New Mum seeking new body by Christmas!

[CoraBear]

My baby boy is 6 months old and I am quite overweight. Ok, I'm alot overweight (takes deep breath) I'm 15 stone. At 5 ft 7 this is waaay to much. I am sitting here in the one pair of trousers that fit me and my DP's tee shirt because none of my tops fit properly. Basically my stomach looks like a deflated paddling pool and my thighs are so big that I'm fairly sure that if I sit down too much longer they will burst open.

After I had the baby I took the very grown up approach to weight loss and I hoped that if I ignored the problem it would go away and somehow I would have a body like posh spice-because all new mothers lose all the weight instantly don't they? Turns out they don't, and surviving on mini aero's didn't help. I weigh more now than when I gave birth.

I have a serious lack of motivation but I decided to see if I could lose some pounds before Christmas, as I'll be seeing people I haven't seen since I was pregnant and want to look casually fabulous. So are any of you interested in holding my hand, kicking my arse and generally helping each other to stay on track? I really want to do this but I know if I'm not answerable to others my resolve will slip.

I have my first weight watchers meeting tomorrow, which I'm dreading as it will mean that the leader will weigh me and know what a tubby fecker I am. So, if any of you weight watcher followers or followers of other plans would like to come and join me and share stories of jogging up and down while eating maltesers so the points are being eaten and burned off simultaneously or just have a rant about how unfair the world is when you're hungry, you are welcome.

Right, I'm off to remove all the biscuits, chocolate and sweets from my house before tomorrow. That's right, when I say "remove" I do of course mean "eat them".

Sorry, hope my post didn't come across arsey about the housework, I just meant it in more of a "I know what you mean and I agree" way not as a rant about housework :)

Don't worry I understood exactly what you meant, it's true, I suddenly feel as if I have this enormous amount of housework to do before I can sit down in the evening and DP just doesn't see it. To be honest it's the only thing we ever argue about.

I'm not going to aqua fat, I had a long day out and now I have a ton of cleaning to do.

It took me 2 years on a full time course to become a child minder but there are far better courses out there that you can do in half as much time. But there are essentials you have to have, such as police clearance (which can take months to get as there's usually a back log of people looking for it) and first aid courses which you could do independently of the course and get the ball rolling. I had to do alot of work experience and it really is the best way to learn. There's nothing that text books can prepare you for when it comes to kids. It's a very fulfilling job, I'd recommend it.

Hi all,

just a quick post to let you know that to celebrate the fact that my cheekbones are returning I have decided to get my haircut. But this is no normal haircut, I'm am going to give myself the Mumsnet Haircut. I'm doing it myself and attempting to style my hair which is now reaching past my shoulder blades and is a bit unruly. I never wear it down coz I'm afraid I'll look like that twat with the long hair off Made in Chelsea. I don't know his name. But wish me luck!

well, it's done. It didn't get cut short enough the Mumsnet way so I had to take more off the end the normal way but I'm happy enough with it. I always wear my hair up so it's not like I will be parading it around too much. Glad I did it though. I feel much better. Gonna straighten it this afternoon to see how even it is.

Wow, well done :) I would end up with a hair disaster if I tried it (I can't even cut my daughter's fringe) but have heard a lot on here about how good it looks!

I'm getting a bit fed up with my hair too, I always wear it straight but would prefer waves. Not sure what to buy to give me nice waves though.

Me again - not weighed myself as I just can't seem to get in the right frame of mind to actually stick to my flipping diet..... Less said the better about my eating this week but I will get on track soon, I really will...

Anyway hair, Cora - you are so brave, glad it went well. I've got those annoying baby hairs post partum hair loss and toying with getting a long graduated bob, a bit like the gwyneth paltrow one but it means cutting a lot off so I'm not sure!

Looking forward to Proscecco hour :)

Hello to Ankebitersmum and what happended to cake (the poster).

Oh and could you get a cleaner once a month even just to give you a break?

It was dead easy, I watched the clip that Mumsnet posted and followed the instructions and then I had a half decent haircut. My hair was really really long, it's wavy/curly so when I brushed it out it was more than half way down my back (about 4 inches past my bra strap). I think you can only have hair that long if it's in good condition and mine wasn't. I ended up just putting my hair in a ponytail and immediately hacked a third of it off and then did the Mumsnet cut. I'd say in total I cut off a good 5/6 inches.

