Hi i am a new mum really overweight and dont seem to have the willpower to get back into swing of dieting. Recently joined a gym

[Waddie1980]

[GoogleMe]

How new a Mum? And how much overweight - from before, more overweight than before or just dismayed by the 'sagginess' that comes with a body that has just performed the amazing feat of growing a baby?

'Back into the swing of dieting' does sound as though dieting was previously a way of life for you, so I don't know whether this is something you are looking to change now that you are a role model for your child?

First off, some of the weight put on in pregnancy is there because your body expects you to be breastfeeding and burning an extra 500 calories a day (which is pretty cool when you think about how much effort you'd have to put in to do that otherwise, and you can do it lying down or sitting on your butt!). If you are, like the majority of new mothers after 6 weeks not breastfeeding but wish you had been, there are several organisations to support you to get back to it. Most of your focus right now will be on your new baby and it isn't always easy to be responsive to a baby's needs and fit in something like gym - enough perhaps for the psychological feeling of having a break but not burning calories over the week, so it may be worth looking at activity you can build into your day with your baby - getting out for brisk walks, doing your postnatal exercises, something like the NHS Strength and Flexibility programme at home.

Lots of other suggestions of course, especially around healthy eating. If your baby is very young this is no time for a low calorie diet

You could also consider treating yourself to some new underwear you feel comfortable and supported in. Often women feel they need to lose weight to feel better about themselves, whereas if they respect themselves as they are now, it can boost that 'willpower'. Good luck and enjoy your new baby.