Hello! I'm looking for some suggestions on how I might lose the baby weight...

Currently these are my stats: I am 31 years old, 5'1" and weigh 122 lbs (BMI: 23). My exercise "routine" (if you want to call it that) is limited to exercise videos and stroller walks, as I am home-bound with a special needs baby.

My eating goal is to try to eat < 1250/day, but I have been failing miserably, as you can see from my log in the link below. I end up eating 1500-2000/day and am not losing any weight (go figure ).

My exercise goal is 30 min, 5x/week, but I'm falling short there as well (I make up excuses).

My weight goal is to get down to my pre-baby weight of 107 lbs by May 1st... this would require a 1.5 lb/week loss.

I do not have any medical problems or injuries

I am at a bit of a loss... I'd always been a smaller person, so I'm not at all comfortable at this new, 15 lb heavier weight, and I'm not sure how to get it off. Any suggestions you have would be greatly greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Try meeting your exercise goal by making someone dependant on you.

Ex - You and a friend make plans to exercise at this time and you provide the ride to the gym. That always helps me, because if I let myself down no big deal, but when it's someone else it hits harder.

Stop buying marshmellows! haha

Thanks, nolabone! Your post cracked me up (the marshmallow part ) Actually, one of my goals is also to be able to live peacefully in a home that contains junk food. Although things are going relatively and surprisingly well on this front, chocolate marshmallow casualties do, unfortunately occur

I wish I could meet a friend at the gym, but unfortunately I'm stuck at home all day (baby who can't be out of the house or exposed to any germs due to fragile immune system) and hubbie works crazy hours and often does not get home until after the gym is closed Makes things pretty challenging, to say the least!

Do any of you have any good at-home exercise, eating plan or calories/day suggestions? Any good books or resource suggestions?

Hi Anna! The best advice I would have for you would be to write your goals down everywhere you can see them. That way you are reminded about what you have to do constantly and you will feel guilty if you don't do them.

Also, tell people your goals. If you tell your friend you're going to lose 15lbs by May 1st you'll be more apt to do so as you don't want to look foolish.

Success lies in what you do and how you think. Look at exercise and eating right positively. Make it so you are anxious to do some exercise. I guarentee you that if you look at exercise positively you will do it, do more of it, and lose weight fast. More importantly you will lose inches and shape your body. I don't really like the scale. I do like exercising and then seeing my body get shaped...it feels great when you see results.

I hope this helped.

Matt

I would look into purchasing some used equipment. Investing in something like adjustable dumbells will work wonders. They take up little space, and the weight is adjustable so they grow with you. Check out ebay or craigslist.org
Can you run with stroller, or jog rather? Walking is good to start out, but eventually its not be gonna such a good weight loss tool.

Dont try to eat less than 1250. Do you want to eat that way for the rest of your life? Probably not. An easy way to determine your daily calories is to multiply your weight X 15. 122*15=1830. Reduce that by 15-20% and you're at 1555-1464, much easier and comfortable range. So aim for 1450-1600 each day, and you should see weight loss.

So start out with 3x per week. Take the baby for a walk 3 days per week. Its also a good way to get out of the house. Do you live close to family? Maybe they can watch your child for a specified period of time for you to exercise.

Here are a couple of resources to get you started:
John Berardi - 7 Habits
John Berardi - Berardi's Kitchen, Part I ~ This one applies to your idea of living in a house with junkfood.
Mohr Results, Weight Loss, Nutrition, and Exercise Experts :: Make 2007 YOUR Year - Achieve your Weight Loss Goals

Tony and Matt,

Thank you so much for your very helpful suggestions and tips! Matt, you are so right that keeping focused/vigilant and keeping positive are key. I need to remember that, and I like your suggestions in that regard. Thank you!

And Tony, thanks so much for the info as well. All the other sites I'd looked at said my calories should be <1250, but that just isn't working out, and I think that's been getting me down. The calorie range you suggested sounds much more manageable. Also, thanks for the great links!

I'm so glad I posted on this forum!

You're welcome and if there are any further questions, then please ask.