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)

Thanks for the compliments ladies. I can't believe I've done it. I've stuck to it like glue for 3 weeks now and intend to continue until Christmas when I will look like Cindy Crawford (with a bigger nose!). My secret is to keep the fridge well stocked with things you can eat and to wear clothes like jeans that are still too tight so I don't get that comfy feeling with my elastic waistbands.

It takes forever to get to the bottom of this thread now! I'm reporting in to whoever may be interested (really I'm sure you're all bored by me by now!) I have lost another 2lbs - nothing if not consistent eh?! I think that makes 17lbs lost since I started on here - yay! I can totally feel it everywhere and I'm trying to exercise more to tone up (especialy stomach - when it was flabbier the stretch marks from pregnancy looked more spread out - now I'm resembling an A-Z of central London - gah!!)

How's everyone else?

Go Lizzer.

Fantastic Lizzer. We are not bored with it all, the point is keeping going and having us here if you need us. Just think 13 weeks until Xmas and so another stone (if you need to lose it) and you'll be 2 1/2 stone lighter than when you started!!

Hear hear Crunchie, well done Lizzer. I am ashamed to say I've stalled as it is the busiest time of year at work for me. It's all I can do to crawl home in the evenings and answer my son's 200 x questions "what's that noise?" "where's that man going?" etc.

I've got my WW weigh in tonight. Have lost 11lb in 3 weeks. I'm desperate for another silver tick but don't think I'll get one. Will check in later.

Fingers crossed for you Rhiannon, you've already done so well though. If only I could shift 11lbs in 3 weeks!

Thanks Lizzer, have lost another 1.5lb. Now 12.5 lost and I'm determined to get to a stone next week.

WW have free registration at the moment, go along and stick to it.

I've still got a couple of stone I'd like to lose but I'm sticking to it.

Well done Rhiannon. I still havnt gone, Im on holiday from tomorrow so will have to wait until I get back now.

HELP! I've put on 2lbs and I'm not suprised. Something has happened, I don't know what but everything feels different. I'm feeling tired again instead of buzzing with energy most of the day and getting headaches. I am really craving sugar and carbos so am eating more of them. I'm struggling to keep up with my exercises as I feel so lethargic. I'm not feeling at my best at all and to make things worse everyone is commenting on how different I look and I'm fitting into size 14 (previously 18) so I should be over the moon I know, but the total weight loss is over-shadowed by me feeling this rubbish, why? I feel exactly like I did before I started and I know I should remain positive and try to look at the whole picture but I really hope I can get feeling motivated and happy again. I'm hoping it's not the onset of winter that's forcing me to feel like this, I was pre-menstrual earlier on in the week so was bound to feel lousy for a while but I should be bouncing back now. I was wondering if anyone who is losing (or who has lost) some weight has had a spell like this, what I really need to know is is it going to go away soon? Any tips?

(Sorry, I really hope I get back on form soon and can stop my whinging!)

Lizzer, dont dont worry, its normal not to lose weight week after week, sometimes bodies just stall, the shape moves around but the weight doesnt alter or adds on a bit. I used to put on around period time and got used to the pattern. It would make me feel lousy, but get me going for the following week, to be determined to lose it.

But I know what you mean about the lethargic yukky feeling, Ive got it too, dont know if its autumn or what it is. Ive got nothing to feel mis about, yet feel really un-go-gettery. Like you, I had the pre-menstrual miseries but I've STILL got them. Stopped taking the vitamins and Supradyn, that I was hoping would make me a new woman, wondered if they were giving me the headaches etc.

Anyway grizzly toddler and chicken poxy 6 year old, oh happy weekend here we come.

Hope you feel better soon, I'm in full sympathy with you. (Chunky kit kats need to be kept under lock and key this week!)

Ah thanks Ems! I just need some sympathy right now, but I still think we quite uncannily lead similar lives! I'm hoping the pmt from earlier in the week is still lingering for me too, at least that way I have an excuse!

