Hi all of you!

I'm new to this forum. I had my 2nd child a year ago and still haven't lost the weight. I ate a lot of food while pregnant and ended up gaining 60 pounds.

I'm currently working full-time in a school, so I need some creative ways to fit in exercise - whatever kind it is to help me move things along.

I used to jog 2-3 miles a day - then had back surgery for herniated disc. We have an elliptical, rower and treadmill along with some free weights in our basement - but all are off limits as our basement is being finished right now and everything has been moved and is covered with dust.

Also, I get up at 6:00 every morning.

Thanks for any advice and CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU on achieving maintenance!

Oooo. You're not going to want to hear this, but maybe get up at 5, dust off the cardio equipment and the weights and get to it. Yikes! Good luck with your efforts.

I'll toss in a suggestion or two - first off start small and achievable, 20 minutes on the elliptical would be far better than 0 minutes and you might feel so good that you do more. Can you do the 20 minutes and then add a short walk either at lunch hour, or just get out after dinner. I find nothing as delightful in the spring summer months as an enjoyable walk after dinner in the long evenings. And if it's going to be awhile on your basement, move the thing upstairs where you can use it. Plunk it near a TV someplace - it's worth it.

But you know diet really makes it happen. It never works for me until I write it all down and then magically I get everything under control.

I just ordered the new transFIRMer workout from The Firm - I really liked the scupting tape - just 35 minutes but a good overall workout on the upper and lower body and by adding weight you can make it quite challenging. 35 minutes I can do.

Good luck - it's never easy, but feels so darn good once you eat better and start to move - and it's so worth it.

I second getting out for a walk, it's so dang nice out... and bring your weights upstairs or somewhere where you'll trip over them and pick them up to workout...

Oh My G-D!

I can't believe that it never occured to me to bring it upstairs!!!! I must really be in denial! Thanks for the advice!

I'll also check into the Firm video. I've good success with those in the past, but always surpassed the effort level and found them too easy....but, now that i'm so out of shape i'm pretty sure they'll challenge me.

You guys are GREAT!!!! I'm still blushing about not even thinking to bring the equiptment upstairs!

Oh and I also decided to dedicate myself to my FItday journal. LOVE THAT SITE.
It definitely makes me accountable to every bite I put in and also focuses me on making sure it's a healthy bite.

Warmly,

Brooke this is why I find this site so valuable... Sometimes I just feel so thinking, "Now why didn't *I* think of that?!" Keep hangin' with us, we're full of ideas!