First post

[nichole413]

My BMI is 26.4 so I am overweight. I was always underweight until I got pregnant with my first child 5 years ago. I gained 70lbs during my pregnancy. I have had 2 c-sections and I don't know what to do to lose this weight. I know I have to eat healthier, which I am going to start after the holidays. Starting in January, I will buy only healthy foods and I will start this 12 week program. I am not good with meal planning and I have no idea where to start. I literally need something to tell me what exactly I need to eat each day or I will be so lost as to what to cook and eat. Are there any suggestions on maybe a site or app that will plan my meals for me that are free? Also, does anyone know of an app or website with great exercises that actually work. I need exercises for the belly (post pregnancy belly).

Thanks in advance!!!!

[Diana]

Cook yourself slim do good books, there is also a site too, easy to use recipes, search for ideas online

[KateyM]

As a mum of 2 small boys I really can identify with you. I started on this program 4.5 weeks ago and what really helps me is cooking stir frys (with loads of veg - peppers , carrots, onions, garlic, broccoli, courgette sugar snap peas etc - plus some meet sliced up) and also taking smaller portions. When I do a stir fry I usually try to avoid having noodles/rice with them. I did find things hard at the beginning but for the last few weeks I am getting used to it. Pit falls have been some weekends when I feel entitled to chocolate or hubby buys pizza and tortellini. But now I'm thinking it's just not worth it to loose all my good efforts for the sake of moments of indulgence. I have lost 5lbs so far but I know that if I stuck to eating 1400 more rigidly I would have probably lost twice that much. Still I am happy with my efforts. Didn't Emerson say “That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed but that our power to do has increased.”

[GoogleMe]

The thing with something prescriptive is that it can start you off well but if what you are after is a permanent change rather than a hobby, you'll need to acquire those meal planning skills and that fundamental internal knowledge of how much you can eat. And what if the shops are out of something specified?

The NHS plan and website does have lots of ideas/plans. You could plan ahead once a week. It sounds as though focusing on, as you say, eating more healthily is a good aim for you as in terms of BMI you are not much overweight (far more health risks from being underweight) although waist measurement is relevant too. The extra weight may drop away naturally.

For toning, I found it really useful to use the Ekhart Yoga videos on YouTube.