Help, I've always been slim, but now I'm getting fatter by the day.

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, all through my childhood and before I had my daughter I was very slim. Size 8-10 and 5 foot 6. I found it easy to get lots of excercise when my daughter was in a push chair, as we live on a huge hill and I could push her in to town and back most days. (I don't drive), but now she's 4.5 She walks everywhere but can't walk as far as I'd need to to get enough excercise.
I have always been very active, and have always had a hobbie eg tennis, ballet, and taekwondo, but now I don't do much at all. I work two night shifts a week where I tend to eat sweets, cakes crisps etc all night. needless to say, I am now quite fat. I am now between a 12-14. (always 14 on the bottom half) It probubly dosn't sound too huge, but I've always been so slim and now I feel really fat and frumpy.
I'd really like some advice as it how to get more excercise and what to eat.
I have a sweet tooth and have always been able with enough excercise, to eat sweets and not put on weight but now I can't.
I don't want to eat too much artificial sweetener, as it's so bad for you.
I'd really like to loose weight in time for christmas, as looking back on the christmas pics, I notice how I seem to get fatter and fatter.
I'd be really greatfull for any advice and tips. Also dieting makes me depressed and snappy, so any tips to overcome that, I'd be really greatfull. Thanks in advance.

bump

Not much help, but I totally sympathize. I was always skinny without having to do anything. Now I have hit my 'mid' 30's the weight has started to pile on, with no change in diet. I find it really creepy when I catch my reflection in the mirror and almost don't recognise myself. The change is quite a shock. Other people may still see me the same, but I don't. I fluctuate between a size 12-14 now as opposed to a size 8.
I am now looking to lose weight, something I have NEVER even given a second thought to before, but have no idea where to start so will be watching with interest

Thanks for replying. It is an awful feeling isn't it? In my case though, I know I've bought it on myself. I comfort eat and don't excersise enough any more. In fact, as I'm typing, I'm eating some chocolates that I was given for my birthday. I'm thinking, if I eat them soon, Ican start my diet sooner. I should really just get rid of them, but they are nice ones.

My thing is crisps. Can't walk past a pack without fighting the urge to eat them, but I know if i have one packet i will have more. Am hoping to cut out wine until christmas. Will See if cutting out the crisps and wine will do any good.

Oh yes, I love crisps too. I think I just need to empty the house of all the junk food, becuse I won't go out and buy it, but if it's there I'll eat it.
It's my husband who buys the junk food, so I'll have to have a word with him.

Hi there. I totally sympathise with you - once you have a child it is so much harder both to eat healthily and to exercise enough. I have 2 young children and a DH who all love their sweet treats and it is so hard to resist when it's around you all the time. You could try home workouts - there are some really good DVDs out there and if your daughter is happily playing for half an hour or so you could maybe do it then. It sounds, though, as if you need some proper time out for yourself - why not look into an exercise class you could maybe get to on an evening you're not working? I have recently set up a women-only running group for beginners in my home town and some women who come have never run before and 1 has an 8-wk-old baby! It's a great way to get fit, lose weight and meet other mums too. The Women's Running Network hold sessions all over the country - you could check out their website for more info. Good luck!

Thanks, that sounds good. I would like to do something that's just for me, even if it's only once a week. I think us mums tend to neglect ourselves a bit. I'm in the habbit of thinking that any time/money that's spent on myself is wasted as it's time/money that could be spent on my daughter. It sounds silly, but I'm sure I'm not alone.