It's Been 10 Months and I Can't Lose the Baby Weight!

I just read the book Perfect Weight America (not sure where you live, but some health food stores are giving them away for free) and it was really motivating and gave sound advice- and it was relieving to note that there is evidence that it's not about long bouts of exercise, but short bursts of intense workout, with a good diet, that will help. Since I don't have tons of time with two little ones I liked that idea. What I try to do is go for walks with the baby in a back carrier and walk briskly, dance with my baby and toddler around the house (just trying to keep up with a 3 yr old is an intense workout!) and I also like the belly dancing dvd for 15 min. every once in a while (and so does my hubby- haha).

I would also comment that rather than thinking of your body as messed up or not right as we are prone to do when comapring ourselves with out previous figure and what's touted as beautiful by our society, that I look at my new shape as a badge of fertile, life-giving womanhood. My husband says he can never think of thin or non-curvy girls as attractive anymore because he loves the shape of a baby-birthing woman. My best friends' husband mentioned something like that to her "The bar is set at mom". =)

Nevertheless, we weren't meant to get so out of shape that we are dumpy and frumpy- that is caused by stress (mental and physical, as in anxieties, not enough sleep, poor diet with white flour/white sugar, nutrient devoid foods) and not enjoying fresh air and sun and moving around. Also I'd encourage you to take some good supplements to restore some of what you gave to your daughter as you nourished her from within and without- a whole foods multi vitamin, green powder in a smoothie or caplet, fish oil for hormone balancing and thyroid boost, and if you're into it fucoxanthin is the hot thing for weight lost- a component of brown seaweed clinically proven to reduce white adipose tissue (aka bellyfat) and thermogenically increase metabolism up to 18%). It is non-stimulant (won't give you jitters or insomnia) and comes in supplement form. Brown seaweed has a long and safe history being used by mankind so if I was going to try something I'd start with that.

2 moms found this helpful

My daughter just turned three and I am just now starting to lose the baby weight! Like you said, It's hard to find the time to exercise! I have never had a consistent exercise routine or strict diet. I just started accepting the fact that I will probably never return to my prebaby weight which is totally normal anyway. Now that my daughter is older I have become more active with my own hobbies and gone back to work part time. It feels like I am getting some semblance of my old life back and the weight is coming off little by little. My advice would be, hey, we're not hollywood with personal trainers and chefs and stuff, this is the real world! It will take a while to lose the weight, so stay active with things that make you happy and fulfilled rather than worrying about spending all your free time at a gym on a treadmill, you know?

1 mom found this helpful

I think it's important that you know and understand, that after birth, we have new bodies. This means, do not expect to see the tiny body your beautiful baby girl used as a vessel any longer. I experienced this baby weight issue with my daughter's birth. As much as I tried or didn't try, I always found myself pounds heavier. My original weight before birth was 110. After birth I was 145!! 3 months later I saw myself in the mirror and was shocked. It was one of those reality moments that you never forget. That moment was the moment I went on a diet. I ate right, I excercised kept away from bad delicious food and got down to 115. It was alot of work! i looked great for all of perhaps 3 months...THEN...
slowly, oh so very slowly, back came 2 lbs.....3 lbs and
before I knew it I was 125. Iwrestled with that weight but then realized that perhaps this was my new "WOMAN" weight. We neglect to realize that our bodies go through an extreme change. Our metabolism changes, our skin, our hair......
everything! We emerge new women after giving birth, so as new women, why do we expect that everything will go back to normal? Once you have children you are never ever normal again. Our hearts and mind think differently, feel differently so why should our appetites be expected to be the same as when we weighed 110. Once you give birth you are a full complete woman, so respect yourself as such. Sure watch the carbs and intake, but unless you are a workout queen and have a 24hr nanny that can help you with baby while you work out for hours on end and you are ok with not seeing your baby while you work out........give yourself a fair weight to be at and get there by balancing all that is new in your life. Remember, you are no longer a teeny bopper with the metabolism of a super hero, you are now a new mom, busy with a beautiful baby girl. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Go ahead and ge on your treadmill.It won't detract from time with your baby if they are rigt there with you.Weather permitting,put them in a carriage and go walking.Walking is still one of the best exercises.

