Ok, its only been three months since I have had my son, but I am feeling really bad about my weight. Before I got pregnant I weighed about 130 lbs. The heaviest I got was 176 while I was pregnant, well now I still weigh 154. Im only 5'1 so I am considered overweight :( I bought and elliptical machine but I HATE IT....I try to get up and exercise but Ive never had to do this before and its awful. I just cannot seem to motivate myself to continue to exercise. My husband is in the military and he works out every morning, he had told me before that he would work out with me when he came home but after doing it one day he changed his mind. I dont really have alot of friends so I dont have anyone to motivate me. It seems like it has been way to long and that I should have lost the weight by now, I know it can take up to a year but I dont think I can wait that long. Are there any other ways to lose weight that arent as bad as the elliptical machine? Or any way to motivate myself?
Sherie,
Sometimes it takes more than exercise alone to lose the weight. I would suggest finding a Weight Watchers meeting. It worked sucessfully for me before I had my first child. I lost 86 lbs over the course of a year on it and the only exercise I ever did was walking and attempting to jog occasionaly. Besides all that, it how your happy with yourself that really matters. I know when I was overweight I wasn't happy with myself and had a very low self esteem. I know how you feel. Good luck on your weight loss journey just remember it doesn't go away overnight and it helps to lose it slowly so it will stay off.
Best of luck
April
You said your husband exercises every morning, does it do that with his unit? Or is he somewhat on his own for that? I thought maybe you could exercise with him in the mornings, even if it's your own routine.
If not, maybe you could take the baby for walks/jogs. He would probably enjoy it, and it would be a great Mommy/son activity as he gets older.
Good luck!! (And also, thank you to your husband for serving in our military! My husband is in the Army National Guard.)
Well I am a 26 year old mother of 2. My son is eight and my daughter is 18 months what worked for me was a program call Herbalife, it is very healthy and all herbs it will not hurt you or the baby if you are breastfeeding. I had gained 60 lbs. with my daughter, I started this in November 2006 and to date I have lost 90 lbs. I am thinner than I was 5 Years ago.
Hi Sherie,
I've had 5 babies. With all of them except one I gained twice the weight you have. I think you're being to hard on yourself. Is the baby even sleeping through the night yet? You have about 25 lbs to lose to get to your pre-preg. weight, that's not alot....I found baby fat is alot easier to lose. I never jumped into a structured excersise program untill I had completely recovered...at least till mine and the babie's sleep paturns got more normal. What I did do is take walks when my husband came home. It did wonders for my mental as well as physical well being. I was nursing most of the time so although I had to take in more calories then if dieting normally, I bit the bullet and stoped eating anything that wasn't healthy. Mostly when I did start working out I only had a few vanity pounds to lose and I could start treating myself to sweets once more.
Hope this helps,
Theresa P.
I know how you feel! I was 150 lbs for 3 years after my son was born and it was killing me. I joined Sparkpeople.com and am down to 130 and motivated to get to 120. It's taken me 4 months so far, but wow does it help to motivate me. It's a free site and no fad dieting, just a way to a healthier lifestyle. There are message boards (I like Mom's on a Mission) that are especially good for mom's that don't have a lot of friends close by and it also lets you program in your goals and gives you target ranges for calories, fat, carbs and protein - along with anything else you choose to track. It also has great articles and at home exercises that anyone can do and great recipes! Most foods that you eat are programmed in already, so it makes it easy to track what you eat. I felt I had tried everything and the weight just wouldn't come off, but tracking my food and exercise, along with the motivation, is what did it for me. And the best part is that it's free! I have several friends out of town that signed up and we started our own private team to motivate each other also. Everyone I know who has used it (and really worked with it) has lost weight. Give it a try, what can it hurt? Good luck!
