It was so hard to lose weight after my children were born that I didn't do it. I just didn't try to eat right and exercise. I was depressed and sleep deprived. Now my children are school age (at least part-time) and I'm trying to lose weight. I find it sad that it took me so long to get motivated. I don't even want to think about the stress I've put on my heart with all this extra weight.
Personally, I don't like running because it hurts my knees but I do like walking. I also like to use an elliptical machine. If I listen to music while exercising or talking to another mother the exercise doesn't seem so bad.
I started SparkPeople last year and lost 20 pounds! Unfortunately, when my kids were at home every day all summer I stopped exercising regularly and started eating incorrectly again. When school started in the fall I did not start exercising and eating right again. Now I've gained all my weight back. This year I really want to lose the weight but also help my whole family eat better so it is truly a life-style change. We can do this!!! It is possible even if I'm tired and the kids need attention!
DOWNTOWN75 12/31/07 1:32 P
I think the hardest thing for me about getting back on the wagon after each of my pregnancies was just how tired I was. And you're right about your body being different. I worked my butt off (literally!) after my first son was born, and had only *just* gotten back to my pre-pregnancy shape (mostly) when I got pregnant with the twins. And my body after the twins? I have no illusions that my body will every remotely resemble its former self. And mostly that's ok.
One thing that really worked for me was that I found out I loved running. Well, at first I hated it, but after building up, my 30 minutes runs were the only time of day that I really had for *me*. Not my husband, or job, or kids. It was just for me and my mental and physical health.
Also - a lot of my SAHM friends belong to the Y. Free childcare while you workout. One of my good friends goes with the attitude that even if she just does 10 minutes of cardio and then some stretching - at least she's getting a shower for the day without someone crying on teh other side of the shower curtain.
Good luck!
LAS7828 12/29/07 3:47 P
Hi, I am a stay at home mom to Lorrie, who is now 9 months old. I amd trying to get back on the diet and exercise band wagon. It is hard, I feel so off from where I was. I lost 60 pounds prior to my wedding and gained back about 30 prior to getting pregnant. I lost most of the baby weight (minus about 10 pounds) but now I'm up about 18 from my pre-pregnancy weight. More than that though, my body is DIFFERENT, I am carrying weight differently and it is very hard for me to feel good about my body (while before even overweight I was ok with my shape). I also am hoping to get pregnant again potentially as soon as this August, and I want to start my pregnancy off at a HEALTHIER weight. I find staying at home both good and bad. I feel that eating healthy is more in my reach and while I am at home I am eating better. However, I am not eating healthy out and about or at my parents house. I am also NOT able to get back into exercizing. I don't understand why when I am home all day I am not able to just put on tennis shoes and do a DVD, . . . not even the 10 minute ones I have . . . so, those are the things I am battling. I very badly want to get to a good weight before my daughter is old enough to realize and/or see me struggle with my weight. I have all the reasons and motivation, I just am struggling with will power.