Wow, from the amount of responses we can all tell this is an issue we all have trouble with! You didn't say exactly how much weight you gained, but I will tell you i gained A TON!!!! Prepregnancy I weighed about 125 at 5 foot 6 inches, not skinny, but I was happy with myself, by the time i went into labor I had just reached 200 pounds. I struggled when i was prego, I worked two jobs which both had me on my feet(one in a restaurant and one in a store at teh mall), I excercised, I tried to eat low calorie/healthy and nothing seemed to work. My daughter is two and a half now and I still am at 145, after getting to 135 and it came back. The only thing I can suggest is just drink lots and lots of water and take your daughter out for countless walks. You are still spending time with her, while giving you the excercise you need and also giving her fresh air. Summer is here, keep snacks like grapes, carrot sticks, and other fruits and veggies handy. Summer is definitely the easiest time to eat healthy.

I would recommend making sure you're getting enough sleep (kinda hard with a 10 month old though!). We're often hungrier or just eat more when our bodies are tired. Also, keep drinking water - maybe cut out some sodium. Now that it's getting nicer out and sunset is later, we have started to take our children for a walk before we get them ready for bed. It's good exercise for us and a fun bonding time for everyone.
By the way, my baby weight came off at completely different times after my two children - there's no set timeline. Good luck!

i haven't read all the responses (i have a 12 week old on my lap right now :) so i don't know if anyone suggested this yet or not:

i recommend wearing your baby while taking walks. that way, you get to spend time together without depriving her of stimulation and your company/attention. i have an Ergo soft structured carrier that I still use with my 21 month old and it's GREAT. wanna talk about fast weight loss? walk around with a 25 pound toddler on your back! she loves it.

along the same lines: wear your baby instead of putting her in the grocery cart; while doing chores around the house; walking in the mall. you will burn lots more calories with the extra weight.

K.-I joined weight watchers and it worked like a charm. I loved going to the meetings every week - it helped me to create short term goals for myself. Plus, I brought my daughter with me and all the ladies at my meeting loved seeing her. It was also a great way for me to get out and spend time for myself without leaving my daughter. It seems like a great program because it's not about eliminating anything from your diet, the program teaches you how to watch your portion size and gives you ideas about how to make healthier snack choices. Worked for me and I'm actually creating a program for teens based on my experiences - I also work at a teen center. Good luck.

first off - don't stress about the added weight - enjoy your baby now - they will only be this small for a short time. when you are with her, don't spend the whole time thinking you should be exercising to loose the baby weight - there is just too much pressure on women to loose the baby weight in a timely manner - what matters now is your baby & the time you have with her. you have plenty of time to loose the weight!!! secondly - i waited a year - and added on a few more lbs. during that year. i enjoyed EVERY great moment with my son then took my life back - well for the most part...when he was one. i began weight watchers & exercise on the treadmill on a regular basis...now 30 lbs lighter!... now not feeling so guilty b/c he is older now & not requiring my undivided attention!!! best of luck and don't push it - your baby needs you more than a treadmill!!

hahahah! EVERYONE has this problem!!! Are you nursing? This makes it hard for me because your calorie intake has to be so high! But, maybe you can take a vigorous walk on your lunch break at work, drink lots of water....there are also exercises you can do while sitting....you can do a search online for those. Take the baby in the stroller for a good long walk....walking is the best exercise!!!

I actually had a problem with my first son. I gained 60 pounds from the pregnancy and had a VERY difficult time losing it! When I got pregnant with my second, I only gained 38 pounds but I was still carrying my old baby weight. After my second I promised myself I would lose it and I ended up doing Weight Watchers... it has been over a year and I have kept the weight off! I'm actually 5 pounds less than I was before I met my husband (and I'm working on a few pounds more). I don't have time to go to the meetings so I first did it online, and went to the WW meeting place to buy a points scale and some companion books. It's so simple- all you have to do is stay within your point range. It's actually quite fun... it's like a game.
Good luck- you can do it!!

Hi! I know how hard it can be to try to lose the weight, exercise, and eat right while working and being a mom! I never lost all the baby weight with my first but now with my second I made just some easy changes that have made a HUGE difference. I always eat a big breakfast (fruit, bagel with peanut butter, coffee :) ) so that I am full and not snacking all day. I don't eat at all after dinner (I even brush and floss right after dinner so that if I am tempted to eat late at night, I don't because it's such a pain to floss again). And since it's nearly impossible to find time to exercise, I just got a pedometer and tried to walk more everyday. I park really far away from work and daycare and get extra steps in that way. I try to add extra steps at the grocery store by going up and down every aisle. If I have time, I park at the opposite end of the mall from the store where I want to go, and get in extra steps that way. I always take the stairs now (I hate the stairs!), and I try to get outside to walk with the kids as much as possible. I am not disciplined enough to do a diet plan or go to the gym, but these small changes made a huge difference for me and maybe they might for other people, too!

