Gave birth 7 mo. ago and still am overweight

Hello, am new to this site.  Just started today.  I had my second baby (in 2 years) about 7 months ago.  I gained a ton of weight, about 65 lbs., during that pregnancy.  I used to be slender and so fit.  Now I am so lazy and unmotivated (always tired with two babies these days) I just don't feel like exercising and all I've wanted to do is eat for comfort after the babies go to bed.  I weigh 160 lbs., the most I've ever weighed in my life (excluding the pregnancy months) and disgusted with myself.  

I started really watching what I ate two weeks ago and have only lost 5 lbs.  It's very frustrating.  I am now kicking it up a notch on the treadmill every day but am almost desperate.  I joined this group to keep track and for support from other mothers who are overwhelmed with the prospect of losing weight while taking care of kids.

Thanks,

Carla

Hi Carla, I'm in the same boat as you.  I just had my 2nd baby in two years as well.  I have an 18 month old and a 2 month old - I'm the most I've ever weighed and just returned back to work full time.  I'm exhausted with no time to exercise and desperately want to lose weight and feel better about myself.  I started dieting last week and haven't weighed myself yet because I'm scared the scale won't reflect what I want it to and that I'll lose motivation. 

On the other hand, I think that it's great that you've lost 5 lbs in two weeks!!  Congrats to you, even though you may have wanted to lose more that is healthy and it will stay off.

Let's keep eachother motivated!  I plan on weighing myself tomorrow morning so we'll see how that goes.

I have to express my amazement at you girls!  I have just had my second child, but my first is 13 years old.  During my first week back home from the hospital, even though I have UNBELIEVABLE support from my husband (who would nurse this baby himself if he could to help me...) I found myself thinking, "How on earth do people get anything done if they have an infant and a toddler? How do the people I work with who have 2 kids under 5 ever GET anywhere?" No lie, on the first day, I was so wrapped up with baby, I didn't even EAT until 3 in the afternoon!  I didn't have TIME! 

The good news is you dropped 5 lbs already, which is a good chunk!  Don't underrate that!  Honestly, at that rate, you'll keep the weight off in a healthy way... it isn't good to drop too much too fast.  Remember, slow and steady wins the race...(I know, easier said than done when you see the mirror when you step from the shower...but it is still true!)

Mousephd, it's definately a challenge and the truth is that I hardly get anything done!  My house is a mess and if the laundry and dishes get done then I at least feel a sense of accomplishment.  But the mess can wait because my babies definately come first!! 

Carla, 5 pounds in 2 weeks is a lot.  You should be very encouraged by that.  It took 18 months to gain it all (2 pregnancies), so be realistic that it will probably take that long to lose it all. 

But then I'm not one to talk as I am frustrated too.  I have an 8 month old and it is my first baby.  I gained 52 lbs with the pregnancy and I lost 20 in the first month, then another 10 over the course of 3 months, and then I was stuck for months until I finally stopped breastfeeding when she was 6 months old.  I was finally able to diet and had just a little more time to exercise usually only about 20 minutes in the evening after she went to bed.  By dieting and squeezing in some longer workouts here and there that I have lost another 10 lbs in 2 and 1/2 months.  12 more pounds to go!  What's weird is the 12 lbs left are ALL on my belly.  I have never had weight so concentrated in one are like this in the past when I gained weight and it is so hard to lose.

I just read Jillian Michael's book (from the Biggest Loser) and I am going to do my best to follow her plan.  It is really realistic but very strict.  Working out 5 days a week for 45 minutes and you can break that up into mini-sessions throughout the day if you can't do it all at one time.  The hard part is the diet but then that always is.  I've already given in to some sugar cravings in the first 2 days, but then it is the holidays.

Good luck with the weight loss.  maybe we can all help motivate each other.

