Help with Weightloss - Port Saint Lucie,FL

Hi S.,
I lost 45 pounds after having my 3rd child by counting calories and walking 30 minutes a day. I would keep my calories under 1500 per day. (easy to do, if you eat cereal for breakfast and eat frozen prepared meals for lunch) then just be smart what you eat for dinner. Lost between 2 to 3 pounds per week, and that kept me motivated enough to keep going. I went from a size 16 to a 4. You can do it, just have to get into the habit of it then it will become natural to you.
D.

hello-
weight loss is 90% diet & 10% exercise. with that in mind please don't think it's not important to exercise, it's actually key! there is a very easy method for loosing weight: burn more calories than you take in! it would probably be in your best interest to meet w/a nutritionist at least once just to learn about portion control, how to understand ingredients and food nutrients. if you understand how your body uses healthy food and how your body is negatively affected by unhealthy foods, you'd be more empowered to take on the challenge of weight loss. there is more to it then just cutting back calories, you need to choose the right foods to eat. you have a lot to deal w/now but making it a priority to learn about foods & healthy living would benefit you & your kids and it would end your battle to weight loss. as far as exercise goes, do what ever you can whenever you can! it all adds up! start w/10 min a day and in a week try 10min. 2x a day. the more you add, the more you'll want to do, b/c you feel better.
best of luck!

Hi S., I am not single but I have two kids too and I understand how it is. I don't believe in diets so I am going to suggest you buy an aerobic video and do it after your kids go to bed.

You also have to watch your food intake and eat healthy too, but the exercise is the main thing. I am a personal trainer, so if you have any questions as to what exercises to do let me know. I am ____@____.com, I do pilates at night when the kids go to bed or when my husband is home I go for a walk outside.

Good luck..J.

There are so many diets out there that it's hard to give advice. Personally I try to keep the sweets and sugar to a minimum. I try to eat healthier and control my portions. I usually bake or grill instead of fry, eat whole grain breads instead of white and try to eat more fruits and vegetables. Being latina my downfall is rice...I eat a lot of it. I don't have a lot of pasta or potatoes

There are some people in my office on the Atkins diet, some on the South Beach diet and some on Weight Watchers. Aside from one person, none have lost a whole lot of weight on these diets. One lady lives on salads and still has not lost hardly any weight, and she goes tothe gym regularly.

My schedule is also hectic as I also have twins. Mine are 15 year old girls. They are sophomores in high school and are involved in marching band, which means I am too. How old are your twins. My ex is not too involved in their lives either, also by his choice.

I don't know if this will help with your weight, but if you need anyone to talk to about being a single mom of twins let me know. I can certainly sympathize.

Hi S.,
You are not alone in your quest. There are several avenues you can travel to reach your goal. The first, believe this, is your words...they have energy and power. You talk of losing weight like a constant struggle. We move away from doing that which is painful and toward that which is pleasant. Struggles are painful..not pleasant. Affirmations (sentences you recite to yourself) are very effective...I still use them for many goals. That's next..what is your goal? (I have lost weight and kept it off. It was important I stated exactly the number of pounds I wanted gone and by a specific date...creating a specific goal.) Yes, I have adopted a healthier way of eating...which is simple...you're worth the change...you're worthy of receiving that which you want...please feel free to call me on my cell phone ###-###-#### if you'd like to chat more. Oh, about me...I am a young grandma who taught these ideas in a college, been in education all my life and am a personal life changer. Bev

Hi. I haven't read any of the other responses, I apologize if I'm repeating someone else's. I have been using a free website called sparkpeople. It has a ton of features. The most useful to me was the calorie counter. Even when I can't get to the gym on a regular basis I can control my weight witht the calorie counter. Hope that helps!

A few years back I went to weight watchers. I lost 35 lbs. I went to the meetings, usually on my lunch break. They hold lots of different times. The one I went to was in Ga. They even had meetings so you could bring children. If you do not have time to go to a meeting they have an online program too. My hands applaud you working full time with twins. It is hard enouhg with one.

