Looking for Moms Advice, and Experiences with Weight Loss Programs...

Hi C.! I have never been a big dieter. Not because I didnt try...I just never had the motivation to do it. I joined WW because I had heard great things about it. I lost 20lbs in less than 3 months. I did the WW flex plan and walked 20-30 mins 5 days a week. The weight just came off. I have been off the program for a couple of months now and have not gained any of my weight back. I highly recommend trying out WW. Good luck trying to loose weight!

Hi Cristi,

I gained 60lbs with my daughter and had a c-section myself. My little one is now 10 months old and I have managed to lose more than what I ut on with her and it's all thanks to exercise. I am one of those couch potatoes who hated to exercise but after having the baby I knew I needed to do something about it. I started doing the Baby Boot Camp program and I absolutely loved it. You get to take the kids along and you work out with other moms who are in the same boat as you. Honestly, I still don't have the eating right thing down but I am up to working out 4 days a week now and it's been great for me. Visit www.babybootcamp.com for a location near you. It's great!

Hi C.

I had a problem with my baby weight too--I gained over 50lbs and the first 30 came off fine but then I got stuck, Weight Watchers really worked, in 6 months I have lost 30 pounds (I wasn't at my ideal weight when I got pregnant). The program has helped me get in shape again, they really teach you about portion control, and the best part is that you can eat anything you want. Also, I have been doing Jazzercise, so 3-4 times a week I exercise.

My hat is off to you for doing so much. I am busy with my four (9,7, 2 and 11months). I, too, wish I could loose weight more easily.
As an aspiring dietician I do believe that the weight loss programs like Weight Watchers are fairly sound...try only ones with sound nutritional programs. I recommend eating 6 small meals each day that give you opportunity to eat a variety of fresh foods, getting regular activity (walk, ride bikes with kids, etc. not necessarily exercise that is hard to find time to do each day...just something fun and allows quality time with your family (my husband thinks more hanky/panky with him is the answer for me...ha ha ha.)) It takes a little more planning, but so does participating in a program.
Check with your doctor about your hormone levels, thyroid, etc. If you are out of balance chemically, that could be hindering you as well.
Also, see if a vitamin suppliment is reccommended by your doctor. Our food is very lacking in vitamins and minerals that we need.
Eating more fruits and veggies and less crackers and other simple carbs is a better idea. A palmful of nuts are great for mid-day hunger pains, help you eat less at the next meal, help you feel less deprived/dieting and provide really good nutrients (omega-3 fatty acids, for one, as well as healthy protien).
Also, don't DIET...just eat good and make what you eat good. A lot can be said for using herbs and spices to make your food more exciting. Fat "tastes" good, but it is not the only way to make food tasty. Get rid of butter and the like from your grocery list and start an edible garden. My kids snacked all summer on our little carrot, tomato and pea garden last year.
Get plenty of rest. Our metabolism needs us to rest enough to work properly.
Don't ever "starve" yourself...that makes your metabolism go into what I call "feast and famine mode" storing food as fat when you do eat so it has something to run on when you don't.
Last, but not least, make a commitmnet to yourself to loose the weight you want. Being true to yourself will be the best thing for your daughters and keep your family happy. Eating good will be a great example to your girls so that they will be less likely to experience these "problems" in thier future, too.
I didn't mean to write so much...I wish you luck and great health!
P. A

It is daunting, isn't it? Don't be discouraged, because YOU can do it! I joined Curves and that really helped. I lost 12 pounds right away, and found myself with more energy to be a mom. Then I joined the Curves 6 Week Solution (their 6 week weight loss and nutrition course) and lost 12 more. But what I found was a new way to eat that wasn't dieting. I can't stand dieting. I started working out at a gym, and quit going to Curves, but Curves was the spring board that launched my healthier lifestyle. I now weigh 8 pounds less than I did before I had any kids, I run in 5K races and I eat very well. Curves is 30 minutes, 3 times a week.

Or you could workout at home (DVD) in the morning before everyone wakes up. I know you're busy and your days are full, but once you trained yourself to go to bed early and wake up early, you could find that 30 minutes in the morning to do a workout video and then start your morning routine.

All lifestyles, healthy or not, develop out of habit. If you change your habits, you can change your lifestyle. You just have to decide to commit to changing your routine to include a workout. I have to prioritize my workout. Every day I make sure I MAKE time to workout before I do anything else, because it's too easy to let that part of my day slide in favor of something else. I never just HAVE time to work out (who does?), so I have to MAKE time. The same is true for healthy eating choices. I don't ever feel like eating a fresh spinach salad. I'd much rather dive into the ice cream bucket! But I have chosen to be healthier, and with that comes the commitment to better food choices.

