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!

If you're looking for term time without the teacher workload, look into schools locally that run after school clubs. The pay can be good and you can sign up for many of the benefits that teachers get, pensions etc. My friend works in one and she has no childcare qualifications but she is a Mum. She's been working in her local school for 2 years and absolutely loves it. One and a half hours is an insane commute, it must be exhausting.

I can't really eat quinoa any more. I had horrendous sickness when I was pregnant with DS1 and lets just say I am now unable to eat it without my stomach heaving.

It's not so bad here weather-wise. It's not in minus numbers any more so that's making it easier to get out. My youngest won't wear a hat or gloves, I just let him do what he wants, he's generally running around whereas I'm not.

I had some of the kids garlic bread last night and now I am crippled with heartburn. It's not the reason I'm awake - that's thanks to the disco baby DS2 who decided to hold a squawking rave at 4 am - but I'm so uncomfortable. I'd forgotten I ate it but it's all I can taste now. Yuck!

Off to get copious amounts of coffee!

Sol, poor you a coffee is def in order
Do you think it's the vegan diet that has changed your digestive system? Meaning you can handle certain rich foods anymore?

I feel for you ds1 wakes up at 5am and ds2 still wakes 2 times a night for a feed (3am and 5am)

I'm off to the gym and my car is iced over Glad it's not so cold where you are. I have now completed my cv. It's very bare as only 1 job but hey it'll do.

Hope your all well and have a good Wednesday

I think my digestion may have changed, I can't really eat rich foods at the best of times and the few weeks off dairy has made me feel much better. Interestingly I was over on the vegan thread in chat and no one has lost much weight, I think they thought that the weight would fall off. Sadly that doesn't happen.

How was the gym? How do you manage to be so active when you are up so much during the night and up early? That's amazing, I feel like such a lazy cow It's very icy here too, the weather made a total liar of me and it was minus 2 here this morning. I wouldn't worry about the CV only having one job, it shows that you were capable enough to be employed in the one position for so long. It's a CV that's littered with lots of short term work that is a bit of an eyebrow raiser. Don't forget to bullet point all the responsibilities you had, they will highlight your skills and fill some space.

Hi everyone. Been having a miserable week, so sorry for not posting much. Pulling myself round now and trying to cheer up.

Well done on the weight loss and exercise everyone.

It's really cold here too. DD2 won't wrap up either Sol. We went out on Sunday and she stood in the snow for too long and her wellies got so cold that her feet were freezing. So I had to carry her all the way back to the car (about a mile) because she was hysterical and wouldn't let DH carry her. Now she won't leave the house, so the tantrums on the school run have been epic. On a positive note she has slept through a few times this week.

I was rubbish at getting out for long walks with 2 children too Rachey. I had a double buggy but DD1 would never stay in for long, so most walks were at toddler pace.

Are you feeling better now Sol? You're probably right about your digestion changing. Interesting about people's expectations of veganism. I suppose it's more of a lifestyle overhaul then a weight loss diet. Unless you are really counting calories?

I've no ideas about PT jobs that pay well Rachey. I'd love to work in a dentist though! It's a shame it's such a long commute.

I lost 2.5lb at WW today. I have to confess to cheating slightly. I weighed myself on Sunday and had put about 3lb on. I was really upset as I'd been sticking to the plan properly. So on Monday I dug on the Exante and did 2 days. I'm wondering if I should try that every week? Or maybe I should just stop weighing myself every day?

Are you ok Green? Feel free to vent here if you wish. Will you DD go in a buggy for the school run? I have a very strong willed DS2 (read that as stubborn little fecker) that I sometimes have to force to do things he doesn't want to and by the end of a few days he comes around. At the moment our big battle is making him get in his car seat, he freaks out and screams and shouts and roars - it's exhausting but I am not giving in. Battle of wills with a 2 year old does not bode well for teen years

I'm loving that you cheated on weight watchers with Exante. It probably won't be too hard to do one day of Exante a week. A bit like a 6:1. Weighing yourself every day is a disaster, although I do it myself, it can really make or break your day.

Morning all,
On my way to work for a kit (keep in touch) day. 1st time have left ds2 for s long period of time. Armed with breast pump Have been up since 2.30 as ds1 wouldn't sleep and just stood by the stairs shouting. I'm struggling with this very strong willed 2 year old.

green yes....please feel free to off load on here it helps. Congrats on the loss, don't look at it as cheating more like advancing the diet.

