New Mums: Pre-diet we had pride, now we want new bodies!

[SolitudeSometimesIs]

Here we go again!

Ok it's the magic thread where we find inspiration, motivation and actually see the results we want and manage to hold on to them once we get them.

No more excuses (unless they are hilarious or necessary).

Welcome all!

Again GENIUS! You should be nominated for some sort of prize for woman kind. Could you invent calorie free wine, crisps and chocolate while you're on a roll?

I've been looking at the Davina DVD , it still seems scary. I have the pregancy and post natal one. I might try to start with that and build up. Last year's DVD is only £5, but that is 15 minute workouts. I hope she brings out a 3 minute one next time. That's more my limit!

So yesterday morning I was really fat and bloated. But I seem to have peed out 4lb over night. I'm pleased with that. I hope I can stick with it and lose 7lb by the start of June.

I'll work on the calorie free food. One mission at a time.

That's amazing that you had some sort of mega-pee. You must be delighted. You'll easily lose 7 lbs in 2 weeks. I'm very tempted to give it a try, except I don't eat fish or meat (misses point of diet completely).

I need to do the 15 minute Davina one. I really like that you can focus on different body parts - my stomach is a hideous mess, it's in serious need of some work. I have this image of being in a bikini next year when we go away on holiday and not look like I'm smuggling a jelly.

Down 2.5 lbs in my quest to lose 5 lbs in 5 days. I don't think it's going to happen sadly. I really want it to though.

Had beef casserole packet for dinner, it was awful, even with a ton of chilli and garlic mixed in. DH had stuffed pasta, I nearly kicked his plate off the table out of hungry anger.

Starting a new online course today and hoping to get an evening job next week, so things are looking a little busier, which is good. I need to drag myself out of Mum-mode and find myself again. I know I'm here somewhere, I just feel like I'm drowning under piles of laundry and random dinosaur facts. I have this image of working when DS2 goes to Montessori next year, but I'm not sure I'll find a job that will pay me 4000 euros per month and let me work 3 hours per day, three days a week. Anyone heard of a job like that?

How goes the 17 day diet Green?

Where are you Beyond?

You're doing really well still. You never know you might make it? I bought some detox and cleanse herbal teas. They are both really nice and seem to help with losing water. Could you try something like that?
The beef casserole sounds horrible.

I'm struggling today, even though I was even lighter this morning. It's worse than Exante, probably because I'm struggling to find time to cook properly. The children are both being quite demanding at the minute and everywhere I look in the house there is something to do. I know exactly how you feel about the 'Mum-mode'. I feel really lost and it's getting me down.

Anyway I've just ate a bar of chocolate. I'm destined to be fat. I should have more time tomorrow so I'm going to make some of the taco mince stuff you suggested and a chicken and veg curry for the weekend. I'll start again tomorrow.

I hope you get your evening job. I've not heard of much fitting your job description - drug dealer or Escort maybe?

I would be the only hooker ever paid to keep their clothes on. I'm waaaay too much of a fuss pot to be a drug dealer "Seriously, are you taking these drugs? Seriously? They're very bad for you. I'll go to the off license with this money and get you a chablis instead. Now, go home or I'll tell your Mother!"

How did today go? Have you any plan to get out of Mum mode? I'm looking for some inspiration.

Ha, I'd be exactly the same with both jobs.

I had a very mum like day today. DD2 was with my parents so I got lots of tidying up done. It was very satisfying coming into a tidy house this evening. It's half term now so it will be back to normal by 9:30 am tomorrow!

I have ordered the Davina 15 minute fit DVD. I am going to try to do it next week and make it a priority. I've ordered some new workout leggings too. Woo, it's all too exciting for me here.

I'm going to do some decorating at the weekend and after that's finished I'm going to do my nails properly. I might start fake tanning too. I've been trying to wash and blow dry my hair properly every night. Which has made me feel better.

Diet is a failure again today. It's too difficult being around food all day. I'm going to add some carbs in and cook the healthy meals anyway.

How has today gone for you? Are you ready for this week's wedding? Is it local or do you have to stay overnight? Are you getting your hair done or anything fancy?
I keep reading wedding threads on Mumsnet and they don't seem anything like real life. In the NE it's really common to only invite some people to the evening do and everyone has a gift list or asks for money. There's never an open bar either. I've never met anyone offended by this or felt offended by it. On MN you'd think they'd committed a crime.

Sorry for my absence. I've been really busy and totally out of love with dieting.
I will catch up on your posts tomorrow and will be back.

ps am enormous. But just ordered some clothes to try and motivate self !

Nice to have you back Beyond. I'm sure you're not enormous. What clothes have you been buying?

I have been trying to catch up on the thread - missed so much! You both seem really focused.

