Here we go.........Weightloss Thread Part III

[Mrs Mitchell]

Always taste frosting, remember? That way, you don't get any little surprises when you bite into your cupcake, Trinkette!

[Trinkette]

 


Hahahahahahaha! Spoken by a woman who KNOWS!  I'd forgotten all about that.  Too funny, Mrs. M...

[Trinkette]

And I made a CREAM CHEESE frosting as well! 

[annie1]

Always taste frosting, remember? That way, you don't get any little surprises when you bite into your cupcake, Trinkette!

 

Your timing is perfect Jen.

[GracefulLion]

Hmmmm. If I kept Jamie's fish cupcakes around I would definitly lose weight considering my fish allergy. Interesting. . .

Well Monday evening my DH stayed home with the baby so I could go to the gym. It was my first real physical activity in about 5 months!  All I did was 30 minutes on the crosstrainer and I felt as though I needed to throw up for about 2 hours after. It felt great to take the step back though. I cannot take the baby with me to the childcare there for one more month, so consistency will be tough, but I bought a jogging stroller yesterday and someone bought me a mommy & infant excercise dvd (um, was that a hint?), so I am going to try to keep building my strength and stamina back up.

As for food, it is definitly a little confusing. I know what to do to lose weight, but I am nursing too, and I don't want to compromise the baby's nutritional intake. Breastfeeding actually doesn't work as a weight loss agent for me as it does for some, so I feel a bit stuck.  The weight loss program I used very successfullly after my first doesn't have a center here and doesn't have an online program.  Grrrrrrr.                                                                                                       

[Mrs Mitchell]

Wow. You've been to the gym already! For all my big ideas, I'm not ready to do that yet. Not least because none of the fancy lycra nonsense I bought last time I did this thread would actually fit. I mean, I know it's stretchy but there is a limit!  I should buy one of these joggers, but I don't know if I'd really use it once the initial enthusiasm wore off. You know how it is?

I know what you mean about food and feeding - what level of dieting / restriction of food intake is safe? Hard to judge, but I'm assuming if I just eat good quality, fresh seasonal food with nothing processed or packaged, I can't do too much harm. I just need to work on reducing the quantity!

Jen

[Mikla]

Don't worry, girls.  You'll be back to your pre-baby shapes before too long!  Just the fact that you are exercising a little bit and eating right means you're headed in the right direction.  It's not a race and best to do it the healthy way for both of you and your darling babies.  Have I mentioned lately how cute your little darlings are? 

Best,
Mikla

[Mrs Mitchell]

Thank you Mikla!

[Pip]

Seriously the advice given by me is better than any PT can give. All it takes is dedication and grit.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Low intesnsity cardio for 45mins-1hr first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. HR between 120-130. Brisk walking i find works best.

Bring your complex carbs down like bread, rice and pasta. Some ppl do well ketogenic dieting, some do well carb cycling. Find out which you respond to best. Cut out all carbs after 6pm. Eat plenty of fibrous veg etc and snack if you need to on little bits.

Blood sugars will drop so if needed drink sugar free (aspartame laidened which i dont like) drinks or eat some fruit with the fructose as an alternative.

Increase your water intake to 4ltrs+ a day.

Easy peasy.

Actually, following this advice would be quite dangerous to breast feeding mothers and to their babies. I checked with my doctor today. Any drop in blood sugar in particular can cause a build up of toxins in breastmilk.

[Pip]

Low intesnsity cardio for 45mins-1hr first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. HR between 120-130. Brisk walking i find works best.

Bring your complex carbs down like bread, rice and pasta. Some ppl do well ketogenic dieting, some do well carb cycling. Find out which you respond to best. Cut out all carbs after 6pm. Eat plenty of fibrous veg etc and snack if you need to on little bits.

Blood sugars will drop so if needed drink sugar free (aspartame laidened which i dont like) drinks or eat some fruit with the fructose as an alternative.

