I need some buddies! I had my 5th baby four months ago. As is typical with my pregnancies, I gained way too much. Usually I fight the last 10-15 pounds, but I'm fighting each pound off tooth and nail.   I'm plateaued already and really struggling with self loathing and missing my body.  Everyone keeps saying I look great for having five kids, and not to expect too much, but I want my body back!

Its funny that you are missing your cherry cokes...  I am addicted to coca-cola.  My husband drinks coffee, I drank coke.  I could hardly wait to start drinking it again (although I did sneak one or a few during my pregnancy) and now I know its something I have to give up.  I have cheated this week and had a soda (well, 2.  but they were fountain cokes and they were SOOOOO worth it) its definitely going to be the hardest part about this endeavor, other than the exercise, of course.  :)

It used to be that when I was stressed out I would eat, so the hardest thing this week has been finding a new and healthier outlet for dealing with my stress.  Its been so nice and "fall-y" out that I've been going outside for walks and that has helped.  I've also been lugging my daughter down to the beach (I live in cape may, nj) and doing laps around the boardwalk/washington street mall area.  But what will I do in the winter?  Or when I can't leave the house? What kind of suggestions do you guys have for avoiding emotional eating? Any?

How was your week, ladies? Hopefully it went smoothly.  I haven't lost any weight yet, but I'm still trying and that's what matters.  Right?  ;) 

Hey I'd love to be your buddy.  I am also new to the concept of dieting.  I think we would be a great team.

Hi, Kate!  Congrats on your precious gift!  I feel the same way about how much weight I lose.  If I lose all of what I gained - GREAT!  If I don't lose it all, but I feel tons better - that's perfectly fine too.  I love that you used the word "groovy".  I thought I was the only one that still said that.  It's not my generation, but I steal from it frequently.

Don't sweat being a new mom.  It may seem overwhelming, but let your instincts guide you.  In general - love her like crazy and do what makes sense.  If you don't know - call your mom!

We want one more as well, but I definitely need to lose the extra weight first.  I have hip dysplasia, and Ellyah about did me in!  She was 9lbs 8oz, and I gained a ton on top of that little heifer!  Towards the end I was extremely uncomfortable. 

It's so helpful having supportive husbands - we're so lucky!  Randy (my main -- well, only man) cheats here and there, but for the most part he's sticking to the program.  I've been surprised.  I really haven't been hungry at all, and I'm not taking in all of the calories I'm allowed.  I am desperately missing my Cherry Coke, but I'm sure with time it will be more tolerable. 

I personally feel as if I'm cheating my girls out of the fun, vibrant woman that is inside of me.  I was so energenic with my nieces when I was younger.  Lately I seem to run out of energy so quickly.  I'm too young to feel this old!  And Laine is bursting at the seams all of the time.  She wants to go-go-go, and my body says no-no-NO!  I think you're right about this being easy compared to the heartache we suffered to have our little ones.

I hope your week is going as smoothly as mine!  Let me know how you're doing.

Hi Ladies!  I'm new to the whole concept of dieting and motherhood...  and could use a buddy or two to help me out with both things! 

I'm 27 and my little girl was born 6 weeks ago. I was just given the go ahead from my doctor to start dieting, and I have a lot of weight to lose!  I gained almost 80 pounds during my pregnancy and have a ton of work ahead of me.  While I'd like to lose all the baby weight, if I can get to a point where I am healthy and happy, that would work for me.  I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin again and most importantly, I want to be healthy for my little girl.  I'm nervous and excited about this, and hope to share the experience with some groovy ladies along the way!

--Kate

Thank you. I am so happy for you that you were able to have 2 little angles. I am planning on having more children, but 1st I want to get down to a healthy weight. My husband is great and could use to lose some weight himself. But doesn't want to try the Slim-fast system. He thinks he can lose it on his own. So we are kind of in a friendly competition. His snack last night was apple pie with ice cream and well me I had a glass of water, and carrot sticks. So I am not so sure how he is going to do by himself. Maybe he will get on board when I start having results. Like you we have a major reason to live a healthier life style. We want to be healthier role models for your son and be able to keep up with him a lot easier. The healthier we are to more energy we have. Right?? I know my one little explorer keeps me busy. He is 17 months old and is climbing and getting into everything. I need the energy just to keep him out of trouble. I could only imagine how busy your 2 little ones keep you.

With our little ones being the main reason to get healthier. I know that we will all do it, look at what we went through just to have the privilege to have them in our lives. It will be a long road but we will get there. I would love to get there with you right there next to me. No matter who gets to the finish line 1st I will be right there cheering you on every step of the way.

-Tiffany

Hi, Tiffany!  Congrats on your baby boy!  Children are such blessings.  I know exactly what you went through with the fertility treatment.  When we first started treatment with my first child I was 175, and actually looked good - I'm 5'9 ;)  It wasn't long and BOOM - 15 lbs heavier.  But the ultimate goal of getting pregnant made the added pounds irrelevant.  I didn't actually gain too badly with Laine (my first).  After she was born I settled in at 200, but made peace with my body.  Ellyah was born in early June.  We had to go through the same routine with her, and I gained 10 pounds during the fertility treatment.  Unfortunately, I wasn't so luck with my second pregnancy.  50 lbs later I have a gorgeous baby girl, but not feeling so hot about myself!

Hello!! My name is Tiffany I am 29 and I had a baby boy a little over a year ago.  I have never dieted prior to now, so I am new to everything.  I now weight 145 and would like to get to 125, which is what I used to weight prior to trying to become pregnant.  I had to go though fertility treatment which put on 10 pounds before I was even pregnant.  Then I gained a little weight through the pregnancy. Now here we are and I haven’t lost the weight.  So I want to make a change.  I don't really work out like I should but I do take a mile walk outside whenever the weather is nice.