Hi Cathy - I am 5'9" and have never really had a weight issue (except for being too thin when I was younger - the good old days). Well I had my third child about 7 weeks ago. She was quite sick so I didn't start exercising again till she was 5 weeks. I don't ever remember being this big after my other 2 kids were born and never had to work at losing weight. My arms, hips, behind and of course stomach are significantly bigger. I need to lose 15-20 pounds to get to my pre pregnancy weight and its a bit urgent because I go back to teaching in September. This is a very unoriginal question but what is the fastest way to get in shape. Should I start running along with step and kickboxing. Should I forget about yoga till I lose the weight. How much weights should I be doing. My wonderful husband watches the kids after work (my newborn doesn't let me put her down during the day) so that I can workout for an hour most days. Please help!
Help me l am desperate!
- Thread starter lora-kate
- Start date
Cathe Friedrich
Administrator
Hi Lora-Kate! Congratulations on your new little one!
Relax, you will get the weight off if you are consistent and committed. Its not good to rush things since quick-fix solutions most often end in disappointement or relapse. I can tell by your post you are not REALLY desparate but rather concerned since you have never been in this position before. This is certainly understandable especially when you see your future free time being cut back.
Before I offer any advice we have to look at things realistically. As you know, it gets a little harder to lose weight with each pregnancy so you have to allow for that. Also, your preganacy hormones are still filtering their way through your system (and completely still there if you are breastfeeding)and this can affect the rate at which your body will lose fat.
Keeping this in mind, I would say that for now I would focus on 4 cardio workouts a week. One interval workout, one intermediate workout, one high intensity workout, and finally another intermediate workout. On your hard days, really push hard (pushing your anaerobic threshhold at times within the workout) and on your intermediate days, strive for steady state in your target heart rate zone. Do one heavy weight total body workout and one light weight total body workout once per week(thats two weight workouts total). Your diet it so critical too. It must be as clean as possible. If you are breastfeeding you will need to have more patience for weight loss plus your diet will have to include more calories.
I, too, am now having a harder time losing after my second child and still have a good amount of weight to lose, but over time I know the patience and committement will pay off. Stay focused and sure enough your results will come. Good Luck!
Relax, you will get the weight off if you are consistent and committed. Its not good to rush things since quick-fix solutions most often end in disappointement or relapse. I can tell by your post you are not REALLY desparate but rather concerned since you have never been in this position before. This is certainly understandable especially when you see your future free time being cut back.
Before I offer any advice we have to look at things realistically. As you know, it gets a little harder to lose weight with each pregnancy so you have to allow for that. Also, your preganacy hormones are still filtering their way through your system (and completely still there if you are breastfeeding)and this can affect the rate at which your body will lose fat.
Keeping this in mind, I would say that for now I would focus on 4 cardio workouts a week. One interval workout, one intermediate workout, one high intensity workout, and finally another intermediate workout. On your hard days, really push hard (pushing your anaerobic threshhold at times within the workout) and on your intermediate days, strive for steady state in your target heart rate zone. Do one heavy weight total body workout and one light weight total body workout once per week(thats two weight workouts total). Your diet it so critical too. It must be as clean as possible. If you are breastfeeding you will need to have more patience for weight loss plus your diet will have to include more calories.
I, too, am now having a harder time losing after my second child and still have a good amount of weight to lose, but over time I know the patience and committement will pay off. Stay focused and sure enough your results will come. Good Luck!
H
honeybunch
Guest
Cathe, this time we'll be YOUR cheerleaders! We know you can get in shape for those new videos we're all panting for. We'll give you help like you ask us to do in your Imax tape (the plyo jack interval?)
Hi Cathe!
Thanks so much for your response. I really appreciate it that you take the time to write back. I will start on this program today. It is so challenging to exercise when you are sooooooo sleep deprived. However, the biggest challenge for me is finding snacks that are nutritious and can be eaten while my daughter is breastfeeding because she never stops! If there was an exercise program that allowed you to breastfeed at the same time I'd be signing up for it! I saw the picture of your two boys - very cute!
Thanks again!
Thanks so much for your response. I really appreciate it that you take the time to write back. I will start on this program today. It is so challenging to exercise when you are sooooooo sleep deprived. However, the biggest challenge for me is finding snacks that are nutritious and can be eaten while my daughter is breastfeeding because she never stops! If there was an exercise program that allowed you to breastfeed at the same time I'd be signing up for it! I saw the picture of your two boys - very cute!
Thanks again!