postnatal weight loss

[Bo]

Any ideas how to safely shift all that post natal weight? 7 months on after having 2 very close together I am getting fed up with all my bulk, but I'm still breast feeding, so feel I need to be careful, especially as I am very low in iron (at least).

I know I could loose some weight when I stop breastfeeding, but that doesn't help me now! I hate cooking and preparing food, so I can't do anything too complicated. my husband had a fit when I even suggested something along the lines of slimfast. Any words of wisdom gratefully received. (Ireckon I need to shift about 15 Kilos)

Lost a 1lb at last night's weigh in - wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't put on 3 and a half over my holiday. But then what are holidays for if not drinking vast quantities of alcohol? (At least I ate quite healthily while I was away!). Finding it hard to get back on track - am either really good or completely rubbish so yo-yoing back and forth. Aaargh.

I certainly found there was a middle point of my diet that I almost gave up. I knew I had done so well, and it was like 'I am bored, bored, bored of eating all this healthy stuff' My taste buds were craving something else. I found what helped me was going back to look at my recipe books and finding a new recipe to try (adapted where necessary). I had got into too much of a rut of the same foods, and this way I tried 3 or 4 new things over a week or two and it spurred my interest again!

Also buying a pair of jeans that did up, but would look better with 1/2 stone less on the bum!

Lizzer, keep at it... you are doing so well! Personally I confess to avoiding this thread for a while. Haven't gained any weight but haven't lost any either. Life has changed beyond all recognition in the last eight weeks and simply finding the time to get on Mumsnet has been difficult let alone find the time to exercise... but I really miss it and feel remotivated now that other things in my life are settling down again. Need to loose alot of weight but would really like to loose a stone by Xmas as a start. So I will endeavour to keep posting. I am seriously considering going on a sponsered slim but wonder if it will become another stick to beat myself with. Has anyone ever done such a thing?

Must....try....harder....!!! I'm turning into Homer Simpson now and craving doughnuts in a big way...

OK I admit it I've already had 2 - DOH!!

Mmmm.. forbidden doughnut.

This post is to out me as a weight loss wannabe.

I'm now 4 weeks postnatal. WW will take me in two weeks and I've been on a walk almost every morning. I'd love an exercise video to do as well- any suggestions?

The next step to successful weight loss is probably to stop eating chocolate biscuits while at the computer.

Lizzer, I just remembered another bit of adice my SW consultant said, and I really think it helped me. She said that sometimes, some people subconsiously (SP?) sabotage their diets just at the very last point. This is because they are afraid to be slim. They have spent so long not being happy with their weight they don't know how to handle it. Therefore they set themselves up for failure just at the last minute. I am not saying this is you, but I know for myself I got very comfortable in the end, being a size 14 (I never got less than that between my 2 pregnancies). I was a size 10 when I met my DH and about a 10/12 when we got married. I nearly stopped when I got into all my work clothes as this had been my original goal. However I realise that 'No' I could be the size 10/12 again, and all I needed to do was see myself as that. This really helped me, and what is so funny, no-one at work has seen me this thin EVER! so that are all amazed and jealous. That's another great thing when you reach your goal, everyone is jealous and says things like, 'I couldn't do that I have no willpower!'. Well I just smile smugly and think they are not to know of the secret binges when I had no willpower! But my need/desire to be slim was stronger in the end than the power of that doughnut (or whatever).

Go for it and in just a few weeks, you can start to feel very smug indeed!

Jj, I dieted straight after having my baby (I had put on 4.5 stone!) and I breastfed throughout. All I can suggest is start getting into good habits (like you are doing with your walk), drink loads of water, and start to eat 3 meals a day, and say one snack mid-afternoon. I know that sounds odd, but I found the first few weeks getting into the habit of eating regular meas, and avoiding snacks (bar fruit), meant that one I then swapped the types of food I was eating it was easy to be full (if that makes sense) I didn't want snacks. Good luck and keep us posted. It took me about 5 1/2 months to reach target (about 1 stone less than when I got pg!)

Thanks for the advice, Crunchie! Unfortunately, I read it just after finishing some Ryvitas with egg mayo. Will try harder tomorrow.

Crunchie (by the way I think it's almost sadistical the way I have to type the name of my fave choc bar every time I message you! ) What you're saying is so true. I was just saying to my friend last night how I'm sure I'm trying NOT to get to my goal because then I'll have to admit that all the stupid things I thought about losing weight (ie having perfect life, finding perfect man, feeling totally self-confident) will not actually come true and therefore I'll almost make myself NOT hit target because then I'll realise everything I believed in will (obviously) not come true. So I hope that if I can take your advice on board and actually visualise what it will feel like if I lose the weight I'll keep things in perspective. Ok, I'm NOT going to turn into my perceived idea of 'perfect' but I am going to look bleep hot in my new 'going out' pants for Christmas. Cheers crun....(that word again!)

PS welcome aboard JJ!

JJ - at least it was Ryvita and not sultana bread! Welcome to the gang by the way.

I have given advice on this thread months ago... but now I should be on the receiving end... I am 10 weeks postnatal and I have another 20 lbs to loose (I gained 40 during my pregnancy)... during the first pregnancy I got back to my original weight after 4 months (size 10) but it seems like my hips are going to have a bigger challenge this time.... I blame the breastfeeding for all the cravings,.... I "must" eat enough for the baby to have all its vital elements... including sweets. The hard part is that I use to NOT have a sweet tooth before my pregnancies... now it's a different story.
I use a Yoga tape (Barbara Curie?) for my exercises... but I am a bit lazy and don't do it often enough.

