Need advice...

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to give a little background first.  Started out at 237.8 as of February 15, 2008.  My daughter's 5th birthday.  I got sick with the flu and was out of work for a few weeks.  Ended up losing about 15 pounds, and kept it off.  I decided to learn about nutrition and being healthy and found this website April 27.  At that point I was 217.8.  Since then, I have been very good about counting calories, but no working out (other than raising 2 little girls while working full time and keeping up with the house).  I am now down to about 200, but concerned that I need to start toning up because the weight is coming off too fast.  I am 5'10", female and 30.  Definitely pear shaped :) 

My question to all of you is whether I can continue to lose weight by calorie counting only, and not become all flabby.  I just can't seem to find the time to workout given the long days I work and then the time with my children.  By the end of the day, I am too tired to do any workout, and no time in the morning.

You are losing weight so quickly!  Unbelievable!  I really hope that I can have the same results you are having. 

To be honest, I don't really have any advice on the working out component, but I thought I would give you a bump up on the message boards.  

What if you took your girls on a walk with you in your neighborhood? Incorporate that into your play time with them. Or take them outside and play soccer and run around. 

If you can continue on the path you are on and still lose weight quickly-from beginning to end-then more power to you. But you'll probably find that it starts get harder and harder to lose and you will want to do strength training. From everything I've read, the strength training is what will help you not be too flabby. And Good Luck! Good Work!

Thanks everyone for your responses.  We live on a cut through road so I don't like to take the girls out on the road too often.  We do have a great backyard (close to two acres) but by the time we eat and clean up, it's bed time.  I've considered not eating dinner, since they do eat at their daycare around 4:30, but my husband doesn't go for that.  We try to spend 20-30 minutes outside every night though!  

I agree that I will need some strength training, and I took a peek at the beginner workout that CC advises.  Easily done at night, or even in the morning before the girls are awake.  My gym (not that I go much with my new schedule) has a morning spin class at 5, but only two days a week.  I have been getting up a lot earlier now that it is light out, so I will have to focus on getting over there before they wake up.

Just wanted to thank you all for your posts.  Have a great night!

You could also look at doing exercise videos.  They could also be done while the kids are asleep.  A lot of mothers do exercise while the kids are up and around.  It is actually setting a good example for them.  I have a friend that does her pilates video with her kids.  They think it is fun.