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Healthy eating motivation help!!

15 replies

AllyBamma · 19/06/2019 06:19

First post so go easy on me...

Since having my DS 6 months ago, I’ve been struggling big time with my diet and motivation. I put on a stack of weight during my pregnancy and then even more after he was born. We’re going through a particularly difficult phase at the moment with his sleep (ie: he’s up about once an hour each night). I think (hope) it’s just a phase with teething and sleep regression etc.

This all causes me to be very tired and thus the vicious cycle starts: he doesn’t sleep, I don’t sleep, I’m tired as hell the next day, too tired for the gym (usually), feel demotivated because I haven’t excercised, eat poorly throughout the day, too tired to cook dinner so end up wasting money on takeaway.

This all while entertaining a 6 month old, who is so lovely and bright and amazing... and I can’t help but feel I’m doing him a disservice by not looking after myself and being a better mum.

I’m getting married next year and the panic is setting in that I haven’t even begun to get back to my pre baby weight (something to the tune of 40kg now... I know... shocking).

I’m wondering if anyone has any advice or tips for what helped them in a similar situation? I feel like if I could just get some momentum, then I’d be on my way. But each day I feel like I’m starting over at square one.

I’ve joined a gym that I really love but when I’ve been up all night it’s so hard to get going.

I meal plan each and every week with the intention to macro count (I’ve had success with this method) before and I have the shopping delivered each week but after the bedtime routine for DS, I’m just shattered and inevitably ubereats gets used.

My partner is amazingly supportive but he’s knackered too working 60hr weeks in a manual labour job so he’s easily swayed to the takeaway options too.

I know I just need to get my arse into gear and do it but I’ve just never felt this demotivated in my life.

Any help appreciated!

OP posts:
user1493413286 · 19/06/2019 06:29

Could you prepare your meal earlier in the day? I used to prepare our dinner during DDs afternoon nap or when she was chilled out so it could either just be reheated or put in the oven. Also make sure it’s easy to cook so there’s less motivation to order in.

dameofdilemma · 19/06/2019 08:46

I didn't really cook when dd was a baby (naps were non existent and she was attached to me).

Can you meal plan for healthy meals that require next to no cooking?
Eg bag of ready chopped stir fry veg, noodles and sauce?
Salad, bread and ready cooked fish or chicken?
Omelette and veg?

Even now dd is in school, during the week dp and I both work and have little time to cook. It's a lot of salads, ready made soups, quick stir frys. Then we cook properly fri-sun.

The gym isn't going to help much if you continue to eat unhealthily so I'd focus on that first.

pusspuss9 · 19/06/2019 09:21

quite honestly I saw my ex yesterday- He'd been an absolute ba*rd to me in the past. He'd put on weight round his middle and looked heavily pregnant. Now I need to lose some weight but not as much as he, so seeing him has massively motivated me to be more strict on my diet as it would serve him right after all his shitty remarks to know he needed to lose weight more than I. I feel more envigorated - the contest is on!

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AllyBamma · 19/06/2019 14:24

Thank you everyone for your replies.
user that’s actually a great idea about prepping the meal during the day, I’m definitely going to give that a go.

dame I have tried to simplify the dinners but you’re right, I think I need to look at more meals that I can throw together quickly

puss that made me laugh, if only I had such motivation Wink

OP posts:
Elmo311 · 19/06/2019 19:06

I had the same problem with my son, so I sorted the sleep first ... we did the cry it out method. I appreciate it's not for everyone, but getting up every hour just wasn't for me and he didn't even want anything. It took about a week, and since then (he's now 13months old) he's slept through the night!
I got pregnant in between, but the sleep was still necessary and now I'm back on the diet!

Preparing meals is also helpful, and I also use the MyFitnessPal app to keep and eye on my calories.
If I can't go to the gym I make sure I go for a walk with the kids in the pram. Appreciate that if you're working it's going to be harder though!

Elmo311 · 19/06/2019 19:08

When are you getting married? I'm getting married next July, so I understand the stress!

We can do it !

