Getting Back Into Shape - Strategy Sharing!

[Lizbiz]

What are you all doing to get back into shape? What kinds of exercises, workouts, or strategies have worked (or are working) for you? How/what are you eating?

It took me a long time to lose the weight with #1 and I'd like to lose it faster (if possible) this time. Please tell me how you ladies do it!

Here's me so far:

Exercise: I'm 8 weeks postpartum and have between 10-15 pounds to lose (haven't weighed myself in a while because our scale has been at my husband's office - it's a long story!). I started running at 6 weeks postpartum and am jogging 3 days a week for about 30-40 minutes per run at this point. I try to walk with the kids whenever possible - out to play, running errands, whatever! I need to be more consistent about doing stomach exercises - my stomach is more floppy after my 2nd than it was after my 1st! I'm planning to run a 10K in May and that's my motivation. I love running anyway, but it's fun to have something to look ahead and train for. I'll just jog for now and get on a training program when I've built a base.

Eating: I'm eating ok. I haven't been able to give up my evening treat (a little chocolate, or a cookie, or whatever sweets we've got!) - it kind of gives me a little something to look forward to at the end of a long day, you know? I think I'll eventually have to give that up though to lose it all. Otherwise I'm eating pretty well - I think. I wish I could eat more fresh veggies here (China) - but it's a load of work to sanitize them! I need to get off my lazy bum and do it though - it would help. I'm not on a diet at all since I'm nursing - but I am trying to be conscious of what's going in my mouth. I have to work on enjoying my food though - with two kids to look after - I find myself often shoveling my food in quickly because I'm just busy or getting too hungry or thirsty because I haven't had time to pour a glass of water or eat a banana!

[hakeber]

hmmm...So far it consists of two twenty minute walks, half uphill with a 10lb baby strapped to me. I am planning on increasing that to two forty minute walks, and hopefully my baby will get heavier, too, providing better strengthing.

I do baby curls and lifts with her for arm toning.

I would like to add in some cardio and ab and butt toning, but truthfully I know myself too well. Exercise that actually feels like exercise is purely for self-castigation in my mind, the only pleasure I get from it is of the masochistic kind. I will probably have to wait until I am done nursing so I can drop down to minimal calories and really go at it.

In the meantime, I am eating okay and wearing a girdle, a low cut blouse and lots of makeup to draw attention UPWARDS, when I go out. I also try to laugh a lot as it helps tighten the tummy.

[hakeber]

Why do you need to SANITIZE your veggies? Why can't you just wash them? Where in China are you?

[Cativari]

I'm two and half weeks out and last night I just did my first offical 'workout', a 30 min pilates tape. Kept up okay but was very careful to only do the transverse ab exercises at the ab specific part. In a couple weeks I'll add some weights or resistance bands to the workout I did last night. At 6 weeks or so I'm going to up the intensity to more of a bootcamp style work out (hoping I can afford the "intensity" workout by beach body soon after).

Otherwise I'm tandeming again.

I have about 20-25 more pounds(2 more pants sizes) I'd like to lose more (40lbs) if I don't gain some muscle. Ideally I want to end up back in 2/3 sized pants but 4/5 will do as 2/3's haven't been since just before I took the depo shot and gained a 70+ lbs.

[hakeber]

I haven't worn a size 2-3 since I was 10.

[JayJay]

My exercise regime...ummmm

BREASTFEEDING! Yes! Honestly I'm losing so much weight just doing that that I think if I took up deliberate exercise I would become a stick. Not good. Like my curves!

Having said that, I think I am going to probably start doing situps with Bella (holding her, not forcing her to do them as well... )in a couple of weeks just tog et my tummy muscles back where they were.

[gabeyho]

well, i HATE running, but have done very well in the past with strength training 3-4 times a week and walking. I also have done really well in the beginning with videos, my preference being Tae-Bo. I will start my videos and body-weight/low-weight strength training in a couple weeks when the lo has a more predictable schedule. In the mean-time I just started walking with my giganto double stroller, and it is a great leg workout!

my diet is for another day. it is ok, but could be much better. i have too many people to cook/shop for, mostly little kids, so i just can't fix food just for me and for them separately. plus, i love to bake.

breastfeeding has never done anything for me in terms of weight loss, and i am always starving!!

