Nothing Works

Hi Lara,

Wtih all the changes in your life you are doing really well maintaining your weight! It may not seem like a big deal, but it is and I want you to give yourself the credit you deserve for it. This is obviously something you DO want or you wouldn't have asked for help. Good for you for recognizing you need to shake it up a bit and try something new/different.

Here are my thoughts..... Are you having any other difficulties besides losing weight? Tiredness, dry skin, etc? IF so, you may want to have your Thyroid levels checked and speak to your doctor about any other testing should be done. You didn't mention anything but thought I should bring it up on the off chance it might help.

I first became a Mom in my early 40s. Before then I constantly heard people (mainly women) saying your body changes after a certain age and it's harder to lose weight. Every age was thrown out as the age things change 25, 30, 35, 40. As I passed these milestones I didn't notice a significant difference. Only after I had my child did my body change and it seemed I had less wiggle room when trying to lose weight and needed to stay VERY focused on an exercise/nutrition plan. Sparkspeople was mentioned earlier and tracking your eating and can really help with this!

I'm also using the nutritional products Barbilee talks about in her post. I've found them to be invaluable in how I feel, I have more energy throughout my day and am in a better place mood wise.

Oh, just thought of another idea....If there is a Moms group, church group, or neighbors who also want to get exercise maybe you can start or join your own group outside of joining a gym to keep each other motivated and have fun. You could focus on one type of exercise or try all different kinds together. This might even be an option or help if childcare is an issue, taking turns watching each other's children so you can get some good exercise time.

Anyway, Hang in There! You'll hit upon what works for you at this time in your life which may be very different than whats worked for you in the past.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi Lara,
I was 117 before my first pregnancy, gained 42 lbs, and lost 45 after. I ended up gaining the extra 3 lbs back because 114 is way too little for me (at 5'6"). I recommend cutting out all soda for life, and eliminating all white breads, pastas, rice, crackers, cookies, etc. But diet is only 1/2 the battle, and diet alone will not be as effective without exercise. For exercise, try increasing your workouts from walking to easy jogging (even if you're so slow that you feel silly), and then increasing to more distance, time, and speed as your body adjusts. Jogging is great because it is free. Also, you need strength training to burn fat. You don't need anything fancy, just a set of inexpensive weights from Target. You can use the weights for curls, tricep excercises, shoulder press, chest press, etc. You can also do pushups, crunches, dips, squats, lunges, which all help, especially when holding weights. Aim for 25-30 minutes a day of cardio (more if you're just walking), and strength training 3-4 days a week. I hope this helps!

1 mom found this helpful

Watch the sugar and the processed foods. I went on a low carb, low fat, low sugar, high protien diet which worked wonders for me. I lost 70lbs, 7 came off the 1st week.

Avoid fruit and fruit juice. really read the labels of canned foods most of them have a ton of sugar. Also most low fat foods are higher in sugar. When they take one away they replace it with the other, so low fat isn't always better. Fo example low sugar instant oatmeal(flavored) has 6 grams of sugar, BUT weight control oatmeal (flavored) has only 1 gram and 7 grams of protein! So really pay attention to the labels, you might be buying low fat but it is usually higher in sugar which will have the same effect since excess sugar is stored as fat.

I hope that helps and if you have any other questions please feel free to email me at ____@____.com

1 mom found this helpful

Hi Lara,

How old is your son? If he's a toddler, I have a great workout video for you!
http://www.kidlifting.com

It doesn't feel like a workout, since you're playing with your son, and it gives you the strength training you need to boost your metabolism - that walking doesn't give you.

As far as nutrition, there are my recommendations:
http://www.healthfitonline.com/resources/tips/eatwell.html

To your health!
M.

