i am 22 years old, and i have a 3 and a half year old son, and a 6 week old daughter. i have always hated my weight, even though i wasn't technically overweight. i am 5"3" and used to weigh 130 lbs. i thought i was fat. after 2 kids, i'm at 170. i can't stand it! so my goal is to get down to 130 again. i am looking for support, tips, etc. what i am doing right now is eating between 1000 and 1400 calories a day(i try for 1200), and doing dance dance revolution every night. i burn about 400 cals doing that. and i try to walk when it isn't freezing out. i also drink a lot of water, and have been making a hobby of making healthy low cal dinners. i use slim fast for breakfast and lunh usually. i don't kow if i am losing yet, i just started this 6 days ago, so i haven't weighed in yet. i really need a friend or two to support me while i do this, people who have the same sort of goals.

Hello Havaer- welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have a lot of the same goals as I do. I am 28 and have a 31/2 yr old son and a 4 month old daughter. I am just under 5'3" and I currently weigh about 157. When I started cutting down I was 159. I too am wanting to reach around 130 (I won't complain if I lose more). I just recently started getting serious about losing after I came home from vacation-about 10 to 14 days ago. I try to stick between 1400 and 1500 calories a day since I am still nursing. I also drink lots of water and have started back to doing my cardio and lifting some weights. Try your best to stay above 1200 calories a day or you can go into starvation mode as well as put your body at risk for a host of other problems. Also, if you consume a lot of protein in your diet it will help keep you satisfied. Other than that I'd say you are well on your way to reaching your goals. Try the diary section. It helps to write down what you've ate during the day and you can also vent your frustrations. Plus you can learn a lot from everyone else. Sorry for the length-I tend to be very wordy.

Hi to ya both and welcome! Another along the same lines
5'4"
Goal 130
Current : 158

Only difference, I don't have children. I have started a diary, and agree that it is really helping me out! I have been counting calories and exercising more. I feel that it is keeping me accountable to myself!

Hit up the Club Challenge section too! I think there are some great challenges going on for the month of February!

Welcome!! you should find all the support you are looking for here!

Hi,
Just joined and will be checking in every week or so for support, hints and tips!
I recently decided to get back into shape after seeing some less than flattering photos of myself at a friend's wedding. Urgh!
So, from a start weight of 242, I am now at 232 and aiming for 160. I'm 5'9" so luckily (and unluckily) for me I carry weight well - this makes it easy to hide though!
Good luck to everyone, and keep at it!
Rachy

P.s. Apologies if this ticker comes out wrong - never tried it before!

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thanks guys! i have to admit it's hard for me to eat 1200 a day, i always eat less. once i start a regimen like this, i feel bad when i eat anything, and deprive myself. then i end up binging. i feel really guilty because last night i skipped my workout because of a headcahe, then i ate 4 pretzels. today i feel like i had a huge setback. it's like i can't try to take control of my diet, i go too far. i get too excited. and scared that it won't work. and since i always end up making a regimen i can't live with, it never sticks, and i never lose the weight. any tips on this? cam anyone relate?

Have some healthy snacks throughout the day to help keep you full. That will prevent you from overeating during the "main meals" of the day. Drinking lots of water is a great idea. Keep yourself focused on reasonable short term goals or you will be unhealthy. You don't want to start burning muscle -- only fat.

Eat more, smaller meals (maybe a yogurt or piece of fruit). See if that helps keep you more full.

Hmm, I don't know where to start. I guess first off is you NEED to talk to a doctor about your diet for one main reason: nursing your daughter. I heavily suggest avoiding meal replacement bars and shakes that are used on a daily basis, they aren't a long term substitute for real food and a balanced nutritious diet.

As far as exercise, since I'm assuming you don't have much time to go to the gym while you're attending a new born child and a toddler, I'm going to suggest you buy a small set of dumbells, ankle weights, and a jump rope. When you diet, your body breaks down fat as well as muscle, even small amounts of weight training will help preserve muscle tissue, and building muscle tissue will increase your metabolism as well. You could also get some aerobic dvd's, tai bo, etc. just so you don't get too bored with your routine. I'd also imagine a good and proper stretching routine would help keep you after child birth.

I'm a guy so I'm not familiar with the biological workings and strategies to lose weight after pregnancy, so again I stress talking to your doctor about it.