I had the same problem! all my weight was in my belly and people were always asking me if i was pregnant again! I drank NO soda! only water! cut down on rice, potatoes, pasta and bread! i tried the hard workouts on TV. Yoga and all those things never worked! walking and running thats all i did for a while and it worked for me! I know that everyone is differnet and i hated not eating good foods but now i am so used to it i just automaticly eat better!

Hello S.
Weightloss is a tough thing for me also. I work full time and i only have one child but getting the weight off has been a struggle. The only thing that really worked for me was i replaced my drinks with water. I don't drink soda or a lot of juices because sodas for instance are kinda like empty calories they really have no nutritional value. I mean i have my vice i have a cup of tea everyday because you can't just completley deprive yourself of everything or no diet will ever work.
I try to exercise but i don't personally have the time for going to a gym so i take my son out for a walk at least once a day. At first I only went for 15 mins until i didn't feel like dying the next day lol. Now i can do more when time permits. But walking has been the best exercise for me because i get to spend time with my son and work towards a goal of weightloss.

Hope it helps a bit

J.

LOTS OF WATER is key. Also, cut back on anything white, as white foods contain the most carbs. Be sure though not to cut them out all together- carbs are very important to brain function and essential for energy. Once a week, be sure to eat what you want. You will get completely burned out and hinder your success if you don't cheat. Just be sure you always do it on the same day. Routine is important with any weight loss plan (I don't mean eat the same foods on the same days or anything crazy like that, though! Just be sure to always make your cheat day the same day each week. The best possible food to use as a cheat is pizza. It typically contains each of the food groups and is much better than sitting down to a hamburger.) In the evening, put your twins in the stroller and take them for a walk- you'll benefit from the light cardio and they will love the fresh air. Even just taking them to the park in the evening and chasing them around will provide a good low impact workout.

Hi S.,

Wow, a working single mom of twins! You are a wonder woman :)

Can someone help you watch your kids while you prepare meals on the weekends and put them in the freezer for the week? Even if you could do just three dinners for the week, then you could do spaghetti and something else easy like veggie quesadillas (light on the cheese). There are also lots of vegetarian meals on www.vegweb.com that are fast to prepare, money saving and way healthier than a lot of meat dishes.

You also need to make time for yourself to exercise. Maybe if you can go to bed earlier and get up an extra hour early to do an exercise video or yoga in the morning.

Drink lots of water. Water should be your beverage of choice. If you are drinking diet sodas or any caffienated beverages, start replacing those with cold water.

I have lots of other suggestions but don't want to overwhelm you :) Maybe start with those and see how you do.

~G. G.
Wellness Forum Health Coach
Orlando Peaceful Parents Co-Founder
Mom to 2 girls, ages 1 and 4

The best thing I ever did for myself was to join a gym and start lifting weights-not the little girly weights but the heaviest ones I could do. Gaining muscle not only reshapes your body but the more muscle you have, the more fat you burn. I lost the 70 pounds I gained with my pregnancy. Its tough to get to the gym, I only go once a week, twice if I'm lucky, but I find a way because its the only thing I do for me, and you have to have something that makes you happy. I also have boy/girl twins, they are 18 months old, and I work full time. If you can get to the gym, go and give it your all! Of course what you put in your mouth is 80% of the battle so you have to be careful there too! Its sooo worth all the effort when you can fit in your jeans and be happy with the way you look!

What helped me was walking. I watch another baby the same age as my son and put him in the baby backpack and her in a single stroller and walk about a mile a day. The babies love being able to be outdoors and is wonderful excercise. Hope this helped.. goodluck

I have several suggestions. I am not an expert but I am a dancer and a new mom so I'll offer some thoughts that I have. The main thing I think since you are so busy is to find easy ways to fit in exercise and healthy eating into your daily routine

1. Take the twins for a walk in the park or around the block and walk at a fast pace.A couple times a week or every day if possible.(Wear weights or jog when this gets too easy)

2. Instead of trying a complicated diet try eating healthy food and don't even buy the tempting foods. For snacks eat things like fruit or nuts and raisins and bring these things with you to work. If you are not packing your lunch you could try that as well.

