I have 5 kids and need to lose weight

[Anonymous]

You have to get more and better sleep, without that you can’t have the willpower to make good nutrition choices. So however you can’t get enough sleep as a lifestyle change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, everyone! I appreciate the recommendations. I do indeed know what to do, just find self-control and motivation really difficult at this stage in life. I’ve never needed to lose this much weight. I only needed to lose 15-20 before and it seemed more feasible. I’m sort of posting as a first step - “public” acknowledgement that I need to make better decisions. Stop eating mountains of chips and sweets. And the reason I think I need to kick Diet Coke is because I feel bad about drinking in, then feel bad about myself and make worse food decisions.

I live in a ridiculously hot area and it’s just starting to get in the 80s so I will be able to go on walks soon, but I do think it’s 95% diet. But walks make me feel better about myself and then I make better good decisions.

Unless it’s Death Valley - which is for sure where you don’t live - it’s never too hot to simply do some walking. You aren’t 90 years old here. If you can’t handle WALKING in heat above “the 80s” you are in for a long road.

I'm sorry you've never been outside before, PP.

Evidently, you need to seek a little discomfort like the OP.

I stand by what I said. There are virtually no temperatures that prohibit WALKING. OP is 40 years old. Women her age go out of their way to RUN in temperatures in the 80s and 90s because they expect to be racing in those temperatures. Three weeks from now there will be plenty of them at Ironman Florida, where the run temperatures can easily be extremely hot. A majority of them will have HAD (as in not currently carrying) multiple children.

If OP is unwilling to WALK because she "live[s] in a ridiculously hot area and it’s just starting to get in the 80s so I will be able to go on walks soon" - that's a very clear indication of the commitment level here and demonstrates how she got herself in this situation in the first place. That attitude is even more applicable to her diet, which is 99% of this anyways.

Omg. Go away. You clearly don’t have any helpful comments.

DP - OP has already said twice that she responds well to swift kicks. Not everyone responds like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Diet Coke habit is NOT absolutely fine, it should be the one thing you focus on changing right now. You’d be better off developing a habit of drinking coffee or green tea, preferably sweetened with nothing other than honey.

ALL artificial sweeteners are dysbiotic meaning they disrupt gut biome and can lead to metabolic disorder. Additionally many are now linked to other health issues and there is substantial evidence that diet sodas drive weight gain because the brain expects calories when it tastes the sweet and seeks other calories when there are none from the soda.

Green tea and coffee are both metabolic boosters. Ditch the soda and develop the healthier habit. One step at a time, start there. And lift some weights every day to get some muscle mass back it will help burn the fat.

I gave up my 1 coke zero a day about a year ago. Nothing changed for me. Maybe I am invisibly healthier but it did not show up on the scale or any of my numbers. Shrug..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Diet Coke habit is NOT absolutely fine, it should be the one thing you focus on changing right now. You’d be better off developing a habit of drinking coffee or green tea, preferably sweetened with nothing other than honey.

ALL artificial sweeteners are dysbiotic meaning they disrupt gut biome and can lead to metabolic disorder. Additionally many are now linked to other health issues and there is substantial evidence that diet sodas drive weight gain because the brain expects calories when it tastes the sweet and seeks other calories when there are none from the soda.

Green tea and coffee are both metabolic boosters. Ditch the soda and develop the healthier habit. One step at a time, start there. And lift some weights every day to get some muscle mass back it will help burn the fat.

I gave up my 1 coke zero a day about a year ago. Nothing changed for me. Maybe I am invisibly healthier but it did not show up on the scale or any of my numbers. Shrug..

Yeah, I'm not convinced about the Diet Coke issue. I'm in pretty good shape, and you can pry the DC from my cold dead fingers. If this is my only health vice, I think I'm doing OK. OP, I think focus on everything else first, and if you really want to try to detox from DC, do it after you are firmly enmeshed in a healthy eating/exercise routine. (Just use a straw, because the acid isn't great for your teeth).

OP, do you have any home workout equipment? I really love my gym-quality home treadmill, and find it so peaceful to watch a movie while running on it, or listening to music. The advantage of having it at home is that I can run in my underwear, or whatever. I also have a rower and an elliptical, though I like the treadmill best. I personally haven't ever felt good after lifting weights, but I feel great after cardio, so that's what I do. I think finding the type of workout you will stick with is the most important thing, so don't fall into the trap of thinking that "lifting heavy" is the only effective workout. If you like weights, great. But swimming or cardio, or a plethora of other things, are also equally good if you enjoy it enough to do it consistently.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think Diet Coke is an issue, it’s calories. I just lost 20 lbs and drink plenty of Diet Coke.

