OK. So I've had my final baby and after packing on 50 lbs during the pregnancy, losing 27 lbs then gaining 5 back, I am pretty sure I am ready to get back on track. Please feel free to comment, any advice is welcome.
I have narrowed down my goals for now and hopefully starting this journal will help me keep my eyes on the prize. I have alot of work to do, but I've done it before and loved the result. I know I can do it again!!!!! Nutrition and food are my weaknesses, so I will try to focus on those. My goals for now are:
My baby is now 8 weeks old, so I know to the gym won't always be feasible, but I will do my best.
I will try my hardest to do some type of activity at home if I do not make it to the gym that day.
Eliminate all the sugary foods I eat. This is my #1 problem. I tend to grab sugary treats WAYYYYY too often. I need to take control over myself and my laziness in the kitchen.
Cut out wheat products, as my baby seems to be reacting to these, it has been easier than I thought. Increasing my "other grains" intake. (oatmeal, barley, etc) I have eating scottish oatmeal almost every morning, love it. I also love barley and am constantly searching for yummy recipes. I have bought some quinoa, haven't tried it yet. Any ideas???
I have never been a huge veggie,fruit person. Another HUGE goal, to increase my consumption. I am aware of the fact that increasing these will help with my cravings for "bad" foods.
Increase water intake. I drink a ton at the gym. As the day goes on, my intake lessens.
As for working out- I love it. I love working out hard and heavy. No problem there. Just need to regain cardio and strength lost during pregnancy. A real bummer to go back to the gym and realize how much strength I had lost. Had some wicked DOMS the first couple days back. Didn't lift anywhere near as much as before. Will have to work my way back up.

Looking forward to getting back into shape.:jumping::jumping::jumping: I have missed the adrenaline rush of sprinting intervals, lifting heavy and challenging myself. Greengirl, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!! (I am my own cheering section, lol):claphigh::spaz::spaz::spaz::spaz::spaz::spaz:

OK, so my first day of getting myself back into shape didn't start so well. There is too much cake left ove rfrom my son's 3rd birthday party yesterday!! But, then again, my baby seems to still be reacting to something I am eating. I am thinking wheat, so cut out the cake greengirl!!
On another note, I tried the quinoa today. Not my favorite, but I just cooked it up with water. maybe try it in another recipe.
Since my baby isn't doing too good today (my nephew has hand,foot, mouth disease, hoping that isn't why my son isn't feeling good), I don't think I will make it to the gym. So I just finished a jump rope/body weight strength routine I found in a magazine. Not the longest workout in the world, but I thought it was better than nothing. Jumping rope isn't too easy for my overweight self, but I plugged through it and feel better than when I started.
Added some plank work at the end, and tried for some pushups (although I REALLY need to work on those). Felt good to get my HR up. My eldest son workout with me to the best of his ability (he's 4.5). He's a bit on the heavy side, so I am happy when he wants to join in with me. Knowing that him seeing me workout is only a positive thing, I think I will start doing a small bit at home everyday, or at least try to.
Going to go eat now before baby wakes up. Aiming for veggies and some protein.

Got to the gym again today. Funny, my baby cries and cries for me when he's tired, but take him to my SIL and have 3 kids and his aunt sing to him and he falls asleep like that. Gotta stress Mommy out I guess.
I have decided to do 2 muscles groups a day, and try to fit in a bit of cardio at the end.
So today,
Back and Biceps, followed by 10 minutes of intervals on elliptical.

Lost a couple lbs already after not drinking pop for a couple of days. amazing what a small difference can do!

Welcome back. :)

My baby is now 8 weeks old, so I know to the gym won't always be feasible, but I will do my best.
I was going to suggest something like Gold's (if there is one close by) which has babysitting, but I don't know about 8 week olds. :) This issue will be difficult at times I am sure but I'm also sure you'll work around it. :tu:

I will try my hardest to do some type of activity at home if I do not make it to the gym that day.
That's how I figured you'd work around it. That sounds good to me. One thing you could do is just plan on a "cardio only day" on days that you absolutely cannot make it to the gym. Maybe you can find some kind of cardio equipment on Craig's List or Ebay.

