Don’t know where to begin

[redfox14]

I am starting to feel a bit ashamed and embarrassed of my body. I had DD last year and lost my “baby weight” fairly quickly. But over the past few months I’ve found that I’ve started to put on a lot of weight specifically around my lower tummy/abdomen.

I look as though I’m either bloated or about 20 weeks pregnant most of the time (unless it’s first thing in the morning). My belly is not proportionate at all to the rest of my body and I feel as though all my fat/weight has just suddenly piled there.

I want to try and lose weight but I feel a bit lost. I had looked at joining the gym to go to spin classes, because I used to do them pre pregnancy and really enjoyed them, but my local gym only does them at 7:30 which is the time I set off for work. I wouldn’t have a clue what to do in the gym without a class and frankly am too self conscious to go on my own. I have thought about doing couch to 5k but would have to do that very early in the morning or late at night and I’m a bit apprehensive about doing it in the dark in winter.

I think I can easily manage to change my diet and eat healthier options, and cut out snacking, as I know this is a big part of it. But I would like to get back into exercise and just feel a bit deflated (and self conscious) and not sure where to begin.

Does anyone have any tips or stories of what they did to get back into fitness after having their DC?

A lot of people say using a walking pad on the house really helps , I have a treadmill (gathering dust)

Get some dumbbells and have a look at Heather Robertson - lots of free workouts on YouTube.

Stretching and Yoga are always good. Look at Livinleggings and Yoga with Kassandra.

A strong core is vital and makes everything else so much easier, including walking and running. Check out Rebecca Louise's Best Abs and do the Bowflex 3-minute plank every single day.

Last but very important: weight training!! >>> Caroline Girvan - life-changing.

Food: I would recommend intermittent fasting. 2 meals a day plus one healthy snack. Lots of vegetables, moderate protein, small quantities of healthy fats, dairy, complex carbs. Use strong savoury flavourings, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, herbs, etc to make food more interesting.

No or hardly any sugar, refined carbs or alcohol. If you can cut out sugar, everything else becomes so much easier.

Exercise is really good for you but you seem to be focused on that. What (and when) you eat is more important.

It's interesting that you are feeling more bloated than fat. You may have developed an intolerance.

What has worked for you in the past when losing weight? I'm a great fan of intermittent fasting but that mainly helps if you have poor insulin tolerance. For someone who bloats low carb may be better.

Good luck with it.

Have a look into diastasis recti. It may be less of a weight issue and more of a separated stomach muscle issue.

Youtube is your friend here! Get up 30 mins earlier and do some dancing, or yoga, or anything really. I like Zumba and Joe Wicks!