Increase your water intake to 4ltrs+ a day.

Easy peasy.

Actually, following this advice would be quite dangerous to breast feeding mothers and to their babies. I checked with my doctor today. Any drop in blood sugar in particular can cause a build up of toxins in breastmilk.

This is for the 'normal' person Mrs Mitchell not newly stated mothers.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Distinction noted by the abnormal,  at least two of whom are participating in this thread.

[GracefulLion]

Distinction noted by the abnormal,  at least two of whom are participating in this thread.

Wow.  I never before realized that mothering made one abnormal, but now it all makes sense. 

I did try to revive this thread for motivation from my girlfriends. I would love to be able to stick with that.  Thanks ladies for joining in! 

I did manage to workout 3 days in a row, and had you all in mind when curling up on a couch with the newborn would have been so much easier. I took a 45 minute fast walk with my now 9.5 lb baby strapped in the baby bjorn thru my very hilly neighborhood.  A lot of people run and walk around here, and so many lovely people made encouraging comments about the baby being cute and my looking good for 8 weeks out.  Really kept me going.  And I love that the baby's gaining weight will automatically keep increasing my load as I progress!   Then hopefully the cost of the jogging stroller will keep me going!  Gotta use it after the crazy amount it was!                                                                                       

[robin]

Good for you, GL!  You and Jen are both doing GREAT!  Of COURSE you look good.  I've seen pictures (of at least parts of you <LOL>) and you are both beautiful.

Is a Baby Bjorn like a sling?

A jogging stroller seems like a great idea!

I'm having to take a couple of days off-- I hurt my neck Thursday.  I think I hurt it in yoga, although it didn't start bothering me until several hours later.  I've done this a few times before, and usually it hurts for about four days, then I'm all better.  But other than that, I'm doing pretty well.  I was EXTREMELY hungry yesterday (maybe the meds I'm on for my neck??), but even though I ate a lot, I made good choices-- edamame, brown rice, and a very light (no sauce and very little oil) stir-fry of chicken and veggies from a local Asian place, then some nonfat strawberry frozen yogurt.  It was way more than I usually eat, but at least it was pretty healthy... um, right??

I've been counting WW points pretty diligently, too.

[annie1]

Great work Jen and GL!  I can't imagine how hard it must be a pick working out over cuddling your adorable newborns.  I have a hard time picking working out over surfing the internet... or watching TV... or reading... or sitting silently staring at a blank wall... 

That's a shame about your neck Robin, but I'm glad you're giving it a chance to repair itself before you continue with your workouts. 

I've been doing pretty well.  I'm down about 8lbs since the beginning of June.  I've been eating well enough, but I need to get more exercise in since I'm sure the next 8 won't be as easy as the first.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Hey Annie, that's good going! Hope you're starting to feel the benefit- I love that 'wow, I'm xlbs lighter' feeling.

Robin, sorry to hear you hurt your neck, hope the meds don't have you too spaced out! (Although now that I can no longer drink or smoke, I can get a buzz from a couple of asprin these days.)

We went for a seemingly endless walk along the costal path today. DH swore it was a round trip and would therefore hold my interest (I have a very low boredom thresholdwhen it comes to trudging around the place at a walk or run, lifting things, rowing, stepping etc). Anyway, I don't think coastlines work like that unless you walk all the way round the British Isles, but I was prepared to suspend disbelief since he swore it was a round trip. Can anyone guess how this ends? 

GL, you're doing amazing stuff, especially considering it's only 8 weeks since you had major surgery and you don't get to sleep anymore. Hope you feel as good as you possibly can given that you're abnormal too.    Oh, and as they get heavier, do you think that lifting these babies should help tone upper arms? 