Choos do mean the haircut Gwyneth Paltrow has now? Her hair is gorgeous. Maybe just bite the bullet and get it done? Have a few prosecco's before you go in for courage! I'

SayHello would you get a treatment to get your hair wavy, my Aunt used to get waves put in to her hair that were similar to the way they did perms. It was in the early 90's though so it could look really dated now.

Alas, no cleaner for me Choos, we just don't have the extra cash. If we want to have a baby next year we have to start saving for it now. I went semi private in a private hospital for my son and it was expensive so I have to watch the pennies. I'm toying with the idea of putting all the shit my DP leaves around the house on the desk in his office which would drive him insane, so that might work.

Oh look, it's wine o clock, yay!

Sounds like your hair is a bit like mine Cora, mine is wavy too but I straighten it.
SayHello - have you tried curling with GHD's (or similar), you can get a loose wave with these by pulling through the hair at a sort of 90 degree angle.
Desk idea very good idea.2nd baby very exciting - will be worth saving :)
Just about to pour the 2nd prosecco....

This is the style I like:
<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.dailymakeover.com/appImages/galleryImages/all_womens_looks/Gwyneth_Paltrow%2BMar_17_2009.jpg&imgrefurl=www.dailymakeover.com/hairstyles/all_womens_looks/gwyneth_paltrow_mar_17_2009?tid_ref%3D246&h=400&w=300&sz=27&tbnid=Je0ME7VVGQGEqM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=68&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgwyneth%2Bpaltrow%2Bhair%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=gwyneth+paltrow+hair&usg=__8affK1dAS0LuX2-N6Z70H-9GU4k=&docid=7ARGH0Wnl2Z52M&sa=X&ei=AxXmT5P5HoiZ0QXJyNSPCQ&ved=0CGwQ9QEwBQ&dur=1481" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.dailymakeover.com/appImages/galleryImages/all_womens_looks/Gwyneth_Paltrow%2BMar_17_2009.jpg&imgrefurl=www.dailymakeover.com/hairstyles/all_womens_looks/gwyneth_paltrow_mar_17_2009?tid_ref%3D246&h=400&w=300&sz=27&tbnid=Je0ME7VVGQGEqM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=68&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgwyneth%2Bpaltrow%2Bhair%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=gwyneth+paltrow+hair&usg=__8affK1dAS0LuX2-N6Z70H-9GU4k=&docid=7ARGH0Wnl2Z52M&sa=X&ei=AxXmT5P5HoiZ0QXJyNSPCQ&ved=0CGwQ9QEwBQ&dur=1481

Oh that's a really nice cut. Go for it. I would never have thought I would have the balls to cut my own hair but it turned out well. So cut your hair and take a risk.

I have just poured myself a drink. End of a long day.

I think I will - I need to be perked up.

End of long week?

I like your link Choos, go for it :) as for the waves with ghds, I haven't tried it before. Think I'll youtube it tomorrow and try it out. I can't do links but I want hair like Kate Hudsons (when hers is wavy)

I have done nothing but eat today. And I don't mean soup and fruit. I mean burgers and bickies and croissants. I am dreading my weigh in. And worst of all...I really want a takeaway.

Weigh in a bit later this week Cora to give yourself a chance to recover fom the weekend?
SayHello - I googles Kate Hudsons hair and it's really lovely. I think would be easy yo achieve using straightners.

ok so I have weighed myself and I have put on 2lbs. It has to stop (although it's my own fault as I have been eating so much rubbish).
I am going to have a really optimistic aim of losing a stone by the end of July.
My total to lose is really 28lbs :( but as we will be TTC soon ish) I'll see how far I get but needs to be at least a stone.

Weekends are the worst for dieting Cora. You've been doing great though and you'll be back on track this week again.

I was the same the past few weeks choos, I just couldn't stop myself from eating rubbish. It's not too bad though, I think I have it all out my system now and am ready to start again. I have salad for lunch and a fridge full of fruit for snacks today.

Does anyone know a healthy alternative to crisps (does this even exist??) I love to watch tv at night and have a munch so I need to find something I can snack on.