Three hours travelling a day is hell. I used to live near work before kids but house prices near Hampstead (north west London) are astronomical. So we headed east. Your poor daughter hope she has recovered.

sol thanks for the tips, it's so daunting writing a cv. Hope your feeling better. It's amazing how are bodies change.

I've lost 2 inches off my hips (fat) in 11 days. Weight is pretty much the same. I'm dreading today work always have lots off food and it will be hard to resist, and I didn't get a chance to eat breakfast so grabbed an apple. I feel like it's my first day of school.

Hope you all have a good Friday

I'm fine thanks. I think it was just a bad combination of PMT, tantrums, weather and carb withdrawal!

I might try to do Exante on a Monday and Tuesday. It seemed to help reduce bloating and to be honest I seem to have loads left. I couldn't face doing it long term again. I've been sticking to the diet since then and the 2.5lb is still gone. The weekend is still the real test, no matter how well I plan I still have trouble with not eating everything in sight.

2 years olds are hard work, although I dread the teenage years too.
I did put her in the buggy when she started the tantrum Sol. At one point I put her in the boot of the car so I could unfold it! That shocked her enough to get her into it. She then spent 10minutes screaming help and oww. I got her out after dropping DD1 off and she held hands and walked nicely so I suppose it worked. She's been fine since.

We got out of using the buggy for school as you couldn't get them into the nursery and I didn't like leaving her outside. Then there are steps down to the school yard and I broke the buggy brake on them, so it's usually easier for her to walk. She turned 2.5 at the weekend, so only 6 more months of terrible two's? (Fingers crossed)

I remember DD1 having terrible tantrums over the car seat Sol. She never wanted to leave places. I never gave in either! I like to pick my battles, but the car seat is non negotiable!

I hope today goes well for you Rachey. Are you going to go back and keep looking for another job? A three hour commute sounds terrible. I live near Sunderland and a 1.5 hr commute would have me in Scotland or Yorkshire. I don't think I could cope in the South!
It is very daunting looking for a new job, especially after 13 years. A couple of my relations have gave up their jobs. One runs an 'Creation Station' (art classes) group for pre schoolers. She also does children's parties as part of it. Another has became a swimming instructor and just works term time.

Well done your 2 inch loss. Have you noticed a difference in your clothes? That's a great place to lose from.

Have a good day everyone.

Oh and 2:30am Rachey!

I hope you all had a good weekend?
Work was ok, but the travelling ect made me remember how s**t it is. I will go back and keep looking while working. In theory we would be better off if I didnt work and looked after the kids full time but I want to work for my own sanity :)

My ds1 has been going through the terrible two's since he was 18 months (shock) and he also 2.5. I think his problem is communication as he cannot talk :( (on waiting list to see a speech therapist)

sol hows are you getting on? any new exciting vegan recipes to share?

green hows ww going? are you going to do the 2 days of exante? I have noticed a change esp in my jeans. Still have a long way to go thou :(

beyond how are you getting on?

Rachey I came on to post something very similarly to yours. We had a very full on weekend with DS". He is 2 and he doesn't speak (just a mixture of screaming and caveman-esque grunting). We are under the care of a SALT but we paid privately to have his hearing tested as we wanted to rule out any deafness/fluid on his ears. When we compare his speech to his cousin (who is 1), DS2 is slightly behind him so we put his speech between 9 months and 1 year. It's very hard isn't it. Have you had your DS's hearing tested?

DS2 is due to start Montessori in September and I can't see him going. He is permanently attached to me and screams when I leave the room, even at home. I desperately need him to be a little more independent and I'm hoping some language skills will help. Have you a date for your speech therapist meeting?

Due to my shit weekend I did a lot of comfort eating. We had people over on Saturday and ended up ordering pizza, so I had a little (3 slices!) and some garlic bread. And as for yesterday, God I can't even tell you how much crap I ate. I didn't eat one meal all day, I just picked. Ugh! I'm such an emotional eater and I hate it so much. I'm going to avoid the scales for the next day or so.

I think having an Exante day is a good plan Green, especially if it will use it all up and you'll see some difference on the scales. I think weight watchers is my plan for Feb. Weekends are tough aren't they? I always fall off plan.