Eliminate all the sugary foods I eat. This is my #1 problem. I tend to grab sugary treats WAYYYYY too often. I need to take control over myself and my laziness in the kitchen.
Don't buy them. :D That can be a problem for me too, so I just try to not purchase that kind of stuff. I know it's probably harder for you though (I live alone, well with my dog but he doesn't like candy much either, haha).

Cut out wheat products, as my baby seems to be reacting to these, it has been easier than I thought. Increasing my "other grains" intake. (oatmeal, barley, etc) I have eating scottish oatmeal almost every morning, love it. I also love barley and am constantly searching for yummy recipes. I have bought some quinoa, haven't tried it yet. Any ideas???
The Scottish Oats are great (my girlfriend loves it too; the instant kind are tasty and pretty good on the nutrition facts as well). I have never had quinoa, but have heard it's good. A friend of mine just finished up a multi-week training routine with a female who entered a figure contest, and he mentioned she liked that stuff a lot.

I have never been a huge veggie,fruit person. Another HUGE goal, to increase my consumption. I am aware of the fact that increasing these will help with my cravings for "bad" foods.
This (the veggies anyway) was hard for me at first, but I've gotten much better about them over the last few years. I pretty much just stick to a few veggies and try to season them or mix them in with other foods as much as possible. Try spices and low-cal sauces (Walden Farms brand isn't bad, some of their stuff anyway). Try Frank's Hot Sauce if you like that stuff (it's like a Buffalo Wing sauce); I put it on veggies all the time. In fact here's one of my favorite high-protein, moderate-fat, low-carb meals:

Chicken Breast Tenderloins (frozen in the bag kind) + Frank's Hot Sauce + Smart Balance Buttery Spread + Green Beans + a little salt.

What I do is toss the chicken in a frying pan with a couple sprays of Pam on it. Then prep green beans however you want. While that's all cooking I mix some Frank's Hot Sauce and just a little bit of Smart Balance Buttery Spread in a bowl. Put bowl in microwave for just a little bit (10-15 seconds), and take it out and stir it. When chicken is done just put it in the bowl of sauce+SB, and if you want add the green beans to it. Surprisingly, the green beans are not bad in there. :)

That Smart Balance is basically a high fat spread but it's a lot - a lot - better for you than butter IMHO. I use it once in a while for chicken, turkey (great on turkey with a little salt), and veggies.

Also, with the veggies you can always "hide" them even further with more food. Add a little to your brown rice, for example. Or mix up a bowl of green beans, olive oil and vinegar and put tuna or chicken in there with all of it.

Just some ideas. :)

The fruit thing comes easy for me because I love fruit. I could very, very easily go overboard on fruit because I sometimes can't get enough of it. In fact a couple days ago I had a big grapefruit in meal 1, then some strawberries a couple meals later, then a banana post-training, and some pineapple before bed. I hope I don't get fat. :)

Increase water intake. I drink a ton at the gym. As the day goes on, my intake lessens.
This was another one that was hard for me at first. I flat out hate drinking water with meals, but it's gotten better lately. If needed, drink whatever else during meals (Crystal Lite, iced tea, etc.) but try to keep a water bottle with you when you're out and about or working around the house.

What might help is to get some water bottles from the store, but then get a water filter on your kitchen sink. Get the appropriate amount of bottles available that you want to make sure you drink every day, and each night before bed just fill them all up and put them in the fridge. Then, during the next day, just try to keep taking one out of the fridge after each meal and try to sip on it throughout the day.

As for working out- I love it. I love working out hard and heavy. No problem there. Just need to regain cardio and strength lost during pregnancy. A real bummer to go back to the gym and realize how much strength I had lost. Had some wicked DOMS the first couple days back. Didn't lift anywhere near as much as before. Will have to work my way back up.