haha, only 10 months? my daughter just turned 2 and i'm just getting back to the weight i was (3lbs lighter) right before i had her. having a c-section i gained around 20 extra lbs. as of a couple weeks ago i lost a total of 23lbs (and that's in 2YRS!...though, i only started being able to lose it about 6+ months ago). the best advice i can give you is to go on walks! now that the weather is starting to be perfect, i would start taking those walks (instead of doing the treadmill) this way you can spend time together, talk to her as you walk, point everything out to her (birds, dogs, cars, other kids playing in the yards, etc.). in another month or 2 it may be too hot to bring her out, so i would do it as much as possible now (i know my daughter can't handle the heat at all...like me and her father she gets really nasty, and like me she starts to get really red in the face and looks like she's going to pass out, even if drinking plenty of water). so being that it's gorgeous out there now, i would definitely start with walks, maybe going to the park and parking far from the swings, walking over to the swings, pushing her on the swings, then taking a walk throughout the park for a bit (whatever and however long you have/can handle). as for my 23lbs that i lost, it was from eating 3-5 times a day (and snacking throughout the day)..of course smaller portions, and when i get the chance, i take my daughter for walks. though i am a stay at home mother so i have to chase her around, up and down stairs, throughout the house, and don't forget all that lifting, CONSTANTLY LIFTING HER!!! that is definitely a workout! so remember, just to do a little more play time, maybe chasing her a bit (though i know she's young, she is between that fast crawling and starting to walk stage). good luck.

Ten months? I don't even start losing weight until my baby's stop nursing...so here I am at 15 months out and am just beginning to lose the weight. After having 4 babies in a 6.5 year time frame, my body is extremely ruined. Like you, I don't have a lot of time, so I maximize my time spent working out by eating a fat conversion bar called an Access Bar. It allows me to start burning fat from the minute I start moving, instead of the normal 30 minutes you have to work out before you start burning fat for energy. I highly recommend them. They are so effective that they are patented and olympic athletes even use them, so why wouldn't I? Good luck. It is so hard to get our bodies back!

I am a working mother too and fitting in exercise is difficult so you have to be creative about what you are eating to keep your energy up but your calories down. I never have tried anything from a magazine article until last week and it was so simple. I also have never tried soy milk but it is quite agreeable. You take a 1/2 cup of soy milk (I found vanilla and chocolate flavors) a 1/2 cup of any type of yogurt (can be frozen or mixed with fruit - I use vanilla flavored yogurt). Then mix in a cup of any of your favorite fruits. This week is the first I have tried this and I have used bannanas and strawberries. I just picked up some rasberries and blueberries. The recipe is that simple. You put the ingredients in a container the previous night and then you mix it up in the morning. Poor it in a container on your way out the door and drink it on your way to work. I added a cup of ice and it makes about 20-24oz. I have not gotten hungry until about 11am. I leave for work about 6:45. I have been eating a light but healthy lunch. I even ate just a granola bar and had a 16oz container of green tea and was good until dinner. I have been fitting in the raw or fresh veggies in the evening and I am finally watching the scale go the other way. With being busy with so many things I just simply do not have time to exercise but when I seen this in the magazine I thought it fit my busy lifestyle. I hope it works for you. I have also fit in some regular vitamins and I am noticing a great spike in my energy level. I do not drink coffee and since I started this I have only had one soda this week. Considering that I drank a soda a day this is really surprising because I replaced the soda with water and have not seen a decrease in my energy level throughout the day. Good luck and take it easy on yourself. You can always fit in some leg lifts and push ups just by playing with your daughter. Pretty soon she will be running all over the place and you will need the energy to keep up.

You sound kinda desperate, so I don’t think it will hurt for you to check this out. Shaklee is a health and nutrition company that has a weight loss plan called CINCH that has a whole plan to follow that has 2 meals a day with shakes and they give you a pesonalized menu for the third meal that helps give you what your body needs and what you want. The plan even includes a multi-vitamin that helps the calorie burning. They even have energy teas and snack bars.

To check it out, go to www.Shaklee.net/areyougreenyet. That takes you to the CINCH site for more info on the products. Please explore and see if this is right for you. They will even do a free personal analysis on their website and the starter kit comes with software to help you along. The CINCH plan also has a 100% money back guarantee if you aren't satisfied with the product.

I have a 11 month old and when I stop nursing, I need to figure out how to lose a bit of extra weight I've got around the middle. I will probably do the CINCH plan to get to my target weight.

good luck.

