Shifting weight as a middle aged mum

[ChubbyMum234]

I'm terribly unreasonable, I know, but my DD is 1 today and I just looked at myself in the mirror and omg. I actually managed to lose all the baby weight by 6 months post partum by eating ok and walking a lot but I went back to work at 6.5 months (I'm British but live abroad at the moment, 6 months unpaid is all the mat leave I got) and the weight PILED ON. I was pumping and breastfeeding, working 9 hours a day, baby was teething CONSTANTLY between 7-9 months (she had 8 teeth by 8 months (!!!)) so I was functioning on BARELY 3 hours of sleep per night. So I just ate too much. Sugar kept me going.

I started exercising 2 months ago but all I've managed to do is get a bit more toned but weight/size wise I am exactly the same.

How the hell do you diet with a 1 year old? I'm still breastfeeding and while I know it's not the hormones keeping on to the weight (as I successfully lost it 6 months ago without trying) it does make more hungry, I think.

I have a gorgeous wardrobe I cannot wear. Expensive fucking dresses I will never be able to afford again as I now have childcare to pay for. So I'm desperate to get into my clothes again.

My feet are still too big (and weirdly wide) for my shoes so I have come to terms with wearing trainers for the rest of my life.

Tips please? Anything. What worked for you? Bear in mind I don't live in the UK so can't use meal delivery services.

Work out your TDEE and then accurately weigh and log everything you eat on My Fitness Pal.

Yes it’s time consuming. (Initially, it gets quicker/easier).
Yes it’s a PITA.
Yes it limits what you can eat.

Its a conscious choice I’m afraid, stay as you are (unhappy) or put up with all the above and be happy with the results. It made a 4+ stone difference to me. You can do it!

Prepare.

Empty your cupboards and fridge

Log your food.

Drink more water.

You can't do much about sleep deprivation and the need to stuff your face to survive - no judgment, unless people have gone through it, they don't know how BAD it is. Sleep deprivation is an actual form of torture

A 1 year old doesn't need snacks, biscuits, is not going to parties coming back with sweets etc, so you don't need extra food at home, which helps.

Fill your fridge with bits of chicken, with carrots, health things to munch on, but available immediately. You will just have the energy to open a pot, not more.

Exercise is very important, but does nothing for weight loss, remember that. At worst, it makes you eat more to compensate because you are hungry.