New here after baby!

Well I had my second baby last summer and was on bedrest a long time with the pregnancy, and had two c-sections. I don't even recognize my body anymore and I'm not sure it will "go back"...this tummy is still looking preggers but it is soft. Terrible! So I told myself that after the second, and last, child I would get back to my original before kids weight of 104 pounds (I am only 5 feet). So here I am, just beginning to really workout, I'm taking aerobics, cardio kickboxing and yoga, and at home I do sit ups and of course run after kids all day. Need to bring the calories down now, it is hard cause I eat all wrong, I have no breakfast and little time to prepare good meals. I eat a lot at night after the baby is in bed, and food has become my me-time activity. I've got 30 pounds to lose, wish me luck getting into my old bathing suits this year!

Welcome!  You'll meet lots of new mothers here.  The first thing you should do is fill in your profile.  To do this, click on People in the menu bar, then look for "edit page" on your profile page.  Tell us all about yourself and you'll make lots of friends. 

Also, start keeping a journal.  Friends can read each other's journals and lots of close friendships have formed that way.

I soo feel you pain. I just had my first baby 9-12-07. I am looking for some support. I GAINED 70LBS, my weigh in at the time of birth was 177lbs now 4 months later i am down to 138lbs I want to get down to 117lbs. Its really hard to diet and  breastfeed. A few days ago I went on a bananas and apple diet and my milk would   not come down, i was freaking out, I immediately started eating tons of protein. Sure enough over 24 hours everything was back to normal it was quite scare!!  NOw I am back to 1-3lbs per week . I eat 4 boiled eggs in the morning mashed with some light butter, mid morning I have a banana, lunch I have a pb & jelly sandwich on wheat bread with atkins chocolate shake, mid afternoon snack apple, dinner whatever meat with salad (with  balsamic vinegar only) and veggies, snack yogurt

Jessica- It is sooo hard when breastfeeding! I breastfed my first for 19 months, and until she ate baby food it was exclusive. I didn't drop weight until her first birthday, and then it came off without effort, but I never got back to pre-pregnancy. I didn't want to, knowing I would have to do it again... With my second baby, I pumped and breastfed for a few months but now she only nurses once per day. She was a preemie, so she had to use bottles for weight gain. It is easier to lower my intake this way, but so far the weight sticks so I am stuck at 135 and need to get back to 105. I mean really need to, unless I want to go out and buy an entire new wardrobe while also losing my sanity. This sucks, but it is worth it for the little darlings in our lives.

LOL, I'm in the same boat I have NO CLOTHES! Unfortunately we don't have the funds to go and buy a new wardrobe. I HAVE TO LOSE THIS WEIGHT1!!!! I'm able to squeeze into my express 3/4 with Crisco. Express always runs big thank god! How many calories did you take in while breastfeeding? I take anywhere from 1100-1600 per day. Do you follow celebrities? How the hell did Tori Spelling get the freakin body in 7 months she said she lost 46lbs with 1200 cal a day and working out 3x a week! Can you get a six pack  with all that? I think she is lying or I'm sooo jealous! We should  motivate each other being that we both have the same goal!! I'm 138!!

Yeah, I need a motivator in the same boat..my dear husband tries and he is supportive, but he dieted with me for one month and dropped all the weight he needed and is now back to cooking his super high calorie yummy german dishes. I don't know how those celebrities do it, but I guess if I could have a personal trainer and a personal chef and a nanny I might drop the weight in 7 months, too! It seems almost like a goal for them, to outdo each other in getting back into shape. You don't see them in photos until the weight is gone and then wow, they look like they haven't had kids. But for them, it is part of their career to look good, so it is more of a priority in daily life than it is for most new moms. Part of the problem is energy, if you don't get any sleep at night your body holds onto weight and you don't feel like exercising. But since beginning my workout schedule I feel more energetic and more hopeful, like at least I am trying to do something about it. I noticed one thing, though...it is important to always carry your baby with you, otherwise I get asked when I am due. Seriously, this happened...twice! Grr! I know I shouldn't worry so much about it, but as soon as I am discharged from the hospital I feel like I should be wearing my size 4's and I can't even get them past my hips. I really don't even recognize myself in the mirror! My classes are fun, though. It is the first time I tried cardio kickboxing. They should call it cardio kick your a*%! Are you taking classes, or working out on your own? I don't know my breastfeeding calorie intake. I guess it was probably just a normal 2000 a day, I honestly lost the weight without dieting but like I said not until my daughter was one. I am trying to stick to a much lower 1300 calories a day now. I will go lower if I don't see results fast. In the summer it is easier, I can survive on a salad and some fruit. What I noticed so far in counting calories is how much I take in with drinks. I had to cut out the fruit juices and drink only water. Oh, and I found some great recipes that are yummy, quick meals with low calories (and healthy!). It is the good housekeeping book of one dish meals. My favorites are the peanut pork with snow peas, the fritatas and the stir fry meat with arugula. I could send some recipes if you get bored with yours. It's nice to eat real meals even if you can't eat a lot of it. This weekend I will do one good thing and one bad thing, I will splurge on a new scale (mine is not accurate enough) and I will eat cake...it is my daughter's third birthday and I don't believe in completely depriving oneself to lose weight.

Hello other new mommies,

I am so excited and hopeful about joining this website.  Learning to control my eating habits throughout my pregnancy became a problem.  My sweet tooth was well out of control :P. The food journal, and seeing everything I take in, and what it adds up too, has been eye-opening so far. 
I was 128 lbs when I got pregnant, topped out at around 175 lbs, and since my son's birth back in February '07 I have lingered at 150 lbs (give or take a couple, eh hem).  I also had to recuperate from a painful c-section. 
I was extremely active before my pregnancy.  I worked out quite a bit.  Once I was pregnant I just stopped.  I couldn't regret that more now. 
I broke down a few months ago, after being inundated with endless info-mercials, and bought the Slim in Six exercise program.  It seems fantastic, now if I only had time to do it!!  My son will take off walking any minute now, and I am back to work full time.  I hope some combo of moderate exercise and a more controlled diet works.  I know I just have to be dedicated and patient.  I actually bought some new jogging pants today to help me get more motivated!!

 

Hi there, mpgreene! Good luck on your "fresh start". It is hard, with my last infant I never got up the, well, get up and go that I needed. I was active before my first pregnancy, I was doing horsebackriding (great for the behind! but I won't risk my neck anymore) and lifting weights and walking my dog constantly. Since then, which was 2004, I have not done regular exercise. It was hard for the first week, but after just one month I already have more energy and I'm super motivated to do more. I never thought I'd keep it up, but now I know I want to continue this way until old age stops me. I would definitely recommend that you find time to exercise for an hour 3x per week, not for weight loss alone but for something to do for yourself. That is the single best part so far, an hour to myself where I do something I want/need. Hard to remember that you once had needs when you are raising an infant! Controlling diet will help, too...it is amazing how much those calories add up! Don't get discouraged, baby weight is hard to lose but you will.