Have a Few Questions.....

I wish I could tell you that I took all of the baby weight off (my son is almost 6yrs), but I didn't. I was able to w/ Weight Watchers, but I didn't keep it off -- I think because I got too gung ho about the whole thing and went to a lower weight than I could maintain. I am giving WW and exercise (more exercise this time) another go, coupled with a new attitude. I will be happy even if I don't get to my pre-pregnancy weight. I just want to be somewhere in the *middle* of healthy BMI range (you can find tools for calculating BMI online). Also, keep in mind that you can exercise in 10 minute bursts. Someone already suggested a jump rope. You could do that or any other aerobic activity for 10 minutes at three different times during the day to get 30 min of exercise. Just start with once a day. You'll feel good about at least doing more than you were before and can build on that. Also, try to add some muscle building activities. You can use soup cans as weights for arm exercises, do squats for legs, crunches, etc., and you can also buy therabands (at Target or any other number of places) to work almost any muscle. Muscle mass increases metabolism. Another thing is to be careful about eating the solids your baby doesn't finish -- the calories add up. That's why tracking what you eat, at least for a while, can be really helpful. Mindless eating is easy to do. At the same time, if you are not eating enough, your body will go into starvation mode and hold onto every calorie that passes your lips because it thinks you are in danger of starving. Be sure to get enough lean protein to fuel your body. Finally, learn how to best dress your new body so that you can still feel cute. You are not your weight or your body. I used to be in great shape and understand your frustration. At the same time, isn't your son worth it? Remember that studies show that people pay us less than half of the attention we think they do. Losing the baby weight can take a long time if you do it right, which is no more than two lbs per week.

Hey!

I totally understand the issue of not being happy with your body... I have never been and am still not happy, but i must say that i am much happier. I am one of those women who would fall in to the "I Hate You" category because I only gained 22 pounds during my pregnancy and lost 28 when I delivered. HOWEVER, I have always been overweight my whole life. I have been working on my Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition and I do consultations and meal plans for busy people like yourself. Check out my website... there are some before and after photos on there for you to perv as well.
www.HolisticWellnessAndNutrition.webs.com
J.

You probably ought to cut down on some of your activities, at least temporarily. You sound like you're just doing too many things. Then just focus on the experience of being a new mother, and focus on savoring that experience. Your issues with your appearance will be there all your life, but the experience of being a first time mom only happens once. Think about your baby, and the stages of development he is going through. Enrich your experience by reading some of the books out on the many different experiences of motherhood, including those of women who went through post-partum depression. It sounds like you have a touch of post-partum depression. If you don't feel better on your own, see a therapist. It really helps sometimes to "unload" on someone who is trained to be objective and non-judgmental.

D-
You should keep a journal of what you are eating. Like fast food, it makes you gain weight. It is also loaded with salt. I used an aerobic rider after the birth of my third child to get the weight off. It worked great, I would get up 30 mins in the morning and do this around 5:30 am and it also changed my persptective and helped me deal with the kids better. Have you thought of getting up earlier to make time for yourself? Also, try making yourself look better, use a little makeup and do your hair, when you start to look better, you will feel better too.
W. M>

Hi there
Is it possible that when you walk those dogs, you try and do a little running or walk at a very rapid pace? That could be a good way to start a wkout.. Then maybe, either before your son wakes in the am or after he goes to bed at night, do a 15 min wkout. Maybe buy a wkout tape (that's what I have) of someone you like, say Denise Austin or Billy Blanks and do 15 mins of a workout.. even 15 min is good.. Working out is one of those things where I used to think time was going to magically appear but it didn't , instead I had to MAKE the time, which often meant my getting up about an 1/2 earlier than everyone else in my family, It's tough (as I like my sleep) but on the other hand, I did it in the morning because for me, mornings are when I exercise best. Now for you, you may enjoy evenings, so I would work with your natural inclination towards exercise. The other thing is. WATER, drink lots of water, it's so important to stay hydrated (and not with soda/caffeine) water helps your body regulate your metabolism and helps your organs work more efficiently.
But the bottomline, just start out slow with a planned routine and build on it. I say PLANNED because for me, IF I don't plan to work out, I just don't do it. Make you a priority or no one else will.
I wish you the best of luck, you can do it!!

You will get back there again.

First, hair will be back to normal within a few months, though you may have had to cut it short because of the hair loss (normal).

I suggest workouts you can do at home. I used to think I had to go to a gym, which is almost impossible with a baby. Buy a jumprope. It's a GREAT workout, and you can do it with baby right there. I do 3000 skips, which takes 1/2 hour. Great aerobic, plus works arms, legs and abs.