It doesn't have to be as drastic as a diet. Start by cutting back soda and dessert, and substituting water and fruit. Like, maybe if you're a big soda drinker try drinking a full glass of water for every soda you drink all day. (Have all the soda you want as long as you drink a full water inbetween each soda...I bet you drink less soda!) Instead of having something sweet after every meal, try just having dessert 3-4 times a week. Or make your desserts fresh strawberries in light cool whip, or 1 square of Ghiradelli dark chocolate. Then try portion control, where you pay attention to your serving sizes. Small changes will have big effects at first.

Get an exercise buddy who is as committed as you are. Even if you don't workout together, you can still be accountable to each other just by staying in daily contact and giving each other daily workout reports.

Believe in yourself, and do it for yourself. It's hard but it's worth it!

www.sparkpeople.com

great communities, and best of all free!

Hi, C.

Visit this link for someone else who has been where you are and what she did.

http://www.cinchclub.com/success_story.html?storyName=sol...

Let me know if you are interested and we'll talk further.

B. Health is a Choice
____@____.com

Hi C.,

My name is S. Davie and I have a great product called Reset for you. It's made by Usana Health Sciences and it's a 5 day cleanse product to reduce/eliminate your cravings for carbohydrates and sugars. I distrubute products for the company from my home and since January, I have lost 16 pounds using it. I would love to talk to you more about the products and if you are interested, in a business opportunity. My phone number is ###-###-####. Looking forward to hearing from you!

S.

I have tried several things as well and in January started reading about all of the chemicals in our food (MSG, etc.) My husband and I were stunned at how bad some of this stuff is thought to be for you, so we switched to all organic and whole food. The take away is this: if you cannot pronounce an ingredient, do not buy it!

I am not dieting or working out (though I need to) and I actually switched for margarine types (chemicals!) to pure organic butter. I have lost 10 pounds by doing NOTHING other than eating "different" natural food. I still eat crackers, and pasta - but its all "whole" food as opposed to riddled with chemicals.

I would highly recommend this change. I'd bet if you did a full switch you'd lose weight faster than with any diet. I've grown to understand that many of the chemicals in our food are making us fat - our body is not intended to process these, and it doesn't work properly. That's why we continue to get fatter, and other countries do not.

On a side, I have heard good things about weight watchers, but this would be cheaper, and you'd probably enjoy it more!

My opinion, but it worked for me!
Traci

C., I've been a Personal Wellness Coach helping people with good nutrition for over 5 years. In this time, I've helped many people lose weight, including working with doctor's patients for 2 years in doing so.

If you would like to chat, e-mail me at ____@____.com. I know I would be able to help you. Good nutrition, supplementation, exercise....all important. But when you have someone who's solely their for you (not in a group setting) to help you and hold you accountable, it makes a huge difference. That is what I do for my clients.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

Best in health,
L.

I gained 40 pounds from my first one & kept most of it on.. Well, here I am 5 years, 3 c-sections and 3 kids later and a totla of 60 pounds heavier than I was when I got married... And after my last sisters wedding in Nov. I finally was REALLY disgusted with the fat cellulite I saw in the wedding pictures. In the past when I have tried things nothing worked. I don't have the determination to stick with weight watchers. And I have tried diet pills. Also, the gym was more of a social scene than a work out.... So, when I was totlaly fed up, I decided to go and see "The Fat Doctor" Now this is something that I had actually seen a cousin and 2 friends do first hand and IT WAS WORKING. Here is the plan he sets out...
WHen you wake up you get on a tradmill (or around the block) for at least 10 min.... He says you don't have to do more than 10 min. But I figure, if he says 10 will work... then 20 will turn me into Jennifer Anniston... Next, you eat a huge breakfast (almost to the point of throwing up) eggs, grits, bacon, pancakes, fruit (always fruit... Bannanas it what he suggest) about 2 hours later you take an appetite suppresant, Addapex. (which he prescribes) Your Dr. could probably give you a Rx. and Ins. dosen't cover it but it's not expensive. You can call around to different pharmecies and get a price. I think about $21. for 14 pills. Then you eat a good lunch, high in protein.. Salad, ,Tuna, fish, chicken, broc.. stuff like that. If you eat bread make sure it's wheat. and either NO dinner or cottage cheese or salad. I thought I would be starving but by the time dinner comes around I am really not hungry.. His theory is. You need more fuel for the day so eat all your calories in the morning. when night comes you don't need any because it's bed time.. You can dring coffee, un-tea, of course the more water the better....No JUICE, corn, sugar.. If you crave a piece of cake or cookie, eat it in the morning.. I lost 20 pounds in like 9 weeks. And that was with eating the holiday food and not working out for a couple of weeks due to vacation. Some weeks are better than others, but I'm closer to my goal than I was before I started; it's healthy, I am eating better and so is my family....

