9 months on 9 months off?

[Strawbs]

Prickly I'm really struggling also so will try your tips.. I'm struggling as Toby is quite demanding so I don't always have time to cook and if I don't I just tend to eat whatever is easiest.. Do you go to a ww meeting? I got my summer clothes out of the cellar today and most don't fit me so I need to do something sharpish! X

[Pickle]

I go to the Wed 9:30am class - generally just to weigh in, although I did stay for the meeting this week. Feels a bit strange as the leader used to be my client, and I used to run the meeting :) a good bunch of people though.

If you don't get much time to cook there are lots of nice ready meals that would work, or maybe try planning meals that you can prepare in stages when you get time (which is what I tend to do while juggling the baby and two older kids). For example, I cut up and cooked the apples/onions for tonights dinner earlier this morning, part baked some potatoes in the microwave while i had lunch, so then it was just a case of bunging them in the oven to crisp up and frying the pork just before we ate.

When you do get time to cook, make double/triple batches and freeze individual portions so you can quickly reheat when you're pushed for time.

[hellosailor]

Grotty 19lbs is corkingly good weight loss! You should be bloody proud of yourself!

[Grotty]

Thank you hellosailor. Don't get me wrong I am pleased with it, especially as i'd hit my half way point, but I still feel frumpy and after losing small amounts each week I feel very frustrated to have lost the will but not the weight for a few weeks now. Pickle, your advice to get a magazine was great - I read the April Issue last night - very motivating - it also has advice about drinking water when you feel snacky, the idea being that our brain is unable to differentiate between thirst and hunger - tried this today and it really REALLY worked - drank 500ml water instead of having 4 ginger nuts (that takes a lot!!) with my cup of tea and didnt succumb - i'm sure the distraction also helped. I'll try and keep up the good work over the weekend - I weigh myself on monday mornings so will have to wait until then, but I do like the idea of posting weight on here - another motivating factor. If that fails will aim for the meeting - have been avoiding it as I have a 4 month old and a 23 month old, but will brave it with them if necessary. Hopefully I'll be a loser again soon!...

[Pickle]

Good for you Grotty, really positive steps, you must be feeling good for resisting the ginger nuts!

I'm indulging in a Friday night treat, within my points - some carefully weighed out liquorice (my favourite, but previously I would have scoffed the whole bag) and a Crunchie bar.

I also took my own advice earlier this morning and drank a bottle of water rather than opening the cupboard, it worked for me too. This weekend will be a chsllenge... Wedding anniversary tomorrow and Mother's Day.

[mima08]

Hiya - all the comments are really motivational. I have just signed up for the Tesco.com version of w.w. - because i can link it to my online shopping (one of my biggest problem is being disorganised and never having the right food in the house). And they let you use light versions of ready meals for those (many)days where I just don't want to cook....

We shall see if it works - it looks good in theory :)

mx

[Grotty]

Mothers Day was a total disaster but just weighed and have lost 1lb so that feels good. It's a new week now so feeling motivated again...!

[snowboarder]

Ladies you all sound awesome. I am a complete disaster - having started this thread I think I may be the only one to have lost NO weight at all. Ok deep breath, lighter evenings and the thread of summer might help. I am in the worst physical shape of my entire life....

Keep the success stories coming...maybe the guilt will get me if nothing else :-(

[Pickle]

I had a challenging weekend - wedding anniversary Saturday and Mother's Day. However I managed to stay on track - Thai food and bubbly all within points on Sat and I shared my Hotel Chocolate chocs with hubby (who got me a small box as he knows I'm trying to lose weight) and also managed to stay within my allowance.

I get 40 points a day due to BFing which does make it easier!

[crystal7]

Think I may have to join you lot! Some fab weight loss. My baby is suddenly 5 months old uso need to stop thinking "It's ok I've got a newborn it's fine to be a bit flabby"! Said baby is a terrible sleeper though and I find it really hard to resist sweet stuff when so tired. Also my 3 year old is very fussy and I end up eating her left overs and sort of not counting them...tips? Maybe I need to join weight watchers?

[lenster]

Hi ladies. My attempt to lose weight had a bit of a kick start over the past week due to the evil bug doing the rounds. 6lbs in 5 days... poor body is a wreck, but every cloud, eh?!

Not an experience I would want to repeat though!

[Grotty]

Crystal7 weight watchers is great especially if you have an iPhone! And there seem to be a lot of people in Dulwich with new-ish babies who have started it. Terra definitely a number of Mums in the EDF Autumn babies club doing it which makes lunches at The Actress easier to conquer! I also get 40 points a day which allows me to snack if I feel like it - obviously the last 3 weeks have been a bit unsuccessful but i'm back on track, and although it's pretty slow over nearly 3 months it all adds up to a lot so I feel good about the weight loss so far...!

[Pickle]

1lb off for me this week, so 6lbs in total since I started 3 weeks ago, hooray!