Sol I hope you are enjoying the wedding. What kind of course are you doing? Well done on your 2.5lbs Love your harassed mother proposal :)

How are you Green? How's the new diet (1 bar of chocolate is nothing!).

I have put 4lbs on, but have not dieted for 3 weeks and been eating far too much.. I am toying with either finishing off the exante I have (6 days worth) or doing low carb very strictly for the week to get back on track. As I have no will power, might need to do exante as a kick start - oh joy.

I ordered this from M&S, it's nice but much brighter than normal for me (I favour black, navy, cream usually).

asset1.marksandspencer.com/is/image/mands/SD_01_T66_6864_DX_X_EC_90?$PDP_MAXI_ZOOM$

Also this from boden (not arrived yet)
www.bodenimages.com/productimages/ZoomLarge/15WSUM_WH824_GRY.jpg

At the moment, I am agonising about after school care. if I keep my current hours, DS will need to go to after school club from 1515-1745 x3 days a week. Do you think this is too much? I am wondering if I could rework hours so he only needs to go 2 days. On a selfish note, it would probably make work a bit more stressful but obviously want to do what is best for him....

Hi,

nice to see you back Beyond. I don't think that's a huge amount of time in after school, especially as it's only 3 days per week. Two of my brothers kids do similar 3 days a week and on the other 2 days they do after school classes like gymnastics and hockey. I'd say it's fairly standard. It's great for them as they get to hang out with their mates and don't get bored at home.

The 3rd of our weddings was lovely. We only went to the evening bit as DH was in work and couldn't get time off as he's very busy. I got to wear my dress again so I was happy enough. It was the referendum on marriage equality yesterday so wedding's were the talk of the night!

4lbs in 3 weeks is nothing. You can shift that in a week. I'm having the weekend off Exante and then back on it until I use it up - I made little cakes out of the shakes, they were lovely - I made them quite thick, put blobs on baking paper and bake until cooked and then stuff them in your mouth when they are blisteringly hot.

I love your new purchases, I need to go shopping, my wardrobe is depressing.

Had an ok-ish day today.

I had an Exante pack for breakfast, tomato soup for dinner and vegetable bake for dinner, so minimal carbs. However, I had about 6 mini chocolate bars throughout the day. They are these little bitesize bars and you hardly notice eating them, but I have been craving sugar so badly for some reason. I think tomorrow I will have to exert a bit more self control.

I'm going to have to go and buy some size 14 trousers I think, my 16's are very baggy and make me look bigger. But I have such a fear that the 14's won't fit. I will be so annoyed if I try them on and they look crap.

It's DH's birthday tomorrow so we'll be getting a takeaway as is our routine and I can't really imagine ordering steamed beans and nothing else so I think I will just go for it as normal. I'm trying to be more active but I am failing miserably. I just feel like I'm floundering a bit.

My friend was on at me to go to the gym with her again, and though I love her dearly I could feel myself getting more annoyed. I think she thinks I'm making excuses but I honestly couldn't fit an exercise class in on top of everything else.

I'm quite envious of your beauty regime Green. I can't blow dry my hair, it always looks greasy yet is huge and not sleek which is how I like it. I run a ghd over it once in a while to de-haystack it. Did your Davina dvd show up?

The wedding last week was local, so we just went for a few hours. I've never been to a wedding with an open bar and the evening invite thing is fairly common here too. People just love to be arseholes when it comes to weddings and look for stuff to give out about. I quite like weddings but I'm not quite fussed if I'm not invited because people need to keep the numbers down. We always give cash too, I would never foist my..."haphazard" style on anyone else, though I did see my first wedding website the other day which was new. But all the gifts were under £50 pounds so it was pretty great.

How's everyone else doing?

Has anyone managed to stick at it for more than a few days?

Jesus, that was a bit of an epic post there.

Hi Sol,

Sounds like a good day even with the chocolate - they are mini mini bars.....

I am day 1 of exante and starving. Hopefully it will give me kick start though.
That's amazing to be nearing the 14's. How much weigh do you still want to lose?
Enjoy your takeaway tomorrow. We need to incorporate our dieting into normal life otherwise its just miserable.

I've got that awful neither smooth nor wavy hair, fine but loads of it. I would despair without my GHD's.

I have decided to make more effort with clothes, I have been very lazy and just wearing jeggings/T's. I want to look polished!

I really need to lose 2 stone but I would be happy with 10 pounds at the moment. I made a few changes to my diet this week to keep me sane, the big one being no snacking in the evening, it's only day 1 of that though. I'm aiming for one Exante meal per day, soup or salad for lunch or dinner and definitely low carb. I'm not going to be a slave to it but I will try and do the healthy choice thing. And be more careful during the week and then relax at the weekends.