1 mom found this helpful

Hey Lara, If you have Comcast they have great on demand workouts. I enjoy Fit tv and lost my first 15 pounds doing it at home after my son was born. They have yoga, pilates, and much more, cardio, weights etc. Good Luck... A.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi Lara,

Anything is possible! I have lost 50 pounds in the last year and a half. It's as simple as eating the right foods and exercise, and of course lots of water.
It was hard in the beginning for me but I stuck to it and if you do you will see results too. I didn't treat it as a diet but a lifetime lifestyle change. I eat chicken, fish, turkey, red meat (broiled/BBQ/sauteed) every once in a while; unlimited veggies (as many dark green as possible), 3 fruits a day, and two protein bars a day if I need a little extra. I drink 5-6 16 oz bottles of spring water every day. I only use olive oil and balsamic vinegar on my salads. Lemon also....
I started to walk on my treadmill after losing my first 10 pounds because I had no energy to exercise until that point. I love my treadmill now. Walking around a park for 30 minutes works just as good. I always walk for 30 minutes and if I feel like doing more I than do so. The first 15 minutes are hard for me, even today. I try to exercise 5 days a week.

Oh, I have a low thyroid...so it has been even a bit harder for me to shed the pounds as apposed to someone who does not have hypothyroidism. I continue my lifesyle change for myself first!! and than my family!! I too have a great husband, daughter, son and grandson. I am blessed.

Don't ever give up.

Best Regards,
: -) R. Thompson

1 mom found this helpful

Hello Lara!
I have noticed lately that not eating past 8 at night helps too! I know it hard sometimes with crazy schedules but, that has worked for me so far. I lost 10 lbs in two weeks so far...Thank goodness. Hope this helps! :)
M.

1 mom found this helpful

ok I know you have already gotten a lot of responses but here is what worked for me. CALORIE COUNTING. There a web site calorie-count.com that is wonderful. You put in your height, wight, goal weight and it will tell you how many calories to eat every day. its free and tells you how many calories are in most foods and restraunts, so you can plan ahead. I am a stay at home mom and i cant afford the gym either so I know how you feel. I have been doing it for 2 months and am down 20 pounds. Check it out.

1 mom found this helpful

I am a 27 year old mother of a 16 month old son. Your request for suggestions about loosing weight caught my eye because just a short time ago, I was in your place. My suggestion is weight watchers. It really works. I have lost 18 pounds in 13 weeks by simply following their plan. They teach you how to eat right - both healthy and portion control. It is really easy - trust me. It does cost some money, but takes little effort. Just a thought. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi, I Know what you mean about keeping a membership. I cook very healthy i eat salads and raw veg. most of the time. I also buy light products and fat free products. I walk for an hour every day. I started doing this 2 years ago i was 137 pounds. right know i am 124 pounds. I also count calories i only intake 1600 a day. this works for me you might want to give it a try. good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Dear Lara,

I was 56 pounds overweight until my son was 2 years old. I gained alot of weight with both of my pregnancies. Finally, I went back to work and school and lost the 56 pounds and more. I am sure that it is because I was busy, moving around, and eating less, because I had fewer hours. I am not suggesting that you go back to work or school, just telling you what worked for me. Another reason for my weight loss is contributed to walking and sometimes even running. Check out this website it will get you motivated. Good luck! It will happen!
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/index.shtml

1 mom found this helpful

I tried curb your cravings and it works..

1 mom found this helpful

Well, since you cannot go to the gym, I would say try different things with your walking... for instance: go to the park and run around with your kids, do things that will burn more calories - turn on the music and dance (with or without your kids). Maybe make a challenge for yourself to stop drinking any soda for 1 month and maybe eating a certain amount of fruit and veges each day. Just a few ideas that I hope will help you!

Good luck,
B.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi Lara,

Have you tried Weight Watchers? It's worked for me - and for a lot of people - and if you keep an eye out for their promotions where you can join without paying the registration fee, then you just pay the weekly.