Pupuce, well they do say you take 9 months to put it on, so it shoul take 9 months to come off again! My only advice to you is to try to find something to combat the sweet tooth. I found expensive tropical fruit was a great one for me. I felt like it was a treat having mangos, kiwis, passion fruit etc, I also made the excuse that it was good weaning foods! But the sweetness of these (OH and grapes and pineapple) and the fact that they weren't boring old apples or bananas seemed to do the trick. Also made up into beautiful fruit salads (who on earth has the time! Shop bought if necessary) seemed to do the trick. Also I found 0% Greek yoghurt pots (Total) with a small spoon of runny honey (I bought the expensive greek stuff, but it was for a treat) seemed to hit the spot as well.

Good luck and keep us posted

Did you think I meant I was going to start right then? Noooooo.. the weight loss starts tomorrow. Not an ideal week, unfortunately. My little scale does say that 0.2 pounds has been lost. Of course, my hair is falling out in clumps, so maybe that's it.

I've had such a bad week myself, I'm going to be angelic from now til christmas, I promise

Callie, I'm over here!! Right I need some positive thinking action plans, too. Everyone knows how to diet and what works for them. I really need to inject some fun into it all if that's possible! So I'm going to stop talking about it and start doing it! I've not lost any weight from the last time I posted it, which must be a good few weeks ago now so anyone else interested in a quick action plan for Christmas. My aim is to lose 8lbs - not too ambitious and totally fine for me.I'll post every week from now on as that really was working for me for a few months back then. Anyone else got an aim in mind??

Callie to answer your point on the other thread, for exercise I do a walk of about 3 miles when dd has her nap in the pushchair in the afternoon, I try and do this 3 times a week, but it all depends on the weather - therefore its not as often at the moment. I also go swimming once a week with a friend and try and do as many lengths as I can manage (ie not many!) I also do toning and weights at home every night (only for about 20 mins) trying to concentrate on a different part every night eg tummy, arms, back etc... I have found this to be great for defining muscles and it hardly requires any effort, its easier for me to do them just before bed on the bathroom floor but if you pick a time of day and place and stick to it you can get yourself into a routine. Now when I don't do them I feel lazy and can tell if I've not toned up for a few days as my flabby bits get larger - honest! The best ones are the bum exercises where you kneel on all fours then raise your leg up behind you for as many as you can manage (I've worked up to 50 - very slowly though!) I hope that helps you...

Help its three weeks until my Dad turns up for my son's second birthday and five weeks until I go to Spain for a month and I haven't lost any weight. I did great whilst I was pregnant and breastfeeding it was just when I stopped breastfeeing I forgot to stop eating as much! Now too much chocolate and wine down the line and I'm three stone overweight. This thread has been very inspirational though. I'm going to put in a real effort now and hopefully I can post losing a few pounds each week. I can't go to WW or SW because my husband doesn't believe in all that he just lectures me on the beauty of exercise. All very well but after looking after a very active toddler all day its all I can do to heave my bulk off the sofa on a night. I think I'll go and dig the Cher step workout from its box (hidden under the bed!). Wish me luck.

LOL Pamina, great idea! I have never heard the fridge pickers one! Oooo, going to have to get my thinking cap on for this...

Welcome aboard Selja, its definitely a good way to keep on track by posting your weight loss. Its totally helped me through the summer.

I have just weighed myself today after trying to be good for a week and I'm pleased to say its paid off and have lost two pounds, so only 6 to go -yay! I hope I can stay on track, its definitely harder in the winter months for me, I'm craving stodge, stodge and more stodge!

Not been to be weighed for a few weeks as entire family has been ill, but made it last night and have lost another 2lbs. Hardly a drastic difference, but better off than on.

I loved reading this tread its given me lots of ideas and made me determined to start a healthy eating plan. You see thats my problem Iv been thinking diet and just starving for a few days losing a pound or two then reverting to old ways and putting it back on. Its a vicious circle.

I should know this already as i have succsessfully lost 3stone a few yrs ago .I went from 10.7 to 7.7 in about 6mths. I threw myself into going to the gym and eating healthy. I had no choc but still had kfc every saturday!

It was bliss I felt full of energy i could fit into a size 8 SOB those were the days LOL.

I stayed this weight until i got preggo 2yrs later then Whoosh ifed my face stopped going the gym and at 9mths weighed 10.7 again.

I kidded myself it would fall off. NO chance!

Straight after the birth I was 9.7 then during the next 2mths went down to 9stone without trying.
(to tired to be bothered)

Now Im still 9st occasionally acouple lbs less.
I long for the old days and just dont feel myself.
Some days I dont care. other days ido. (usually when Iv got something coming up)
My problem is I love FOOD!

Btw Lizzer and Suew . How old are your children?

Pamina - I've got a magnet on my fridge with the old 'Fridge pickers' saying on it. Does it stop me picking? No, of course not, I just wear the bigger Knickers!

Diet today = (need I say more!) But last night, I went to the gym for the first time in.......ever! Did 10 mins on bike, 1500 m on rowing machine (no joke!) and 13 mins fast walking on treadmill (dread to think what I looked like from behind!) I think I did more exercise than I've done in my entire life My reward - 2 G&Ts in the bar so promptly undid all the good work (just like to add, I didn't go to the bar by myself, incase you were thinking what a sad old drunkard!). I've also got a fair few pounds (stones!) to lose the result of having 3 kiddies in quick succession and not losing the weight in between. Pamina, what was your trick for losing the 2.5 st? I'm thinking of going back on Slimfast as I would like to look fairly reasonable for Christmas.

My first WW meeting was Tuesday. It's great because I'm breastfeeding so I get more points. Yay! Even with massive numbers of points yesterday didn't go so well.. But I've been doing walks with the little one in the buggy most mornings.

So I've officially lost 0 pounds. Will let you know how next week goes.