Looking forward to getting back into shape.:jumping::jumping::jumping: I have missed the adrenaline rush of sprinting intervals, lifting heavy and challenging myself. Greengirl, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!! (I am my own cheering section, lol):claphigh::spaz::spaz::spaz::spaz::spaz::spaz:


:gl:

Hi Greengirl, I'll add to your cheering section.

:claphigh: :claphigh: :claphigh: :claphigh:

I've tried to get into quinoa, but I just like other grains better. :blank: My favorite way was to cook it in orange juice. I think it was something like this:
Breakfast Quinoa
(Makes 3-3/4 c.)

2 c. fresh orange juice
1 t. honey
1/8 t. sea salt
1 c. quinoa, well washed
2 T. pecans, roasted and chopped very fine

Combine the orange juice, honey, and salt in a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Watch closely to keep the orange juice from boiling over. Add the quinoa, cover, lower the heat, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until all of the juice has been absorbed. Remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Add the pecans and fluff with a fork.

I think I put some nutmeg in it too, and maybe some raisins.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/recipex/msg0110200621133.html

My girls always seemed to be more settled where there was more activitiy, so we always spent a LOT of time at the mall. :D Mall-walking can be good exercise (if you do it long enough), and it's always so nicely climate controlled. :nod: TXItalian had some videos posted about the strength workouts he used to do with his kids. They were pretty funny, but I don't know if they're still around somewhere.

:gl:

Quinoa is one of my favourite grains :) and I believe it has around 16-18% protein!

Thanks for the welcome back !!! I am surprised people remebered me!!!



I was going to suggest something like Gold's (if there is one close by) which has babysitting, but I don't know about 8 week olds. :) This issue will be difficult at times I am sure but I'm also sure you'll work around it. :tu:
Only problem with that is this is my 3rd child. My wonderful SIL watches my kids while I go to the gym. Just sometimes, my baby doesn't co-operate.:)


That's how I figured you'd work around it. That sounds good to me. One thing you could do is just plan on a "cardio only day" on days that you absolutely cannot make it to the gym. Maybe you can find some kind of cardio equipment on Craig's List or Ebay.

Love to have a piece of equipment to use at home, but no room right now. We are hoping to buy a house after the New Year. Hopefully have enough room then.



Don't buy them. :D That can be a problem for me too, so I just try to not purchase that kind of stuff. I know it's probably harder for you though (I live alone, well with my dog but he doesn't like candy much either, haha).
I always find some way to eat something sugary. even if it's baking something with my boys.:lol:


The Scottish Oats are great (my girlfriend loves it too; the instant kind are tasty and pretty good on the nutrition facts as well). I have never had quinoa, but have heard it's good. A friend of mine just finished up a multi-week training routine with a female who entered a figure contest, and he mentioned she liked that stuff a lot.

I LOVE my Scottish Oats. I don't use the instant kind, but mine only takes about 10 minutes.


This (the veggies anyway) was hard for me at first, but I've gotten much better about them over the last few years. I pretty much just stick to a few veggies and try to season them or mix them in with other foods as much as possible. Try spices and low-cal sauces (Walden Farms brand isn't bad, some of their stuff anyway). Try Frank's Hot Sauce if you like that stuff (it's like a Buffalo Wing sauce); I put it on veggies all the time. In fact here's one of my favorite high-protein, moderate-fat, low-carb meals:


Chicken Breast Tenderloins (frozen in the bag kind) + Frank's Hot Sauce + Smart Balance Buttery Spread + Green Beans + a little salt.

What I do is toss the chicken in a frying pan with a couple sprays of Pam on it. Then prep green beans however you want. While that's all cooking I mix some Frank's Hot Sauce and just a little bit of Smart Balance Buttery Spread in a bowl. Put bowl in microwave for just a little bit (10-15 seconds), and take it out and stir it. When chicken is done just put it in the bowl of sauce+SB, and if you want add the green beans to it. Surprisingly, the green beans are not bad in there. :)

That Smart Balance is basically a high fat spread but it's a lot - a lot - better for you than butter IMHO. I use it once in a while for chicken, turkey (great on turkey with a little salt), and veggies.

