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!

Hello everyone.

Only had time for a quick post last night as had to finish off some work at home, sorry I didn't answer your post fully Sol I am glad you had a good mothers day, bet the M&S food was nice. I'm trying to do the same as you, 3 fast days and trying to stick to 1200 the other days although last week I did 2x 1500 days and felt so unwell on Friday that I ate what I wanted and loads of carbs and must have had around 2000 if not more. I weighed in yesterday and after STS the same last week have now lost a further 3lbs. If there had been no loss, I think I would have given up....
Re the running, I do feel better for it, have more energy and I think it influences me to eat better. What's the point in running if I then eat rubbish? I'r also notes my resting pulse rate has decreased by 15 beats per minute and I am really pleased about this. I find it really hard though and I think at times am so slow, I'd be better off walking but I want to persevere and see if I can improve. My aim is to be able to run for 30 mins 3 times a week. I don't have time for the gym and this is the only way I think I can fit in some exercise. I have not tried the shred, I'd be really interested to see how you find it.

I agree with Rachey celebs have enormous resources, theres just no way we can compete! And I also think they photoshop a lot..... Hope you have a better night with DS2, you must be exhausted.

My work/life balance is rubbish at times due to very stressful job and inability to switch off. I am really trying to improve this though. Rationally I know I can't find time for the gym/swimming, so I decidedI could fit in a early morning run at the weekends. I also have trained DH (it's taken a lot of training) and he is now very hands on with the DC. We share the nursery/school picks ups. He is also very good at getting up at night time. After 3 years of BF (I seem to have developed deafness!). I also decided I was going to buy some nice clothes and take time out for grooming, the odd pedicure & regular threading and haircuts. On Sundays I do my own nails and facial and feel so much better for it. Shallow maybe.... We also have a cleaner, which really takes the pressure off. I do a declutter every day, so it doesn't build up (still have areas outstanding like the toys though) but at least the kitchen surfaces are clear. I'm also a big list maker, I do one every week for the different days and that really helps. Even with all this, I get very overwhelmed at times but know things will get easier when the DC are not so little (although I feel sad about that too...). I wish you had more help Sol I'd help if I was nearer!

Had to split reply up for some reason...

Sorry you feel so down rachey but I think you are doing amazingly well. I am sure you are being hard on yourself. Such an emotional time for you, you have an awful lot going on, so be kind to yourself :)

Green sounds like a good weekend. I will look up at fitness regime. I would probably say try 5:2 or 4:3, I think it helps that you can eat a bit more on the other days.

I think we should all be in agreement that Sunday calories just don't count. It was Mother's Day, we bloody deserve it.

Sorry you're feeling down Rachey, did you get the tops? To be honest I try not to look at myself naked, it's a rather depressing sight. I have no pearls of wisdom but you are not alone. I have a fear of seeing myself naked in the mirror, it's a horror show.

I'm going to check out that Davina website Green, I have plans to start with her dvd's. You can use Exante on the 2 days of 500 cals on the 5:2 diet, a lot of people do that.

That's incredible that you are seeing such health benefits from your running Beyond and congratulations on your 3 lbs. I'm loving that you have trained your DH, perhaps we should start a husband training school, like the ones you can send puppies to? The Shred is torture, utter utter torture. I have never got past Day 5 as the pain in my non-existent muscles was too much to bear.

My grooming schedule is gone to pot. I do my own eyebrows and de-fuzzing but getting the time alone to do it is difficult, I need good light too. I cut my own hair so I keep it trimmed and coloured (it needs a freshen up colour now but I keep forgetting to do the patch test).

I would love a cleaner but it's not on our plan at the moment, but it is the first I am getting when I start working more hours. I read a tip on here that was "Never leave a room empty handed, never go up or down the stairs empty handed" and it changed how I tidy. I plonk things on the stairs during the day and then grab them as I go up 3 million times per day, it's a tidy-as-you-go sort of thing and it's great.

I'm currently on a non-fast day and I'm having a vodka after having chips and guacamole with DH, they were the last bits from our raid on M&S and they were gorgeous. I have a fast day tomorrow and I am attempting to try and drink more water as I am failing horribly at that.

You sound very organised at the moment Beyond. It is easy to let a stressful job takeover. That's how I piled weight on to start with. The baby weight is actually gone now.
Do you use your Fitbit for heart rate? If so which one do you have?

I also hope you feel better Rachey. I don't look in the mirror much below the shoulders, it is just depressing.

The Davina website looks okay Sol. I think it's just her DVDs on the site, but by the time I find the DVD. Locate the remote and remember how to actually play it on the PS I've usually lost momentum.
I figure that this way I can just put the laptop on the dining table and do the exercises. Plus I can do it when DD is watching CBeebies so there is no fight for the TV.

I sorted my brows again yesterday and painted my nails last night. One is already chipped so I need to do it again now. Going to book the hairdresser for next week.

I'm going to sort the DCs rooms at the weekend. My parents are having them on Saturday. I need to send DH to IKEA one evening for more storage first.