I had two babies and gained weight with both. About 75lbs or more with the first and was still overweight 8 years later with my second and gained weight with that pregnancy too. I am only 5'2, xtra small boned and weighed about 200lbs, so finally it was time to get the weight off. I could only seem to loose 5lbs or so. I got to the point with my weight, I had to go to a Bariatric doctor. I've lost almost all my weight, still have 15lbs to go. It didn't seem to matter what I did I couldn't loose more than 5-10 lbs or so. I needed to loose 60lbs. If you go to a bariatric doctor make sure they are board certified, otherwise, I wouldn't go. I started in Idaho, before we moved here to TN, and still am doing good. I love my doctor in Idaho and wish I had the money to fly back and see him every so often. Always do some exercise, even if it's walking up and down your stairs a few more times a day than usual or take a walk around your neighborhood or apartment complex a time or two a day. That's what I do. I know it's easier to have that "someone" to help motivate, it does me too. Don't be too hard on yourself!! I know you'll loose the weight, it takes time. Sure do wish it was that hard to put on the weight too!!
I can sympathize and empathize with you. I am expecting baby #2 right now, but with my first, I gained 40 lbs. and actually came home from the hospital heavier than when I went in (I was loaded with a lot of fluid-retaining drugs!). Anyway, this was particularly disheartening, as I had been in great shape pre-pregnancy - working out frequently and eating well. It took me a year to get back to my pre-pregnancy size and weight; actually on my daughter's first birthday, I had my own celebration as well - I got back into my "skinny" jeans that day.
I would suggest you read a book titled "Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell after Pregnancy." You can look it up by title on Amazon.com. It is written by a professional dietician who explains fully what our bodies go through when pregnant and how mothers can achieve real, long-term weight loss. Three months certainly is not long enough for you to be reasonably expected to have lost the weight; some mothers bounce back in a few weeks, but that certainly is not the norm.
Sherie,
I have a daughter who was born on Jan. 17. I recently joined Weight Watchers. I have been going for 3 weeks now and have lost almost 5 pounds. The only exercise I do is put my daughter in the stroller and go for walks. I joined Weight Watchers with a friend, but it is also a great way to make friends. I take my daughter with me to meetings. As long as she isn't disrupting, they don't mind. I have found the accountability to be very helpful throughout the week. Just keep at it and the weight will come off. Good luck!
Farrah
Hi Sherie,
My husband and two young children (4,3) just left Ft Campbell we were there for 6 years and dual military (both my husband and I were pilots). He is still in as an instructor pilot at Ft Rucker, AL but I left the Army. I love to run but it is never fun until your body is used to it which takes 2-3 weeks of running 5-6 days a week. It is always difficult to find time for yourself as a new mother or an experienced mother. In fact if you don't make it a habbit now to carve out time for yourself you will have more trouble doing it later. I know that Fort Campbell has a drop off care at Estep Gym. It is the nicest gym at Ft Campbell. They have aerobics and yoga classes. you have to register your son at youth services which is around $20 and you need his shot records. In my experience that is the best way to get UNINTERUPTED time for you to excercise. I know how the mom guilt can get to you - I still struggle with it. I came to terms with the fact that if I do not take the time to excercise and care for myself then I am definately not as good of a mommmy. In fact I lose my patience ans I end up feeling resentful. Excersice is the key to my happiness. If you have to excercise at home then I would suggest putting the elliptical trainer in front of the TV and excercise during your favorite shows.
I also had a really hard time losing my extra weight after the baby. I used the Herbalife products and lost 16 lbs in 6 weeks with them and I also got much more energized.
If you are looking for a gym off post Clarksville Athletic club offers daycare and have great classes, pool and so forth. Some of my friends also goes to YMCA and they really like it.
If you want some more info on the Herbalife products please email me and I will tell you more about it.
Good luck
Elin
This is a gorgeous time of year- perfect weather. If you are in the FT Campbell area- it gets very hot and humid. So take advantage of this now. Try getting out and taking the baby for a daily walk. The Fairgrounds park is great! Or along the river on the Riverwalk (Downtown) Or even just in your neighborhood.
Don't get down on yourself, it can take awhile. And look on the positive side- you've already lost 20 pounds!
Good luck and Happy Spring!
Kristen
Oh honey- please keep in mind that your hormones are just now figuring out you're no longer pregnant!
There is a reason Weight Watchers won't let women join/rejoin until three months post-partum, and that is it! Now is a good time to get started- be active by walking or finding an exercise you like. Meeting up with other mommies who have kids your child's age will help tremendously.