Do you have to wear suits for work Beyond? I always think that must be super handy. Have you any beauty hacks that I can steal from you?

Hi, sorry this is long!

Nice dresses Beyond, I really like the colours on the Boden one. Are they for everyday? Could you switch your t shirts to a blouse or shirt? Or a lightweight knit in a bright colour? I just bought a couple of sleeveless blouses from H&M as I'm sick of shirts and Bretons. Plus some plain cotton shirts.

Not sure what I'd do about the after school club. I think children adapt to things quickly. Plus it's going to be playing and relaxing. Maybe try it and if he doesn't like it then try changing your hours? No point making extra work for yourself if it's not necessary.

Hope the Exante goes well for you this week. The 4lb will be off by the end of the week.

Congratulations on your size 14's Sol. I'd love to be a 14 again (or even a 16!). Your friend sounds like a pain. Can you not just tell her that you are doing a DVD during the day? Or that the children won't go to bed? My friend is like that, she has no children and a DH who does lots of work round the house. they have a gym room too.

I don't have much of a grooming routine. I mainly look after my skin. I have to wash my hair almost every day or it goes very greasy. If I don't blow dry it it goes very curly in a mad way. If I blow dry it, I can sometimes get a second day by using dry shampoo. I think it's about having a good hair drier, a round brush and using hair products. It's mentioned a lot on Mumsnet but the Babyliss big hair is actually very good. Your hair needs to be almost dry when you use it, but it smooths and dries. Plus it doesn't cause your hair to go flat.

I'm struggling with food at the moment. I've drank loads of wine this weekend too. I'm trying to have a fast day today. I'm just going to avoid alcohol, bread, crisps and chocolate this week and concentrate on healthy meals.
It's my DH's Birthday this week too. No doubt there will be a takeaway involved and a BBQ.

I got my DVD and did the cardio section this morning. It was good. I followed the person doing the easy part and I didn't collapse. I think next time I might even try another section too. I'd forgot how much I like the Davina workouts. It is worth £5, hope I can move later though.

Sol, 10lbs (or 2 stone) is very achievable - exciting! I agree, your friend sounds really annoying. I hate being pushed into anything. Anyway, weight loss is 90% diet or something like that? Snacking in the evening is one of my downfalls. I think we have to get our head round having lifestyle changes (I keep seeing people say this, lifestyle changes not dieting...). So annoying, I wish could eat what I want - like DH who is currently eating 2 salmon steaks (mine a well s his as I am on exante). Feel murderous.

Work outfits: I don't wear suits, I tend to wear knee length dresses +/- cardigan. Have a few from Boden/Monsoon/jigsaw that I just rotate! Or a pencil skirt with a couple of blouses when I am trying to channel a miss moneypenny look [grin) unsuccessfully I suspect. Annoyingly, I find wearing heels difficult now, intact anything other than flat boots or flip-flops is a challenge. I am wearing mainly flats to work at the mo. I did just get these wedges from clarkes:
www.clarks.co.uk/p/26105904
Not worn yet, but they seem comfy.

Hi Green. Nice to see you. Well done on your dvd. Also impressed with your hair routine. I am useless at blowdrying my hair, thanks god for GHD's I say. They transformed my life. I want some dresses for at home days/ the weekend. The M&S one may be too bright for me though. I think I'll have in monsoon. I ave loads of things to return, had a bit of an ordering spree. Got a few things in Mango but when they were arrived, they were very polyestery.

Beauty hacks? Well I think I am fairly neutral. I always keep my nails short with a clear polish very pale pink (OPI or Essie). Occasionally get a french pedicure. Hair below shoulders, blunt cut (Its longer at the mo due to all the different baby hair lengths..) and straightened or sometimes popped in a french pleat for work. Use Bare minerals or MAC base. I find L'oreal mascara the best (the one in the silver tube). I really like my Nars eyeshadow duo (I linked before). Normally just lip balm or Clinique black honey lip tint.
I get my eyebrows threaded monthly isn.
I need to start getting my hair coloured more regularly, all of a sudden I have loads of greys :(

Thanks for wise words re after school care. I am going to try and do 2 days for the 1st month and seem how he gets on. I can take some AL initially, hopefully build up to 3 form there, but can reduce hours if need be.

Sorry for epic post!
How has today gone? I did 2 shakes and some ham and celery.

Sorry for typos - must proof read.

That's great that you did the exercise dvd Green, maybe focus on that if you're struggling with food. How were you feeling after working out, were you sore? It's so hard some weeks isn't it? Can you have healthy/low carb meals and then a few dodgy snacks? I try to do this on weeks when I know I can't stick to it completely. I might get a Big Hair, I've wanted one for years. My hair is very fine and has a curl to it, there's a lot of it and it has the potential to look like the hair Monica from Friends had when they were in Hawaii (or wherever they were).