AllyBamma · 19/06/2019 21:08

elmo I’m seriously considering the CIO method at this point, I feel like I’m going insane! I’ve kind of given up trying to work out why he’s waking, we’ve addressed everything under the sun - his day naps are awesome, he’s eating 3 meals of solids a day plus his usual milk feeds, white noise, correct temperature, correct amount of clothing, using a dummy...
I’m at the point where unless he’s crying I won’t go in to see him, and sometimes he’ll just babble for a while and go back to sleep. But of late the routine is I’ll give him one feed overnight and then he just won’t go back to sleep. Lots of crying and grizzling when he goes back to the cot, lots of patting, shushing etc but it can take over an hour. I’m actually exhausted at a cellular level at this stage. Hence my issues.

I’m getting married October next year Smile

OP posts:
Elmo311 · 20/06/2019 10:52

@AllyBamma Honestly CIO was the best thing we ever did! We were in the exact same situation, with him waking in the night, addressing everything- we even added more dummies around his cot e.g attached one to his teddy, as he would cry for the dummy! That did help but ultimately CIO was the winner. The longest he cried for was 18mins and it's never been that long since.
I would cut out the one feed overnight, don't think he needs it as he is eating so well during the day.

Try it!

Ah October, you've got ages! :)

elmo I’m seriously considering the CIO method at this point, I feel like I’m going insane! I’ve kind of given up trying to work out why he’s waking, we’ve addressed everything under the sun - his day naps are awesome, he’s eating 3 meals of solids a day plus his usual milk feeds, white noise, correct temperature, correct amount of clothing, using a dummy...
I’m at the point where unless he’s crying I won’t go in to see him, and sometimes he’ll just babble for a while and go back to sleep. But of late the routine is I’ll give him one feed overnight and then he just won’t go back to sleep. Lots of crying and grizzling when he goes back to the cot, lots of patting, shushing etc but it can take over an hour. I’m actually exhausted at a cellular level at this stage. Hence my issues.

I’m getting married October next year 

Elmo311 · 20/06/2019 10:52

I do not know why it's added your message to my post !

AllyBamma · 20/06/2019 13:57

@Elmo311Haha well you can’t blame the sleep deprivation eh?

I like the idea of setting a time for the CIO and see how we go. I think at this stage I could handle 18mins but not any longer. And not if he was really losing his shit. But I think it’s worth a try for when he’s just having a bit of a whinge.

Yeah October next year does seem ages ages away but 40kg seems like Everest to me at the moment. But you’re right, we can do this!

OP posts:
Elmo311 · 20/06/2019 14:23

@AllyBamma Grinno I can't blame the sleep deprivation but can I blame the 11week old baby girl? Haha!

Let me know how it works out, read up on
It if you haven't already there are timing increments that you go in to see them each time before leaving it longer.

Take it one kilo at a time :)
I've got about a stone to lose; but I need to tone badly. But I find toning exercises so boring!

Good luck with everything!

Needallthesleep · 20/06/2019 15:16

Sounds like you are doing an amazing job as a mum. Give yourself a break on the weight gain, you have birthed and are raising a tiny baby who doesn’t sleep. It’s hard! Lack of sleep will make you crave sugar like crazy.

I always say that exercise is great for mental health, great for fitness, great for strength, but awful for weight loss. If you are after weight loss I would focus on your diet (I’m a personal trainer).

One small change which might help, having a large bottle of water with you all the time.

Great that you have had success with macro counting, that’s a great way to lose weight healthily. Can you get some healthy ready meals so you avoid going for the takeaway?

Either way, this is a tough time, it will end and you will start being able to concentrate on your health more soon. Your baby is bright as a button because of you, you’re obviously doing a fab job.

hookiwooki · 20/06/2019 15:31

Food:

Definitely combine batch cooking with preparing earlier in the day. First trip to the kitchen, get all the veg out for your evening meal. Second trip, peel and chop a thing and repeat until prepwork is done.

