Cant Lose the Baby Fat

Hi R.,
I just joined today and was hoping I would find Mom's like you. I am a masters level personal trainer and have just moved to Kauai. I train people at their homes or outside in small groups or on their own. My website is www.dobbinstraining.com.
I am happy to give you free support and ideas here though.
Breastfeeding does indeed help you lose weight because you burn about 250-300 extra calories per day with breastfeeding. So if it is working well for you and baby, I would keep up with it.
The strength training you are doing - lunges and baby curls - are terrific. Lots of moms love sit ups with baby on the upper leg too. Kind of a peek a boo game.
What you really need to find time for is cardio. Strength training on its own is not an effective calorie burner. So brisk walks with the baby jogger, exercise classes on Fit TV or even running up and down the steps would really help.
I also encourage all of my clients to keep a food and activity log. You might find that even though you are eating healthfully, you are eating more than you need.
Hope this helps!
M.

1 mom found this helpful

Have you ever heard of OA, it's a twelve-step program to treat overeating. Have a ____@____.com free to email me, too, ____@____.com.
I know what it's like to struggle with body image after having two kids; I have eaten to medicate my feelings in the past and OA has helped me gain new coping tools rathern than turning to the food.

Hi
Have you tried: www.babybootcamp.com
I do it, and love it. The best part is that your baby goes with you.
Good luck

I know everyone is different but what had helped me was getting off of the pill it was regulating my weight so I stayed at the same weight for 10 years very little up or down. Ever since I got off the pill and have been eating lots of protein I have lots 30 pounds in 3 months. I also started using a sugar substitute in my cofee or tea and eating sugar free hard candies if I needed something sweet. Hope this helps.

R.
I lost a bunch of weight within one week, just from fluids and baby, then nothing, for months and months. Then all of a sudden, at around 7-8 months the weight started coming off. I never really did much except try to continue to eat pretty well, and go for walks. It sounds like you take care of yourself, so I think it will come off. It may just take some time.

I had my baby when I was 28. I was a size 0 and have never returned, now 2 1/2 years later I'm a 5. Anyway what I am saying is I think it might have to do with age, your body is not as resilient. I wouldn't even worry about it for a year. It took 9 months to get to that size. As long as you are eating healthy and trying to work out. I made a rule that if I had any errands to do and it was in walking distance(even if it were miles)I would bundle up my girl and walk. I would exercise with her like you do with your child, lifting her as weights. Everytime she took a nap I would ask myself do you want to lose weight or do you need sleep. I bought pilates DVD's, yoga DVD's and 5 and 8 lb. weights. You don't need a gym, by the time you get dressed and to the gym you could be almost through working out. Good luck, it will happen.

Hi R.,

I know it says you burn more calories while breastfeeding and that may be true but you may also be taking in more calories than you are burning.

Be careful, with your drinking situation. Being a breastfeeding mom, I know how thirsty I got, sometimes I would mistake that thirst cue as a hunger cue. And this would cause me to consume extra calories that my body did not need. Water is the best choce of fluids. It has no calories, helps produce milk, and keeps the skin healthy and young looking.

This not being your first pregnancy, your body has been stretched like a rubber band. The looser that band becomes, the harder it is to get back in shape. Its always easier to get back to the prepregnancy shape with the first baby.

Breastfeeding does speed up the metablolism. Once you stop breastfeeding, its more likey that you will be able to drop those pounds alot quicker. Remember it took nine months to gain the weight and it could take 9 months to lose it.

H. B.

Hi R...congratulations on your newest addition. One thing that was huge for me was a whole grain combination; it gave me energy and helped me loose weight, especially in my stomach area. Mix in equal amounts, Basmati Rice, Barley and Rye. Put one cup of water in a pan, and 1/2 cup of rice mix. Bring to a boil and bring down to low. When simmering, place lid on pan and let "cook" for 20 minutes or until water is gone. You can add vegetables to this, too; my favorite is asparagus or broccoli. Let me know if you have any questions.

If you are interested in going the "product" route, with protien shakes and fiber shakes, Arbonne makes a great product. They supply you with menu plans and support. I can also show you how to get 35% off of the products.

Have a great week
R.
www.rlovelyskin.myarbonne.com

two words: jogging stroller...... well at least it has worked well for me so far. im actually not much of a jogger, and just walk with it for about an hour most days. my son loves it, and it's cheaper than a gym membership.

I had a baby 9 months ago, and true to the advice I got in the beginning is, 9 months on, 9 months off. Meaning, it took 9 months to gain that weight and it will probably take about 9 months to lose most of the weight. I haven't done much exercising, I've been watching what I eat (kind of), and I have about 8 lbs to go until I am at my pre-pregnancy weight, but it took me 9 months to get to this point and I still have a bit to go. One thing that has helped me is that in the evening at least once a week, I will try to grab a neighbor (or take your baby in a stroller), or if it's still light outside, go speed walking for 45 min. I told myself I would never have the time to do it - BUT, you have to make the time. Good luck - and patience too!

I just had a baby also, in May. I gained about 20lbs that I really wanted to get off since I realized that at 27 it would be harder to get if off than it was with my first child. I was also breastfeeding with second but I wasn't losing that much weight.
If you feel you are willing to try something different and think you can really stick to it... I suggest getting a book called "The Great American Detox Diet" by Alex Jameison (spelling may not be right on last name).

I did not think my husband would go for it because it is a Vegan type diet but we decided to do it together because he too gained over 20lbs in "baby weight". It was a little hard at first with our bodies going through detox (mainly headaches and mild fatigue (DRINK lots of water)) but after my husband and I lost the first 10 lbs after the first 2 weeks we decided to continue. Now I have lost my 20lbs and I didn't even exercise due to a hip fracture during this time. My husband did work out and he lost 25lbs which is a miracle since he always has had a hard time loosing weight. We just finished with diet over 4 weeks ago and have not gained the weight back with moderations in our diet now that allow animal protein and some sugar.

Now that the weight is off we are maintaining by eating smart and exercising (I'm now healed). It's always best to get the whole family on board and it helps promote a healthy family in the long run.

I am also a almost 26yr old mom of a almost 3yr old and 1yr old. I breast feed the second son for two months and lost weight, but was also stuck at a certain weight. But I look at it this way, it took how long to put all that weight on, its gonna take alot of work to get it off. The first baby i lost it right away, but its taking more work with the second, and the less i obsess about my weight the more i seem to loose. If you eat right and are chasing two kids around its bound to fall off, maybe not as quickly as the first but just think they will be walking soon enough and your gonna be running around after them, toddlers give the best work out! Good Luck!