I didn't take my vits for 2 days this week and so I'm trying to convince myself that it's made all the difference and that I shouldn't forget to take them again. Did you really start getting headaches with yours though? Sounds a bit suspect...
I hope your eldest gets over the chicken pox quickly, poor thing. Do you think no. 2 will pick it up, or are you trying not to think about that scenario (sorry)?!
Yes, I am determined not to let everything spiral out of control but you know the feeling when you're on the brink of saying 'Oh sod it!'And why did you have to mention chunky (drool) kit-kats (drool)!!! Take care, byeeee

Suew, I was wondering if that was it too, just feeling down because of what has been going on etc.

I have just started a beginners aerobics class, as opposed to the high speed, tight lycra, scary aerobics class and have really enjoyed it, I go to the gym twice a week, but this is nice because its quite calming really and we do alot of stretching and breathing. Maybe I need some Yoga in my life. But the morning after I did this class, I woke up in the morning and felt great, I didnt ache and felt really good. So to keep motivated I think its important to change your workouts, your goals etc.

Lizzer, sorry to mention the KK, I meant it in the 'you're not the only one'. And its OK to have the occassional treat, my losing weight worked by not banning anything, just thinking before you put it in your mouth! Go and buy some nice cheap treats this week, see whats on offer in the supermarket, 3 for 2s, nice fruits etc, look at some easy recipes, feel inspired that its autumn, and positive that we're going into the next season of the year.

Fortunately the excitement of England vs Greece is taking cherubs mind off of any itching and spot-spotting at the moment.

Cheer up guys, hope you're feeling better. As they say at WW don't let a bad day turn into a bad week. I'm afraid I'm 'up' as I've lost another 2.5lbs this week. I'm down 15lb in 5 weeks now and can't believe the difference it's made. Think party season - short sparkly dress (or something like that). Nearly bought some size 12 jeans in M & S today (lovely sequins sewn on them)but resisted the urge (they won't fit for at least another 10 weeks!) R.

Lizzer - don't get disheartened, you're just having a bad few days I'm sure. You DO look great (I'm jealous) and even DH commented the other day how much weight you'd lost (and he never notices anything!)

Hello, I am crawling back here on my knees full of regret and shame! No, not really, but I haven't been posting quite as much as I should and if you're wondering if the reason is as obvious as it looks, you'd be right! I have been TERRIBLE this last week or two, not to the absolute point of no return but just slipping back into the 'eating for the sake of it' frame of mind I thought I'd got rid of. Well, no more I say, from this week I'm being angelic once more (hmmm...) I have weighed myself and haven't put anything on - thankfully- but really I could have lost another 4-6 lbs by now and it's just not good enough! I was hoping to hear from anyone who knows what it's like to get really near your goal (I'm about 8lbs away from it) and to really have to struggle to get rid of the rest both mentally and physically. Any tips on how to encourage the weight to drop off, should I double my exercises or be more strict with food do you reckon?

Lizzer, go window shopping and find something you REALLY REALLY like, but wouldnt normally buy, you'd feel guilty etc etc.

My goal was a dress from Monsoon; gone are the days of yummy clothes shopping for me, but I thought I deserved it, plus buying an item of clothing in a new size makes you feel fab!

That and more exercise (another gym session or swim) really pushed me in that last half stone.

Go for it! You have done so well and got so far.

VISUALISE THAT TREAT!

Thanks Ems and Suew, I'm more positive already! I weighed myself today and have lost a pound so at least the scales are going back in the right direction again now! I'm definitely stepping up the exercise a notch. I have a goal in my mind now, the 1st December when I go to London for the weekend (toddler free - can you remember the fuss I made about leaving her the 1st time Ems, and now its like 'yay freedom!') Anyway, I'm catching up with old friends and meeting Mumsnetters on the Saturday so I'm going to be really focussed for that and try and lose the 8lbs (7 now) for then. Then treat myself to a 'going out' outfit for the Saturday night. I need your help too though so keep harrassing me if I go quiet on here! Thanks again, how's everyone else doing on their plans?