IMPOSSIBLE...

BUT, it's not!

Here it is...
I have 3 kids. A 4 year old BOY. A 21 month old boy and a JUST 8 month old girl. So, I am BUSY. I worked hard, watched my eating and I am now running 10km once a week and 5km/8km 2 times a week. I am entering my VERY first 10km race in 2 weeks!

SO, it is possible and it has been the very BEST thing I have done for ME and for my kids.

STATS::

Sept 21/04 9 months pregnant 204lbs
Sept 25/04 home from hosp- project NEW ME starts 190lbs (14 lbs loss, water and baby of course, easiest 14lbs EVER though)
May 17/05 121lbs

Leanne

You look fantastic! Did you follow any diet plan or just watched what you ate? I definetly need to get into running, it seems like the best plan.

Congrats,
JKB

Congrats. You are looking great. Good luck on your race.

Wow, you look awesome! How did you do it? I've only managed to lose 35 lbs sinc last August...

You look fantastic, Wondering minds would love to know?

Wow, thanks for all the nice words everyone..

So you want to know how I did it...I started on a VERY strict diet to get me started....my best friend told me while I was 9 months preg that I was maid of honor in her wedding on New years EVE- yikes, 3 months NOTICE --I was HUGE and I did not want to be huge in her wedding photo's. So that was a GREAT source of motivation! I basically followed a diet plan that was low calorie/low carb and had excellent results, PLUS I exercised a lot...I started running 2 weeks after having my daughter b/c it has ALWAYS been my #1 way to shed the pounds...and it worked. Add in chasing after 3 kids all day long and that is how my weight came off....honestly, losing weight after having my kids has been easy, it has been KEEPING it off that has proven hard for me...So now, I STILL watch what I eat, try to limit carbs, but eat some the day before one of my long runs, eat lots of fruit, veggies and protein. BUT the real trick is to keep myself BUSY, because I do not want my kids to have terrible eating habits so I eat meals when they do, have healthy snacks with them and play with them as much as possible and try not to make food a focus for me or them, and so far so good.
One thing to remember for us all is that this change is for life, your life and the life of those you love.
If anyone has any questions or anything I am here to support you, or even give ya the kick in the rear some of us need...lol...

Thanks for taking time to read this!
Leanne

You look fantastic.... I would never guess you had 3 little ones!

About how many calories/day when you were first starting to lose the weight? (the "strict" diet you mentioned)

You look fabulous! This is motivation for me to keep at my running!

flx- I see by your stats we are both 26, and I am slightly shorter, and I can honestly say you CAN do it! Running is totally one of thoings you can really ONLY ever get BETTER at. Keep it up for sure!

Blue_sky- it was about 1000 calories a day to start....but, since I started running more often and longer distances I need more than that now....lol, plus to keep up with my kiddies....lol, it is amazing how clothes can hide the saggy skin having kiddies leaves....

Leanne

congratulations on your weightloss you look great!

I think that's great that people really watch their kids now. Not like our parents who just tell us when they think we are overweight, but actually change the way you raise them and make them a part of your healthy life. Good for you, I am one of the many considering running as well. It has never been a strength for me, but like you say, I can only get better

Congratulations on losing your weight!! You look fabulous! And I can only imagine how great it is to be able to be active in your kids life!!

Thanks again for the kind words everyone...

Yes, it is SOOOO important to set a good example for your kids, whether it is eating, fitness or whatever...I have struggled with my weight for a long time, and people especially kids can be ruthless, and that is something I will try my HARDEST so my kids never have to go through it...I know we cannot protect them from everything but I feel it is my job to teach them how to be healthy and happy... my 4 year old is VERY active, but started packing on some weight in the past year, now he is TALL for his age....anyways, I realized that while I was dieting after having my baby 8 months ago, I was feeding him everything I couldnt eat...which was #1 a HUGE mistake and #2 un-necessary.....he doesnt know that he is "missing" anything...and funny enough he actually enjoys healthy snacks now more than the junk I thought he LOVED...point is, I was feeling bad for dieting but truth is, my kids didnt know the difference...they just want to eat whatever I am or tastes good...

Okay, to me this is a great success...I want to be happy and healthy for my kids but I also want to have happy and healthy kids for life...

Leanne

Way to go Leeanne! If only I could get my butt off the couch and start moving it about!!!

Congratulations Leanne!

You are a great inspiration by losing weight and running races! Holy cow! Most of all, you are an inspiration to your children which won't go unnoticed. I don't have children yet, but I refuse to believe that once you have kids you can't lose the weight. I believe there are tremendous lifestyle changes to get used to, but incorporating them into your regular routine (and the kids', too) will make it that much easier.

I want to lose weight now because I'm getting married in July 2006. I also want to be in great shape by the time I get pregnant (immed. after the wedding) and hopefully remain that way. Like you, I want 3 children (maybe 4) but also want the energy that goes along with losing weight to take care of them. I also have other health issues that do not coincide with extra weight--losing these 18lbs. is very important to me!

I don't have lots to lose, but it's still important to me to provide the best example I can to my future children.

Thank you for sharing your success!

Cheers,
Charlene (Sophie2B)