Hi sol ds1 has had his ears checked when he was 2 as I was concerned about poss glue ear and speech. He is starting a session called chatterbugs which is a small group of 5, with a speech therapist. If I feel that this isn't beneficial I will go down the private route also.

He has 3/4 words.......this, that, yes and no. It's so frustrating for me and him. I am sure it's the reason he has anger issues.

How is ur ds2 getting on with the salt? Wow it must be hard for you as he is so attached to you, he might become more independent before nursery.

I'm worried that ds2 (8 months) is going to be clingy. I'm still bf him and he starts nursery in 6 weeks. We are moving ds1 out of Montessori nursery as we weren't happy with them (the nursery rather than the fact it's a montessori nursery)

I haven't eaten very well either. I have been skipping meals then snacking so I doubt I will see much of a change this week. I will just have to knuckle down.

Do they have a vegan plan on Ww? Or will you go back to dairy?

Hello everyone, I apologise once again for being absent, just so hectic at the mo.

Rachey your weight loss is amazing. You must be so thrilled. Your commute sounds similar to mine. Good idea to look around, I totally agree re needing to work for sanity. I always feel bad about it, I am sure I'll look back and wish I hadn't worked but I couldn't stay home all week either....

Sol Rachey and Green maybe a 2nd child thing? I am sure DD is more stubborn, she also won't get in her buggy. Sometimes I dread having to leave the house with both of them. I have had approx 4 hours sleep for the past week as trying to get DD in her own room and she is furious. Shel'll only settle for me. Past 2 nights I have spent on the floor beside her, I am broken.

Good idea with the 2 exante days Green it will be like the 5:2
Talking of exante, I am on day 2. I joined you all in being off diet last week. I am feeling very blobby. Also not been able to do c25k as we have all had awful colds. hoping to try and do a run tomorrow. Weigh in on Monday, I hope to have lost a couple of lbs from the last weigh in. I'm going to try and do a full week, but as you say the weekend will be tough.

Sorry to hear DS2 is still velcro Sol wish I had some advice. I can see weight watchers in my future too. Sigh.

Our speech therapist runs groups that will be for 8-10 kids I think. So he gets 3 weeks of group, 3 weeks of one-to-one and then 3 weeks when I go to the classes without him to learn techniques to use at home. I can PM you the info from the sessions if you want? It might be good to share tips. Our SALT said that the group sessions are really good for socialisation for the kids and the parents can compare experiences and maybe pick up a few tricks.

DS" has about 6 words, but they are not used regularly. It's mostly the "uh uh" noises that he comes out with. We have started giving him our hands and saying "show me" and he drags us to point to wherever he wants to go. It's annoying because we barely get to sit down but it has cut down on the tantrums. There's a show called Wallykazam on Nick Jnr that works on sounds and blending sounds to make words, he has started making "SSSS" sounds and "NNNN" sounds thanks to that show. Well worth a watch.

Where are you moving your DS1 to? It's such a minefield trying to find a good school isn't it. I spent a lot of time researching our local schools, you're right to take him out if you're not happy.

I don't think WW has a vegan plan but I will just keep dairy at a low level. It's hard to stick to a plan when there is so much going on in our lives isn't it? Have you been snacking off plan or is it stuff you're allowed?

Hi Beyond, how is Day 2 of Exante going? Have you much of it left? Try not to wear yourself out if you have a cold , the most important thing is to be healthy. I don't think I could have exercised when I was on Exante, I'd have been wrecked.

How are you coping with such little sleep? Are you seeing any improvement with your DD's sleep? I hope you have a camp bed to sleep on. I'm wondering if you're right about being a second child thing, it can't be a coincidence that we are all having trouble with our second borns. There is such a stubborn streak in my DS2, it's exhausting. But then again he does something ridiculously cute and all is forgiven (he insisted on having a shower by himself last night and it was the first time ever he had done it without screaming his bloody head off, it was a miracle). He's also started giving us kisses which is new and so amazing

If you give WW another try I will do it with you. It seems I've exhausted all other options and I'm still fat.

Hope the speech therapy helps Sol

No improvement, if anything as the nights have gone on, she is worse, I am considering giving in and trying again in a few weeks time, but don't want to undo any slight progress we may have made. Agree re super cuteness, makes me a complete walkover !

