I can't get back into shape 1 year after having baby

F

fitharp

Cathlete
Cathe,
I was wondering if you could offer some ideas. I had my 3rd child 1 year ago. My oldest is 11 and the next is 8 so there was a bit of a wait between the 2nd and 3rd. I am 35 years old. I was pretty sick when I was pregnant and experienced alot of back pains, plus the baby was extremely low so I really didn't exercise while pregnant. As a matter of fact if I was able to get out of bed and get dressed I considered that my exercise for the day. After having my baby I eased back into exercise. I am finally able to schedule in 6 days a week about an hour each day. One of my problems is I don't know what to do. I am weak in all areas. I have started running and can only run about 2 minutes. I am doing a run 2 minutes walk 2 minutes right now and it is a struggle. So I am weak in cardio, my legs are weak, my arms are weak, my core is weak. Since January I have been trying to work all these areas into my workout week and have not really improved at all. My legs are probably the only thing that has gotten stronger. I have only lost 5 pounds since January. My eating is not terrible though I will enjoy food. I usually have a treat a day but it is not much more than 1 cookie. I have really been watching portion control. Do you have any ideas on how I can get back into shape? Am I working on to much? Should I focus on one area at a time and if so which area first? They all are pretty bad and all seem important. Thanks for your help.
Michele
 
Are you taking a multivitamin?? You almost sound like you're low on iron...Have you talked to your doctor?? This week feeling this long after you had your last child doesn't sound normal...

What does your typical hour workout look like?? Maybe if we saw that, we could give some better pointers??

Mj in MN
 
I havn't been very consistant with my multivitamin. That is a good suggestion thank you. I went to the doctor a few months ago and was in good health. I have really good blood pressure and I am not overweight. I just look like I am pregnant instead of having a baby a year ago. I don't really feel weak during the day I just can't seem to get into shape.

Here is what my workout schedule is for the week.
Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday I run/walk 3 miles. I do more walking but my goal is to be able to run it all. When I come home I do about 10 minutes of abs. Mostly from Firm: 5 day abs and Cathe: Ab Hits.

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday is my tape day. I rotate from the following catagories.
All Weight
Stretching/Yoga
Total Body
Cardio with light weights
Lower body
Upper body
step - pure cardio

So on Tuesday I would do an all weight tape, then Thursday a yoga tape, Friday a total body tape, etc.

If a tape does not include ab work I will stick on about 10 minutes of that.

The heaviest weight I use is 8 pounds. Still! So I usually use 3 lb,
5 lb, 8 lb weights.

Michele
 
Hi Michele, here is a link to a post from Cathe addressing the very same problem you are having. I hope that helps!

http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?...ic_id=15966&mesg_id=15966&listing_type=search

"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!"


http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/lol2.gif[/img]http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/lol2.gif[/img]http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/lol2.gif[/img]Blessings from our home to yours...Runathon
 
Thanks for posting that! I'm in the same boat with fitharp.

Hope this will help to get me over the hump.
 
-bump to bring the other 3 year old thread down

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cute work out clothes are good for AT LEAST an additional 10-15 calories burned!
 
RE: I can't get back into shape 1 year after having bab...

You are welcome. I am just glad that I can be of some help.

http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/lol2.gif[/img]http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/lol2.gif[/img]http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/lol2.gif[/img]runathon
 
Michele,

Consistency in exercise and a clean diet is key, I think. (Lose the daily treat and make it a once a week treat!) Patience helps too. It takes a while to build up your cardio and strength endurance. I'm almost 46 and my youngest child will be 4 in two days. I was unable to exercise while pregnant and gained 20 extra pregnancy pounds. I'm currently at my pre-pregnancy weight and in three weeks I'll be running my 2nd of the two marathons I trained for since she was born! You can do it!
 
Thanks so much for your reply. I think consistency does play a huge part. Which is hard with a newborn, though now that he is 1 is getting easier. Do you think I should focus on cardio, or strength in one body part at a time or try to fit it all in?
It is very motivating to me that you were able to run 2 marathons after having a baby. Thanks!
 
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