Hi, I am a 30 year old sahm who wants to lose 50+ pounds. I had my 3 rd baby a little over 8 months ago and am still exclusively breastfeeding. He has some special nutritional needs so I can not cut my calories drastically yet.
Here is what I am doing and my question...
I am eating all the fruits and vegetables that I want so long as they are raw. I am keeping my calories between 1800 and 2000 a day.
I am not eating more than 2 servings of red meat a week.
I am trying to eat at least 4 times a day.
I am not eating after 8 pm.
My question is , Can you lose weight with diet alone? I have no problems with exercise just the time to do it in. This will not always be this way. Once the baby is older and more self sufficient it will get easier but for now I am wondering if it can be done.
and as a side note: If any of you have breastfed and tried to lose weight how did you handle the constant hunger? I am soooo hungry all day and night, my stomach just growls and growls. It's very frustrating. All the literature I have read says that you don't need more than 300-500 extra calories a day while nursing so I added that to the 1600 that I read I need to lose weight and thats how I got my number 1800-2000. Anyone know if I am doing this right or wrong?
Thanks for any advice you have got! I look forward to meeting you all and getting involved here more.
Wow, you certainly have a full plate! First things first - have you seen the "Pregnant - Nursing" forum here? It might be a great place to ask your questions: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=173 You might get some more knowledgeable responses from the women there who are going through similar circumstances.
Is it possible to lose weight by diet alone without exercise? Sure, but exercise helps the equation because it burns more calories than you might otherwise, and helps build muscle which is thought to increase the amount of calories you burn when you aren't exercising. It is also really good for your health to get some movement in.
Most moms I know would have a ton of trouble fitting in an hour at the gym, but are there ever patches of time where you have 10 minutes? Three of those little moments a day, and you've totaled 30 min of exercise!
I am a breastfeeding momma as well, and my son is now 2&1/2...yeah, I know, lol. He only nurses at night though, so his calorie needs from me are slim...it's more of a bed time ritual now. Anyways, I digress. Your son is 8 months old, and if he's ONLY breastfed, with no solids, then you may want to raise your calorie intake a bit more. I think that the extra 300 calorie figure is for babies under 6 months. With your son being a bit older and relying on you completely for food, you may need more.
I think that your food plan sounds excellent! Is there any way that you could fit a brief walk in a few times a week? Believe me, I know it's difficult, but your body would love you for it.
Anyways, welcome again, and best wishes!
Yes, you can lose weight without exercise but you will lose muscle as well as fat. Exercise is very important. You don't have to do it all at once, even 2-3 10 minute segments work just as well as 30 minutes continuous. Exercise also helps keep your metabolism reved up.
Thank you Mandalinn and Cassie! I will definitely check out the link.
I actually hadn't thought about upping my calories more. HHmmm I wonder? I will have to do some more reading or perhaps find a lactation consultant to ask. I am just worried I won't lose any weight.
Yeah, fitting in an hour to workout is extra hard but I could probably do 20 minutes of something during a nap here and there? MY problem is that I am clueless when it comes to exercising at home for cheap. I don't have any equipment. I do have a Leslie Sansone video still in the wrapper LOL I got it for a gift but have been skeptical about walking in place doing much.
Yes, you can lose weight without exercise but you will lose muscle as well as fat. Exercise is very important. You don't have to do it all at once, even 2-3 10 minute segments work just as well as 30 minutes continuous. Exercise also helps keep your metabolism reved up.
You bring up a point I have wondered about. I have always thought you HAVE to exercise for an hour at least and build up a sweat as well as your heart rate?? If I am doing small spurts through out the day, how will this be efficient? Have I learned incorrectly? Or can both be true?
I did not realize the part about losing muscle, I wrongly assumed I would only lose muscle after I had lost all the fat.
Boy am I confused. LOL I am glad I found this site again!
Thank you Mandalinn and Cassie! I will definitely check out the link.
I actually hadn't thought about upping my calories more. HHmmm I wonder? I will have to do some more reading or perhaps find a lactation consultant to ask. I am just worried I won't lose any weight.
