Now that my 8 week postpartum recovery is over, I have started to really think about getting "the bod" back in shape. Of course, the usual obstacle remains...no time...I have even less time now than ever before.
I gained 40ish lbs during my pregnancy...6 lbs in the last week alone!! I remember when I was huge and round, I was scared that I was going to be big forever and that my body would NEVER be normal again. Well - I dropped around 25 lbs in a couple short DAYS - I guess I was just full of fluids. As in FULL of fluids. I have around 15 lbs to shed to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight.
15 pounds doesn't seem like a big deal...it really doesn't. I know that. However. I suck at dieting. I can't do it. I just eat what I want and what is in front of me. I have never said no to a donut - (ever in my whole life!) So this will be hard. (ummm..I'm eating Easter candy as I type this....shameless).
I'm crossing my fingers that I can slip in 20 minute workouts between my morning breastfeeding session and work. I just know that my time at home is so precious and special, because that's my time with Clara - and I don't want to do anything extra to take that already limited time away from her. Make sense?
Has anyone tried P90x? Any have other video workout recommendations??
*note: don't be concerned...I'm not stressing or worried about being a few pounds extra...I know I just had a baby and it takes awhile to get back to normal.
I have thought about this and I haven't even given birth yet, so no worries for sounding crazy. I have decided that breastfeeding will just suck it all off of me. Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteHi Jes,
ReplyDeleteI have P90x and like it but (1) I have to modify many of the moves because I think they are unsafe and luckily I am a PT and know how to do so, and (2) the workouts are 1-1.5 hours, 6 days per week. It is way time consuming. It would probably be more feasible to do 20 min of cardio and just a few resistance exercises. AND, if you have diastasis rectus abdominis, the crunch workout is a BAD idea. You have to carefully strengthen the transverse abdominis to let the rectus heal. Core stabilization is vital! No big situps/crunches or you could worsen the diastasis.
Chelsea K. (women's health/obstetric physical therapist)
P.S. You could try Loseit.com. It helps you make an calorie consumption goal and track your calories consumed and burned. It takes your weight, age, and weight loss goals into account. It is free, pretty quick to do every day, and super user friendly.
Sweet cheeks, your nursing will take care of most of that. It's going to melt off - especially since you keep so busy at work. I've never had success with video workouts, but I know people who have. In fact, everyone keeps talking about the one you mentioned. I encourage you to get out and go for walks with Clara (is it still snowy out there?!) and take the stairs! You are doing such a good job, by the way. :o)
ReplyDeleteJes -completely cut out sugar/carbs out for a month. You'll loose 10 pounds in a month, maybe more. I thought I couldn't diet either and then I did a sugar cleanse - I was allowed to eat green apples and figs - that was all I had with sugar in it. Diets where you're allowed to have a bite or two of donut just don't work. After about a week you stop craving sugar in general and the nice thing is you can really eat whenever you want as long as it's the good stuff (nuts, cheese, veggies, meat etc.). Your success is determined by how much food (the right stuff) you keep on hand. It'll be much easier to do than P90x - I've never seen anyone stick with that program. It's 1+hours per day and REALLY hard. PLUS you'll still get to spend that precious 20 minutes holding Clara instead.
ReplyDeleteWe've got P90X at our house...it's a big time commitment.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have not had a baby, I have plenty of friends who have and I've heard lots of details.
ReplyDeleteYou NEED to eat more right now because producing milk requires an amazing amount of calories. That is the reason you feel SO hungry now. Just try to make them healthy calories.
While you are nursing, your body may want to hang onto an extra 10 pounds just to support the milk supply. Once you stop nursing, those pounds go away more readily and so does your appetite.
As far as exercise, go for more gentle stuff right now, like walking. Based on an actual scientific study, babies HATE the taste of breast milk if their mother exercised just prior to feeding them. Exercise changes the taste.
Sounds crazy I know.
Don't try to eliminate every extra pound or cut back too much on food as long as you're nursing. It will be counter-productive. You have plenty of time afterward.
And good luck!