K., I am sooooo there with you. My son just turned one and it took me the full year to lose ALL baby weight (albeigt with a stomach virus that got me to final goal but now that I'm here ) - I find weight watchers is very good - it just takes being prepared and some planning - I actually ordered the at home kit when I went back to work, but I am thinking about maybe going to meetings once a week during my lunch break b/c its easy to fall off track - but if you are sure to have the food on hand, then its great. I went back to work when my son was 10 weeks old and I immdediatley gained weight back! My biggest obstacles are not being prepared - so I hit the drive through or snack machine and we ALWAYS have food at work - so I just try to have healthy alternatives and I try to limit portions. I try to walk everyday during lunch. Its the least exercise I can get but its better than nothing and it keeps me focused on what I'm eating. I also tried no carbs (bread, flour, etc - I still ate fruit and things like that)for the last two weeks before his birthday b/c I REALLY wanted to meet my goal - normally I wouldn't do this and I am not a fan of extreme dieting - but it worked to drop a few pounds and I didn't go crazy with the high fats and stuff - I strongly believe in moderation and ALL foods for healthy reasons. I'm going to stick with the weight watchers - I've done it on and off for many many years and its always worked as long as I stuck to it and was honest about what I was eating! I used to exercise at the gym 5 days a week, hardcore, so the no exercise is very difficult for me - it makes weight loss/control nearly impossible for me - but I've managed to get it off - it took much longer than I wanted - but you can do it. Working is a killer on the waste line!!! So - now that I've totally babbled, my suggestions are: Weight watchers, watch your breads/carbs but don't be NO CARB Crazy and walk during lunch if you can! Now that the weather is warmer too I will try and walk with my son as much as possible - I want to jog with him but my damn jogging stroller is not aligned and I can't get it straight! UGHH! Anway - GOOD LUCK. Its hard work but you can do it!

you can try weight watchers. you don't need to go meeting just follow the diet or the special K diet works well also. The walks out side the weather is getting really nice.

My daughter is 22 months, and I am still trying to lose the last 10 pounds! I have had a similar problem in that I couldn't find time to exercise. My daughter HATES to be confined to her stroller or a baby carrier, so I recently started walking at night. After she is asleep and dishes are done, I grab the Ipod and off I go, usually around 10PM! I have come to love this time to myself, and I feel so good from the exercise. Good luck!

R.

Hi K.,

You don't mention what time you get home, but since it is getting warmer, and staying light later, why not just put your daughter in a sling or other baby carrier and wear her during a walk? That gets both of you some fresh air, time together in which you can talk to her about what you are seeing, and the exercise you need. HTH.

A good way to lose some baby weight and spend time with your daughter is to go for walks, now that the weather is getting nicer. Walking is great exercise and good family time too! Or, get a jogging stroller if you prefer to run.

Hi, I stay home with my kids, a boy age 3 and a girl 11 months. I cannot seem to get my workouts in when my son is home from school and since I worked out atleast an hour four days a week, I find different things to try. Here a few: Winsor Pilates 20 minute circle routine - GREAT for a quick workout and amazing for the middle section and you feel great afterwards, any baby and mommy workout which you can find at your local libary or since the days are getting better maybe a walk with her after dinner if you have the time. The winsor pilates has been my life saver b/c in a 20 minute workout you work you entire body this tape also has a 10 minute ab workout at the end so for a 30 minute workout it is great. Their website can help you better see your options. Anyway good luck I understand time is very important so I hope you fine something that works for you.

It's been eight years and neither can I. Some times that's just how life is.

Hi K.,

Arbonne has a great line of weight loss products for people on the go like yourself!! There are yummy shakes, on the go weight loss chews, energy / vitamin fizzy tablets for your water & even a before meal supplement.

Check out my website www.theskinyourin.myarbonne.com for more info. Arbonne also has a weight loss specific website: http://www.gofigure8.com/

There is also an amzing business potential as well that let's you fire your boss, make your own hours and time leverage by an easy duplicatbale system tha can allow you to stay at home with you baby! Email me for more info and free samples!

Good luck :)
A.
____@____.com

I found that just changing my eating habits didn't do the trick for me. I had to exercise as well. The only way I could see is working out on lunch or getting up early to work out. I did read that people that work out in the morning are more likely to do their workout than those that do it in the afternoon. You do still need to make sure that you're eating healthy as well and drinking LOTS of water. Water is a big factor in losing weight. Good luck!

