Exhausted and Frustrated

A

annettej123

Cathlete
I am now 4 months post-partum and back to work full-time. I have a 26 month old that doesn't consistently sleep through the night and a 4 month old that isn't sleeping great either. I so desperately want to lose the baby weight and get my body back, but I can hardly keep my head up to work, let alone get up early or stay up late to work out. I have worked a lot with my 2 year old in an attempt to improve her sleeping and we are getting close to making it through the night, but she still has at least one or two bad nights a week. And the little guy, I am guessing I will be up a lot over the next year. How do you guys get it in? I try to do what I can on the weekends, but I am just so tired! I can fit into most of my old clothes, but they are still a bit snug and the scale certainly doesn't read the same number it used to. I really need to lose about 10-12 more pounds and tone up the belly. But how do I get it all in?? And please tell me I am not alone in the no sleep thing. It seems everyone elses kids sleep but mine!!!
 
Annette,

So sorry to hear that you're going through this, it sounds awful and totally exhausting!!! One thing I noticed on my inch loss was that when I got sick last week or so and decided to stop working out and took naps and got extra sleep I actually began to get compliments that I looked thinner. So, sleep can make a HUGE difference in weight/inch loss. I'd focus on that and not worry too much about workouts until you get more rest. It's not worth burning the candle at both ends, ya gotta take care of yourself and sleep is central to that.

Some quick workouts that I squeeze in with the baby are pilates oriented floor/ab/shoulder/bum-thigh workouts. I LOVE the 10 Minutes Solution pilates DVD!! I have it on loan from Netflix and wish that I had gotten it before I had the baby. It's FAST and EFFECTIVE. I put it on my laptop and move to where ever I can be with the baby. Seriously, the 10 minute arm toning is awesome. I don't have time to do hours worth of Cathe DVDs so it's great to see results so quickly from a 10 minute workout with 3lb weights.

I also consider baby lifting a good workout for arms and legs. Find a mirror and do plie squats with the baby in front of you...great for thighs, butt, tummy and the baby loves it -- especially with sound effects when we go up and down. :) The mirror helps with giggling and funny faces.

Good luck, I hope it works! And I hope your kiddos begin to sleep soundly soon...are you sleeping with them at all? Maybe you should try it to get a few more zzzzs in yourself. You deserve it, whatever it takes to remain healthy and sane. :)

Best,
Steph

p.s. I've also been putting my daughter in the baby bjorn carrier and going for walks or just getting stuff done at home. She loves it and I feel like I'm burning more calories!
 
I read in parents magazine that sleep for new moms actually does improve weight loss! The advice to squeeze in short workouts is great! The other great news is that their is a light at the end of the tunnel! Most 2 year olds sleep through the night so #2 should be easier than #1 was plus you've learned what works. At 4 months, and once #2 eats more solids he should start sleeping more.
 
I hope you are right!! I am so ready to sleep! And that sounds like awesome short workouts, I will try to find that DVD!! Thanks guys!
 
Annette,

I wish I knew you to pick up the phone and call you!!!
I can relate 100%

My oldest is 2 years old. Jennifer has yet to sleep through the
night. I have discussed with her doctor. We do all the things to
help her unwind, etc. Jen has been a poor sleeper since infancy.
I have an 8 month old who has followed in her footsteps.
Taylor is also up most of the night screaming. There is nothing
medically wrong with either child. Both want Dad to rock them, hold
them all night. We did the wrong thing with both as far as
giving in and bringing them into bed. We would take them into
bed and if we coughed, moved, got up, it wakes them up and the
screaming starts. I went back to work full time when both were
6 weeks. Luckily my husband is a fireman and is around often but
he works nights , so hard to function on a few hours sleep.

I have tried differnt methods with both. I have read books
on getting your children to sleep through the night. I have
discussed with other Mom's. Some advice is to let them cry.
We have tried that too. Taylor can scream for hours if we let her.
My fear is this is genetic since my 13 year old step daughter
started sleeping through the night at 10 years old!!!!!!!

I work out everyday at lunch. I joined a gym since I can't do
my Cathe dvd's every morning as I did before children.

I like to think it will all get easier but so far we struggle
w/the lack of sleep. I am so tired somedays I don't know how we
do it but we do.

Good Luck!!!!

Jennifer Claire 12/24/2005
Taylor Elizabeth 08/22/2007
 
Hey ladies - I only have a sec (Hi Suzanne!) but wanted to chime in.

DD1 didn't sleep thru the night til she was 1.5 and what finally got US on track was a book called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth. We used this book from Day 1 w/ DD2 and she is a DREAM sleeper! DD1 is now too.

Wish I had more time for more details but this book quite literally SAVED my LIFE. I almost jumped out of a 2nd story window one night. Sleep deprivation is nothing to joke about.

I have read every other book on th emarket and DD1 was the guinea pig for them all. With this book she was sleeping thru the night within 3 nights and we haven't looked back since.

Wish you all the best!
 
Hi Katy!!!

Thanks for trying to help us!!! I read, " The Baby Whisperer"
Which helped many, not my family. Okay I will take your advice.
Hold onto your book your will need to reference again this fall.

I agree. Sleep deprivation is a very serious issue. The only time
I had a problem was while pregnant insomnia hit me from 3 months
on. I often wonder if there is a link to the insomnia and the
way my little dolls are wired......... Who knows. Both kids
don't want to give in and relax to fall asleep.

My Mother in law recently hinted my husband was not a great sleeper.
I am sure he was up all night

:eek:
 
Suzanne, the Baby whisperer was no help to me either. Another one we tried was No-Cry Sleep Solution - yuck. These were 2 of MANY. The one I mentioned above was the ONLY one to help us. Wish it could help me right now! Its 4AM and *I* can't sleep! Good luck - let me know how it goes!
 
I believe they use sleep deprivation to break war prisoners, right? So definitely very serious stuff!!

Although I am sorry other have or are dealing with this, I am so happy I am not alone! I will try this book. I have benn hesitant to buy any books or material because I feel like I know what to do, it just doesn't work for us. Put them down awake and make them fall asleep on their own, but maybe there are some other keys I am missing!!

Thanks!!
 
I just wanted to say that we used the pick-up/put-down method from The Baby Whisperer with great success with my 4th child. You can check out the website babywhisperer.com and get some information without buying the book. You can go to the forums there and look at the sleep issues forums and see if you get any useful information.

Good luck! Life is so hard when you're not getting any sleep!

Erica
 
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