Ooooh IKEA storage...heaven! What are you planning to get?

We have tons of stuff from there and it is fab for kids storage (well, for storing their stuff, not for putting actual children in). I have each box organised so they hold specific toys so the kids don't have to upturn every box to find what they are looking for - some of the boxes are tagged with labels from my label maker . They are only allowed to empty 2 boxes at a time and they must tidy up afterwards, it is fusspot heaven.

Also, we are going to need a new thread soon. Any name suggestions. Beyond you haven't done any of your amazing typo's so we can't nick any of them.

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Sorry for above post. I was locked out of account a second ago.

I love Ikea. We have got a lot of there storage systems in the kids play room. We have also brought our new kitchen from them :)

Sorry my last post was depressing. Today I am back 100% on the diet, breakfast was a kale and orange pepper omelette (2 eggs 1 egg white) with Mackerel and a green tea. Lunch will be spinach, courgette, onion and tuna salad. Then dinner is salmon stir fry. Its a bit fishy today but I forgot to defrost the chicken.

I have just been to H&M for some T-shirts and I have sorted out my wardrobe to donate lots of stuff to charity and I am left with a 1/4 of clothes and half of that is work stuff which I dont wear out.

sol I have a label maker also :) I have a slight obsession with Kilner Jars so everything is labelled. Your so good with your grooming.......im too lazy I just about managed to moisturise. I do get waxed and threaded every 4 weeks and hair every 6/8 thou, but I should follow suit and start taking care of myself at home.

beyond Congrats on the 3lb loss. you do amazing to get out running while working and looking after dc's and the house. I am glad your dh is handy. I would be struggling if OH was hands-on.

green How was the curry? I am very jealous, somehow this pink lady doesnt compare :) I havent checked out the get fit with davina since it went live, my OH worked on the website. I might have to have a look :) what are you getting down to your hair?

am on my 4th cup of green tea to warn off hunger pains :(

Glad that you're back on track Rachey. You sound more cheerful.
Your menu is very healthy, I'm not a massive fan of green tea, although I do like some herbal teas. I'm guessing normal tea and coffee are off the menu? I need to cut down on them too, but the weather is miserable a nice cup of tea cheers me up.

You've been ruthless with your clothes! Was it all stuff that no longer fits/destroyed by children? It must feel very liberating. I like H&M for T shirts.

The curry was really nice. We've started getting Indians from a local restaurant instead of the regular takeaway. We rarely go out so we've sort of decided we may as well go for the nicest option!

I really want a label maker. I'm sure I had one, but it's probably lost in the loft.
We have loads of IKEA storage too. I just want another one of those shelving units that you can put the big square boxes in, or just have them as shelves.
I should be strict and get rid of more, but they play with most things. Once they are older they won't have so much so I'll just put up with it till then.

It's probably best that I just send DH as I pick too much stuff up. I'm obsessed with their plant pots. I do need some pictures frames but IKEA is not far so I could just brave it one weekday.

How has your fast day been Sol? Is all your M&S haul gone now? I'm proud as I went in today to collect an order and didn't buy anything!

I lost 1lb this week. So that's the Christmas weight finally off (remind me not to go crazy at Easter)
I've decided that I will do a fast day on a Thursday and Monday and eat less on a Tuesday. The other days I'll just stick to WW. I'm going to hunt out a sports bra and trainers tonight and get ready to exercise in the morning. I may collapse and probably won't be able to walk afterwards.

I don't know what to do with my hair. It's just getting too long. As I said it's wavy and while I'd love it to look all glam like this (Drew).
In reality it looks more like Kirstie Allsop's

I've just had an argument with DD1 who insisted that the Kirstie picture was me. I get that a lot and while I like Kirstie, I'd prefer to look more 'edgy'.

Any suggestions welcome.

I even have the cowlick that Kistie has

kirsty opps sorry green :) she has lovely thick and glossy hair, could you go to a stylist as they will know how to do the best cut for your hair? Drews is very nice although I bet she has spent ages in the hairdressers to make that "out of bed look". Do you like alexa chung's hair? maybe get a little fringe cut in?

I dont drink tea, just coffee, I have two large ones (maybe three) a day I shouldnt have so much but I cannot function without. I donated it all to charity, it felt good although I now need to replenish :) Im a casual dresser, jeans and t-shirts (unless at work) and I agree I love h&m for t-shirts.

Congrats on the 1lbs loss. Good luck with the exercise tomorrow

Evening everyone.

We've also got Ikea storage in DS bedroom and I would really really really love a label maker (I can feel ikea and label maker as potential candidates for new thread title - sorry I haven't done any unintentional misspelling recently - not sure what is wrong with me!).
Sol our cleaner costs less than a price of a takeaway, I dread the day she says she doesn't want to clean anymore, it makes a real difference £25 for 2 hours and she does all hoovering, mopping, dusting and bathrooms.