My daughter is 10 mo. and I have yet to lose all of the weight that I would like. Now that the weather is nice, I have been going out on walks and pulling her in the wagon. She loves the time outside and I am getting in a little exercise. During the winter I tried dancing with her for a 1/2 hr to music and she loved it and yet again at least it was a little exercise. Good luck!!!!!!

start by popping her in the stroller and going for a walk outdoors. You are still spending time with her and she is outside. If she is anything like my daughter then it will be a godsend just getting fresh air. Also at work try to get up and move as much as possible. Watch what you are eating there and don't snack if you do make it healthy like celery or carrots, etc.. If the weather is crappy half an hour in the exersaucer is not going to make a difference. Put in a childs movie or move her in to the room with you. She make actually enjoy watching you

weight watcher is a great tool I lost 30 lbs on it in 3 months after my 1st then I have just lost 21lbs on it after my second. I also work full time. Also a couple of ideas to include your darling daughter in your excersise, get a jogging stroller and bundle her up and run. If you like sit ups put her in the excersaucer and play peek- a- boo everytime you sit up. Leg lifts, place her on your foot holding both hands and slowly lift. arms, lye on your back on the floor and lift her up and down. Dance with her to break a sweat. Take the stairs at work.

Good luck!!!

I joined weight watchers 4 months after I had my baby and lost 45 lbs. in a year. I honestly think what worked the most was walking. When I got home, I put my daughter in the stroller and just walked. I quickly realized that we could go further, and I decided to clock it and discovered we were walking almost 2.5 miles a day!! I enjoyed the time with her (and the quiet) so much that I didn't notice the exercise. After awhile, it became such a big part of our routine that I was upset if we couldn't walk for any reason. When it rained or was too cold, I packed her up and walked around the mall. She loves to be outside, and it actually helps her sleep better too!

I have a similar situation! I have started the slimfast diet. I have other friends who are using the weight watchers diet. I have found that limiting what I eat to the proper portion size and healthy snacks have helped. I lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks! Also, now that the weather is getting nice, I take my kids for a walk and sometimes chase them around the playground. This is good for 2 reasons...it gets me some exercise that I otherwise don't have time for and it tires them out so they sleep great at night! Are you able to take a lunch hour? If so, try walking during lunch. They say that 10,000 steps should be your goal for the day!

I gained 40 pounds with my son. He turned 2 in Mar. I was only able to get rid of 20 on my own and I looked awful. I started Weight Watchers in January. I'm a new woman. So far I lost over 24 pounds. I have 9 more to go and I never felt better. I'm so proud of myself. I love it. Whatever way you choose, good luck.

WELL since your already back at work you could try just getting there 30 minutes earlier, and taking and hour for lunch at the Gym, 15 minutes on the Bicycle, and 20 minutes on the treadmill at 32. thats a total of 35 minutes excersize

Leaving you 20 minutes to get there, get dressed and get back.

And if your office is Generous they will notice your 30 minute early arrival time, and allow you to eat at your desk,

I am a SAHM and wake at 6am and go to the Gym If i didn't there would be no other way.

It just depends on how bad you want it,

FOR me, the summer is a comming, and my belly will not go away on its own LOL

M

Hi K. J,
I had the same problem when I had given birth to my son. It seems we strive very hard to lose the weight right out of the gate and then "life" sets in and it is easy to lose sight of our goals. After I got home from work I just wanted to sit and watch Nicolas to see what was the "new thing" he was doing. My suggestion is to try some meal supplements. I tried Arbonne's weight loss products. You can check them out here on my website at www.denisebozza.myarbonne.com I am a fan of shakes with berries and bananas in them as a meal. Give it a try see if it works for you. There is also another website you can try for meal plan ideas, etc www.gofigure8.com
I wish you well,
D.

Try this dvd it is amazing, all short workouts for all levels, was on oprah and very inexpensive.

www.fitpackdvd.com

Hey, check this out, used by The Biggest Loser Star Heather Hansen after she had to quit because of her pregnancy.

There is a new weight loss revolution that us SAHMS are jumping into. You not only get to lose all your unwanted fat, but you can make MONEY! I just signed up for FREE, and you can as well! THERE IS NO RISK! You can change your mind at anytime. Free enrollments are only until August 4th, so you can sign up NOW, and change your mind later! This is a perfect opportunity for sahms to make an extra income for their families, and I am hopping right on board!!!!! Hopefully you can benefit from this as well :o).
Just copy and paste this link into your browser http://7621408.myo3world.com/
and sign up today. I will also answer any questions you have. Remember, you are signing up for FREE and RISK FREE! On August 4th it will only be $30 to join, but FREE is better :o). You can change your mind at any time and lose NOTHING. Whether you just want to lose weight or bring home a paycheck, this is something you definitely want to look into :o)
http://7621408.myo3world.com/
Also check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2mD3WPtZc8&feature=re...