I'm now starting to notice the weight coming off. I'm fitting into more and more of my pre-pregnancy clothes (albeit the looser fitting things ha ha). I'm glad I'm not working right now though, since the tailored stuff would be a little more of a challenge to get into! (Hi, I'm your service development consultant. I'm here to inspect and improve your work, using force and statutory powers if necessary and I hope you like my baggy sweatpants...)

Jen

[diamondjunkie]

You guys are doing great!  I have been purposely ignoring this thread for a LOOOONG time because I lost all my willpower.  That changed about 2 weeks ago when I bought some ski pants for my snowboarding lesson.  I was standing there thinking, "Medium or large?  Hmmmmm.  You know, I'll get the large so I have some extra room in them."  Extra room.  EXTRA ROOM!  You've gotta be kidding me!  It took TWO pairs of control top tights to get the buggers ON and then I was thinking, "Holy cow, if I take a good tumble in these, there is going to be a large explosion of backside."  Needless to say, the willpower came back with a vengeance and my diet started the following day.

It's been 2 weeks now and I am eating tons better, drinking over 2 litres of water a day and I've dropped a few pounds (at least 3 but I'll weigh in tomorrow).  Tried the pants on today when I got home and they fit a little better.  I bought the most beautiful suit when I was home but I bought it 2 sizes too small.  It's my goal to fit into it.

I'm hoping the snowboarding captures me and I can use that as my exercise at least 3 times a week.  I'm going to get out walking with my poles once the summer break is over too.  I just cannot go on the way I have been.  Honestly, there were days when lunch consisted of a candy bar.  Good grief.

So now we have 2 mums getting back into shape!  Breastfeeding is such a help but I found baby weight easier to take off than regular weight - might sound daft but that was my experience.  My best mate was complaining how hard she is finding it but I put that down to her keeping it too long.  I think there comes a time when it decides it's there to stay so keep plugging along you two - it'll be gone before you know it!

One more thing, I have heard many recommendations to do cardio on an empty stomach and I tried it once..........and that was enough.  Back in the days when I was mega fit and a size 2.  My blood sugar dropped so bad I could barely stand up.  I couldn't finish my workout at all.  I had to leave after 15 minutes and get the banana that was in my locker.  I don't think I could have driven.  My whole body was shaking and I thought I was going to throw up and/or pass out.  I've had to grab a couple of women I was training in the gym, sit them down and run out for bananas and OJ for them as they hadn't eaten at all or enough that morning.  In my experience, I wouldn't recommend it and have read conflicting reports as to whether it really does help.  Not that I am knocking you Pip - it obviously works for you but that is the key.  Everyone needs to find what works for them and what they can stick to.

And given that last point, EVERYONE NEEDS TO RECONCILE HOW MUCH EFFORT THEY CAN AND WILL PUT FORTH WITH THE OUTCOME THEY WANT TO ACHIEVE. Sorry for yelling but it's important.  If you want a body like Jessica Alba, you're probably not going to achieve it by swimming 20 lengths twice a week.  Look at how much effort and work you are going to put into changing your body and think sensibly about the goals you can achieve with that.  Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and frustration.

[Diamondluvr]

Great job everyone!!!

Glad to see you back DJ!  You sound like you enjoyed the snowboarding lesson and am glad to hear you came through unscaved.  I hear you on the ski pants being motivation-they are so unflattering anyways for the most part, that being uncomfortable and not being able to move in them makes it even worse!

I haven't stepped on a scale in weeks-so am unsure were I am with the weight loss.  I can say my clothes are fitting better and my hubby has asked several times if I have lost weight.  So that part is good, but even better is that since I've cut out Gluten, I have been feeling SO much better!!!  It was a bit of a challenge at first, but now is much easier.  One bad thing is it is SO much more expensive to buy Gluten-Free, there goes my sparklie $$$!

Also, I've been so stressed out with the move and getting our home ready to sell that I haven't been eating the best though-lots of fruit and only a few veggies and lots of dairy.  So I need to get back on track with the food!

