No time for workouts. I just breastfeed and change diapers

[wendybdh]

I tried working out but a few times but everytime I start a workout my DD starts to cry and needs my attention. Other times, I am just so tired that I get nothing done around the house besides feed DD and change diapers.

Also, if I cut back on eating, my milk supply suffers and both of us are miserable.

I feel like I will never get back in shape and I have 20-25 pounds to lose.

 

[kristan]

I think you're setting your standards too high. Start small- put Brooke in the stroller and try to walk a mile or two a day--it'll do you both good to get out of the house. If you have time, try to get in 15 minutes of weight training. Has your doctor cleared you to be exercising at all?

Once Brooke has a more predictable routine, you'll be able to work out longer/harder. If I remember her birthdate correctly, she couldn't be more than a month old. That's really early to be thinking about workouts.

It's frustrating, but gets better.

Kristan, due with #3 on 11-1

 

[robin4health]

Hey Wendy. I agree with Kristan. Give yourself some time. My doctor did not clear me to start exercising until she was 5 weeks old, and still I had to take it REALLY slow. Your body is in MAJOR adjustment mode right now. You are running on low sleep, and your hormones are running wild. Take it very slowly. Start out with walks in the stroller with her. Then work your way up from there. I still have problems fitting in my workouts with Ella and she is 14 months old now! I have to work out when she goes to bed at night (7:30 pm). If I try to workout during the day, it is a guarantee that she will wake up early. It always seems to happen!

Be patient with yourself, the weight will come off sooner or later.

 

[Michele S]

Hi Wendy!

With both of my kids, I wasn't able to get to a regular workout routine until they were about a year old. I would just get in whatever I could, somedays a full workout and somedays I couldn't get a thing done!

Don't beat yourself up too much! Enjoy the time with your new baby...they grow up very quickly!!!

Michele
due with #3 - 5/6/06

 

[Fit_mommy]

RE: No time for workouts. I just breastfeed and change ...

Wendy,

I agree with everyone else...my doc didn't clear me for anything but walking until my 5-6 week post partum check up! I took advantage of the fact that walking was okay when Joey hit about 2 weeks old. I have been taking him for walks ever since just b/c it's such a nice thing to do.

Even if your doc cleared you for more vigorous exercise sooner, don't be too hard on yourself...no doubt you are exhausted and extremely busy! I remember the first few weeks after Joey was born! I don't know if I could have mustered the energy for a real work out even if I was told it was okay!!!

I must admit though that I DID "cheat" as I started doing super light step at 4 weeks p/p. }(

You'll get there!

 

[shopaholic]

RE: No time for workouts. I just breastfeed and change ...

My dd was also a sept. baby. I walked with her the first few weeks at about week 3 started doing buns of steel postpartum workout, it was short. I resumed my heavy workouts at 6 weeks by putting dd in the swing. I often had to stop to nurse or change her and other times let her cry for a few minutes. Despite my starts and stops, I did resume preprego shape.

Due May 29 with #2.

 

[tvan_horn]

Kudos to you Wendy for even trying to workout!!! The other ladies are right though, it is probably too early to be placing such expectations on yourself!

My son was 9 months old before I could actually get back into the swing of things. Life was just one huge adjustment and my energy was consumed with just getting through the day!

When my son was about 4 weeks I started putting him in a Snuggli front carrier and I would put in a Cathe tape and just step off and on the step (4 inch) -- no actual movements. It ususally put Cody to sleep and I felt like I was accomplishing something! Just a thought, if you need a Cathe fix and can't just sit there and watch a tape. This worked great because my son was colicky and the motion would combat his crying.

Best Wishes,

Tina

 

[emy]

I can offer you my sympathy and I can totally relate! Remember, that all new moms have a hard time getting anything done, let alone workouts. I have to remind myself (and my husband) this all the time. Sometimes he comes home and asks me what I have done all day. If only he knew!

Yes, the extra weight is frustrating too. For me, I have refused to go and buy a new wardrobe. So, you know what, I wear the same few things that fit practically every day. Wanting to wear my cute clothes of my previous size keeps me motivated to get in some form of calorie burning during the day (and breast feeding is calorie burning too).

Just know that you are not alone!

 

[purple_magada]

Wendy I know exactly ho you are feeling. I tried to workout yesterday - and wouldn't ya know, Gannon wakes right up. I too have about 20-25lbs to lose and I'm determined to do it.

Just try to start off slow - like someone else said, maybe just walking a mile or so at first.

I wanted to let you know that you are definately not alone - we're all going through the same thing.

 

[howzitbn]

Hi Wendy,

I felt the same way when my son was born. I felt like all I did those first couple of months was breastfeed and breastfeed and breastfeed and eat and eat and eat.... I started exercising (post c-section) 5 1/2 weeks postpartum doing CTX cardios only (loved them because they're short) and then slowly built from there.

My son is now a year old (also a Sept baby), and some weeks I've got it going on and some I don't. I keep an exercise log and there are plenty of weeks where I only worked out 2-3 times because I needed the rest. It's slowly flipped and now I manage to get in 5-6 a week. I try to get workouts in when he's napping or after he goes to bed. It's still tough to find the motivation some days, but I know that missing a workout on those days is by my choice and not because I didn't have the opportunity. x(



Keep up the workouts when you can, but listen to your body & enjoy your daughter. I had no idea how fast a year can go until I had my son.

~Tana

 

[wendybdh]

Thank you all for the great advice and support. I was really starting to get down on myself for not being able to hop right back into my pre-pregnancy workouts since I feel fine now.

My doctor told me the day after delivery that I should wait about 2 weeks and listen to my body(Brooke is 3 weeks tomorrow). She and I took a short walk today and I did the Timesaver premix from Muscle Max-with light weights. It felt good just to be doing something.

And thanks for giving me a reality check that it's not like I'm sitting around doing nothing-I'm taking care of a little one who ist totally dependent on me. Besides, my body has been through major changes lately-I definitely needed to be reminded of that.

Thanks for making me feel so much better. You all are wonderful.

My sincere thanks,

 

[shellnc]

Hi,

I had my son on September 17th. I can't wait to start exercising, but I have to wait 6 weeks since I had a repeat c-section. This is my second time around and from my past experience this is what I'm going to do.....I have several 10-15 minute ab workouts, arm workouts and leg workouts (Tamilee I Want series and several others...you can add weights to them). This was all I had time for with DS1, so I'm assuming it'll be the same way this time. I tried to do 2 a day....but sometimes well many times it was broken up. I just had to push stop and start as the baby needed me/slept. But, the good news is that it did help get me back into shape. Walking with baby is also great. I'm not sure that I can do that this time around with a toddler as well.

Take Care!