Hope you're all doing well today.

Good thinking Choos, I think Thursday will be my weigh in day this week. We spent the weekend scoffing so I have a bit of work to undo. Mind you, I regret nothing, the burger was amazing!

Choos, it's so hard to get motivated. I think your new goal seems very reasonable. Do you think the stress you've been under may have contributed to your gain? I mean from a biological point of view- you release cortisol when you're stressed (response to the fight or flight feeling) and your body stores weight around the middle so it can burn for it for urgent energy needs. I always pile on the pounds when I am stressed, how I'd love to be the person who loses their appetite when they're stressed.

I don't know about a healthy alternative to crisps, what about a low fat option like the Light ones Tesco do? Or a plate of chopped up fruit and raw veg. Your still munching but it's slightly healthier. What if you get a slightly salty dip for the veggies- tapenade or baba ganoush? God I'm starving.

Cora - thats so kind of you to say that but I think the reason was probable chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate biscuits (you get the picture).
Although totally agree with you re stress. You are so knowledgable!

Healthy alternative to crisps? Boring old rice cakes??

Choos you are going to piss yourself laughing and shake your head in disbelief- But I've actually studied nutrition (hangs head in shame). Clearly I disregarded all of my knowledge when it comes to me, but I make sure my child has a really balanced diet. How come I can't be arsed to watch my diet when I'm really vigilant about DS's?

As for the chocolate, chocolate, chocolate- that sounds like the best diet ever. I made chocolate cake the other week for DP's birthday cake. It was frickin delicious. I made a huge cake but polished off most of it before he came home so I had to lie. I am the chocolate cake thief!

That actually doesn't surprise me Cora as you do give good advice here :) As for not using the advice on yourself I think we're all guilty of that. No way would I feed my kids some of the things I eat. Maybe that should be my new diet, if my toddler can't eat it then neither can I haha.

I think I'll join you for Thursday weigh in so if you don't hear from me you'll know it's bad news!!

Ok, I don't want to freak anyone out, but there's this big round yellow/orange thing in the sky over Dublin. It's really really bright and seems to emitting heat. Some people say it's called "the sun" but I thought that was just a myth, what with never actually having seen it.

I'm off to play in the park with the kids and enjoy this alleged "sun".

Keep an eye out for it where you live. It's kinda deadly to have it back.

Oh my, I'm having a terrible diet week this week. I am scarfing anything and everything and the exercise has dwindled as I spend most evenings plonked in front of the computer looking for a job.

I have honestly eaten so much crap today. And now I'm craving more! Someone come and stop me!

I would if I could Cora but I'd probably just join you in eating. I honestly don't know what's wrong with me, I could eat everything in sight. Dp made a big, yummy curry for us last night. I ate it all and while he was moaning he was stuffed, I was rummaging in the fridge to see if we had anything else (luckily we didn't have anything I fancied or I would have eaten it all.)

Through some miracle though, I have lost 2 pounds so I'm very happy. I'm going away next weekend so would be great if I could lose another pound before I go.

Also, I'm going back to Manchester and I was thinking that when I went in February I must have been about 10lbs heavier than I am now. That's crazy to think that!! So glad I found this thread to keep my diet going :)

Hi all,

I think I need a little sit down. I just weighed myself and I've lost 8 lbs this week. In fact I've weighed myself several times and I've lost 8 lbs this week. I'm in shock. I feel like Blimpy Von SuperFatty today because I ate so much yesterday. I wonder if that's how much my old hair weighed? I can't believe it.

Congratulations on the 2 lbs SayHello, that's brilliant. That's amazing that you weighed 10 lbs more in Feb, I think that's a huge achievement. You must feel so much better about yourself. I love curry, but I have quite the capacity for it so I always try to eat less rice, then I don't feel full, vicious circle. www.simplyrecipes.com and www.allrecipes.com have some really quick curry recipes. Always handy in a rush.

Right, I'm off to weigh myself again.

I hope everyone else has a good day!

WOW that is amazing!! Seriously, well done Cora because that is a HUGE achievement. I'm all happy about my 2lbs so can't imagine how you're feeling :) I'd be standing on the scales all day haha.

My baby is having a nap so I'm off to lie in the bath then I'll have a look at those recipes thanks :)