3. Do small exercises (sit-ups for example) while you watch tv. Maybe during one commerical break you do sit-ups and the next leg lifts...Each week do a little more (if you did 10 sit-ups try 20 and so on) As the twins get older may be you can involve them as well.

4. Lastly, look for an exercise class. Even one day a week would be great if you can do it. I have seen yoga classes at NOVA for Moms and babies. Or get a sitter for that one night and get some personal time.

Well S., that is what I can think of with out knowing your situation in more detail. I hope it helps. Whatever you do I think the key is to make it part of your life and not try and go crazy with a fad diet or exercise program. What I am suggesting is the slow and steady way to lose weight. If you want something quicker then you need to add more exercise.

Good luck

E.

I only hear the opposite that I am too skiny. This may sound wonderful to you but for me it can be quite deflating. I eat what I consider a very healthy diet and don't eat a lot of sweets but never deprive myself of anything. Maybe this can help you, I don't know. I had just had my 2nd child and couldn't lose weight but was living in Europe. They eat more frequently and more healthy and walk a lot more. I also started drinking green tea there, now I drink 3 plus cups a day. It took many years but I honestly think I increased my metabolism. I also take vitamins everyday including evening primrose/flaxseed oil. Which I have been told are excellent for hormones. I try my best to buy organic or at the open market and strive to eat Live food when ever possible. I eat cake or cookies if I want but just not 10.

Mom of 3 boys- I weigh 120 and am 5' 4". All the best.

I don't know how old your twins are but I am in a similiar quest. I have had modest luck with taking walks with them 4-5 times a week. We just moved and it's great to connect with the neighbors. The weather is getting very nice. I am sure it's crazy for you when you get home but it's so soothing for me and my one year old twins and my three year old(I have a triple stroller). I have lost about 5lbs this month, but I do need to lose quite a bit more. I had a friend who used to rollerblade around the block with her son with him in his motorized jeep and she slimmed down. I dream of the day when I might try out Curves, that's supposed to be a fun 30 minute workout. LaurieK

Hello S. F. My name is T. R. I am in the Melbourne area. I'm sorry to hear about the father. I know what it is to try to lose weight and not have the free time. If your in my area maybe you and I can meet and maybe make a playdate for the kids. Maybe you and I can help each other out with weihgt loss.

Hi S.! Working full time with twins, I give you a lot of credit! I lost 30 pounds by eating the same that I always eat, just cutting down on the portions. Drink 8 cups of water a day, and I had a 20 minute exercise tape, (Richard Simmons) that I did three times a week in the morning before anyone got up. If you don't like using an exercise tape, walking is also great! Lots of luck with your weight loss and your beautiful family!

The only thing that helped me lose weight was Denise Austin's workout videos and books. She's great. I lost 35 pounds just working out with her 30 minute video and doing some of her techniques in her bookd. Shrink your female fat zones is the best. She gives great tips. Also just drinking water and cutting calories in your beverage is good.

I am a single mom of 4 (including a boy/boy set of twins who are soon to be 4). I live in Winter Park, not sure how old your twins are but send me a private message if you are interested in getting together to work out together and work the kids out too! Below I copied my response to a message from another Mom who had a similar question before, hope it helps!

It would help if you incorporated your childen into your exercising. Take them to the park or open grass area and chase them around, play tag, whatever games come to mind or go up and down the stairs- little ones love that!

If they are still toddlers or not walking use them as weights! My kids would love work out time as I put them on my legs for leg lifts(great for the pooch, they left behind instead of a stomach!) or pick them up and down up and down- who needs weights?!

Just get creative with it, its more fun for you and them! I have also seen videos of Mom and me workouts if you are looking for more ideas or more formal exercising. But the idea is the more you get moving and the healthier you eat, the extra weight will come off

Have fun!

A.

