Post-partum get back into shape journal

[thirtyeven]

So I'm about five weeks post partum and wanting to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and get back into shape. I was virtually sedentary for the last two months of my pregnancy, and I've got the flab to show for it.

This week I've tried to ease back into a little exercise and watching what I eat. The exercise is easier than the eating--I'm hungry all the time, and my snacking habits are crap. I've thrown all the sweets out of the house and am trying to keep my calorie intake around 1800. I'm exclusively breastfeeding, and if I try to go lower than that I literally feel like I'm starving.

I've done ok the last few days, but I know the post-partum fatigue combined with work stress and caring for two kids is going to make it hard to keep up any sort of healthy regimen--hopefully journaling here will help keep me on track. Thanks in advance for any encouragement!

So here's a summary of the last few days:

Monday: 20 minutes pilates, didn't track my calories
Tuesday: 2-mile walk, around 2500 calories (I made cookies--bad move)
Wednesday: No exercise, around 2000 calories
Thursday: 30 minutes pilates, 1850 calories

[Flutterby]

Congrats on the new baby :) and good luck with your goals! It sounds like you are off to a good start.

[km1212]

Great for you! It sounds like you are starting out the right way.

You are doing awesome with the exercise!

I am also starving all the time from the nursing! i'm still dropping the weight steadily, thanks to breast- feeding. I hope it keeps coming off!


When I lost the weight (last year) I realized that when i was really good about journaling, I did well at my weigh-ins (WW). When I let the journaling slide, the weight would creep back on.

I can't wait for the warmer weather so I can get strolling at the park. That was one of my most reliable forms of exercise last year. Of course back then I had a 4 yr old & 2 yr old in a double stroller. This time I'll be pushing a newborn in a click-n-go!!! Not burning as many calories there!

Keep up the good work!

[thirtyeven]

thanks flutterby and km1212.

Yesterday was ok--not great. Dh was gone late and so I didn't get a chance to go for a walk, and the baby was too fussy for me to ever get a half hour to myself to do pilates. I did really well with the eating until late evening, when I had a bunch of cheese and crackers. Oh well--everything I ate was pretty nutritious, so I'm more bummed about the lack of exercise. Calories for the day were around 2100.

Hopefully today will be better.

[CathyB]

How is it going? I just saw your journal? It is so hard for me to eat well when I am stressed (like this last month). That's the first thing that goes for me.

[thirtyeven]

It's going ok, I guess. I went to the dr. yesterday and definitely have mastitis (red streaks across my boob, high fever, etc), so I'm on antibiotics and am in no shape to exercise. (or to leave for Atlanta in the morning, but oh well--i'm not prepared to miss my sister's wedding or see $1000 spent on plane tickets go down the drain). I've been eating reasonably well though. I don't feel all that optimistic about getting the last 10 pounds off any time soon--last time around it took me a while too. But I would like to get in better shape. I look like I weigh more than I actually do because of all the flab.

[CathyB]

I hope you guys have fun this weekend and traveling isn't too much trouble. Which sister is it--the oldest? Wow, tickets are a lot! Is it back home? Did you find a dress? you'll probably be gone before you read this anyway.

At first I was thinking that ten pounds was nothing. Not that it is a lot, at all, but I was pretty much 10 pounds over weight all summer and it was hell trying to take it off, so I know how stubborn it can be. But hopefully it'll go fast.

I know what you mean about the flab too. I haven't gained any weight yet, but I look very big all over. I really don't get why, but it is super apparent. Right now I am 15-17 overweight, but since I'm at the end of my first semester, and haven't gained, I feel a little better.