Weight Management in Your 30'S ): After Having Kids....

I had my first at 29(one month before 30) and my second at 32, and in comparison to people who had their kids in their early 20's, it is definitely harder to get in shape the older you have your kids, because your metabolism slows down. You may just need to be conscious of everything you eat, because snacking can rack up a lot of calories depending on what you're snacking on. Weight can fluctuate a couple of pounds each week, sometimes even in a few days, but 7 lbs seems a lot. Write down everything you eat for a week then try to make healthier choices and be consistent in your exercise.

I was in the exact same boat as you- that I lost a bunch of weight right after my first. I did it by running (which I never did before) and just eating well. Then I got sick (mono- most likely) and then I got pregnant again. I am huge right now and feel so fat!! Can't wait to be done with this pregnancy! SO I'm not going to pretend to have all the answers, but I would say first- if you are still nursing then your body is still trying to hang onto the fat you need to make milk.

second, you lost all the weight because generally speaking, your body's metabolism is drastically changed after a baby so it jump starts things. For many women it is just what they needed- if they use it and listen to it. But for some they miss the window. You NEED a jump start to make changes with weight- you can't just cut back a little and just expect things to change.

I would say you need to jump start your metabolism but doing something healthy yet drastic. My friends have found that doing the drastic, yet effect Phase I of the South Beach is just enough for many people. I will usually still eat fruit when I do it, but everything else is out!

Keep track of what you eat each day and stay away from snacks, fake sugar, drinks with calories, and breads (even whole grains) for the most part. Take stock of how many times a week you eat a sandwhich or pasta (that was what I was doing). Make sure that if you try Weight Watchers or another program- you realize that this type of eating must be a LIFE CHOICE not just a diet. Once you stop eating all the already prepared meals or counting points, it all comes back very quickly unless you have made an actual change in what you do daily!!

Finally- your workout! This is super important! A lot of women think that as long as you are putting in the time that is all we can do. However what they don't do is actually WORK while they are working out. You need to be short of breath and sweating by the time you are done!! Push yourself and challenge yourself, don't just go through the motions!! It frustrates me to see women who think they are lifting weights properly just run through everything lifting just a 5 lb weight and doing everything once and then running out! Or those that do cardio equipment while holding onto the handles and reading while they are doing it!! WORK while you are working out. You have to burn more than 3500 calories just to loose 1 lb!! While the Biggest Loser on TV is very exaggerated- see how hard they are working? that is what you have to do to loose weight.

Good luck!

As we get older it's harder--metabolism definitely changes. AND try it after having a baby at 39! Oy!

I was just as frustrated as you at 40 to find myself unable to lose 20 lbs. that crept up on me. I was eating the same as in my skinny 20s, exercising even more than in that decade, but still couldn't get the weight to budge. After joining Weight Watchers, I realized pretty quickly I couldn't do as I did in my 20s anymore. Pretty much had to cut portion sizes by about 1/3 (you'll be shocked when you learn the true portion sizes) and really, really pay attention to what I ordered in restaurants. I'm eating much healthier now, making smarter choices, and bumping up cardio at the gym.

If you start reading labels and especially the nutrition info. at restaurants, you'll be floored. I thought eating a grilled cheese sandwich was a good option at a burger place until I discovered it was an 800 calorie grilled cheese! It's no wonder the weight wouldn't come off.

Also, start writing down what you eat. You will see how often you forget about those little snacks during the day that really add up.

Good luck!