I'm loving the Miss Moneypenny style icon Beyond, I think it's a great look! Do you stand a lot or can you have a fab pair of heels to wear during the day (and then put on ballet flats when there's real walking involved). Eek to the polyester hellishness from Mango, it's not a fabric that should be allowed, it's so sweaty and I get really bad static shocks from things when I wear it. The 2 day start off with after school sounds like a great plan, my nieces love after school as they get to play with their mates and there's always lots of craft stuff to make so they have a great time. Well done on the Exante success.

I've lost nearly 4 lbs this week, I am 13 stone 1 lb and would like to stop messing around and get in to the 12's. I keep sabotaging it though. I've had some Exante meals and low carb versions of normal food - I did have a Mc Donalds for lunch yesterday so I haven't been on plan all week. My plan is to be in the 12's by next Monday. Getting there seems to be a big barrier for me so I'm going to need to be firm with myself.

My friend is coming from a place of good, but she has no idea how frantic my life can be. My "part time job" is actually becoming a carer for my 2 sick parents. I have to say part time job though, because the realisation that they are so sick and need this help is too horrible to admit. So while I run my house, try to be as helpful to my DH as possible with his business stuff, mind my kids, study for my online course and take care of my parents I can't squeeze in twice weekly visits to the gym because sometimes I need to sit on my arse and go on Mumsnet. She just thinks I could do with some time to exercise and clear my head, because that's what works for her-it is infact my idea of hell.

Do both of you wear make up every day? I've fallen out of the habit and I really miss looking like I've put a bit of effort in.

Sorry to hear about your parents Sol. You have got an awful lot on your plate and it sounds very stressful. I hope your friend stops pestering you. I hate the gym too, a nice walk outside clears your head far more than stressing in the gym.

I'm sure you'll hit the 12s next week. Has your DH had his Birthday meal yet? Once that's out of the way it might make it easier for you?

The Big Hair will probably work well for you. My hair is also fine and curly, I find it's less flat if I dry it straight compared to using the GHDs.
I don't wear makeup every day now. I've also got out of the habit. I try to make an effort if I'm going out the house, but if it's just to nursery or the park I don't tend too. I look much better with it though and wish I had more time on a morning to slap some on. I've just got some of the new Bare minerals tinted moisturiser gel (can't remember the name). It seems good. I've been wearing spf 50 everyday since March but my skin has still got tanned so I needed something darker than normal.

Beyond, it was the M&S dress that I liked the colour of. I got the pair mixed up. I think the green colour will be lovely for summer. I know what you mean about shoes. I thought I wouldn't have to buy any new shoes to wear for the wedding next week, but when I've tried all my sandals and heels on everything is too narrow. Plus all my favourites seem to have came back into fashion so I'm quite disappointed. Although DD1 has decided she will have them.

Hope the Exante has gone well today.

I think your plan for your DS is sensible. I'm worried enough about DD starting school so I would stress about after school club.

I feel okay after my venture into exercise. But honestly I didn't exactly give 100%. I was quite tired last night, but in a nice relaxed way. I did a fast day too. I'm going to try another tomorrow. I think I'm just going to try fasting until this wedding is out of the way. Then I'll see how I feel. I wish I could just get my mouth stitched shut or something similar?

We had a long walk this morning. I might try the DVD again later if I can fit it in.

I bought these to get over the disappointment of my fat feet.

I've had 7 pairs of shoes since March. That's too much isn't it? I've got rid of lots of old pairs though. I'm supposed to be reducing stuff so we can get an extension.

Thanks Green, it's been a bit of a mad time but I'm just keeping my head down and carrying on.

How come you wear factor 50 every day? Are you very pale? Or a vampire? (kind of hoping you say vampire as I've been re-watching Buffy and vampires are great).

Did you fast again today? I was doing so well until I ate a huge bit of garlic bread and it all went a bit arseways. 7 pairs of shoes is not too many, that's how many days there is in a week and it just makes sense to have options! Also if you're getting an extension you will have loads of room for shoes so you need to buy more to fill the extension or it will be a waste of money!

Oh buggar, DS2 is screaming, be back later.

Sol - so sorry to hear that. Really tough going. Wish I could help. Hope you feel you can talk to Green and I whenever you need to.

Lovely shoes Green. 7 pairs? Sounds like you need more to me :)

Day 4, no chocolate, crisps or other yummy stuff.

Fingers crossed for a good result on the scales.
Whats the diet plan for tomorrow Sol/green?

Thanks Beyond, I'm just trying to keep going. It's nice to know I have support here. I hate talking about it out loud, typing it seems more manageable - I'm not sure if that makes any sense.

That's incredible that you have had no junk food Beyond, how are you feeling? I bet you'll see great results. That's incredible will power.