Also, roast a MN chicken for stripping/ slow cook a pork joint for pulling/buy tinned tuna/ tinned salmon/ prawns. Grate a block of cheese. Get some wraps and pittas, salad bags, cherry tomatoes and dice a cucumber, grate some carrots. Then couscous, guacamole, hummus, other dips/ sauces and feta. Make up some rice, couscous and pasta salads. Come teatime you just need to stick it all on the table. And then put the leftovers back in the fridge for tomorrow. To change it up swap the meats, carbs, cheeses and sauces over.

You can grab a handful of the pork/chicken and whack it in the wok with some veg and noodles for a stir fry. Ready in mere minutes. Or with some onions, peppers etc and chuck in some curry paste and a can of coconut milk.

If you don't fancy chicken three days running then roast it on day one, serve with couscous or whatever. Strip and freeze the rest. On day four it's ready to chuck in a stir fry.

And deploy the slow cooker for other meals. Tonight spaghetti Bolognese is tomorrow's chilli.

Make a tomato base sauce and keep in the freezer in bags - passata, tomato puree onions, garlic, peppers, grated carrot and reduce. Get a bag out, spread on readymade pizza bases and top with mushrooms, lean ham, a sprinkle of cheese. Serve with salad.

Put something in the oven while the baby plays for two minutes and set the timer.

Keep the fruit bowl stocked and keep nuts to snack on.

Run the sink for the dishes while you serve so that the water is still hot when you've eaten and the dishes will almost clean themselves.

Exercise:
Get a baby carrier and a pedometer and set a target. Walk every day. It'll help motivate you if you're hitting your step target. Google sling swing dance, close the curtains and put some music on.

Take him swimming. You can walk around in the pool and the resistance will help you feel like you've had a bit of a workout.

Do "baby yoga". Get on the floor and copy him. If he rolls then you roll. If he crawls then you crawl. Lift him on your shins, above your head, do squats while holding him.

Carry him up and down the stairs with you. Do two trips instead of one.

Sleep:
I couldn't handle CIO. We coslept/sleep. Even if you curl up together on a rug or matress on the floor (make it a safe space first) for naps during the day, or just part of the night.

Try taking him for a walk in the evening. The fresh air might tire him out. Or walk him round the house in a carrier/buggy if he wakes. Change his bath time. Mine have both slept better with a daytime bath, as it seems to wake them up. And try to remember it's not forever (sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't).

DP:
Ask him to take the baby for two hours on his day off. That two hours is yours. A half hour bath and an hour and a half to sleep alone. You'll look forward to it all week. And once a fortnight on this day have a bloody takeaway. Give yourself a bit of the day off too.

Alternate with the dishes and serving . If you're cooking as above there shouldn't be too many dishes.

The best baby product I ever bought was the carrier. I can hoover and steamclean the floors with DS in it, and the noise helps him fall asleep for his nap, at which point I can lay him down and nap if I need to, or do a chore I can't do with him around, like clean the toilet or oven. I also wash up in it, do the laundry, wipe the cupboards, do the shopping, put the shopping away, do some of my food prep, lay the table.

He'll play on the floor while I chop, fry or take things out of the oven, and then go back in it if he starts fussing and I'm doing something safe like wiping the sides, cleaning the things I've used, taking things out of the fridge/putting them back. If I'm stirring a sauce or just keeping an eye on things he'll sit on one hip and I stir with my opposite hand standing side on to the hob.

I was an absolute disaster with my first, and we lived on takeaways for a year, the house was a mess, I was shattered and me and DH were not in a good way. It's far from perfect but I feel like I have more of a grip on it all this time around.

LittleMissEngineer · 20/06/2019 15:41

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

AllyBamma · 21/06/2019 06:22

@Needallthesleep thank you for your kind words, I do have to remind myself every now and then that a human came out of me and my body isn’t going to just magically return to its former state. Great tip with the water bottle, I really do need to drink more water

@hookiwooki thank you for all your brilliant food and exercise ideas, you’ve definitely given me some inspiration to get moving. I’ve already made a list of your meal ideas and am making next weeks shopping list.

@LittleMissEngineer I think you’ve hit on something there about making time to eat lunch. Often I’m so tired and busy during the day, lunch gets forgotten so I’m absolutely ravenous by dinner time, hence the takeaway. I’ll definitely be more aware if that now. Thank you also for your meal ideas

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