Losing Weight

During Isabel’s early months I was dropping weight like nobody’s business – breastfeeding, yay! – and was having to eat like crazy so as not to die of starvation (slight exaggeration). Obviously now Isabel is very nearly 20 months old she’s feeding maybe 2-3 times a day (as opposed to every hour, ha) and so I need much less in terms of calorific intake. Unfortunately, I am still eating like I’m feeding a newborn, and living off cake has finally caught up with me. Weight is starting to creep back on.

I don’t want to have to go out and buy a shitload of clothes in the next size up (can’t afford it for starters), especially as it wasn’t that long ago that I got rid of all my bigger clothes. The only answer is … dun dun dun(!): lifestyle change. AKA less crap in, more exercise.

But I don’t know where to begin. I know how to eat well, I know what to do to lose weight, I know how to look after myself… and yet when the biscuits go around the office, I can’t resist one. Or two. Or three. And then I’ve eaten half the packet and I’ve exceeded my RDA for calories on snacks alone.

I’m not really “fat”. I’m within the normal range for my height and build. I want to stay that way. Somebody motivate me…

26 Comments

  1. Sex counts as exercise.

  2. What would Ronald Lee Ermey tell you? :)

    I kid, I kid. :P One of the things I’m trying now is getting more exercise since I can’t stop eating. Like you, I’m not ‘fat’ but I’d like to tighten up some areas. ahem. Good luck, Jem!

    Jane

  3. I’ve decided I need to loose weight too!! I came across something called the 30 day shred by accident (on pinterest!!)

    I bought the dvd last night so it should be here soon (and its only £5 wasted if it doesn’t work!)

    Its basically one 20 minute workout a day, with varying degrees of difficulty and apparently, it works. but its also fucking hard!

    I barely have time to do anything these days but I think I can put aside 20 minutes of my evening to kill myself with exercise, who knows, maybe I’ll start doing it in the mornings instead – to keep my metabolism up all day!

    I’m blogging the whole thing lol so it should be…interesting!! need to get a tape measure and some scales and a better sports bra first though!!

  4. Resist the biscuits. Seriously. exercise is all very well (and obviously important!), but once you realise that the calories burnt from half an hour’s running can be entirely cancelled out by eating a mars bar….

  5. Motivate you? Simples… I’ll flash you my wobbly bits :o)

    As for a simple way to lose weight…Wii fit – I’m sure you have it, use it. Instead of nibbling on biscuits, try thin strips of carrot and celery (wish I could stomach the stuff)

    • Jem

      04 Jul at 4:24 pm

      I don’t have wii fit, but your comment persuaded me that it is clearly a must-have purchase and so it’s on its way :P

      • I have to agree with Wii Fit… It’s what I used when I was in my healthy mode last year. Lost 1 stone by using that, walking to/from work and not eating crap. :D

  6. I agree with Mumblies, the Wii fit is pretty good to keep fit (and fun and cheap!). I gained a shitton of weight during my pregnancy, and I lost all of it afterwards, doing 1h of wii fit every evening and paying close attention to what I was eating.

  7. DON’T EAT BISCUITS!

    If you’re gonna snack, you may as well snack on something healthy.

    Plus, by resisting biscuits, it gives you more freedom to eat cheesecake. ;)

  8. Go for a family walk with Karl & Isabel every night. Walking is wonderful exercise & it won’t hurt the other two. Do more garden time. Play with Isabel all the time. Stop eating cookies!!!!

  9. Wii Fit is pretty helpful. You’d have to use it in conjunction with other things (nothing heavy though, walking is great exercise), but if you do all the activities properly and do a variety of them, it can be really helpful. Plus, it weighs you and tracks your progress for you.

    I also find just cutting back a few things can really help. You don’t have to make HUGE changes. I usually snack at night, so I could stop doing that and lose a few pounds quickly. Also, I’m sure you know this, but a lot of people recommend eating 5-6 smaller meals a day instead of 3 big ones, because often when you get to one of your 3 meals you’re so hungry that you overeat. :)

    Good luck! :D

  10. Losing weight is probably 80% diet, 20% exercise. The exercise part is the easiest to pull off, since it’s fun. Go for it!

