To Big to Handle

Hi V.,

My husband works out a lot-4X/week and runs about 40 miles a week, eats super healthy and still has high cholestoral. The Dr.'s advised him that it is heridatary and he will have to go on medication. Perhaps that is the case for you.

I gained 25 lbs when I was expecting my daughter 14 months ago and have lost the majority of the weight by watching my carb intake (reducing the consumption of bread/pasta) and supplement my diet with fresh greens especially spinach. I also joined racquet ball and fitness and they offer free childcare for 2 hrs so I can workout while my daughter is being looked after. If your unable to do that, try buying some 10 lbs weights and do some arm curls, lunges, tricep extensions, etc with them. Try to incorporate some ab work as well and some jumping jacks to increase your heart rate and you will see the lbs come off.

Good luck!

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trying a diet like nutrasystem or jenny craig where the food is provided is a good start, it is usually really good food and very healthy. try not to eat what your kids do as they have different nutritional needs, but watch their eating habits as well, you may be teaching them bad habits from the start. there are little things you can do that help, like taking the stairs and parking in the back of the lot, but these are difficult with kids. you don't say how old the kids are but there are a few options there. if they are in school then join a gym while they are in class, curves is really good for people that have little to no gym history. if they are younger, watch the wiggles and dance along. it sounds silly, but have you ever seen how skinny those Aussies are, there's a reason. good luck in your quest, it is hard but definitely worth it. when you feel like giving up remember that every pound you lose and every point your cholesterol drops is more time you get on this earth with those beautiful children

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I never thought I'd be able to do it, but I took up jogging and it saved me not only physically but also emotionally because I could start my day with time that was devoted utterly to ME. I could use the time and exercise to make my mind clear and be a better mom/ wife all day long because of it. I also followed weight watchers religiously and got to as thin as I was when I was in college (I'm 34 now). I felt and looked great and fit into really cute clothes. Let me be really clear on the fact that though I was a thin young person, I've never been an exerciser but I love running. I'm about to give birth to number two and I had to stop running and weight watchers for the pregnancy and I've put on 35 lbs so far. i dream of the day I can run again-- literally I dream of it.

Here's how I started: I jogged SLOWLY, like walking speed for a solid 20 minutes for the first couple of months. I was amazed I could manage even that. As my confidence built up I went to 30, 45 then 60 minutes. All the while I was doing weight watchers and I could see the results and have support! By the time a year was up I was running 25 miles a week! And I went down from 155 to 119 lbs. If I can do this, I swear anyone can. My husband gave me little pointers and bits of advice to think about along the way. The best was this: Running hurts. It hurts everyone who runs. The difference between a runner and a non-runner is that when it hurts, the runner keeps on running and doesn't stop. I always thought that people who excercise just didn't feel pain like I do. I learned to overcome it b/c I loved how I felt after I did it.

I wish you tons of luck. My cholesterol, which is genetically high, btw, DID drop to a normal level, though it is borderline. but running I won't have to take meds and I looked an felt great!

Go for it!

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I am also an overweight mom who does not have time to excersize, but I just started a new diet where I eat six times a day but small portions and healthier food and surprising enough it is alot of the things that my kids like to eat. For breakfast I eat plain oatmeal (cooked with water not milk) and I cut up a banana in it or peaches, strawberries all fresh fruit, for my first snack I take a few pieces of turkey lunch meat and roll it up and eat an apple or equivelent to a half cup of fruit, for lunch something like tuna mixed with relish, a baked potato and green beans, then I eat another snack just like the one above, and for dinner half a chicken breast seasoned with wine or mrs. dash with some rice or baked potato and a cup of fresh veggies. Then there is an optional evening snack just like the one above but you can do your own thing with the snacks. The key is stay away from soda, bread, pasta and sugar (use splenda). It is a whole lifestyle change but if you want it bad enough you can do it.

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First realize that your high cholesterol may not be entirely due to your weight. It could also be due to your genes. So, when you do lose weight, try not to get to discouraged if your new skinny self still has high cholesterol.

Also, I have a four month old and she is awake ALL DAY LONG. She takes these seemingly worthless 15 minute naps about 3 or 4 times a day. SOOO, I involve her in my exercise. I count outloud to her while I work out. I jump rope for brief spurts to get my heart rate up and then work on my stay ball (that is an exercise ball with sand in it to weigh it down). She loves watching that huge ball move in the air.

I read that you did not have to work out for any particular amount of time in a row. Rather, you can work out in 5 minute bursts multiple times a day. I read that in my Self magazine two months ago. Let me know if you would like to know some of those quick exercises.

You can totally do this! With a bit of reorganization of your time and with the help of your kids, you all can become healthier and happier!

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Hi V.,

Well I was in the same shoes about three months ago. I finally hit bottom with the weight issue and my family coming first instead of me.
I have two kids, 10 & 14. I have figured out that an hour in half out of my families day for me was not asking for a hole lot. They haven't even really notice the change. I always couldn't aford to go to the gym & weight watchers so I joined the gym and go religiously everday after work for no less than an hour. I heard my different friends talk about joining weight watcher and asked enough question to figure out the point system. So I picked no more than 20 points a day and I buy the frozen dinners and deserts for lunch and dinner with special K cerial/skim milf& special K bars. Nothing else. I have lost about 20lbs and Im finally feeling better about my self. Remember your family will always be there. You have to complete 100% of yourself before you can give them 100% of you.

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your eating when your kids eat,but are you hungry when your kids eat or your just eating cause there eating. only eat when your really hungry and never eat after 7:00 oclock. if you dont exercise its not good to eat so late.drink alot of water. eat veggies with meat.

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Befor I got pg. with my daughter I was thin. When I got pg. I eat any and everything I wanted. I ganded 150lbs. i was not happy. After i had i was at 184. Now I'm at 224. I'm not happy. but just like you i don't have time. but this is what i do. trying to get in to shape. I use my daughter as a wieght bell. i have her sit on my legs and lift her she thinks i'm playing when i am trying to get in to shape. i pick her up with my arms. and try to eat right. i cut all soda out and that by its self cut off the pounds. i wish you luck.

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Nutritionist and Doctors say a "serving" of food should only be as big as the persons fist... If you eat like that you should do well.

I was pretty overweight from my first. 260 and after I had the baby I went down to 220... But I wouldn't budge any more than that.

I have been eating no more than 6 carbs a day for 6 (Sun-Fri) days and then on the 7th (Sat) I eat all the things I want to. Miraculously coming full circle to Monday again You start seeing that weight come off...

I down to 170 last time I wieghed myself. when I get time to excersize I REALLY notice a difference day to day.

Let me know if you want to know further my daily diet etc. It really works and shrinks your stomach in the process, I guarentee you will not be able to eat as much as you think you can on your "free" days. (All the things you crave all week)

_Nikki

(PS: the first 2 weeks are tough but if you can get past that you will actually be training body to eat differently)

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