Yeah, fitting in an hour to workout is extra hard but I could probably do 20 minutes of something during a nap here and there? MY problem is that I am clueless when it comes to exercising at home for cheap. I don't have any equipment. I do have a Leslie Sansone video still in the wrapper LOL I got it for a gift but have been skeptical about walking in place doing much.
Leslie Sansone has helped me drop 50lbs. Take the wrapper off that package, I think you'll enjoy it.
You bring up a point I have wondered about. I have always thought you HAVE to exercise for an hour at least and build up a sweat as well as your heart rate?? If I am doing small spurts through out the day, how will this be efficient? Have I learned incorrectly? Or can both be true?
Well, it is more efficient to exercise intensively for longer periods of time, but as long as you're moving, you're burning calories. 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there is a great place to start. Can you go out for walks with the baby?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anabella04
I did not realize the part about losing muscle, I wrongly assumed I would only lose muscle after I had lost all the fat.
Alas, no, your body will shed muscle as well as fat if you don't actively seek to prevent it. Weight training is an excellent thing.
Last edited by baffled111; 10-02-2007 at 08:32 PM.
Yes, at 8 months an exclusively bf'd baby will need more calories than 300-500 - 800-1000 would be a closer estimate depending on the weight of your baby. I'll go see if I can find the table again....
Stroller walking is good exercise, walk fast and you can get in a good workout
As for the hunger level...I find I have a great deal less hunger if I make sure every single meal and snack has a mix of protein, fat and carbohydrate. This means that instead of just fruit for a snack I have fruit and string cheese or fruit and peanut butter. Raw fruits and veggies do little to give me sustained satiety. I also eat 6-7 times a day. (we eat dinner late often and lunch early so 2 afternoon snacks)
If your baby is sleeping through the night, then not eating after 8 pm is fine if that works for you, if hunger is interfering with your sleep then possibly a small protein snack
If you are so hungry that you cant stand it, you need to change something, that kind of hunger doesnt make this a sustainable lifetime program.
Wow, I really appreciate all the wonderful information and the time it took to give it to me!!
That table works perfectly for me because I have a very tiny baby. He is only 13 pounds.
LOL I will open that video and give it a try! Wow 50 pounds thats awesome! Cassie!
The not walking with the baby in his stroller is more me being lazy than anything. I hate outdoor workouts therefore Never stick to them. But it is a resource I guess I have put off using, if I am being honest.
I dieted alone for nearly a year and lost approximately 40 pounds. I exercised and dieted for less than 6 months and lost another approximate 40 pounds.
You CAN diet alone, but I wouldn't recommend it. Not only does it make the process slow, with breastfeeding, it's already hard to do, and you won't be toning or redistributing any of your weight to give you a nice figure and help tighten some of the loose skin.
Now, I'm just raising one, and I know three's gonna make it a bigger challenge. But what are the other two's ages? If they're in school, get a jogging stroller and take the baby for walks/jogs. While the baby's napping, pop in an exercise video (Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds are excellent and simple to follow for the uncoordinated...you can pick them up at Wal*Mart/Target/anywhere). You can find exercise equipment at yard sales and flea markets or pick up simple items at the store like hand weights, steps, body ball, jump rope, hoola hoop, leg weights, etc. Put the leg weights on while you go about your daily routine. If you have steps, run up and down them while the baby is playing or napping. Pick up the baby and do the WATP videos. The extra weight means extra exercise and baby will get a kick out of "dancing" with mommy.
Hi, Almostheaven! You are almost to your goal!! THat's awesome!
My other kids are 6 and 13 , so yes they are in school during the day. I actually hadn't thought about doing the walking video while holding him. I may try that today.
I did try and walk with him yesterday in his stroller. It was ok but I will definately be looking for a garage sale jogging stroller.
You could also try posting at your local www.freecycle.org. That's how I got my first jogging stroller free. People give away things they no longer want and some woman about an hour from me had one just sitting in her garage unused for several years and saw my request for one.
Diet ? and a small intro.
Take the wrapper off that package, I think you'll enjoy it.