    If you’re looking for inspiration, Erica at star-stuff.net has done a very good job!

  11. I would grow some veg, nothing like cooking your own, or order a fruit and veg box from a local grower, you’ll all benefit too. Walking’s my thing, get the babe n the pram and alk to where you need to be. Sod dieting, it never works and makes you miserable. Well done on BF to 20 months. I still miss it…think I always will :(

    • Jem

      05 Jul at 9:16 am

      Do all of those things (well, except the pram – I carry Isabel). Think it’s definitely the biscuits that have to go ;)

      • Aw it’s hard work when they’re young, just be kind to yourself and have that treat but recognize when it’s comfort eating and padlock the biccie tin :)

  12. I have an amazing app and website that I have loved!! And it’s funny you ask for someone to motivate you because this is like weightloss facebook!

    MyFitnessPal.com

    I’m loving them and what’s great is the community is amazing!! I have ladies cheering me on when I get my exercise done, complete my food diary, or put in my weight that I have lost. They also are so great to encourage you when you don’t feel motivated.

    You can friend me at myfitnesspal.com/unicornbeauty

    You can login your food, your exercise and your weight.

  13. I just recently got into bellydancing. I started last week to get my arms and my tummy back in shape (http://www.trishasales.net/blog/index.php?postid=5). I find it actually a good workout for beginners since the exercises aren’t very hard to do and it only takes 30 minutes of my day.

    I think you should try simple exercises first before you do intense workout so your body could adjust. Perhaps a little jogging everyday would help? I’m sure that if you do it regularly, your body would be able to keep up and you can move on to other exercises that would fit your needs. :)

  14. I second whoever mentioned myfitnesspal.com above me. I used it to log what I was eating after I had Andrew and I knocked off 15 pounds in just a few months. The motivation I got from the site wasn’t so much from other members as it was seeing just how much junk I was eating in terms of numbers (calories). It really put things into perspective for me.

    However, now that almost 3 months have passed since I popped out my second kiddo, I’m in dire need of motivation to shed the pounds and a silly website isn’t working as well for me this time around. My hands are so full taking care of two kids now that I don’t always remember to update the site with what I’m eating, thus I don’t get to see in numbers just how bad I’m eating. I think a lot of my problem is that I get so caught up in doing whatever motherly thing it is that I’m doing and forget to eat, then when I have the time, I realise I’m starving and devour everything in sight. That and sweets. They get me every time! I can never have JUST ONE! It’s so hard when you know what you need to do to lose weight, but the self control just isn’t there!

    Ugh. I definitely feel for you. I’m so tired of thinking about my weight!

  15. I’m not sure how much time you have on your hands but google BMF one lunch time – it’s a really great way to keep fit and has a great social vibe for geeks who need to get away from computer screens more (myself included).

  16. I could have written your post word for word, am in exactly the same boat, breastfeeding round the clock made me lose weight but I cant stop the eternal hunger and thirst now that Jack isnt feeding as much! I plan every day to jog but I dont own a pair of trainers…! I dont drive so walk everywhere but walking to the moon isnt going to shify my belly if I keep eating a whole tray of freshly cooked triple choc muffins!

  17. FATTTTYYYYYY

  18. Same boat. I am watching my diet since I’m diabetic and it’s all about reducing carbs. Keep meals under 60 grams and 30 grams for snacks. For exercise I’ve been doing the couch to 5k program which is a really awesome way to learn how to run. I’m on week four now and I look forward to my runs and to how amazing I feel when I finish. And how proud I feel!

    • Ugh the only problem i find with running is it puts lots of strain on your legs, and there is nothing worse than shin splints when running.

      Get yourself a trampoline Jem, 10-20 minutes a day is excellent fun and exercise, no strain on bones and tones muscles too.

      Also, you can play with izzy on it too!

  19. I do yoga, the weight loss is a bit slow for me, mostly because I do it on and off, but it still made me lose a lot, helped me maintain it for a long time and tighten some parts of my body too :P Plus it’s relaxing :)

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