Losing weight with newborn and toddler in tow?!

[Pandabear123]

Hi all, I am 5ft 6 and currently 13st 7lb with a 4 week bubba and a 3 year old boy. Pre-pregnancy I was 11st 10 (after going to slimming world for 3 months). I have always struggled my weight and now I feel rather stuck. I know it is a bit early to think about shifting baby weight but I feel like I have no time, energy or money to make changes in the coming months. With my first baby I would go on long brisk walks with him.in the buggy and that shifted a lot of weight, but this time I have a toddler who stops to look for bugs every 2 steps! Before children I would go to the gym a few times a week but feel that isn't an option now as I don't have the time - my husband has a demanding job and if he or I took it in turns to go to the gym each evening we would never see each other. I feel like I am making excuses & my MIL has already asked me how the diet/ weight loss is shaping up... anyone got any tips for me?? Sorry for long message!

[SorrelSoup]

Oh god it's way too soon! But apparently it's 80% diet and 20% exercise so don't stress about the gym. I always recommend My Fitness Pal, it's brilliant!

[Pandabear123]

Thanks for the reply! Yes is a bit early - must confess I was a little taken aback when my MIL asked if I would be getting to the gym 4 weeks after an emergency C Section! Just the nicer weather is making me think about the summer....

[Needmorewine]

I would go for low - ish carb works pretty quickly and it gives you a boost also massively helps me with tiredness!
Your MIL is out of order though - I assume she's a super toned size 6 herself?! It's really hard with little ones in tow but I felt better about myself post DD when I had lost the first half stone I definitely had more energy.
Good luck

[PunjanaTea]

Would joining a gym with a crèche be an option?

Although it's definitely a case of what you eat having more impact.

[GeekyWombat]

I'm in a very similar situation (2yo and a 9mo) although I've got more weight to lose. I got a Fitbit and paired it with Lose It (which is an app similar to My Fitness Pal). Fitbit monitors steps (which basically encourages me getting off my bum a bit more than I might be tempted to otherwise) and it also measures exercise. Whether you buy one or not take comfort from the fact wrangling a toddler and a pushchair down the high street or somewhere for a walk regularly registers for between 20 minutes and an hour's exercise. It all helps!

But give yourself a break, it's been four weeks!

[HottySnanky]

Goodness, don't even think about dieting for a good six months girl! Your body needs to heal! Eat well, drink lots of water, it's tough with two wee ones and takes time to find the new rhythm of your day. Your MIL is being tactless. Think about weight loss when life is a bit calmer.
Oh and congrats on the new arrival

[Sparrowlegs248]

I'm in the same boat, 20months and 5weeks, 5'7, 13stone. Would like to be 11. Surely it will just drop off lugging a massive (in my case) baby around after a hyper toddler?!

[Shemozzle]

I have a 3 year old and a 12 week old (and a 9 year old who is home schooled so always in tow too). I've just bought a second hand Phil and Teds pram and it has been life changing already. Now instead of our only walks being me dragging 3 year old along at a snails pace and constantly cajoling and bribing and takinng an hour to go a mile, I stick her in the double with a snack after nursery and she has a rest while I power walk all around the park (about a mile and a half) and then we stop in the playground or to feed the ducks and I encourage her to walk home. Just pushing it with both in is good excercise too. My 9 year old tags along usually on her schooler and she enjoys looking at walk/running tracker app to see how far we've gone.

[Pandabear123]

Thanks for all the reponses! I find being tired is the reason I eat to much/ wrong stuff atm so lowish carb would be good if it improves energy (lack.of caffeine is killing me!!) Needmorewine. I didn't go for a double buggy Shemozzle as though son was too old for a buggy really but he still naps so maybe I should get a cheap 2nd hand one just for exercise walks! Nottalotta congrats on bubba, think we were on a waiting thread together! And I know, Hotswanky she is just old - got that tactless old woman topics of conversation, my grandma is the same! X

[Pandabear123]

P's Geekywombat would you say fit bit is a good investment then? Money is very tight atm so not sure about splashing out unless it is worth it! X

[Twopeapods]

Panda I get where your coming from with the tiredness and finding that a trigger when it comes to eating after pregnancy. I put on over two stone AFTER having a baby because she didn't sleep at night well at all, and during the day was running round after the toddler so just ate very quickly and it was rubbish.
My advice would be not to worry about losing weight and dieting, but just eating healthy. Make batches of soup and freeze in zip bags into individual portions, cook a few baked potatoes ready to warm in the microwave and eat with beans, trays of ready sliced fruits from the supermarket if your finding preparation time tricky, handfuls of nuts, yoghurts, bananas. I wish I did this! Although it is easier said than done!
And don't worry about the exercise just now. It's too soon especially four weeks post c section. Your MIL was being thoughtless there.

[Pandabear123]

Thanks for the advice twopeapods that is just the kind of practical thing I need to hear! Good idea about soup and potatoes, love both so that would work! Will try this weekend to get stuff in!