I love Drews hair Green Could you get a permanent wave so you could get that style but it would be easier to maintain? Good plan with you diet and well done on the lb.

Glad you are feeling better Rachey your food plan sounds delicious, very healthy but very very strict! I don't seem to be able to manage without the odd nibble of chocolate

We could add husband training into our decluttering and grooming regime.

Was supposed to fast today but came in around 800 cals, will try again tomorrow.

Green think the drew waves could also be achievable with ghd's.

I think Kirsty always looks very nice but can see why you go for an edgier look :)

Oh My, just finished the workout. I'm so unfit. I think my right knee will need replaced, I'm going to buy some cod liver oil later!
Plus the first video (fat burning) crashed at the end, so I had to play it through again (at this point I did some tidying). Then when it started again I did the second workout twice (I'm thick, I dint notice till halfway through). Only then did I realise that I was still on fat burning!
I didn't want to give up so then I did boxercise and toning. Apart from the problems with the 'Fat burning' video I thought it was a good workout. Each exercise is only 45 seconds with 15seconds in between.
But I've done plenty of fat burning today, so all is good.

I've booked the hairdresser for next week. I may have been slightly dramatic about my Kirstie hair (sorry Kirstie). It actually looked fine this morning.
I think I'll get a trim and reshape some layers. I had sort of a long fringe put in last time, but I might get it blended into more of a long layer (if that makes sense). I found a picture earlier. I love Alexa's hair when it's longer.

I like my hairdresser, but we've just been going for an easy style recently. She has a DD the same age as my youngest, so she gets that it has to be easy to do. Plus I should go more often.

I'm still investigating styling products. I have so many I feel I should try them all out again before I buy more!

I'm having my fast day today. I found an M&S curry meal in the freezer. It's one of the balanced ones which are very filling. It's 380 calories. I'm having some milk for hot drinks and if I'm striving later I'll have an oat cake (48cals)

I'm addicted to coffee too Rachey. I never used to drink it, but DH bought a bean to cup machine a couple of years ago. It gets me through the morning. I try to stop after 3 cups and switch to tea. I love tea too. I should drink more water.

When are you going shopping? I like going into our local H&M, it's never busy on a weekday morning and you can have a nice browse around. I bought some nice casual shirts last spring, just because they looked slightly smarter than t shirts. Plus they were cheap so I didn't mine about child mess getting on them.

I'm going to try to get up and finish the housework now. (If I can still walk)

well done green how do you feel? I love it when my body aches.......feels like I have achieved something :)

Your hair sounds lovely. i love Alexa's hair, but I have never been able to achieve that messy, dont care kinda look. I agree that Drew's hair could be achieved by GHD's (although I am hopeless a styling)

How did your fast day go? I have fallen off the wagon again. Im so angry at myself that I have zero self control. I have 9 weeks till my holiday I really need to pull my s**t together and stop eating.

I've put weight on and I've not lost any inches

Could it just be muscle with the extra weights Rachey? Don't be sad, you've been doing so well. It's probably just a fluctuation.

Will it be easier to avoid food when you are back at work? It's really difficult to stop eating when you are at home and with children. There's always something nice on the go. Anyway, it's your last week of maternity leave. Make sure you relax and enjoy your weekend.

I managed my fast day. I had half my meal in the afternoon and the rest in the early evening. Then 2 really thin crackers with a spoonful of hummus.

I'm not too achy today. (Unless I stop moving for too long)I haven't done any exercise today though! I'm going to do it again tomorrow if I have time.
DH went to IKEA last night, so I'm going to sort both of the DCs bedrooms tomorrow. I've almost done my bedroom, just been doing an hour a day. It was very cluttered.

I tried to do my hair properly yesterday, with products and the diffuser. It looked great. Then I went to pick up DD from school and went to the shops. By the night time it was like a birds nest. (Like the Friends episode with Monica's hair) It was really greasy today but I couldn't be bothered to wash it. I'll try another product next time. I'm compiling a collection of hairstyles on Pinterest!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Well done on your work out green and on your fast day. What product did you use yesterday?

rachey 2 weeks till my holiday and I am furious with myself. Yet another fat holiday (over a stone more than I want to be) and yesterday I ate and ate, it was like I couldn't stop. I am so fed up and cross :( We somehow how to learn through this, I feel so bad, I am really hoping I will stop reaching for comfort/bad food stuff. I need to control my eating :(

Sorry for moaning.

Moan away Beyond. Why is it so hard? I had healthy dinner all planned for yesterday, then we ordered pizza.

Where are you going on holiday? I want to book for May, but I'm lacking inspiration.

I think I should just get my jaw wired shut. It might make it easier!
Didn't mangage any exercise today. The tidying and sorting took forever.

I used this hairstuff. It seems to be better for blow drying straight. I think I put too much on. I'll try something different tomorrow.

Shit weekend of eating here too!

Feeling very down and shit about myself too. It's fucking shit being overweight and struggling to control your eating.

Apologies for the cursing, but it is how I feel.