As for working out here's my two cents - ideally you need both cardio and strength training. Some people like weights, others like yoga and/or pilates. (of course there are people who don't believe yoga and pilates count but having been a pilates instructor I can tell you that if you do it right, it definitely builds strength!) I find it really hard to stay motivated on my own with videos so if you can find a workout partner or even a class once a week to go to, that might help. Walking is great if you're really walking and not strolling. Maybe try picking up your pace for a minute and then slowing down to your normal pace for 4 minutes and gradually moving towards 5 minutes at "top" speed then building that up even more - basically you need to push your heart (gently). If you like to swim, most LA city pools are only $1.50 or free if you have a library card and that's great exercise. Or have a little fun, put on some music at home and dance around with your son for 20 minutes :) Do you know any other moms who want to walk/work out? You could do your own version of "stroller strides" and find an area with some hills - that'll work you out!

Hope some of this helps, or sparks an idea. Good luck!
A.

1 mom found this helpful

When I only had one child like you do now, my huband and I did "Eating For Life" by Bill Phillips. It takes some preparation, which is why the one child factor really helped. I lost nine pounds and my husband lost over 20! It is a book you can get at any bookstore or vitamin store. The recipes are great and it works. It just takes a little time. Give it a try :)

1 mom found this helpful

I'm no expert, and don't have any weight issues. I do hope to obtain a masters in nutrition, one of these days. My thoughts are, perhaps it is a medical issue, like a thyroid problem?
I wish you the best!

1 mom found this helpful

Try doing baby yoga with your baby or get some girlfriends together to go walking/jogging in the park. It is a great way to get outdoors and not notice you are working out. Workout routines are great, but variety is the spice of life. You need to vary it because your muscles with quit getting the maximum benefit and you'll get bored. Good luck! I don't know how old you son is, but remember, it took 9 months to gain the weight. It could take almost 2 years to take it back off safely.

1 mom found this helpful

No advice here...just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I was an 8 before I got pregnant. I gained lots of weight while I was pregnant. After she was born, I started losing weight steadily. Now, for the last month and a half, nothing. I'm at a steady size 12. Size 12 isn't so bad, but I would like to have the choice & my body isn't giving it. :(

I would say though, don't push it. Don't let life pass you by while you are stressing about your weight.

1 mom found this helpful

Try cutting out processed foods. There is alot of hidden junk in mixes and foods that come in boxes, etc. Try making everything from scratch and eat lots of vegetables. That might be the ticket.

1 mom found this helpful

All exercise works worth consistency. You can get a stationary bike fairly cheaply, you can try Craigs list, I picked up some exercise equipment really inexpensively there. The Ball is awesome. I have probably 8 different tapes, the key is to always rotate them, never do the same video two days in a row, I know how hard it is to do it at home rather than the gym, but you can do it, just don't give up when discouraged, keep doing what you are doing. I had difficulty being at home all the time, I became a grazer, crackers here, crackers there, it really adds up, have the time I did not even realize I was nibbling, so after I made a effort to not "snack" it was easier. Core training has given me a nicer tummy than before I was pregnant. Good luck, and I TOTALLY understand, I hate it when I get in a boredom phase with exercise, just do not stop!

1 mom found this helpful

Lara you need to pick something and stick with it. The secret to weight loss and to keeping it off is staying with what ever you change. I say go for those walks everyday for at lease 30mins. Stop the juice and the soda completly and just drink water. Watch your calorie intake, you would be surprised how much you take in with out even realizing it. I am nursing righ now so I take in quite a lot of calories right now plus I am a runner(2400 a day). There are alot of sites you can go to that will tell you how much you should take in(www.sparkspeople.com). I would start off with about 2000 untill you find out the amount you really need.It will be hard at first but it will end up becoming routine for you. Good luck to you!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi my name is A. and I feel for you. I was in the same boat after I had my third baby I got up to 210 pounds and I got down to 160 on my own. But I was 120 pounds before I started having kids. I met someone that started me on herbalife and I was very sceptical but I lost 40 pounds in 3 months! I have kept it off for two years now. I became a distributor immediately because I could not afford the prooducts without the discount, and now it allows me to stay at home and sell products. If you are interested check out my web page and there is all my contact information there, I would love to be able to help you.
http://herbal-nutrition.net/members/ash79smith

Sicerely,
A.

