the dredded weight gain after children

[mummywalls0811]

hello i am new to this site.

i have had 2 children and since then my weight has stayed the same. i was 85 kg after i stopped breastfeeding my youngest and haven't shifted any weight for 5 years. i have tried lots of different things such as diets etc and i have learnt that i dont eat enough. sounds strange but i don't. i don't eat breakfast and can be so busy with work/life that i can frequently miss lunch. i don't often snack and i am on the go all the time. this means whatever i eat let it be a normal meal at night gets stored by my body.

i see all these new mothers and i am like how did you get so skinny so quickly. is it genetic lol

now my children are older(ish)(8,5)...i dont want to be the "big mum in the playground" nothing wrong with being the big mum but i want to change. i am not having anymore children so whats my excuse now..i dont have one...

through changing jobs in the past 6 months i am now down to 81kg and this week joined a small gym.

i would love to have a buddy or comments so please feel free

[MirandaDebra]

Hi there,

I started the week at 83.1kg, am a mum and a nanny and have fought my weight on and off over the years getting as low as 9 st 10lb and up as high as 13st 1lb which was my latest weight on Monday this week. I, like you, have decided enough is enough. I've tried everything from 1000/day, cabbage soup diet (Yuk!) and of later years the Atkins (with probably most success) but the trouble is they are all too extreme and don't tie in with your 'normal' eating habits and even if I managed to succeed to lose weight as soon as I start eating 'normally' the weight piles on again - I've failed to find an acceptable change to my normal eating habits.

As I have just started the menopause I felt I needed to be sensible and maintain a BALANCED DIET whilst 'watching what I put in my mouth'. 1400 calories a day seems to be working really well at the moment. I'm on day 5 and have found it relatively easy achieving between 1150 to 1300 a day and I've lost 6lb. I've eaten my usual weetabix for breakfast with full fat milk, had a sandwich (with no butter), 3 pieces of fruit for lunch and a balanced evening meal of meat, potatoes and veg. I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised. I've felt comfortably satisfied. The menopause has meant I've cut out coffee and alcohol (which was causing hot flushes etc.) and am only drinking fruit tea and no added sugar squash but hey, if it gets me to a good place, what the hell

I really understand how you're feeling - I too suffer with self confidence issues when I'm carrying too much weight and just want to hide myself away from everyone. Good luck with your change of lifestyle, i.e. starting at the gym. I hope you can find the resolve to crack your weight problem. Clearly there are a lot of us in the same boat so there is no need to feel alone. Take inspiration, capture our united resolve and go for it - you'll feel amazing!

[nteapea]

Hello mummywalls0811 and welcome to the forum. It sounds like you have made a really positive start as well. I had a similar amount to lose when I started and so far have lost about 17 lbs. This forum is very supportive and full of like minded people, ie people who want to live a healthier lifestyle.

Take a look at the Pinned Posts section, to the right of your screen (bottom, if you're using a mobile) and have a look at the Welcome Newbies thread.

Look at the Topics section beneath that, for posts that could answer any questions you may have. Consider joining any, or all, of our challenges, as they're fun and motivating.

Join us for the Monday Group weigh-in. If you follow Lowcal and Moreless (our very approachable site Admins), you'll be notified when they post the threads. The latest weigh-in thread can always be found in the Events section, to the right of the home page.

Be active on the forum, as that's where we exchange ideas and get our daily dose of motivation and inspiration.

I wish you luck and determination.

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Mummywalls0811,

Welcome to the forum, and I hope you enjoy being part of this community. Do join in with anything you like the look of, and it's great to hear you've joined a small gym this week - I hope you'll enjoy going there, and finding some activities you enjoy.

Wishing you continued success with your weight loss goals.

Lowcal