Several parks I like: Marquette on Park, Sea Isle on Estate, Bert Ferguson in Cordova on Trinity, also Shelby Farms has a wonderful 3 or 4 mile walk.
email me and I will let you know next time I walk with my friend Julie. [email protected]
I am 30 and she is 27. My boy is almost 5 months, and her boy is almost 3 months.
Also, weight watchers is extremely affordable if you ever consider joining them. You will find motivation at your meeting, in the other mommies and women who have already begun to lose!
My mom(who had 6 kids) told me that it takes a woman 9 months to gain the weight, so give yourself at least 9 to lose it! My 4th baby is 3 months old, I am 25 lbs overweight right now, so I feel your pain!
Have you tried getting some 3-5 lb weights, and doing some weights for 20-30 minutes 3x a week? You can find books on easy weight routines for women at a bookstore, and that is a way to kick your metablism into gear.
Hi, Sherie. First of all, when my daughter was only 3 months old, I still looked like a blimp and was still wearing some of my maternity clothes. She is now 10 months old, and I have lost all of the weight. The best thing for me has been drinking green tea (boosts your metabolism and burns fat), and I walk on my treadmill at least 20 minutes 3x a week. I am finally down to my pre baby weight. I noticed I wasnt really working too hard to lose the weight (except cutting out Sonic everynight at 10), but the weight just started falling off because I stay so busy chasing my daughter around. Don't beat yourself up. 3 months isnt long enough to safely lose all your baby weight. Over time, and once your hormones are back to normal, you will see the weight come off!
Sherie,
I know first hand the trials of losing baby weight, as I am a Mother of three young children, the youngest 6 months. I am a certified personal trainer and that is why I started a class just for Moms and their babies! There is a class that is just for someone like you, Mommies in Motion, which is a stroller fitness class and a full hour of cardio and body toning exercises to get you back in shape safely and effectively. It's a great way to meet other Moms, get some great personal training at a fraction of the cost and have fun at the same time. If you are interested in learning more, visit us at www.mommiesinmotion.com The first class is free so come on out :)
Since it took you nine months to put on the weight, it's going to take about that long to lose it. I had my baby almost 6 months ago and am still working on losing the weight. Most of the time, I don't have any time to exercise, but I take her with me on walks and just trying to keep up with her on a daily basis is tiring. Give yourself a break and hang in there. Maybe changing your diet would help. Also, if you breastfeed, it will take longer to lose the weight as well, Hope this helps. Good luck!!
I have one word for you: www.sparkpeople.com
It is totally free, they have groups (one is for trying to lose the baby weight) you can't go wrong with this. Try it out. I have lost 20 pounds since November and I have been overweight for years. I had tried slimfast and other "programs". They don't work. I promise you won't be sorry. Laura
Don't feel bad, it takes most women a year to lose the baby weight and that is if they only gained the recommended amount of weight. Just remember to do it safely and especially if you are breastfeeding, eat right. No fast food, no processed food unless you really do not cook and hate fresh veggies. If you have to do prepackaged stuff go for the healthier choices,low sodium and calories. Watch your portion sizes, most people have no clue what a normal portion is. Drink water, and low fat milk.
Maybe yoga, belly dancing, or pilates would be more fun than eliptical machine, or maybe you can put on some dance music to do the eliptical with. Sparkpeople.com is a good, free, weightloss community and mypyramid.gov is a good way to keep track of your food intake and activity level as well.
I am still trying to lose my twin baby weight from 2 years ago, but I gained over 80 pounds with them and have about 50 more to lose to reach my goal.
Hi Sherie, I ahve somewhat of the same problem. I love the elyptical though I did not at first. Since you have not exercised before now, You will have to build up to it. Start with setting a time everyday to do it and begin with 10 minutes for a few days and gradually every 3-4 days add minutes to your time. You should start seeing results within a week or so as long as you are eating right and drinking water instead of soda. Just have to make yourself do it. Get a good book to read or watch a movie and the time passes so much faster and you dont even realize how long you are on there. You have to sweat though. And get your heart rate up to see any results whether youdo this or walk outside around your neighborhood. If youdont get your heart rate up, you will NEVER lose weight. I wish I had the easy diet pill answer, but if that even existed we would all be thin right? I hope this helps.
Kristie S
Work at home mom
www.kristies.fourpointmoms.com