Have you tried slim fast. They have a really good online program. It's really good for me when your really busy you just take a shake and your done. But online they give you a bunch of different type of meals you can make yourself. I think the main thing to do is the 6 small meals a day. Which i still have a hard time doing but it seems to be working.

I lost 105 pounds of body fat doing the Body for Life Program. check it out at www.bodyforlife.com

Being over weight is really not your fault anymore. We know how to eat heatlhy, but that doesn't work. We know about moderate exercise, that doesn't work, we even know about "counting calories", which also DOESN"T WORK! I get that. My second child was 6 before I finally found something that worked. 100% guaranteed. (www.HeyYouGetReal.com) NUTRITIONAL BODY CLEANSING. Isagenix has an amazingly natural Cleansing and Fat Burning System that offers a COMPLETE balance of nutrients while cleansing your body of impurities. It is natural, it is organic and it completely fits with any lifestyle. I released 32 pounds (in less than 2 months)and have been able to keep it off since March of 2006. Diets don't work, you simple starve yourself. Cutting back on calories doesn't work because again, you need calories to convert to energy. The ONLY thing that works 100% everytime...for SUSTAINED weight loss is cleansing. 90% of the cultures in the world cleanse as part of their religion. It is just what htey do. We here in North America are not so advanced (LOL)...yet we weigh the most....funny how that works.

I'd love to share more with you. Are you interested?

B.
www.HeyYouGetReal.com

Arbonne has a great weight loss program with proven results. They even have a website dedicated to those trying to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. I've used some of the products with good success and have been very happy.

http://www.gofigure8.com/index.php

Let me know if you have any questions.

S.

Hi L.,
Loosing weight can be a daunting task. My advice to you is the same as I would give to myself. First and foremost find someone who can give you support and keep you motivated (like other moms in your area who can go for walks with you), create a weekly excercise schedule and stick to it, and really watch what you eat. I can so realate to what you are saying. Temporary diets do not work, so you'll need to create new eating habits for yourself. I have just started a nutrional cleanse and fat burning system. This is a life style change for me and something I'm committed to because it's so important for me to stay healthy for the rest of my life. I'm 44 and my daughter is almost 3. I want to have lots of energy and stay young and healthy for her and my husband too. Good luck.

What I have been using that I've actually lost 8lbs in the last two weeks, is natural and organic, no side effects and the Spokespearson for the product is Heather Hansen from the Biggest Loser is O3World.
Check it out, I love it!
http://myO3worldproducts.com

S.

My best advice would be cut out the juice, which is usually high in sugar and just have it occasionally.(obviously that would make the soda a bad choice as well) : ) The main thing I would say though is try to walk, ALOT. Cardio is the best thing for loosing weight, not working out at a gym. The best part is it is free! I was at a gym for 8 months trying to loose weight for my wedding and only lost 3 pounds. I started walking and in about 3 months I lost 20 pounds! I am not sure how old your son is, but if he is not able to go in a stroller, I would say go by yourself or with a friend. You have to walk briskly, and unfortunately he would not be able to keep up. Try doing a minimum of 30 minutes of brisk walking a day. It is hard for the 1st few weeks, but once you get in the routine it gets easier and you will actually miss your walks. Good luck to you, hope this helps.

Hello Lara,
I've been doing Weight Watchers since I've had my daughter. I did the program a couple times before with great success (I love 50 lbs the first time and over 30 the second time). I really like the program, it works for me and my husband.
Best of luck,
C.