This sounds good. Not a hot sauce fan, but I don't need to add that. Hoping to buy box of chicken this weekend.



The fruit thing comes easy for me because I love fruit. I could very, very easily go overboard on fruit because I sometimes can't get enough of it. In fact a couple days ago I had a big grapefruit in meal 1, then some strawberries a couple meals later, then a banana post-training, and some pineapple before bed. I hope I don't get fat. :)

I have been having a banana post-training as well. trying to add some kiwi and berries at other times. i actually like fruit and veggies. i am just lazy. don't want to wash everything, juts want it in my mouth.


This was another one that was hard for me at first. I flat out hate drinking water with meals, but it's gotten better lately. If needed, drink whatever else during meals (Crystal Lite, iced tea, etc.) but try to keep a water bottle with you when you're out and about or working around the house.

My water intake has been getting better and better.




:gl:[/quote]

Thanks!!!:D


OK, so I suck at quoting people. Not sure how ot do that.

Hi Greengirl, I'll add to your cheering section.

:claphigh: :claphigh: :claphigh: :claphigh:


I've tried to get into quinoa, but I just like other grains better. :blank: My favorite way was to cook it in orange juice. I think it was something like this:
Breakfast Quinoa
(Makes 3-3/4 c.)

2 c. fresh orange juice
1 t. honey
1/8 t. sea salt
1 c. quinoa, well washed
2 T. pecans, roasted and chopped very fine




My girls always seemed to be more settled where there was more activitiy, so we always spent a LOT of time at the mall. :D Mall-walking can be good exercise (if you do it long enough), and it's always so nicely climate controlled. :nod: TXItalian had some videos posted about the strength workouts he used to do with his kids. They were pretty funny, but I don't know if they're still around somewhere.

:gl:
Thanks Guava!
That recipes sounds good!!
Right now, I don't have time to do much, but get my kids ready, get the older one to school, come home, feed littler ones, go back pick up older one, etc... alot of driving. He's only in Kindergarten.
2 hours a day, except Wednesday. I don't get much of a chance to sit down, unless I am driving:lol::lol:

OK, so yesterday. Chest and Triceps, 15 minutes HIIT.
Gotta go get ready, 3 year old in preschool at 9, hopefully going to the gym after I drop him off. Back home after that to feed lunch, oldest one school at 12:45, back home till 2:30, pick him up, then he has soccer. FIL in town too, so dinner with him tonight. My hubby wants to ordr pizza, but lucky for me, I can't eat dairy right now. SoI will pick something else.
Legs at the gym today!!:bb:

OK, so yesterday. Chest and Triceps, 15 minutes HIIT.
Gotta go get ready, 3 year old in preschool at 9, hopefully going to the gym after I drop him off. Back home after that to feed lunch, oldest one school at 12:45, back home till 2:30, pick him up, then he has soccer. FIL in town too, so dinner with him tonight. My hubby wants to ordr pizza, but lucky for me, I can't eat dairy right now. SoI will pick something else.
Legs at the gym today!!:bb:

hi greengirl :wave: good to see you back ;) and congrats on the new baby :claplow:

Thanks Chameleon!

Didn't quite feel like going to the gym today, but went anyway. After all, the gym is in the same building as my son's preschool, so no excuses, eh?

Did legs.
Was going to do body resistant squats on the BOSU, but it seemed to be missing, so back to the squat rack I went. I am wavering on whether to go as heavy as I used to on my lower body seeing as I AM bigger on my lower half to begin with. When I lift heavy on the bottom, I seem to bulk out too much. I need to lose alot a fat still, so just lifted the bar for my squats today.
Moved onto SL deadlifts, again went alot lighter than usual. I'll see how I am feeling tomorrow.
Ended with some walking lunges, again light weight. I think for now I will stick with this as my plan. Upper body, on the other hand is a different story.
Didn't have any time for cardio today. i'll try to make room tomorrow.

Diet sucked:(:o:doh:
I will overcome this one day:nod: