DH's job is making me fat!!

[trixymalixy]

DH works away all week and I'm left at home looking after DS (3) and DD (8months).

Pre kids I would go to the gym in the evenings, but obviously can't do that while he is away. I have some exercise DVDs but DD sleeps really lightly and the jumping around would probably wake her and by the time I have got them both to bed I am too knackered anyway. I just end up vegging on the couch and eating cause I feel miserable and knackered.

I'm just getting fatter and fatter which is making me even more miserable.

Can someone give me a kick up the backside please and tell em how to get out of this rut?

Build activity into your everyday rather than pigeon-holing it as a separate event 'exercise'. You could take the children for a long walk with the buggy, for example... brisk walking burns up lots of calories. You'll be using up energy chasing round after a baby and a toddler anyway.

Next step is to be more conscious of what you eat, eat a little less and make better food choices. Keeping a food diary is a good place to start. Your children will learn their eating habits mostly from you so that's an added motivation. If you're home all day you have time to prepare simple, healthy meals.... make the most of the opportunity and ditch any ready-made junk from your home.

Base your food day around fresh vegetables and fruit since the vitamins and minerals will elevate your mood and give you energy. Add in moderate amounts of wholegrains and other complex carbohydrates for the same reason. Balance it up with lean proteins and some fats/oils to complete the picture.

I know your pain trixymalixy... I am a service wife and my dh is sent away on long deployments.. last year when he went away I gained 1st 7lbs which is a lot for me and this time he is away again... I have refused to let it happen again..

I have three dcs 6, 3 and 1! Like you my children are light sleeper however I have managed to do my 30 day shred dvd without waking them as it is low impact so less noise.. I am also lucky enough to have a treadmill in the garage which i take a baby monitor with me!!

To help me with fat burning I purchased a heart rate monitor with a watch off ebay for about £20 and from the internet worked out what my fat burning zone was and walked with the pushchair and kept it in that zone for at least 30 mins... it works..!!

The eating for me is the problem as I find I get bored inthe evenings and start snacking but have started carrying a water bottle with me and everytime I feel myself going near the kitchen I drink that..

The thread are fantastic for support as well... sorry it's along post but I just wanted you to know that your not alone....

Chil1234 I do eat pretty healthily during the day with the kids. It's the evenings that let me down as bedtimes are such a battle I end up drinking wine and snacking to cheer myself up a bit.

Going for a long walk would definitely burn he calories as DS wants to be carried everywhere at the moment!

Twinkle, you have it much worse than me as at least my DH is home at the weekends! I had never heard of that 30 day shred DVD before, but I have ordered it from Amazon after looking at the current thread on it. It sounds exactly what i need!

Good luck with it.. Come and join the cult on the 30 day shed thread.. Your love it!! If you ever need motivation not to snack this is the thread for you!! Also if you ever just need to talk things out let me know....