That seems to be the story for any woman who just isn't meant or made to be a size 2. I am currently a size 18 (biggest I have ever been without being full term pregnancy) and just relize I am getting older. Not only working but three kids take up so much time, that I am sure if you get a minute the last thing you want to do is excersize (i can't even spell the word). I hate it. Look there is a diet plan that worked great in the past for me but due to current (on seems on going) finance issues I have not indulged in it. Look it up. Transformation Medical clinic. It is local in Orlando there are several offices. Good luck but hold on to your seat when they explain it to you. Honestly it worked wonders, I just did not follow thru and had a third child.

S.,

I have had some trouble with my weight as well and I joined Curves. I have a 2 year old daughter, and my husband does watch her when he comes home from work so I can go. I don't know how old your children are and if they can stay home, but Curves is a GREAT way to lose weight, and feel great about yourself. I go about 4-5 times a week and I have lost 16 pounds since I REALLY started trying about 9 weeks ago to loose weight.

Hi S.

i also wanted to loss the weight but never find the time or the money in my case you can try these clubs or try these execrize at home in your free time. my hubby josh told me to do these when my son is taking naps or wake lil early for a walk around your block.
when you sitting put your hand behind your hand and move from right and left it will work the (love handles) do has many you want you wont feel it at first but keep going you will.
Laying down on floor or bed put your hand behind your butt palms facing down, lift your feet of the floor up and down and trying not to touch the ground has you do this and how many you want believe me its works this will work your tummy areas and your legs while you do this remember point your toes up than when you have done that keeping your legs off the floor make a v shape how big or small the v it be fine and close your feet together than open to v and so on do many you like this will work your inner and outer legs your lower tummy upper and sides.
i start with 5 than 10 than 15 times and so on
your'l feel the burn the hurt but its working cause it not use to working the mucles this way.
If you have any questions or more tips on this and more please let me know. And ill ask me hubby to send you an email.
email ____@____.com

I saw the milk commercial on TV and have used it a lot to help keep my calories down. Its the commercial about drinking 24 ounces in 24 hours. I'm not sure if I'm drinking all 24 ounces, I just drink a glass of milk for breakfast, another for morning snack and another for afternoon snack. I usually also drink a glass of milk anytime I have the munchies. It keeps me from getting hungry and grabbing something that's too high in sugar.

Its an easy way to stay healthy and get your calcium. It won't make the pounds go away fast, but it can't hurt.

Hi S.
I just got a wonderful book from another single mom friend of mine called The T-Factor Diet by Martin Katahn,Ph.D. It allows you to loose weight safely and quickly without cutting calories or even counting them and helps you keep the weight off..The friend of mine lost 125lbs and has kept it off by following the book for over 5 yrs now :-)You don't have to stop eating anything either or cut out sweets etc..You eat what you want and still loose weight just learn how the body deals with what you eat. I am just now starting to read it will let ya know more about it as I get into it ;-)
K.

Wow, you are busy, taking care of your children and holding down a full time job. I'm a stay at home mom and I don't know how working mothers do it...that's a hard job to juggle so much, especially when there isn't a husband in the picture to help out.
Gosh, is it all possible for you to take walks every day, perhaps before making dinner? Since your week is so tremendously full, I'd resort to the weekends. If 2 days a week is all you have to work with for exercising, then I'd go for it. There is a couple of web sites to look at if you need tapes/dvd's for workouts. One is beachbody.com and the other is collagevideo.com. It's hard to get motivated without dvd's...I live by them and they keep me going when I don't feel like moving. I'd look at your diet, too. Cutting out the "bad" foods like soda, sweets, lots of starches. Load up on the good foods, like fruits and veggies and protein. Sometimes when I'm hungry but not so hungry to eat a full meal, I'll eat a spoonful of peanut butter. Drink lots of water and just try to watch what you are eating and that should yield results. I wish I could be of more help. Good luck with this and don't get discouraged. If you want a better body, it will take work...and time to get it.

Hey S.,

I just wanted to share my story with you. I was overweight feeling very low about my body and had very, very low energy. I started on the shapeworks program and in 4mths i lost 40lbs, went from a dress size 20 to 6 and now my energy is through the roof! I have a full-time job and a two year plus school, so girl if I can do it you can do it!

Just make the commitment, it's all up to you!

I can be your coach :-)