Hi I am J. mom to Alexis and Aiden, I teach Baby boot Camp, a stroller fitness program that allows you to bring your baby with you during the workout, I know you said money is tight, so I want to let you know I have a coupon for one month of unlimited classes available for only $25, maybe you could use this and come to class for a month, we will show you what you can do to get back in shape, at the same time you will meet other moms going through exactly what you are, and make new friends for your son. You can e-mail me or call me any time (____@____.com or ###-###-####) Your first class is always free with Baby Boot Camp and we would love to have you come out, please visit www.babybootcamp.com to see a schedule of classes.

I have battled with weight loss my entire life, this is the only program that I have been able to stick too because its so much fun to work out!

I hope to hear from you soon!
J.

Dear Sara you should try this product from Young Living Essential Oils which is called 5 - DAY NUTRITIVE CLEANSE. It's great!! Read about it. Go to this website https://www.youngliving.org/366584 and stroll down till you see the product and click on the purple lettering that says FIVE DAY NUTRITIVE CLEANSE BROCHURE (PDF). There you can find the necessary information you need to loose weight. I tried it and it works. And you can order the product on the same website. It's ideal because it cleans your system and is also a food substitute that gives you all the nutrients you need in one meal and at the same time it balances your digestive system. This together with a little exercise should be enough. All you need is half an hour exercise.

Hello Lara (I know your Mamasource request came through a long time ago), but ...

I've been a health educator for the past 28 years.

There's a brand new product that will be released this Saturday, January 10th, that is going to be the answer to every single person's struggle to lose weight ... especially BELLY FAT. The "weight" is over! It has undergone extremely thorough, monitored, human studies and is 100% GUARANTEED to work. Sound exciting? I know I'm excited since I'll be taking the product, too.

Just drink 4ozs a day ... it's that Simple.

If you're really serious about losing weight and you'd rather not go on some crazy diet or join a gym ... take a couple of minutes today and visit my blog:

http://melaniekissell.blogspot.com

You'll be glad you did!

I'm here for you if you have questions,
~M.
###-###-####

Losing weight is not just about eating healthy and working out. There are an infinite amount of WAYS to lose weight. I didn't lose any weight until I changed my frame of mind. I had to convince myself that I wanted to be skinnier, and not use words like fat, diet or other things that added to me feeling unworthy. Have you watched or read "The Secret"? They have a great chapter on weight loss, but if you focus on "needing to lose weight", your need will always be present. If you focus on being happy at your perfect weight with absolute belief and faith, along with doing your due diligence of healthy eating and exercise habits, you will find your pounds melting away! (Not "I will be happy when..." - if you say that you will always be chasing happiness without ever obtaining it.) Please keep posting, it is much easier to do with the support of encouraging people!

Lara you are a happy wife and mom, bravo.
I know you will loose weight, drink a glass of water before you decided to eat ( even just a snak ) eat out of a small plate and just one helping.iff you are hungry munch on celery or carrot sticks= apple

you can do it

p

Lara, i feel with you, i was there too. I was 117 pounds before i had kids, after every kid i went back down to about a size 6. Recently i had had a miscarrage and gained so much weight in my first trimester. It was devasting, then i had to deal with all the weight gain. My sister told me about Monavie, i tried it only as a favor to her cause she was a distributor. To my shock, in 1 week i lost 5 pounds, in 1 month i lost 14 pounds. This is not a weight loss drink, its a wellness drink, its loaded with antioxidents and cleanses the body. It is now being said to help heart diesese and cancer. There are so many reasons to drink this. For me i take it for the weight control and the energy it gives me.
Here is a link that you might find interesting. Its a Doctor Pennington, on Fox news, telling woman what we need for our bodies. She has written many books, this is very interesting, please follow the link and check out what she says, she has alot of good advice about woman and thier bodies.

http://www.myfoxkc.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId

If you want more info. my website is Drink39.com
or visit Monavie.com
I swear by it. It really helps.
Good Luck,
A.!

I have been on this diet for 2 weeks and have lost 8 ponds I am so excited! A friend referred me to Arbonne products telling myself okay here we go and this actually works my plan is to be 130 and when that happens I will start working out.