Oh and as others have said, breastfeeding itself promotes weight loss in a big way. Women who breastfeed tend to get rid of pregnancy weight a lot easier than those who don't.
ReplyDeleteYou just don't see all the results until after you stop.
Take your time.
Jillian Michaels 30 day shred... It's a 20 min workout with cardio, toning and ab circuits. Effective and quick!
ReplyDeleteSeconding the 30 Day Shred! A great workout in a short amount of time.
ReplyDeleteBut remember, they always say that you should allow yourself the same amount of time to take the weight off as it took to put on. So don't stress too much right now. You'll get there!
Thirding 30 day shred! Timewise, it fits into your schedule and it's a great little work out (even though I really despise Jillian).
ReplyDeleteYou've never said no to a donut? I don't think you've ever said no to an eclair either. Hee.
ReplyDeleteUm.. I'm only 14.5 weeks pregnant and I've already gained 20 lbs. TWENTY. And now I'm supposed to be gaining 1lb/wk? Uh.. I don't think that will be a problem, but let's just say the scale and I aren't on speaking terms.
ReplyDeleteSo the point is, I'll be right there with you once baby comes. Except with more to lose.. I gained about 35lbs in the last year.. before that last 20.. ugh.
I've heard the P90x is SUPER intense and hardcore, but it WORKS.
Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll look fabulous. Also, share! I'll need to do whatever I can to get back to my old self!!
The guy who makes P90x (Tony Horton) has another video series that is MUCH less time consuming than P90x. Its called 10 Minute Trainer, and as advertised each video is 10 minutes long. They have abs, upper body, lower body, cardio, core cardio etc. And even though its only 10 minutes do not be fooled! You work up quite the sweat! So even one or two videos a day could give you a little extra calorie-burning boost and still allow you free time at home with the little one.
ReplyDeleteYeah, P90X was waaaay too intense for me. I only lasted a few days.
ReplyDeletePhysique 57, girl! It's Pilates based and I thought it would be so easy....but it whooped my tail, in a good way. And it does it without assigning 50 pullups like P90X. (That works for some people, but I can't even do five pullups, much less 50).
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day, Jes! :-)
I ran and ate right through the pregnancy, I breast fed exclusively, I started working out 2 weeks post partum...yet it still took over a year to get in shape! So relax and enjoy your baby...it will come off when it wants to! :)
ReplyDeletejillian michaels!!!! i love the 30 day shred. i'm 7 1/2 months pregnant now and will be getting her new video, ripped in 30, as soon as baby arrives.
ReplyDeletealso, for me, i didn't lose even one ounce while breastfeeding. i actually GAINED weight!! i couldn't lose anything until i stopped at 14 months. i don't know what's wrong with my body =)
first off, good for you for already losing so much. hang in there and don't stress about it.
ReplyDeletei work out using the kinect and my xbox. i love it, but if you don't already have an xbox it might be kind of pricey.
happy mothers day!!
ReplyDeleteI suck at diets too...but nutrition plays a more important role in weight loss than exercise. Start simple by cutting out all beverages but water or black or green tea/coffee. You'd be shocked at how many extra calories we consume in beverages!
Jillian Michaels has a new video out too, Ripped in 30. Haven't tried it so I couldn't say but I do like her 30 day shred. Like most of the other people have said, P90x it a huge time commitment. I think the shortest video is 50 minutes or so. Would not recommend if you are trying to slip something in between. Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteLook up Tara Stiles on itunes/podcasts. She has great 10 minute yoga workouts! you can do just 1 or you can do a few..she's my fav and she's free!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jes! I love The Bar Method. I have the video. You can Netflix it first to see if you like it before purchasing. It's only a 45 minute commitment rather than 90, so it's really doable. And, you can break it up throughout the day. All you need is a yogo mat or rug, a chair, and 3 lb. weights. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI do the Leslie Sansone walk videos. I really am careful with my food, and workout 5 times a week, 35-50 minutes a time. I have lost 40 pounds in the last 18 months, so it really works. Exercise becomes a habit after awhile, and taking the time to keep yourself healthy and fit for your family is a good thing! You can do it!
ReplyDelete