Anyone doing a post-baby shape up?

[dkenagy]

Need some thoughts, motivation, empathy, etc. as I embark on my post-baby shape up! Regardless of the fact that I was in my pre-pg jeans at 2 weeks postpartum and at my pre-pg weight by 6 weeks (won't allow myself to weigh prior to 6 weeks pp!), my abdominal/core muscles are a wreck!! I mean, I've been pregnant/breastfeeding/both for the last 8 years, and my core could really use some toning/strengthening.

So, who's on board? I'll definitely need someone(s) to keep me accountable and motivated.
Let's do it!!

[katelove]

We are. DH and I decided last night that we would like to lose 20kg before my family's annual picnic in mid-December.

I am 10kg over my pre-pregnancy weight which was 10kg over where I would like to be. My goal is 53kg.

Our plan is to eat lots of salads (DH is vegetarian) and start walking every day. I'm also going to do some push-ups, fitball squats, tricep dips and ab exercises here at home. I don't think it is realistic for me to try and get back to the gym at this stage.

ETA - oh and we're going to cut out the chocolate/cake etc

[maydaymom10]

I'm in. I also have a vacation coming up in December -- Florida. So my motivation should be high. I've made it down to our basement a few times for some weights and a little time on my rowing machine. My goal is to get down there more starting next week. DS is usually pretty good at being my personal trainer & not crying. I had to cut the workout short on Monday, though.

My downfall this week has been my diet, so I need to really work on cleaning it up (hear-hear to the chocolate cake - or cupcakes in my case). I'm about 5 lbs away from pre-preg weight, but would like to lose a little more. But more importantly, I'd love to be able to fit into my clothes again.

I'm all for keeping each other motivated. Are we reporting on here daily??

[KSDoulaMama]

Yeah! At 6 weeks postpartum I started going to a 2x/week yoga class which I love, and today (7 weeks) I went to the gym for the first time. I am actually 3lbs BELOW my pre-preg weight, strangely, but I really want to get my endurance back up and tone my core. I went to the gym up until 38 weeks pregnant and I was in great shape, had a great birth, and now I feel good except that I have no abdominal strength whatsoever! It is nice to work out because it is time that is all about ME and there is really not much of that when you have a baby at home. (DW stays with the babe and can nurse her, so that helps me feel really secure about leaving her to get to the Y to work out!)

[dkenagy]

I wish my husband could nurse the baby sometimes! :-P

Let's plan to update as daily-ish as possible. I know I'm not on here every day, but I'll make an effort to get on here a couple times a week.

I'm doing some isometric ab-work and push-ups, lunges, squats, etc. Haven't been in the mood for cardio since the actual temp has been in the triple digits all week with 80-85% humidity and heat indices in the 110s. Blech... I think I've sweated off another 5 pounds just walking out the water the chickens and gather eggs this week!!

Guess I should cut out my daily ice cream habit? I've done fairly well with making better food choices of late. I said in my original post that I can wear my pre-pg jeans, but I never had a "muffin-top" before. My ab tone is NONE and my little poochy, belly-skin area is driving me crazy!!

[KSDoulaMama]

Ah, the muffin-top! My biggest complaint! My belly just spills out all over the place. That is my motivator.

[maydaymom10]

I'm going to make my official start date on Monday. I may get something in tomorrow, but today is shot. My brother's in town & coming to stay, but we have no idea when he's getting here so I probably won't work out. Does cleaning the house count?? If so, then I got a mad work out in this morning

Also, was really bummed to find out that our Rec center won't accept babies into child care until 3 months old. I don't know if DH will be able to help or not (he gets home late in the evenings). I do have a rower and a nice weight set in our basement, and of course my yoga stuff, so I guess I'm stuck with that for now. But, that's really no excuse now, is it?

[dkenagy]

I've got no real workout equipment at home. I've got a birth/exercise ball and some yoga/pilates DVDs. My grandmother lives across the street and she has a treadmill and exercise bike, plus will watch my kiddos while I tread/bike. But I have to motivate myself to get the kids ready and go over there, exercise, then usually end up doing other stuff because I keep my grandparents' personal and business books and there's always something...
Going to the mountains Mon-Wed. Hope to get in some good hiking and swimming. My other grandmother lives up there and was telling me today how "hot" it's been. A high temp so far this summer of 86* at her house. Wow. Three days this past week it was 102*, 104*, and 103*. A high in the mid-80s sounds divine and like good being-outside weather.

[KSDoulaMama]

Thursday went to yoga.

Friday 35 minutes on the treadmill mostly walking uphill, a few intervals of running. Not bad for the first time since having Grace. A bit of ab work and lots of stretching as well.

Saturday wanted to take baby out in the stroller, but jogger tires were flat, arrg! Took her on a short walk in the sling.