There have been a few losing weight posts lately, try reading those as well.
A few little tips that help me. With portion control: stop using dinner plates. Use the salad plates instead. Use the smaller forks and spoons. I've heard that the color blue will somehow trick the brain into eating less. (no idea if that's true or if it works) After you eat what's on your salad plate, instead of getting up to go get another round, wait about 10 minutes and then decide if you're actually hungry. Most times you're not. It takes a little while for your brain to process if your tummy is full. So eat slower. Don't just eat to eat, make sure you're tasting your food and enjoying it.
Try to incorporate fruit into your desserts. Instead of just a bowl of ice cream with chocolate sauce, make it a banana split with fresh strawberries, one less scoop of ice cream and if you need a little crunch, some nuts or granola mixed in. Or one of my favorite desserts is one mini reese's cup... frozen. Sometime's two depending on my mood ;o)
Try to shop on the outer edges of the store. That's where all the good stuff is. Dairy, juices, meats, seafood, produce. All on the outside. The stuff on the inside is boxes and cans and while some of that is good, most is not.
Think of some of your favorite foods and look for recipes online that make them healthier. Cutting fat and adding veggies. Steaming instead of boiling or frying. Steaming is the best way to cook veggies. It keeps all the nutrients and takes very little time and preparation.
Like the other women said, it's not about dieting, it's about healthier living. So much of how we feel in general is tied to what we put into our bodies. If you eat better, you feel better. Good luck! And give yourself some time to fully recover from the surgeries before really putting pressure on yourself.

HI C.,

My husband lost 110 pounds in 2005 and has kept if off by improving his nutrition by taking a good absorbable multivitamin and mineral complex. The company that manufactures the vitamins he used (and still uses) has now started a weight management website that not only helps you eat right, exercise, and diet but educates you so you can keep the weight off. I am a member now.

I'll tell you up front, you have to commit to improving your wellbeing or nothing will work. Besides the vitamins and the mineral supplements, they have weight loss products and condition specific supplements and also other products that help with overall health including prevention of respiratory disorders, neurological disorders like ADD, ADHD, Autism and also cancer prevention.

The link is www.vfl.com. You can go there as a guest and take a tour of the site. It's cheap. It comes to $6.00 a month. They charged me $36.00 to join and then refunded a $1.00 for everyday I logged my food in that month. I got $30.00 back. After the first month it is $6.00 a month. I think that was a special price because I have seen $108.00 and they refunded $1.00 ever day that you logged you meals for 3 months and that would be $18.00 for the 3 months. Like I said $6.00.

If you're interested after you look at the link, I can tell you more.

Regards,

M.

I gained 50 pounds during my 2nd pregnancy. I joined Weight Watchers (at the advice of other friends who did so and successfully and happily lost all of their baby weight, plus some!). I absolutely LOVE IT! You do not have to buy their food. You can eat the foods you enjoy, provided you stay within the point range assigned to you. I have been very successful (losing 30 pounds already). They promote a healthy lifestyle and teach you how to eat properly. You will be shocked to see how many portions are really served to us in restaurants and when we cook at home. You will also be shocked at how satisfied you really are when you eat the correct portions! I highly, highly recommend it!!!

I felt the same way and finally decided to join weight watchers in January. I love the weekly meetings...it helps me stay accountable for what I eat and I love the Etools. It is much easier to track food. Now that I have been a member for three months I have lost about 9 pounds and I feel more confident in my eating patterns. The cookbooks are great and eating doesn't "feel" like dieting so much anymore. It feels much healthier and like a complete way of life. I feel better and my clothes fit better already. Hang in there and just give yourself time.

i would definitely try weight watchers. it is easy, and absolutely works! as soon as i get my own computer at home, i plan on getting back into it. i had a c-section too, and now have the lovely shelf of fat that you get...wonderful isn't it?! anyway, good luck! i'm right there with ya!

C. C, in order to have the energy to keep up with your 3 girls, you must eat, so the best thing I have found to start "dieting" is to eat small, frequent meals. Breakfast is very important, but you don't have to eat a lot. Your day should be something like this: breakfast, midmorning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner. Try not to eat after 7:00 P.M. as you probably won't have that much physical activity after that time of night other than dishes, baths and straitening up the house. When you crave something (chocolate, chips, etc.) a dietician told me to go ahead and eat what you crave IN MODERATION! If you want chocolate, eat a few kisses, not a BAG of kisses, if you want chips, eat a snack pack of chips NOT the family size. This really worked for me in a number of ways especially when my blood sugar started acting up.

Good luck and happy motherhood! :)
S. M

A little about me: I am a 46 yo single mom and grandmother with a full time job at a preschool. I love helping my kids with everything they ask me to, but.....

I know where you are coming from as I had 3 children very close together, 1 year between the first two and 1 1/2 between the second and third! I also had a weight problem at the time. It has been a few years ago but you never forget!

