So I got on the scale for the first time in a while and was horrified to see that I have gained 6 lbs. since summer! Not happy at all! My daughter will be 1 next month and it's not called baby weight any more. I don't eat horribly but I think I'm just not paying attention and not taking care of myself as much. This is what I know I need to change: I should drink more water. I get so busy with the kids that I forget to drink anything. Also, I stay up way too late... like until 1:30-2:00 and get up at 6:30. I hear sleep is important to weight loss but I'm not sure how. And after kids are in bed and I get my shower in the evening, I'm finally ready to sit at my computer and unwind, do my couponing, do artwork (whatever) and I like to have a big cup of General Foods sugar free vanilla coffee. I actually look forward to it. And lately (not every night though) I've been getting a second cup but half filled. And on top of that I get hungry and either have pretzels or a small bowl of cereal. So the coffee, no second cup anymore and I should have a smaller cup and probably have it in the afternoon and try to get myself off having it at night. Too many calories and fat at bedtime. Halloween candy around the house didnt help much either but I got sick of it real quick. I have willpower, I just think my bedtime routine is sabotaging the weight. And I ned to get out and move more... make a point to get out with the kids an walk. I rarely ever sit.... ever, so it's not like I'm sitting on my butt, but maybe walking will burn more calories than chasing kids and housework does. Do you have any little changes you made in your life that helped you lose weight or did you get into some bad habits like me that caused you to unsuspectingly gain weight? I get inspired by other peoples stories! Also, I am wondering if I should join Weight Watchers.... will be hard finding time to go to meetings (and have to pay whatever it is every week), but maybe I need someone to hold me accountable.
EDIT: I'm currently 66.8 lbs. and before my first pregnancy 4 years ago, I had lost weight from Jenny Craig and was down to 138 lbs. Even if I could get in the 140's, I could live wiih that... or even low 150's. And i know i eat too much carbs. I'm a carbo addict.
Ugh. Me too. I have been eating halloween candy like it's going out of style. Just reading this made me want to go upstairs and eat a brownie. Sorry.
Sleep is important for weight maintenance because lack of sleep changes how our metabolism works. Lack of sleep has been shown to be responsible for weight gain, behavioral disorders, and more. Kids and adults in this country are mostly sleep deprived. One high school in my state moved their start time one hour later and they saw an immediate and significant improvement in student test scores, for example. The average adult does need 7 - 9 hours of sleep each night. Not only is 5 hours not nearly enough, night time coffee could be disrupting the effectiveness of the sleep you are getting.
Housework and chasing kids is more activity than sitting down, for sure, but I find that unless I get outside and walk for a half-hour or so, I don't feel like I've gotten any real exercise.
I've heard good things about weight watchers. I also like Wii fit because you can see howmuch exercie it takes to burn off an item.
My New Year's resolution was to lose weight. I was 202, which is way too heavy for someone 5'2". I went to Weight Watchers. I had done it in the past to lose weight and it worked, but them I got pregnant twice. Weight Watchers is wonderful. It teaches you a healthy way to eat and live. I followed the plan strictly for 5 months, attended most every weekly meeting ($40 per month) and started excersing. I lost 45 pounds and have been mainitaining ever since. I still would like to lose 20 more pounds, but honestly, I would like to just make it through the holidays wthout gaining. I would highly recommend WW.
