weight loss with a baby around

CJJ1016

I want/need to lose about 30lbs.

I know that the only way to lose weight is to burn more than you consume, and that the food I do consume should be nutritious (especially as I am breastfeeding). I know what to do on the food side of things, so I just need to start doing it.

But as far as exercise is concerned, how in the world am I supposed to exercise with a 6 week old baby in the house? I have oodles of workout tapes, and I'd like to go for long walks with DD, but she usually won't sleep anywhere other than my arms during the day and walks are risky as she sometimes freaks out after a short while and then I'm left trying to carry her and push the stroller back home while trying to calm her down. 

My weight is really starting to bug me though. I'm only 5lbs heavier today than I was the day I found out I was pregnant, but I was roughly 30 lbs overweight that day. 

 Anyone have any success stories or advice? 

Matildasun

I would suggest wearing her for walks. That is what I usually did and it worked for us.

CJJ1016

I'm all for it. I bought fabric and cut it for a DIY moby, and she only seems to be okay with it if she's right on the edge of sleep.

I really don't know much about any of the other types of wraps/carriers. Do you have a favourite? 

pixieprincss

Walking is a great idea.

Moby is a brand of stretchy wrap. Personally, I prefer woven wraps. Thet are more expensive, but are much more supportive and have a longer usage life (into childhood, if you want to wear that long).

That said, you are only 6 weeks post-partum! Don't be too hard on yourself. Survival is still the name of the game at this point, IMO. If you can get in a 10 minute walk a couple of days because it feels nice, great! But if you aren't there yet--that is ok. A great PG-weight adage is 9 months to gain it, 9 months to lose it. I wasn't one of those moms who BFing just melted the weight right off, but simply by eating decently and walking when I could manage it (but not a crazy amount), over time the weight really did just come off.

nosoup4u

First of all, be patient. Like pixieprincess said, you're only 6 weeks postpartum, and that's really early to be losing weight (even if you had extra weight before you got pregnant). It took me a full year to lose all the baby weight after both of my pregnancies.

Also, think about going low-carb. It doesn't mean eating low-fat, but eating a good amount of protein, veggies and fat before you eat carbs. It might be enough to trigger your body to start losing weight.

LexGator

I got a jogging stroller and am six weeks into the Couch to 5K program. I gained 45 lbs during my pregnancy and am down 54 lbs since having DD. We also do mama-baby Pilates classes once a week. My advice is find a way to exercise with your LO.

Meg&Jesse

Be patient and kind to yourself first.  It takes a long time for some women to lose the weight..and that is okay/ normal.  I gained a lot (a lot!) of weight with DS and it took a long time to lose.

Walks are a good idea.  Or as your LO gets older you can maybe fit in a workout dvd during nap/bedtime.

Rhianna1981

Have you thought about Weight Watchers? They have a program specifically for nursing mothers- a lot of my friends have been very successful on the program, so once I am have my baby, I will be doing Weight Watchers as well.

Rachey1082

Rhianna1981:

Have you thought about Weight Watchers? They have a program specifically for nursing mothers- a lot of my friends have been very successful on the program, so once I am have my baby, I will be doing Weight Watchers as well.

 Im doing weight watchers partial nursing. I really like it. I've never dieted before where I could eat whatever I want, just watch portiOn sizes. You should look into it. 

CJJ1016

Rhianna1981:

Have you thought about Weight Watchers? They have a program specifically for nursing mothers- a lot of my friends have been very successful on the program, so once I am have my baby, I will be doing Weight Watchers as well.

I'll have to look into this, thanks!

 

Appreciate the encouragement, I know it'll take some time, I'm just impatient. 

GrayGhost13

I'll ditto everyone that six weeks is still early and walking with a carrier is a great, gentle place to start.

For me, during the newborn phase, is was just easier for me and my H to switch off watching the baby while the other worked out rather than trying to bring him along. I would usually get up early, pump, dress quickly and do a 30 minute run around the neighborhood or a 30 minute workout tape. It felt AMAZING to have some "me" time every day, and I was always willing to return the favor for DH so it was no big deal.

After about six months, DS did much better in the jogging stroller, and now we can jog with him for as long as an hour regularly, but in the early months, it makes sense to start small and not put too much pressure on you or your LO.

GL!

pepomntpat

Definitely get a carrier so you can wear her for walks. It is also great to wear a baby while doing squats, lunges, wall sits, plie squats, etc.  When she has a little more head control, babies also work well for bicep curls. 

DD hated the stroller, car seat, everything when she was tiny. I started Stroller Strides when she was 6 weeks. At first we took a LOT of breaks, but my instructor helped a lot by rocking the stroller when I was exercising, and when I did have to stop to nurse her or for whatever other reason, I'd just jump back in when I could. She now LOVES it.  It does get easier. 

CJJ1016

Okay, so any suggestions on carriers? I know nothing about them except that the whole concept of my DIY moby is super frustrating (too much wrapping :S)