I'm hoping you mamas on here can help me out here! I am trying to lose weight! Before I got pregnant with my 2nd last year, I was able to easily lose 40lbs. I counted calories and walked a TON! I also did the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred dvd. The weight seemed to fall off. Now that I have a 6 month old...I need/want to lose more! I'm doing the same thing I did before...not walking quite as bit since the weather in Iowa doesn't cooperate everyday! I'm eating 1500 cals/day(my sister is a nurse and said that I should up that to about 1700) and still working out by doing different dvds and walking when the weather is good enough. I stepped on the scale last week and was down 5 lbs...I stepped on it today and 4 of those were back! I did nothing different this past week! And I weigh myself at the same time of day each week! This is just so frustrating! I wish it didn't come off as easily last time...maybe it would be easier to take!!!
Please give me any ideas you might have for me...or just some encouraging words! I'm getting different dvds to try, so maybe a change will help!
In order to loose any weight, besides eating healthy you have to work out 5 days a week at least 45m - hr. If you working out less than that, you are just maintaining. If you need any specific tips, send me a personal message.
Be sure to drink some water throughout the day (strive for 4-8 glasses a day. Don't over do it.)
Eat 6 mini meals a day to stimulate your metabolism.
When I say that, it is like this:
Breakfast
snack
Lunch
snack
Dinner
snack
snacks are healthy like blueberries & yogurt
or
carrots w/a little bit of low fat Ranch dressing etc.
Try different workout dvd's (you can check some out from the library)
Can you buy a used treadmill from someone to put inside your house for the days w/inclement weather?
I don't weight myself every day.
Also, age is a factor. Not sure how old you are but it is harder (takes longer) as we age.
Try keeping a food journal and also log your activity.
Eat Breakfast, along with lunch and dinner and a couple snacks. Plan to have good food in the house that you like.
Don't deprive yourself. Some treats are fine. It's not the piece of cake that's going derail you. It's not eating one piece and later eating the whole thing ;)
Concentrate on whole foods, lots of protein, fruits and vegetables.
Keep exercise fun.
Be consistent. I lost 70+ pounds 3 years ago. It's a constant learning process. I think you have to learn how to eat and incorporate exercise into your routine. It's healthy lifestyle changes rather than a diet that is going to work, especially in maintaining you weight.
1-2 pounds a week is a good weight loss. I lost about 5 pounds a month. Just remember it all adds up.
Starvation mode is a myth. That theory was debunked. However one could argue that skipping a meal or getting really hungry can lead to eating everything in sight :)
And try not to be hard on yourself. Don't let a slip up undo all your good work.
Throw away your scale. Buy jeans a size smaller than the ones you currently wear. Put them on once a week. You will know if you are heading in the right direction.
I second the water, and the "eat more diet." you break your current meals into 6 sittings. you start your breakfast with a glass of water, then 1 serving of something healthy, i.e. a grapefruit. then you eat 1/2 of your usual breakfast. 2 hours later, you have another glass of water, something healthy, i.e. an apple and a tablespoon of peanut butter, and as much of the 2nd half of your breakfast as you can manage. So on and so forth. the thought is, you aren't giving any food up. You are actually eating more, hopefully the healthy snacks and bevs you eat before hand help to fill you up and are less caloric than your "breakfast food."
I like the 10 minute exercise DVDs. I rotate through them. They seem to be the right pace, challenging, then its over.
If you want to force your hand when it comes to exercise, get a dog. :)
Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
K., I have to second the advice to throw away the scale. It is not an accurate measurement of your progress.
I have been working on losing weight and getting in shape, too. In fact, I have been working out like crazy- 6 days a week for 60-90 minutes a day. I have actually GAINED weight. If you went by the scale, I would be in the overweight area. My pants size has not changed either. However, I feel awesome and I can see my body looks different. I think that I have gained a bunch of muscle and that is why my weight has gone up and my pants size is the same. It is possible that the same thing has happened for you.
My advice would be to go by how you feel and by the way your clothes fit and also give it some more time. I have heard that it takes about 8 weeks of working out to start seeing a difference. You might also consider avoiding refined flour and sugar products- I swear I always lose a ton of weight fast when I do that; it is just so hard for me to avoid them completely. Good luck!
Are you still nursing? (or did you?) If you are you actually need MORE calories than what you are getting. Your body could be going into "starvation" mode because you are not eating enough! Crazy, right?
L.
(lost 100lbs)
MamaLucky hit the nail on the head. Wanted to add it took you 9 months to put on the weight. After the baby is born the first two months don't even count. Give yourself more time to loose the weight. I know after my son was born I was able to loose the weight but the demensions of my body had changed or should I say the furniture had been rearranged. My baby boy is 17 years old and I still have a baby belly if I don't work out. No big deal. I love all of my curves and stretch marks. Adds character besides I will always be a cute girl in my sight.
Check out the video on this website. Its a ONE DAY DIET, you only are on it every other day...awesome! It also includes adult chewable multi-vitamin/mineral/probiotics. http://www.GBGisIT.com Its hard after you have the baby, you just have to keep at it! Try drinking more water too, it washes everything out. Good luck!