One really annoying thing is that my rings are all feeling tight-ugh!!!  It is so frustrating, I think that my fat is just moving around 

[diamondjunkie]

WOOT!  6lbs down!  Did a little jig round the bathroom this morning!

DL, LOL on the 'fat moving around'!!!     You always do well with this stuff - you put your mind to it and off you go.  I really admire that.  I am sure you are going to be where you want to be in no time.

I also have to admit that my fingers have really pudged out too.  The fact that I can't get my ER off/on without significant pain (sizing bumps over a porked up digit) is another reason why I need to get a grip on my weight.  Seriously, if I get mugged, I hope they've got some vaseline tucked away in their back pocket........

[robin]

Good for you, DJ!  I bet your ski pants are fitting better already!

I lost my two "vacation pounds," and then have been gaining and losing the same two pounds for the rest of the summer.   

I'm about four pounds above goal.  I just ordered an electronic body fat monitor from Amazon.  We have a similar one at our gym.  It's not as accurate as calipers, but it's something I can use daily by myself.  I thought this would be a nice corrolary to the scale.

DH contends that at least part of the four pounds I can't get rid of is not fat, but added lean muscle, and that is probably true-- my shoulders and upper back are, for the first time in my life, really defined.  I'm VERY pleased about that.  Still, I have a few pants that are too tight in the legs/lower hips, and I DOUBT that's just muscle!

Well, off to the gym for a quick workout-- DH has the afternoon off, and our anni is tomorrow, so we're beginning celebrations early with a lunch at my fave place in the city!  YAY!  Better do some preparatory cardio.... 

[GracefulLion]

So fun to see everyone back here and doing so well!  I finally dropped another 2 lbs, so another 15-18 to go!  I read somewhere that breastfeeding mothers should not lose more than a lb per week, which sucks, but we'll see.  I also made it back to my old dance class this week, and actually made it thru without keeling over.  I hate looking in the mirror for that extended a period of time, but at least it was motivation.   And I made a date with another new mom for Monday morning to do a fast walk together. I was going to go out this morning, but my older son is sick.
           

Robin, how is your neck?  Annie, how's it going?  DJ, way cool about the snowboarding! You are my hero!  DL, I find my fingers are like a separate entity - swelling or not more due to weather than weight. Is it humid there?                                                                     

[Diamondluvr]

DJ-way to go with the 6lbs!!!  And I wish I knew where I want to be with my weight, I really am unsure right now-terrible I know!  All I know is I want our house to sell soon, I want the moving to be done and the unpacking and remodeling to also be finished.  Until this is all done, I afraid I will be stressed out and keep on eating poorly and not working out regularly!  I always wished I was one of those people that didn't feel like eating when under stress 

GL-a dance class sounds like fun   It has been humid, but even the days its not my fingers are so puffy---it's ridiculous, honestly they look like sausages!

[Mikla]

I always enjoyed the dance classes the best.  They don't have them by me since I live in a little town now, but it's almost fun to exercise to a beat!

Mikla

[annie1]

Wow!  Everyone sounds like they're doing great!

GL - It's great to hear that you found another mom to walk with in the morning.  It's so great to have someone else to be accountable to sometimes, especially when you're tired.

DJ!  It's great to have you on the thread.  It wouldn't be the same without you, and 6 lbs is great! 

I'm doing alright, but not great.  I was a little sick at the end of last week, and then I danced for about four hours straight at a wedding over the weekend.  The two combined had me down about 3lbs on Monday, but I gained back 2lbs which I expect was just due to re-hydrating after being sick.

I'm still on track though.

My mom is in town visiting this weekend, which means I will likely eat a little more poorly than I would usually.  I will try to keep it in check and get back on the bandwagon on Monday!

[webmistress]

I think we all need annie's yogurt. With the raspberries.

It is so hard to run in this heat. But the stress relief is worth every step. AFTER the run. Tomorrow is gym in air conditioning. That'll be sweet.