At present, I have lost 25 lbs and quite a few inches with a program which is a healthy way of eating and is guarantees not to lose muscle mass, only the fat. I don't know if you have heard of Shaklee products since they don't advertise but they have been in busines since 1956. You can check out some testimonials and info at www.cinchclub.com and if you want more info or want to order you can go to www.cinchplan.com/O. or call me at ###-###-####. these products are guaranteed your satisfaction and you are ofered a 15 % discount when you enter an order ( you need to join as a member similar to Sam's Club) I have an offer of free membership which I can send you if you contact me.

Good luck whatever you decide to do!
O.
O.

Weight loss is one of the most debated topics. It is not like it used to be when you could exercise more and eat less, too many impuritiies in our bodies already. Fat sticks to impurities. The more impurities in our bodies, the more fat, it is simple science.

Eating less just means starving your body, it is already starving for the proper nutrients for it to function. Remember when you were young, you could eat anything, not gain any weight, have all the enrgy in the world and could sleep so well? Really the only thing that has changed is the amount of impurities (toxins) in your body. Your body can't process them fast enough so your body stores more fat to protect you from the toxins. Again, simple science.

And exercise, well that is just as important as always, but what are you burning, fat or muscle? Most women do the wrong exercises. Dr John Gray has a wonderful book call The Mars Venus Diet and Exercise Solution. It is really great.

Watch www.DrSpeaksOut.com and if you are interested you can call me.

B.
Family Health and Wellness Coach
###-###-####
____@____.com

My first question to you would be if you are breast feeding. If so you will want to make sure that it is diet that you decide on is one that works while breastfeeding.

Before I had children I worked at Metabolic Research Center (MRC) which is a wonderful weightloss clinic. Personally I lost 17 lbs and 24 inches. Here is there website link: http://www.937kcountry.com/Metabolic.htm
This was a great program and they do have mail in orders.

Currently, I had gained a total of 70 lbs through all three of my pregnancies. So I had 70 lbs to loss. I am breastfeeding now and will not diet. Instead what I am doing is just cleaning up what I am eating and watching myself. I am cutting out salt (for the most part), drinking my water, eating salads (with protein in them) for lunch, and making sure that I get the proper amount of veggies and fruits. I ofcourse do faulter on this at times, but try my best. Since my last pregnancy, 8 months ago, I have lost 45 lbs, so I have about 25 lbs. left. I've taken the information that I know from the clinic and put it back into my life.

One thing regarding any program that you decide to do....don't worry about the weight. Balance yourself and measure yourself. Only weigh yourself twice a week (no more than that) and always around the same time of day. Remember that if you going to be exercising then you need to remember that even if you might not be going down on the scale you might still be lossing the fat, this is why you measure yourself-so you can always see results. Also don't look at this so much as dieting, but instead as a lifestyle change, as a way to get healthy and improve your life for your family! This is one of the best gifts you can give your children: a healthy mom who is going to bring her healthy eating habits into their lives!

Good luck and I hope that this has helped a little.

Hi--I had a problem with baby weight too--I gained over 50lbs and the first 20 camee off fine but then I got stuck.
Weight watchers is awesome--really the best weight loss program out there in my opinion--because they teach you how to eat healthy--real food--food you cook, food you eat out. And they give you a ton of tools and support to teach and help you. I started with their online program and then to get the final 15 off started to go to meetings (they also offer a really good deal that combines the online tools with meetings). I didn't think at first the meetings would work, but honestly after having a baby, it was a nice excuse to get out of the house! And the accountability and support really did help. In fact, I stopped going and have relaxed a bit with the holidays but need to go back to get back on track.

Hi C.,

I have been involved with helping people with a weight and inch loss program that really works for over two years. The program called Cinch helps you lose weight and inches but not muscle mass which is so important. This program is backed by a 50 year old company so the reserach is there and testimonies abound from around the country.It fits into your lifestyle and is so healthy and delicious. Please call N. @ ###-###-#### for a consultation.

The sparkteam site is gold! I just signed up and hope to be a weight loss success!

I lost 20lbs since joining the FREE website http://www.Sparkpeople.com

It allows you to track your weight, exercise and diet. It is the first time in my life that I have lost weight. This gives you a plan, and its very flexible. You can enter in your own foods or follow the diet plan. I personally decided to enter in my own foods.

It allows you to set up a goal so your can see if you are on track and view your progress.

I was also a member of Weight Watchers. I loved the meetings and the weigh ins really motivate you to get that number down! I cancelled only because my buddy/ride to the meetings jumped off the wagon. :-( But I did enjoy it. It does cost money, while Sparkpeople is free!

So I would suggest both, but I lost more weight using Sparkpeople alone.

Good luck and don't give up!

P.S. I lost 20 lbs in 3 months. So on average I lost 2 lbs a week. Slow, but steady won the race!

I have found the Physicians weight loss program works well for me. I am currently doing it now. Pam