From what you said about what you eat, I don't think the coffee is a problem. An important aspect of your diet should be snacking on fruits and veggies. If you dip into the pretezels and cereals, that is carbs that will stick to you. Water is important too, but it helps it doesn't make you lose weight. I think joining at least for a month, so that you can learn the program, would be relly helpful. Please feel free to email me with any questions :)
You do need to cut the carbs, especially at night. It will make a big difference. If you want to try quick extreme weght loss, try the HCG diet. It is drops and an extremely low calorie diet, it says 500 but I. Typically eat about 700-800. Its not a speed type diet so you aren't jittery or anything. it totally curbs your appetite. You can eat lean meats, veges, and some fruit. Absolutely no carbs, dressing, soda, oils, butters, etc. I started the diet 7/9 and did it for 40 days and lost 34 lbs. You can only do it for so long and then you have to go off the drops and slowly transition back to adding in some carbs. After 1 mo off I was able to go back on the drops for another 40 days. I just got done with that round and lost 1 lbs, I cheated more on the weekends :-). So far I've lost 50 lbs. I maintained the mo I was off. I also am walking or similar 5-7 days a week for 20-30 minutes. I feel great and could totally live wth where I'm at but I do want to lose about 20 more lbs so I'm doing a 3rd round right after the new year. I haven't worn a bikini for about 7 years. I could wear one today but I need to tone the tummy more...lol...2 kids and gaining 45 lbs with the first one did not help my waist line. My coworker did for 40. Days and lost 30 lbs. She's maintained for 2 months. My daycare person lost 15 lbs a year ago and hast put it back on. It is hard but really does wrk.. The South Beach diet works well too. I did that 8 years ago and lost 25 lbs in 3 or 4 months. Good luck and give us an update on your success. :-)
Ever tried The Candida Diet? It's anything but easy, but since you said you were a "carbo addict" I thought you might find it interesting that there may be a reason why you crave those sugary treats. I just lost 12 lbs on the diet in 3 months and I lost 90% of my cravings. It consists of very disciplined eating of fresh vegetables, berries, meat and other protein sources combined with natural antifungals like garlic, coconut oil, and grapefruit seed extract. You also need a daily probiotic. I'm not toting this diet as a "cure all" or saying it's for everyone, but if you are interested please see:http://www.thecandidadiet.com/foodstoeat.htm/. I didn't buy any of their recommended supplements--found all I needed at the local Sprouts Farmer's Market for a fraction of the price. I feel fantastic again and I'm late 30's with 3 kids 6 and under at home.
Start out small.. yes, do get rid those carbs at night and try and replace them with something else... even a non-gluten cereal.. giddy up and go, makes a good gluten free granola... (See wellmama.com) as to why grains aren't helping you...
Also, I did join WW and while yes, I do think it's a good program , I tend to get bored with tracking and writing down all my foods.. that's just me, maybe that would work for you.. So now, what do I do.. I EXERCISE .... it's really about the only thing that keeps me going... it gives me energy, suppresses my appetite and makes me feel good overall..
I do walk a lot (about 5 to 7 miles a day) but once your body acclimates to that , as mine did, it's no longer enough.. hence, I had to up my cardio... since doing that, I am down about 3 more lbs...
Keep in mind what one does in their 20s ,may work than , as you age, your body requires you to jumpstart and do something different.. .
remember, start small... use the stairs instead of escalators and elevators.. park farther away at parking lots (if safe to do so) also, get a pedometer and begin tracking just how far you are walking/moving each day...
best to you
Um, T., my "baby" is 14 (YEARS) and I still have baby weight! :P
Seriously - WW is a great idea - you might like their online plan. I also like loseit.com (it's free).
I also think you're right about the night carbs. For some reason, when I eat any sweets at night I pack on weight.
Good luck and know that you are not alone.
What do you drink all day? Do you have any soda? If so, Soda 'expands' your stomach leaving you to feel even more hungry. If you drink Tea, drink the decaf. Caffeine absorbs the moisture in your body (as per my doc says), and if you drink caffeinated drinks, you don't hydrate your body like you should. So there's a few tips for ya. :-D
The only person who's accountable is yourself. This is what I have to tell myself each day and every time I open the frig...which is a lot. LOL
Oh, and don't eat past 7pm. This will also help you. If you feel hungry, drink a glass of milk. It will help curb your hunger. :-)
I agree with the small changes, not a "diet." A diet seems like something to fail at. Figure out why you have the coffee at night. I heard that sugar-free foods have a sweetness that makes you want more. How about a glass of water? Sounds boring but you just have to change your mindset.
How about wrapping yourself up in a comfy blanket instead. Look forward to something comfortable at your computer. Then when you get your water, picture yourself as this incredible, disciplined athlete that needs to rehydrate, for example. You just have to change what you are thinking and eventually it will become a habit.
Make yourself wait until 6:30am before you are allowed to eat cereal. As you said, calories at night are not good.
If you get a really bad craving at night, do push-ups or sit-ups. Find something to do that has nothing to do with food but is activity. Sometimes I get up from the computer and go into the kitchen when all my body needs is some movement.
Also, going for a walk with your kids during the day will boost your weight loss. Then when you start feeling your clothes fitting better, it will give you that extra incentive to keep eating better. Once your kids get in the habit of walking, they will remind you it's time to go out again.
6lbs is not a case for weight watchers! My first advice (works for me) is cut the fattening foods off of the grocery list - if you don't have the, you won't eat them; then eat smaller portions of the things you eat normallly, avoiding fried and super-sugary foods. Join a dance class (latin dances are fun: merengue, salsa, bachata etc..) and go when your hubby can watch the kids, make it a habit. You'll lose the lbs and will tone up really well, I promise ;-)
