Fed up of my baby weight

[FirstTimeMama]

Hi all. I'm new here. I have an almost 2 year old little girl and have struggled with post natal depression. Since my daughter was born I've gained about 1.5 stone and cannot shift it. I've decided to do the couch to 5k challenge to try and lose some weight and up my fitness. I've just completed week 2 run 1. Basically just looking for some positive stories from people who have possibly been in the same boat? Thank you! ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well. welcome !

This is great programme, and the benefits are incredible..mental and physical.

A healthy eating regime linked with this can only be helpful! Follow the programme, slow and steadily... some extra non impact exercise on rest days too is helpful.. but with a 2 year old.. you must get plenty of exercise already

Loads and loads of success stories on here..all different...but all so inspiring...

The thing it, take it slow and take it steady... take extra rest days if needed,, do not push too hard and keep posting.. there is incredible support and advice.. so ask anything you like.

It is great to have you on board

[FirstTimeMama in reply to Oldfloss]

Aw thank you so much!! Looking forward to seeing and learning from all your stories!

[Lottie_C Graduate]

Well done you for starting this amazing programme. Keep going. Lots of support on here.

[Hidden]

So sorry you’ve been struggling with post natal depression. The good thing about running is that, for many people, it gives you a boost of endorphins that raise your mood and fight depression.

Like you,I found post pregnancy weight hard to shift, though Im normally very slim (and my baby is now 37 years old!). I breast fed for two years and gained weight while feeding, unlike many people who get thinner when feeding. When I stopped, the weight began to go. I think hormonal weight gain can be like that, hard to shift for a while. Being active can only help. It will also help you feel good about yourself, which in turn will stop you wanting to comfort eat, if in fact you do this.

Good luck. You have already got past the first week, which I certainly found t(e hardest. If you stick with it, the rewards will be great. Im on week 6 now and loving it more and more x

[FirstTimeMama in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying it even more now! I definitely feel amazing after doing it! It's keeping the motivation to get out there and do it is the issue 😂fingers crossed the better I feel in my head, the more I will want to do it! X

[Hidden in reply to FirstTimeMama]

It isnt easy in the winter, but the moment I start putting my running gear on, I feel motivated 😊

[rolysmate Graduate]

Lost my Mum n Feb unexpectedly (still not come to terms with it)

Stopped smoking in March after a lifetime of 20 a day (at that point age 59) Mum hated the fact I smoked!

Started banging the weight on, got up to about 14stone

June I found c25k and started along with changing my eating habits.

Graduated end of August.

Sept 9th 2 days before my 60th I ran a 5k charity run and raised £500.

3 weeks ago I ran 10k for the 1st time.

Have now entered my 1st half marathon

Weighed myself this morning 11.10

Made friends, who I have yet to meet but will!

[Fishypieface Graduate in reply to rolysmate]

Total legend!

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to Fishypieface]

Thank you Fishy, wow

[Exoticwelshy in reply to rolysmate]

That’s amazing! I can only dream of running a 10k and hopefully a HM one day! You’re smashing it! 💪

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to Exoticwelshy]

Just trust and follow the programme and when oldfloss tells you to slow down then slow down and the world is your lobster

[Fishypieface Graduate]

You will tone up and this alone without even losing weight is nigh on miraculous!! I didn't lose weight at first and still dropped at least a dress size. My husband can't believe the difference it's made (as he keeps going on about it, to the point where I feel I must have been a right fat cow before!! ). Keep at it and one day, you will notice the difference.

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to Fishypieface]

He's obviously liking what he sees

[Imeviesgranny Graduate]

Hello FirstTimeMama

You’ve come to the right place!

In no time at all you’ll be feeling fitter, your mood will lift and you’ll have lots more energy-just what you need with a two-year old! I’m a sixty year old granny and its worked for me. Good luck and keep posting. Everybody on here is so supportive and you get lots of good advice.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome.

The biggest surprise for me when I started C25K was the feelgood factor, which carries on long after you finish the programme, in fact, as long as you keep running.

Your self esteem and confidence get boosted to the degree that you will want to maximise your running ability and the best way to do that is to look after your diet and lifestyle.

You will be setting a wonderful example to your little girl and be able to enjoy an active life with her, which will, in turn, make her healthier and happier.

Just take it slow and steady. Maybe setting your run days and times and then sticking to them, is the best way to conquer wobbly motivation.

Enjoy your journey.

[misswobble Graduate]

You can shift it, oh yes! You better believe it 😃👍

It takes work mind 😃.

Which reminds me my neighbour’s dog is waiting for his walk .....😃🐕👍

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

Hello and welcome!

I can relate to the issue of postnatal depression as I suffered with it after the birth of my second child. I was absolutely fine with my first and my third, and have no other history of depression. It knocked me sideways and took a long time to shift it. I did two things that had a major effect on it and succeeded in chasing it away.

I saw a psychologist for weekly appointments (though not very many of them). He was very good - but I tried previously with another who was dreadful and the sessions made me feel much worse, but in an entirely unconstructive way.

But the other thing I did, which I think was decisive, was to work hard to make time for some physical exercise every day, even at risk of sacrificing other things I thought were essential in what was a busy and not very comfortable lifestyle. I think this was the single most useful step I took.

For this reason I think starting C25k is the best thing you could possibly do (for yourself and, by extension, for your daughter, who will enjoy having a happier mummy).

Along with a little attention to diet this will make a big contribution to a generally healthier lifestyle and will probably energise you and make you more aware of how you are living, and more active overall. But the real beauty of it is how much it lifts your mood. Plus the aspect of making some time for yourself (essential when you have a small child) and the other effects of exercise, such as better quality sleep etc., are all known to be helpful for PND.

It won't disappear overnight but one day you will realise that the darkness is just a little less dense, and a little less daunting, and gradually you will come out of it.

Good luck, and keep posting in this very supportive forum. xx

[Fishypieface Graduate in reply to HeleneCorsa]

Great advice. I had too had PND that I tried to deal with myself, without telling anyone (oh how naive!!). That didn't work obviously. I should have taken medication but refused (again how naive). Looking back those years were foggy to say the least. My dad used to take me out for a walk for an hour a day to try and help me. That and eventually making time to do things for me that I could find an interest in (a pottery course, felt making, yoga classes), along with a CBT computer course offered by my doctor finally made a difference.

Exercise is key and I think running provides a really good lift. You are on the right path Firstimemama, keep at it, you are doing great.

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

Ooh yes, I should have said - running is a great help but shouldn't be a DIY solution to what is fundamentally an illness, and a very debilitating one at that. Please make sure you are receiving competent medical help (which may or may not include medicine). Don't suffer in silence thinking that nothing will help because while it may seem hard to believe at the time, PND can be dealt with and eliminated. You will need to be committed to fighting it though. Good luck.