Postpartum (ish) get yourself together thread

[DandelionNumber12]

It's 13m since I gave birth to my son. I'm 37. I have a serious sugar addiction. Never used to struggle with this, but since having a baby I'm constantly stuffing chocolate into myself.

I'd like to change this and I need some kind of accountability, even just on an anonymous forum.

There's a few other things I'd like to do too, such as taking better care of my appearance, have more sex with DP (if I was less hairy, I could be more spontaneous... It's a theory, anyway). Listen better to DP, I find these days I only half listen a lot of the time. Go jogging. Write a little every day.

Oh, and stop buying crap.

Sugar first though!

Does anyone want to join with their goals? We can keep eachother on the straight and narrow.

I was just thinking with the teeth cleaning etc, maybe looking after a baby is so intense you just run out of 'looking after' energy to use on yourself too.

Doing quite well. I've lost 1.5 kg since starting calorie counting 10 days ago, my appetite has magically gone back to pre children status, and I've been able to ignore the odd craving reasonably well. Adding things to the free version of Lifesum can be annoying so like I said I end up skipping it rather than record it 😅.

I'm getting out with DC2 every day, I got an activity tracker yesterday so hopefully having it on will provide motivation to keep moving. Looking forward to my 6 week check up next week so I can hopefully start going to the gym/ swimming once a week and building that up.

Trying not to get too confident because I have a giant task in front of me, losing 20 kilos and maintaining that loss will be hard so I just want to stay on track, especially when the inevitable plateau happens 🙄.

I'm still eating sugar, but I'm not having treats during the day, just oats for breakfast, a sensible lunch and dinner with plenty of veg and snacking on fruit or carrot sticks during the day, then in the evening when DD goes to bed I'm allowing myself a treat- a bar of chocolate, a small slice of cake, an ice cream, etc. I decided that if I have a treat that is roughly 300 calories or less, so a sensible size (rather than whole big bars of chocolate and/or share sized bags of sweets or Doritos) then it's ok. It also helps me to choose something really satisfying, rather than reaching for a slightly stale biscuit or a handful of cereal every time that I open the cupboard.

This method of eating has been working for me. Nothing is off limits, just everything in moderation. I've also done 2 x 2km runs since I last posted. Hopefully I can start to build up some distance again. I used to be able to run for miles!

I also shaved my legs and put a frock on today, instead of the usual jeans/tank top/hoody combo. It's amazing the confidence boost that you get just from an outfit!

@Porridgeaddiction that sounds fab- hurray for the little wins

Hey! Amazing @Porridgeaddiction that all sounds great 🙂 keep going!

Do you have an idea of how far/how regularly you'd like to run? I think I am just going to work up to 5 miles 3 times a week and maybe stick at that. It's mainly to maintain a basic level of fitness/get out of the house by myself at the moment. But I'm hoping to make it a really ingrained habit, I'd like to still be able to run 5 miles easily in 10 years time.

I can't go too far right now as breastfeeding and it makes me incredibly thirsty. Adding exercise into the mix just makes everything so much worse, so trying to keep it short and easy right now. When DD weans I'll try to add more distance.

4 miles, 3 times per week is something to aim for. There's a lovely 4 mile route from my house. I don't want to do too much as I have a history of overexercising and ending up getting injured. I'd rather not get into that again, just keep it nice and easy

I agree with this and I also feel so touched out at the end of the day. Between the baby and the huggy preschooler I've had enough. DH can sit at the other end of the sofa thanks.

My running goal is to do parkrun again! Which is 3 miles /5k. But haven't got off the sofa yet! (Need to get on with the pilates first before I'm ready for impact stuff)

Ohh yes I sometimes feel a little guilty DP wants to snuggle up and I just want a bit of space for an hour or so - I always used to be very happy to cuddle. He's very patient, but I think he does feel less close because of it. All the constant conversations about the baby and practical things we have to do don't help either.

@DandelionNumber12 running 3 times a week is excellent, well done you!

@MollyRover great progress there too.
I always find with the appetite thing once I've done a few days good I'm more likely to keep it up

@Porridgeaddiction definitely sensible to not cut everything out, more change of succeeding that way for sure and it's nice to have something to look forward to!

I fell off the wagon last week. I knew it was coming, every time I get back to exercise within 4 weeks I have the same recurring issues with my feet which causes pain and I can't exercise for weeks which sets back any progress and is really galling. Booked in for surgery in October but should manage before then with a temp fix so today has been a good day. Getting to a postnatal class this week and the gym hopefully once as well as walking with the buggy and the Sweat programme at home. Also spent too much money on new trainers to help with the feet so hopefully motivation too!

@bez91 I’m also looking at expensive new trainers as a motivational tool- do they work?!? I’ve been really good at going to Pilates/swimming for the past couple of weeks (and have found keeping busy has minimised snacking time!). But I need to keep it up now I’m back at work and I can already feel my enthusiasm tailing off…

@ilooktothehills I'm not sure they haven't arrived yet 😂 but i do need them to help with pain! Being at work can go one of 2 ways for me depending how busy I am, I always tried to plan lunches the night before. Now I'm on mat leave at home that can also be a blessing as too busy to eat or if it's a particularly stressful day all I do is eat 🤦🏼‍♀️ great you're keeping the exercise up. Do you have a target date/weight?

@bez91 I think having fancy trainers does help. If you're running I'd definitely recommend going to a shop to get them fitted if you can find the time.

M&S god damn them had a yellow sticker clearance on chocolate bars. I mean ... Why would they do this to me? Could anyone resist chocolate with yellow reduced stickers? It would have seemed WRONG not to get a few bars. Erm so I need to get my sugar consumption back under control. Too tempting to check for more half price chocolate when I go out for bread later.