I might do ww, would you join online? I hate how its a bit restrictive though. Lets face it, I hate any kind of diet and just want to stuff my face!

How long have you been trying to get your DD to sleep in her own room Beyond? If it were me I'd tough it out. I always write off a month when we are trying to establish a new routine or do some sort of training (sleep or toilet). It's a month of utter hell that would bring a Navy Seal to their knees but it's a grit your teeth moment.

I know it's not the message a lot of people on MN would give but professionally speaking (I used to sleep train kids as part of my job) I would keep going. I would also get your Husband on board. Leave him to put her to bed and physically leave the house because you are making yourself an intrinsic part of the routine which means she will find it hard to settle for others. Also, and I mean this in the nicest possible way, she might know that you can't help but come to her if she's upset, so by you removing yourself you are taking away that option. My DH is the weak link in this house, I go in to professional mode and sort them out whereas he finds it very emotionally draining and stressful.

I can't join WW online, it's so expensive and we are saving furiously for a mortgage but I am going to join the group tomorrow night. It's in the local church hall so I'll swing up and get weighed - oh the shame!

Oh I am definitely the weak link
You always give such good advice. I have told her mummy is not sleeping with her tonight!

I just looked online and it is expensive. I might just google a bit !

Hi everyone. Sounds like everyone's 2 year olds are difficult at the moment.

Sol. Wow I just looked at the prices for Ireland and they are so expensive. Bloody hell, what a rip off compared to the UK.are you just going to join to get the info? I can help you with pointing things if you want?

Beyond I have a voucher for a first free week at WW if you just want the new books? Or they have the offer on again 'lose 10lb in 8 weeks' you get your money back or 2 free months if you do it. If you want the voucher PM me and I'll post it to you.

Rachey hope your week is going well too.

Just to add to the speech therapy discussion. DD1 didn't talk very much until she started school nursery. She has delayed speech. She saw a speech therapist once but was discharged on the same day (it was the day she started nursery!). I'm lucky in that SIL is a SALT, but even she says that there is not a lot you can do before they are 4. The socialisation sessions sound good though, I don't think they do that round here. But it's obviously good to get them referred if you have any concerns.

I'm not feeling much love for dieting this week. I have tried with it but DD1 has man flu.
I had to stay in all weekend as I was the only one she wanted, plus DH had it too. I've barely moved for 4 days.
She's also been off school for the last 2 days too. she's rarely ill, but I'm going stir crazy. I can't see her going in tomorrow either, I think I'll give WW a miss this week and start again properly in the morning!

Be strong and buy decent coffee (and wine). It's really tough this parenting lark, definitely a trial and error situation. And as for dieting on top of all of it...People should be more appreciative!

My DD2 is understanding more now Beyond. She is getting much better at going to sleep. Now I can sit on the end of the bed instead of lying in it cuddling her. She's even slept through twice! Hope that doesn't sound like bragging. I just thought she'd never do it.
On the rare occasion DH is in at bed time he puts DD1 to bed, so I sort out DD2.
Our DDs are similar ages? You never know, she might just give in? Does she have a nap? DD2 has dropped hers and it's helped things. Good luck.

But yes, second children are much more stubborn. DD2 wouldn't even wear a vest tonight as she doesn't like Cinderella, sleeping Beauty was in the wash. I'd love it if someone told me to go to bed at 7:30.

Cross post there Green.

Can you get out for a bit when your DH gets home or is he hiding in bed with Manflu? I sometimes leg it up to the shop to have a wander around when DH gets home. I just need some time apart from them all.

Thanks for the offer of WW help I will definitely take you up on that. I will join for the first week or so and see how I get on. We have a holiday booked for May, I can't be such a blob when I go away.

That's great that you have a SIL as a SALT, it must be so handy for reassurance. DS2 is a funny little thing, he has quite a few issues - some sensory - and the SALT was anxious to have a plan put together to make his transition in to Montessori much easier. She can then put together a testimony for his next set of his diagnosis. I'm not sure about countries other than Ireland, but here they don't start diagnosis of special/additional needs until the child is two and a half.

This book is really good for WW www.theworks.co.uk/p/healthy-eating-books/losing-weight-the-smart-way---weightwatchers/9781471153860

Thanks. I'll have a look for that.