[gabeyho]

Originally Posted by hakeber

I haven't worn a size 2-3 since I was 10.

i will be happy to get down to a 10!! even a 12 would be nice. don't even want to know what size I am right now, since my shape is so mushy.

[AfricanQueen99]

I'm already under my pre-pregnancy weight, bit none of my clothes fit. My undies and pants keep falling down...guess I'm destined to wear yoga pants forever.

I would like to firm up, but fear starting anything too soon (3.5 weeks pp) since my stitches still pull at weird movements.

And a huge YEAH THAT on not being a 2/3 since middle school!!

[Sharlla]

Originally Posted by hakeber

I haven't worn a size 2-3 since I was 10.

Same here LOL I was a size 8 when I got PG and I'm still wearing my XL maternity pants, grrrr.

[Sharlla]

Originally Posted by JayJay

My exercise regime...ummmm

BREASTFEEDING! Yes! Honestly I'm losing so much weight just doing that that I think if I took up deliberate exercise I would become a stick. Not good. Like my curves!

Having said that, I think I am going to probably start doing situps with Bella (holding her, not forcing her to do them as well... )in a couple of weeks just tog et my tummy muscles back where they were.

In the past I didn't lose weight until I stopped BFing. I hope that's not the case this time around.

[Mulvah]

For people that lose weight breastfeeding, is it a fast weight loss or do you continue to lose weight slowly? I'm 7 weeks out and while I only have 8 pounds to go until I'm at my PP weight. Only one pair of pants fit, so I'm wearing them. My hips are very...hippy. When does that go away?

Edited by Mulvah - 10/16/11 at 11:18am

[AfricanQueen99]

^^^ I left the hospital at prepregnancy weight plus four pounds. Now I am at four pounds under prepregnancy - 3.5 weeks pp. I would not say it is fast or slow in regards to weight loss - it just is. It worked the same with my daughter and I came out 10 pounds under my prepregnancy weight with her.

[gabeyho]

i have never been anywhere near my prepreggo weight since ds1. if i could even get within 10-15 lbs of that, i would be smokin' hot! i've got 55lbs to go from here to get there, all gained over the course of 5 pregnanciesin as little as 7 years. can i do it? yes! is it easy? no! i've lost 50 before, now i need to do it once more.

[kitteh]

I'm just about 2 weeks postpartum and I've lost ~15 lbs so far. Most of that happened the first week, and now I've plateaued because of my sweet tooth. In the hospital I had a piece of chocolate cake every day and that kind of set the trend. Plus my mom is in town helping out, so we've had cookies and cakes and deserts ++ from her, which isn't helping.

Originally Posted by Cativari

Ideally I want to end up back in 2/3 sized pants but 4/5 will do.

This is me too. I was down into size 2 jeans before I got pregnant, but I was working out almost every day back then. I'd be happy with getting into my size 4s though. I finally got sick of wearing maternity pants so I went to Ross and bought some jeans, size 8. I was kind of secretly hoping that I'd be able to SQUEEZE into a size 6, but no dice.

Originally Posted by Mulvah

For people that lose weight breastfeeding, is it a fast weight loss or do you continue to lose weight slowly?

Oh man, I'm hoping it happens over time because I was kind of banking on bf to help me get rid of these thighs!

I started adding a huuuuge salad in the middle of the day and it helps me so much. I was snacking all. day. long. Now, only nighttime. I stay up with DS so DP can get some sleep and just snack on almonds, fruits, chocolate chips, etc. Not good when you're eating three portions worth in one sitting.

The salad is a good idea, I need to do that. I just bought a bunch of mixed greens and fixings, so now I just have to EAT it! I also think finding better snacks is the key. I get really hungry at night when Ela wakes up to feed, and up until lately the only quick snacks we had were muffins and cookies. So almonds, fruit, and chocolate chips is actually an improvement for me! But I'm trying to keep the trail mix to a minimum. What else can I stash in the nightstand for quick middle-of-the-night munching?

Originally Posted by AfricanQueen99

^^^ I left the hospital at prepregnancy weight plus four pounds. Now I am at four pounds under prepregnancy - 3.5 weeks pp.

I'm jealous. How much did you gain? I was hoping (well, secretly convinced, really) that I'd be one of those women who would lose 20+ pounds right off the bat, but the day I got home from the hospital I think I'd only dropped 5lbs, and I had a 7lb 12oz baby! I've since lost 15lbs total, but I gained 36. So I have some weight to drop yet.

As for exercise, I've just started taking short walks this week and I've been doing light abdominal exercises for the last week and a half or so. I don't have a checkup until 6 weeks pp and I don't want to wait that long to start real workouts, but I figure that I'll take it a bit easy for another week and then start upping intensity. Which probably just means longer walks

[AfricanQueen99]

I gained 16-17 pounds, but had a kid that came out at 8 lb 12 oz. So, honestly, the weight loss was all pushing stuff out and not nursing...the eight pounds since then was nursing.

Sadly, the old man told me my butt is now gone. Blah to the side of the family with flat butts!

[Gray's Mommy]

8 days postpartum & i have no idea of what i weigh i go tomorrow for a first pedi visit & will step on the scale. i lost all my weight with breastfeeding with my last 2 & hope it will be the same this time around.

i'll probably just start walking again when it warms up...maybe do some arm toning stuff too.

[Magistra]

10 days postpartum and today I walked with my partner to pick older son up from school. 6 blocks each direction, uphill the way there, carrying baby in the sling. It was just barely too much--my pelvis hurts now.

With my first, I gained a touch over 50 pounds, but lost about 30 in delivery and was within 5 pounds of pre-pregnancy weight in almost no time. This time I gained 47 pounds, but was only 13 down when I got home. I attribute some of that to water weight from the bolus they gave me. Now that's out of my system, I'm 23 down. Crossing my fingers for a slow but steady breastfeeding bump.

I've started doing some stretches, mostly for my back, and am going to add a few gentle yoga moves soon, maybe a little pilates. Once I feel more solid, I'm going to check out the Wii Fit Plus I got for Christmas.

[Dea]

ack!
I hate being post partum. Hate it!
Anyhow with Trixie I did weight watchers and walked. This time I'll do WW again and walk, and I think I'll seek out a trainer. I had one pre babies and I loved it.
I went for a big ol' walk today and I am so sore from it. I feel like I just gave birth again. Achy! I'm3 weeks PP... so I don't think it should hurt this much, and we've been active, it's not like I"ve been on my duff eating bon bons these past 3 weeks!

[Lizbiz]

Hi Hakeber - I should clarify - If we cook our veggies, then we just wash them normally with tapwater (albeit rather thoroughly). If I want to eat something raw (that I can't peel - like a green pepper, or lettuce leaves) - then I have to use a special solution (or diluted bleach) to sanitize the veggies, or I risk getting food poisoning. I've gotten food poisoning about 5-6 times here so far in two years (never from my own cooking) - and it's no fun - so I'm very very careful now! I actually don't ever eat raw lettuce here - oh how I miss a good salad! Chinese people are accustomed - in part because they rarely eat veggies raw, and frankly, they get a lot of upset tummies anyway (many just use tapwater on things like strawberries and get sick). Hygiene standards are different. I live in Nanjing - two hours west of Shanghai.

Oh I don't think breastfeeding really helps me lose weight - I actually think I hang on to an extra 5 pounds (or more) until my lo starts eating more solids. Darn it.

I agree - I hate being postpartum. I love love love this baby, but I hate hate hate what my body has to go through to get back to normal (or some new version of normal!). Gabeyho - you are amazing for 5 pregnancies in 7 years - wow! I'd like to have 5 (or more - we'll see when we get there) children as well - and it's daunting to think about doing this 3 more times. It takes a lot of patience and dying to self - which I am slowly slowly learning.

Anybody doing Yoga? I hate strength training (I know I should do it, but I've tried, and I just get bored and confused by all the machines.). I need to do something besides running to tone. I'm so so mushy!

I also have not seen size 2 since hmmm... kindergarten? Maybe?