Living 2 mins from an M&S foodhall is a mixed blessing.

I have been keeping up the running so that is good. Hair removal Wednesdays are also going well. Tea in the evenings instead of salty snacks, not as good. Keep trying, I guess.

Checking in ladies...

@DandelionNumber12 didn't get trainers specifically fitted but spent a small fortune on some ASICS which are so comfy. I'm not running yet (waiting nail surgery end of next month) but they're perfect for walking in and doing some postnatal fitness classes.
How is avoiding M&S foodhall going? 😆 so so tempting. I worked at one when in college a long time ago and the stuff I used to bring home that they'd put out for the staff to buy if running out that day 🤤
How's the running going?

Somehow managed to lose 3.5lbs this week which is my biggest loss to date. Usually can only lose 1lb but been doing lots of walking with the buggy whilst it's still dry and baby has been fussy

I'm still remembering my daily vitamins thanks to this thread! Haven't got anywhere with the pilates or running though, and the return to work is looming large, so I've been rushing round with the baby doing extra playdates, music classes, messy play etc. In my horrible old jeans and manky hoodie. I have a way to go.

OK, goal: sort out a decent winter coat. I threw all mine away because they were awful with no solid replacement plan.

Hello! Sorry I've been neglecting the thread, but nice to hear from you both 🙂running feels like it's getting easier now, I did 6 miles last Sat and I'm planning to do 7 this weekend - I've also been doing a couple of 3 mile runs in the week. I think I'm kept motivated by it being some time to myself, it's giving me some headspace as much as anything.

Ohhh that m&s foodhall! I haven't been buying loads of sugary stuff every day so that's better, although I'm still getting through more than I'd like. We've had a run of bad nights here with my son, so tiredness definitely isn't helping. I have started baking again, as it means there are treats around but they're not ones I've hidden from my partner, he'd probably notice if I ate half a cake in one day.

@DuneFan but at least you're getting out and meeting people, that's really good! How many days will you be doing at work?

@bez91 my sister had a Christmas job at m&s and we still remember that fondly in my family. Mine was at WHSmiths and I got f-all. 3.5lbs is great! Remind me, do you have a specific target amount to lose?

I don't have a job yet as got made redundant on maternity leave but have a nursery place from January so I'll need a job by then to pay for it! Hoping to find 4 days.

I can't cancel the nursery place because if I do get a job I'll never get another place but if I don't have a job we can't really afford it . . .

I'll join. 2 years pp and feel horrible. Need to lose some weight and get some self care back in my life.

Hi all, feeling a bit low because baby is a bit more high maintenance in the last few days. Can't seem to find a rhythm with naps and having had a week with 5-6 hours of continuous sleep per night he's been waking again. I reached my pre birth weight (almost 20 kilos lost) just over a week ago which was a huge boost as he's now 10 weeks old but it seems to have plateaued there. Still keeping my calories steady but have allowed myself 1 cheat day per week- not blowing my intake completely but just being a bit more lax. Have had quite a few appointments so haven't had a chance to get back to the gym yet, really hoping to do that soon, and get back on my bike to clear my head a bit.

I have just replaced my implanon and have been doing the hair removal so hoping to get back on the horse soon too . Just don't know how we're going to manage it with a restless baby close by!!

Wow @MollyRover it's amazing you've lost all that weight by 10wks, well done. But don't work too hard, babies are such hard work anyway, you need to look after yourself.

Yup sex with a young baby in the house is not quite the same as sex before baby... I think it took us about 4 months until we started again. We have had one incident where DS woke up half way through and we had to stop. We're both off work tomorrow, but DS is at nursery. Our first child free time together in 14m 🙂

@IAmThePumpkinKing hello! Do you have any specific aims in mind?

@DuneFan ah yes that does sound tricky, a catch-22 situation there. How crappy to get made redundant. How's the hunt for the winter coat?

@DandelionNumber12 the headspace is just as rewarding I think when running. I haven't quite got the time to get started running again so sticking to workouts during nap time. Well done you, keep going 💪🏼
Target was hoping to get to is 55kg (I'm super short) that was my weight when I was my fittest but I'm more focussing on the body fat because despite now being 58.5kg I can't actually see where I've lost anything. Typical post partum podge still hanging around and still can't get into my pre pregnancy jeans despite being 8kg down from just before birth 🤦🏼‍♀️

Hope you enjoyed your child free time together?

@DuneFan that's super tough. I got made redundant after I had DC1 and was off on mat leave knowing I didn't have a job to go back to. It really knocks your confidence anyway I think as you're out the workplace for some time then job hunting on top is tough. I was lucky to find something 4 days a week in my sector which is rare so I know how tough it can be. Hope something comes your way soon

Thanks, actually my old employer has offered to take me back on but just 14 hours a week which I can't really afford to do! I've applied for a few jobs so we will see. Brain a bit mushy which doesn't help for interview.

I bought a lovely puffa jacket thing on Vinted so coat is sorted as long as the seller actually sends it.

I also hit a new lowest weight on Sunday - 9st6! - not sure how as I've been eating plenty of junk but maybe unconsciously exercising more. I did a pilates class on Saturday. Should be doing 4 a week really! (Online programme).

I've neglected my updates as I've started back at work and getting baby settled in nursery which has been all consuming, and i work from home so i have been very sedentary without pram walks. However I also got a warning from dentist I may need a couple of fillings after my next checkup which has finally (!) given me push I needed to ditch nightly chocolate and sweets - my OH is bad for tempting me but he bought me a yum yum the other day and I refused to eat it!! I've started a core recovery programme through a personal trainer which feels like a big challenge to commit to as I'm currently doing NO exercise, not even walking anymore.