Today is hot out and it's a busy day. I will attempt to do some ab work at home and aim for getting to the gym tomorrow!

[jillc512]

Me! I'm 18 pounds above my ppg weight, plus another 10 lbs I put on while TTC. With the other kids, nursing and some biking did it, but I realized I actually need to watch my diet after #3 and being so old now (31 ).

I've started doing some workout videos (Turbo Jam), focusing mainly on the strength training ones (there's one called Total Body Blast that is a great core workout).

I've also NOT eaten everything in sight for the past 3 days and finally lost a few pounds after being stuck at the same weight for about two weeks (I was starting to think my scale was broken!).

[maydaymom10]

DS has been a bit cranky this week, so I haven't been able to get a really good workout in. But, I managed some walks both yesterday and today. 2.2 miles each pushing the stroller & at a pretty good pace (took about 30 minutes to complete each). I'm hoping that he'll nap a little later this afternoon so I can do some yoga, but we'll see. At least he's not screaming bloody murder today. I'm not sure what was going on yesterday, but it was a very long and exhausting day trying to keep him content.

[mamaspirit]

Me! I am quite a bit below my pre pregnancy weight due to how sick I have been, but oh, I am soooo out of shape! My muscles are so flabbly and my skin feels loose on my belly, backs of my thighs, but, and arms. I can't do a lot of aerobic excercise yet, but I am doing the push up and squat challenge. Just after a couple days of doing the program I already feel a little bit tighter.

[KSDoulaMama]

Sunday did crunches on the yoga ball and leg lifts.

Monday didn't make it to the gym because some friends of ours gave us a TON of apricots from their tree and we needed to can/jam them before they went bad.

Tuesday went to yoga class.

Today DW and I are taking turns going to the gym/being with the baby.

ETA: I was successful in getting to the gym. Did 40 minutes of intervals on the elliptical and lots of stretching and core strengthening again. Feels good!

[brooklyn_warbler]

I've been doing cardio 4, sometimes 5, times a week. I haven't had the time to reintegrate the strength training because as it is I come home to a frazzled husband (and a newborn who wants to eat) every time and it's kinda draining. I have been doing basic diastisis healing stuff though although I only have a 1/2 finger separation at the bottom. I just want it to heal more before attempting ab work. I am really happy because my abs are gaining more definition eack week, but it's my butt/thighs/hips that are the harder issue for me. Obliques in particular. Totally hate the muffin top!

I recently switched over to listening to music instead of watching TV while I run and in the same amount of time I can go 1.5miles more. And I have lost 7 lbs in the 3 weeks since I've instituted this..with no change in diet.

[melisar]

How to start?

I weighed in at 5lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight last week at my 6 week exam but don't know how to nurse & attempt to return to the gym or even go for a quick run. I have been working so hard to increase my milk supply (lact. consultant, La Leche meetings, fenugreek & tinctures) but am still not able to pump enough to leave my little girl. Any advice for this once super active now turned sedentary first time mama? I love breastfeeding but for my mental health need to be more active! I would also like to fit in m clothes for when I return to work in September.

[maydaymom10]

I lost 2 lbs last week!

This week is focused on getting my diet back on track. I managed a 2.5 mile walk/run yesterday & a 2.5 mile walk today. I decided to go back to using my Podrunner interval training podcast to get me back up to the 5k I was doing before getting pregnant. Now I'm pushing the jogging stroller too. That should burn some extra calories.

[KSDoulaMama]

Didn't manage to get to yoga on Thursday.

We spent the weekend camping in Colorado Springs (for four nights) and it was amazing. Got in a couple of good hikes while we were there. Now we are back home and it is hot hot hot... I'll be sad to be at the gym instead of out on the gorgeous trails in the mountains!

[To-Fu]

Originally Posted by KSDoulaMama

Ah, the muffin-top! My biggest complaint! My belly just spills out all over the place. That is my motivator.

I am so rocking a magnificent muffin top!

I want to do some Dance Dance Revolution, but I'm concerned about my slight rectal prolapse. Anyone else dealing with fitness + prolapse?

[Mama2Bean]

Originally Posted by To-Fu

I am so rocking a magnificent muffin top!

I want to do some Dance Dance Revolution, but I'm concerned about my slight rectal prolapse. Anyone else dealing with fitness + prolapse?

Could you talk more about this prolapse? I have noticed something perhaps not quite right...hmm...

[mwright]

I'm nervous to do any workouts as I'm not feeling quite "right" down there yet. I still get a heavy feeling or I feel friction in my vagina that is uncomfortable. Not sure if its prolapse or what but it makes me nervouse. I really want to work out tho!! For now, its just kegels.

But the good news is that I'm eating healthy and losing roughly 1 lb a week. I have 13lbs to go to get to my goal weight!!