I bought myself a WW pedometer this morning, I used to have one years ago. Amazing how motivating it is, as it counts down how many steps to go before you've done the recommended healthy number, after which point you start earning bonus points. Instead of coming straight home I stayed out walking for 40 mins :)

Hope everyone else is having a good week x

[mima08]

:( I just cheated on the diet weigh in - I just guessed 1.5lbs in the week. Still not bought scales, that is my excuse. But the belt on my jeans is a lot looser...

[Grotty]

Well done Pickle! The pedometer sounds good - i got to get me one of those. And mima08 I reckon cheating is definitely necessary sometimes if only to give yourself a psychological boost for a week! Our bathroom scales were cheapo ones from local pound shop and if I weigh myself 3 times in a row the weight can vary up to half a stone difference, so now i weigh myself 3 times each week and take the average unless thats too depressing in which case i opt for the lightest!!!!

[mima08]

Grotty - your averaging method makes me laugh - off to the poundshop now ;)

[Pickle]

How are you all doing? My pedometer has kept me motivated, and it's amazing how far I walk in a day if I make an effort - In excess of 7 miles yesterday!

I went to the free post natal fitness session this morning which was good fun. It's very gentle, but a nice introduction back to exercise and free. Hubby met me afterwards with the remaining children (I took baby with me in the pram), I did some more walking, and feel great because of it. I find it all too easy to be a complete sloth in the weekends!

At least now I feel I've earned my takeaway and wine this evening!

[Grotty]

Well done Pickle - I feel guilty every time I see the thread about the free exercise class and quickly skim over it, but should probably Just Do It! Good news is i'm back on track this week with a 2lb loss woo hoo....

[lenster]

I've been meaning to try out that free class...maybe this weekend. 1lb off for me this week, but have no doubt wiped that out with the 3 Lindors scoffed today. Faster walking in store for tomorrow!

[pebbles]

Hi everyone, i've been away but following this thread and keeping me motivated when i could have just eaten and drunk for England on hols!!!

I started WW on 24th Sept and am only a few lbs away from losing 3 stone - I've got another 2 to go but at least i'm over half way there :)

WW works for me as it's my portion size that I really struggle with so with counting points it keeps an eye on my portion size. I also feel with WW that i can drink alcohol (which i like) and eat chocolate and have a take away cos you just work it out with your points for the day or do a bit of exercise.

I haven't seen these free classes but will look now and hopefully attend one this weekend - Pickle - r u doing any cos I could come with you?

Keep going everyone, it's an amazing feeling for me coming into a summer feeling ok about myself :)

[Pickle]

Welcome home Pebbles :)

I forgot to update... Lost another 2lbs on Wednesday so now 8lbs in total. And today, for the first time since having my baby, I've managed to squeeze my bottom into a pair of my pre-pregnancy trousers, hooray! Still wearing my pedometer every day and making sure I walk as much as I can.

Have a good weekend everyone x

[Pickle]

A 2.5lb loss for me this week! All the walking has paid off, I walked more than a marathon in total over the week and made use of the free gym equipment at Peckham Park to do a bit of toning.

I was worried that school holidays would stop me walking as far, but my kids have been happy to get out on their scooters and join me (with the bonus that little Kate sleeps really well in the buggy).

I'm planning to eat chocolate over Easter, so here's hoping lots of exercise will mean I lose again next week :)

A trying day today, flooded kitchen, blocked drain, we are stuck inside waiting for a plumber, but I'm managing to stay away from comfort food!

[pebbles]

5.5lbs for me today - but that's over 3 weeks as we've just got back from holiday. Am thrilled to have lost weight on holiday but also as I've upped the exercise so I know that i've increased muscle weight. Nearly at my 3 stone mark.

I've been joining Pickle in her walking/free gym equipment and it's fabulous. Lets pray the weather stays dry so we can continue.

How's everyone else doing?

Hope everyone stays strong over Easter and definitely up for chocolate and upping the exercise :)

[mima08]

Hiya - a proud 1.8kg over the 2 weeks, so chuffed! Have upped the exercise too, sit-ups, press-ups and squats 4-5times a week plus more walking.... But then there is Easter looming, and I will eat some chocolate...ok, more exercise needed!

:))

[scareyt]

Hi, I can really recommend an abs roller for stay at home mums, they are around ?10 from Amazon or John Lewis. I love mine, I keep it in the toy cupboard so it's really easy to use it for a couple of minutes a few times a day in between building train tracks or while Iggle Piggle & co are doing their thing!

I can't ever get round to doing an exercise DVD but find this really easy to fit into a busy toddler day, and it's not annoyingly big to store like a Swiss ball. It works your abs and upper arms and is much more fun and pleasant than doing sit-ups or stomach crunches. Saying that I don't look any different yet but definitely feel stronger. And think possibly my arms are a tiny bit more toned looking.