I just had my son 5 weeks ago.  I gained 54lbs with him.  My weight before I got pregnant was 105-110, which was great.  well, I feel motivated....there is so much going on.  I am starting work next week ( after my 6 week checkup), I am a certified personal trainer, but I dont feel like marketing myself right now...I think people would laugh at me.  I am currently talking classes for my certification in nutrition consultation, and ofcourse...my son is almost 6 weeks old.  My husband is great, but he will be watching him all day while I work....and I am a little nervous.  Anyway, I have so much going on, but I manage to get some exercise in every night.  I am down to 138lbs....but I am at a slight platau....  I know I'll get past this platau....blah blah blah....but I will get to the point.  

My stomach is recked!!!  I have stretchmarks that are in cirles on my belly, red...and big....and my stomach feels like jello.  I am really motivated, but, I am woried that ....well, no matter how much weight I lose, or even if I weigh what I did pre-pregnancy....that I will never be sexy again.

Yikes, well reading all your comments makes me feel lucky!  I have great support from my fiance and my family and friends, and live in Canada.  So am thinking - do you folks from the US only get 6 weeks for maternity leave?  we get 1 year total between maternity and parental leave and the parental can be taken by either the mother or father.

so there is a lot more time to take a nap, take part in activities, AND stay close to your baby (or in my case, toddlers and baby-to-be).

I am a full time working mom with twin 2 year old boys, and in my not-so-spare-time, I run a professional cheerleading team up her in beautiful British Columbia. 

I delivered my twins early 2 years ago with a total weight gain of 32 lbs BUT i was already an athletic 145lbs to start.  I lost everything except the "10 lbs" they talk about taking 6 months, which really did take 6 months.  Thanks to muscle memory, I was sporting a bikini by summer with a six pack!

I am now 8 months pregnant.  With this second pregnancy, and baby #3 on the way, I have put on 40lbs already......one month to go....and apparently I need to eat more per my doc who is not satisfied with my belly growth - are you kidding me?  where the heck am i gonna put any more food?!  The 40 lbs must have all gone to my hips and butt!

You know what, I am not stressing about the weight.  Packing up the kiddies, heading off to toddler gymnastics, or swimming with the grandparents, a couple work outs a week, and plenty of rest....how can we fail?  Dont forget a healthy natural diet (lots of water, very limited simple sugars, lots of greens, all whole grains, lots of lean meats and low fat dairy, yada yada - i have always found that meal supplements and all that crap are just crap and make me retain more weight than if i just ate well)

If you had a cesarean, take it easy on yourself ladies!  Your body didnt get to experience the things it needed to drop the weight asap - especially off the belly.

So my suggestions, take it easy - 6 weeks?  that is not enough time to bounce back, you just pushed a watermelon out ya nostrel!  :-)

Its great that you are getting active or wanting to be more motivated, but dont forget that good sleep is equally important as exercise.  And they help each other - exercise will help you sleep and sleep will help you lose weight.

As for being lazy.....get dolled up in your best lululemon outfit (do you have lulu there?), dust off the stroller, drink a tonne of water, and hit the pavement every day for 1 hour or whatever you can squeeze in....split it up, do whatever - IT WILL COME OFF!  I always feel better when I go work out in something nicer than my old sweats...a little gloss and mascara goes a long way!  I also used to double up o everything - so my workout was on the way to get groceries or diapers or head to the bank....time is limited for us busy moms!

Stretch marks and saggy boobs, well let me tell you i have started a plastic surgery fund for that stuff....hahaha.....if its really that bad, we can get it taken care of!

Give yourself a break!  you are beautiful even with those momma bear scars.....  I look at my boys every night and thank my lucky stars that I managed to keep all my limbs after caring for them....

What a miracle, and a miracle we survived it!

DOES ANYONE HAPPEN TO KNOW HOW MANY CALORIES I HAVE TO CONSUME A DAY IN ORDER TO LOSE WEIGHT.  I HAVE AN 8 MONTH OLD BABY. I WEIGH 175 AND AM 5-6?

nicolepasacreta, you are hilarious and very motivational! Here in the US we can take up to 12 weeks unpaid under the Family and Medial Leave Act. My company allowed me to take 6 weeks of short term disability because I had a c-section (I got paid!). I have a couple of friends who recently moved here from Israel and they were appaled when I told them I was only taking 7 weeks of maternity leave. One of them told me the US gives women the least amount of time off compared to any other country.

anabri, you can calculate how many calories you need by using the Calorie Target tool. Remember: if you are breastfeeding you should probably consume no less than your maintenance calories (since breastfeeding burns an additional 300-500 calories each day).

Edited to correct paragraph spacing.

bier - thanks but holy smokes!  we get 1 year PAID in Canada, only to a certain amount but many employers top up that leave so you are not short a dime.  I am totally appauled also.  God love Canada.

Good luck everyone in your goals!

nicole_p: it is so wonderful that you can take that long of a maternity leave.  I was allowed 6 weeks at 60% of my pay and another 6 completely unpaid.  I have 2 babies under 2 and since I took all of my time and my husband lost his job in the process we've lost our house!  If I lived in Canada there's no way that would have happened because I could have supported my hubby during my maternity leave.  UGH - anyways...everything happens for a reason and my spirits are high. 

hey carla, i know how you feel, i gained 50 pounds during my pregnancy. Ive lost most of it but i still have the pop belly. Im trying more to tone up. Its gonna take time tho. But we have the advatage of burning more calories because we have to chase our little kids around lol. 5 pounds in 2 weeks is very good and now that your stepping it up a bit, you'll lose more weight! Good luck, and congrats on the baby! :)

Sorry to say the stretch marks are here to stay. I am different from most of the people here in that I have 3 children. I gave birth to my last baby 7 months ago. I have another child who will be 3 in May and one that will be 9 in July. These two little ones are kicking my ass. I wont even lie and say that my boyfriend is a lot of help because he is not. He works nights so in the day when I am up trying to do school work and squeeze in some exercise he is trying to sleep. If I can get in two days worth of exercise that in itself is a blessing. I am counting more on my calorie consumption now. I believe once I start working and/or get the children in day care, things will be a little easier. I can say I had it easy with my weight loss journey with the first two, I breastfed them, ate whatever I wanted and lost 40 pounds with both of them within the first 3-4 months. I gained 45 with the first, 60 with the second and 50 with this last. My stomach has been stretched to the point of no return. I could lose all the weight I want but I think this pooch is here to stay. I am one of those people whose stomach stretches to the point of no return when having children. So I have that loose skin like the people who lose tons of weight real fast. Luckily Im off the market because I wouldnt want anyone else to have to stare at it too long....lol.

Hi everyone!

I am new to this site and, well obviously want to loose a little weight. With my first child, now 5, I gained 55 lbs!!! I went to curves 4 days a week and lost it all eventually. But it probably took a full year. With this one I have been lucky - only gained 35 lbs and have been working hard to get it off.I have only 7 more lbs to go - but it is definitely harder than the first 25-30, let me tell you.

I am currently obsessed with the crunch total body resculpt video - man does it really work! Be prepared to be sore! I recommend it to everyone - and if you have netflix you can stream it to your computer and work out in the living room.  I also run when I can - but as we all know it is hard to make time away from the family on your own. Another good workout is to laydown like you are going to do crunches with your legs flat on the ground. squeeze a pillow between your feet and then pull your feet into your butt, bending your knees. Next put your feet up in the air and slowly lower them down. circle your feet with the pillow inbetween about 10-12 times then rest, do another exercise and then do another rep or two. This works those weird stomach and back muscles that are so hard to isolate.

Carla - this is my recommendation - for 2 weeks cut out everything white and dairy, otherthan eggs and yogurt and cottage cheese - they are fine. But no white sugar, opt for brown, no butter no milk no cheese - nothing. You will instantly loos 5-10 lbs and your body will not crave that stuff as much once you cleanse it out of your body. Just also choose a healthier alternative. Wheat and grainy bread over white - etc . . . don;t go nuts on low-fat, avocados are wonderful. Yogurt is fine. give your body great food without all that white flour and intense dairy that stops you up (whether you realize it or not). try to drink only water, coffee and tea - don;t OD on caffeine though ;-)

Let us know how it is going! I know it can be intimidating loosing all that weight, but the sooner you get started the easier it is to loose that fat because it hasn;t had a chance to really stablize itself on your body. Don't throw out your cute old clothes yet! You can do it!