fulltimemama

I got started by logging everything I ate (I was using Weight Watchers but they recently changed their system, so I would recommend something like the iPhone Protracker app instead of WW now). If you've read the articles on Nerd Fitness, you'll find that the most efficient route to weight loss is to control what comes in (vs. trying to "burn off a brownie." Hiking is a great exercise to do with a friend. It's literally an adventure. The more-fit friend can wear a backpack (loaded with everyone's water!), do walking lunges, etc. to "handicap" herself, and the less-fit friend can just hike at the most vigorous pace she can muster. I have knee/hip/ankle issues, and I find that hiking on a trail doesn't cause pain, but if I walk on pavement at the same intensity/duration, I am miserable the next day.

I know this is an old thread, but I'm getting caught up in the forum this morning. My warning is to ask to be tested for common clotting disorders before going on ANY hormonal contraceptives. Clotting disorders are much more common than you'd think, and the internet is filled with horror stories of healthy young women who died from blood clots because their hormonal contraceptives eventually combined with their predisposition to clots. Testing will cost $100 or so (less with insurance) and can save your life. https://www.stoptheclot.org/6358-2.htm Another bonus -- if someday you decide to get pregnant, knowing in advance whether you have a clotting disorder can save you a lot of heartache (infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth). (I don't go around the internet posting this warning, but for some reason I felt compelled to share the info with you -- I hope you'll look into it!)

I'm now 5'8" and 135 lb. I've lost 25 lbs, and I've lost 3 inches in my bust, waist, and hips. I've been doing Weight Watchers and hiking with a load (either 20 lb (one kid) or 50 lb (two kids) regularly since May. My mama pouch...well...it's smaller. But still there. From the side, I kind of look like a kidney bean with arms and legs. I'm undecided on whether I should try to lose more weight, start getting more aggressive with my exercise, or something else?

Oh boy...diastasis recti was quite the rabbit hole. I am fairly certain I have mild diastasis recti (maybe 1.5 - 3 fingers? definitely not 4). Now I'm feeling paralyzed, like every exercise I have been doing could make it worse so it's better to just lay on the couch and eat potato chips. Well, not quite...but I am worried that exercising will make it worse. I've been googling all afternoon and every website offers contradictory advice on what to do and what not to do. YIKES. Is there any definitive reliable source on healing this up so I can move forward?

I'm finally on a good trajectory, eating healthy and exercising, and seeing the pounds melt away (YAY). If I get back down to my pre-pregnancy weight, will my "pouch" go away? Or will it take more than that? Is surgery the only option?

Thank you! Do any of these have accompanying video (or even just audio tracks that say what to do/when)? I really need the direction. Even after doing 7 days of 30DS Level 1, I still can't remember what comes next. Lots of distractions in my house right now!

Oh, and in defense of the video, the other circuits do work other muscle groups and the "abs" section also has some cross-over crunches and bicycle crunches (not sure if those are more effective, but they FEEL like they're doing more for me.)

Can I do crossfit in my living room while caring for two small children and without any equipment (beyond handweights)? If so, what does that look like? I'm definitely open to new ideas, but I have some limitations that I am trying to work around in the best way possible. (For 3 years those limitations have been excuses...if I can't exercise perfectly all the time, I won't exercise at all. Gotta get out of that mentality!)

I'm working on losing baby weight x2. My children are 3.5 and 6 months. I'm with you---I would love to lose 20 lbs and feel like my old self in a swimsuit since we live at the pool all summer, but my PRIMARY motivation for exercising is to improve my endurance to be a better mom, and also to model a healthy lifestyle for my kids. I have decided not to weigh myself more than once a month. (Once my fertility returns, I'll weigh myself at the same time every cycle.) I would love to have a work-out buddy in the same boat to hold each other accountable! What are you doing so far to lose the weight? I am exercising at home 5 days a week (30 Day Shred video). I am easing into "Paleo Light." I still plan on allowing myself a few of my favorite indulgences, but I am being careful not to non-paleo foods or drink calories unless I REALLY want it. I'm an "emotional eater," not that I "eat my feelings" but that I have a can of Coke or a few homemade chocolate chip cookies as a "reward" or "treat" when I feel like I "deserve it." I'm trying to get over that and substitute water or veggies, and then only indulge if I still really want The Thing. Eventually I'd like for our family to be closer to paleo.

Can you all give me your nerdy thoughts on how efficient Jillian Michael's is for weight loss? I read the "What Burns More" article (I think it's the first article that drew me into Nerd Fitness) and it all makes sense to me, but I don't quite follow where a program like the 30 Day Shred falls into the spectrum. For those unfamiliar, it's basically three "circuits," each circuit consisting of 3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio, and 1 minute abs. An example circuit: Strength: pushups (30 sec), squat+press (90 sec), pushups (30 sec), squat+press (90 sec). Cardio: jumping jacks (30 sec), jump rope (30 sec), jumping jacks (30 sec), jump rope (30 sec). Abs: crunches (30 sec), reverse crunches (30 sec). I know the #1 concern is to choose an exercise that you actually enjoy so you'll actually stick with it, but I am finding that I enjoy the redundancy of the 30 Day Shred...now I'm just wondering if it's the most efficient work-out...and if not, what modifications I could make to keep it simple, but maximize efficiency.

I see two questions here. Why avoid the gym? and Why not work out? First, why I avoid the gym: I am the primary parent of a 5 month old and a 3 year old. Like Tanuki, I don't feel comfortable with alternative childcare. I do have an awesome husband, but he travels for work quite regularly so I can't plan a routine that relies on him. Also, I am an introvert. I don't like going anywhere ever. Once I'm there, I am usually glad I forced myself to go, but the path to the gym is paved with too many excuses. Second, why (in the past) I have not worked out: it felt painful and futile and a giant time-suck, considering I wasn't enjoying the activity or seeing results.