[Anonymous]

OP, you sound like me about 12 years ago. Overweight, post-partum, and "heavy" after being thin all my life, even through the first pregnancy. The good, and bad, news is that you have to clean up your diet. Otherwise there is no way you will be able to exercise enough to make the difference at this point in your life. But you can start with small changes, and honestly I would start with what you eat first and worry about reducing calories second. Once I got a handle on what I was eating (fewer carbs, way less sugar, more fruit, veggies, and lean meat) eating less was not that difficult because I had normal hunger cues again. Also, I stopped drinking way too many calories (not alcohol even) and eating too late at night.

AS for exercise, walking is great but what you really need is something you can do now, maybe even at home with your kids around. Like what about some yoga videos and everyone can try to do it together? Make it part of your homeschool day. I recently found this woman on youtube and really like her. The workouts are short and she does lots of variations. It's not one of those workouts where you already have to be in great shape to do it. You just need a mat and maybe some free weights to start, though it can all be body weight, too.

https://www.youtube.com/@strengthandbloom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you sound like me about 12 years ago. Overweight, post-partum, and "heavy" after being thin all my life, even through the first pregnancy. The good, and bad, news is that you have to clean up your diet. Otherwise there is no way you will be able to exercise enough to make the difference at this point in your life. But you can start with small changes, and honestly I would start with what you eat first and worry about reducing calories second. Once I got a handle on what I was eating (fewer carbs, way less sugar, more fruit, veggies, and lean meat) eating less was not that difficult because I had normal hunger cues again. Also, I stopped drinking way too many calories (not alcohol even) and eating too late at night.

AS for exercise, walking is great but what you really need is something you can do now, maybe even at home with your kids around. Like what about some yoga videos and everyone can try to do it together? Make it part of your homeschool day. I recently found this woman on youtube and really like her. The workouts are short and she does lots of variations. It's not one of those workouts where you already have to be in great shape to do it. You just need a mat and maybe some free weights to start, though it can all be body weight, too.

https://www.youtube.com/@strengthandbloom

Oh, and I should say although she does have some kids' fitness videos, I have only used her adult ones. But there are a zillion kids yoga/fitness on Youtube if you need to do this with your kids.

[Anonymous]

Mama you have 5 kids including a baby! Be kind to yourself! Do take care of yourself but do NOT spend a single second feeling bad.

A quick story. My mom (6 kids) was always upset about her weight as if it was really bad. But I looked at an old photo of her and she was barely over weight - like 10lb over just like you. She passed away before she ever even turned 40. I wish she could take back every minute she spent on weird 80s diets and go have lunch with a friend or play with the baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, everyone! I appreciate the recommendations. I do indeed know what to do, just find self-control and motivation really difficult at this stage in life. I’ve never needed to lose this much weight. I only needed to lose 15-20 before and it seemed more feasible. I’m sort of posting as a first step - “public” acknowledgement that I need to make better decisions. Stop eating mountains of chips and sweets. And the reason I think I need to kick Diet Coke is because I feel bad about drinking in, then feel bad about myself and make worse food decisions.

I live in a ridiculously hot area and it’s just starting to get in the 80s so I will be able to go on walks soon, but I do think it’s 95% diet. But walks make me feel better about myself and then I make better good decisions.

You’re only 10lb over weight per BMI scales so just work on that and overall fitness. Dieting when you are in a healthy BMI range just isn’t a good idea. Use that mental energy to focus on eating well and exercising.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I’ve been reading the comments and appreciate the encouragement. I made healthy food choices yesterday! Proud of myself. I did drink Diet Coke yesterday but don’t have any more in my house and vow not to have any today. A small baby step. And yes, I know it’s not going to make me lose weight, but as I said, when I drink it I feel terrible about myself because I know it’s a vice, and then I just keep going with other food vices.

I’m not prone to eating the food my kids don’t finish. I really just way overindulge on carby snacks and sweets. One of the issues is I don’t eat a real breakfast because I hate mornings. I need to get my act together on that front.

Our forecast is fantastic this week so I plan on taking the kids on walks.

I’m dreaming of reporting back in a few months that I’ve lost ~5-10 pounds of real weight. My big goal would be losing 10 pounds by the end of this year, but historically I don’t lose weight while breastfeeding. But at the very least I can’t keep gaining weight. None of my fat clothes even fit!

[Anonymous]

And no need to come back here and tell me 10 pounds is unrealistic. I know it is. 😐

[Anonymous]

It’s probably 75% nutrition and 25% lifestyle.

For increasing activity - have you tried cosmic yoga (YouTube) with your kids? If not - it’s fun for them and gets you moving too. Think about ways you can make movement into a game - a race to pick up the family room, relay races to bring laundry to the laundry room. You don’t have to walk outside - walking or jogging in place works too.

For nutrition - you may need to try a few things to see what works best for you while BFing, but consider simply increasing your fiber and protein intake for now and not worrying so much about the amount of carbs you’re having. You should also reduce if not eliminate refined sugar. I am a former DC addict and gave it up after it messed up my teeth — maybe just try cutting back for now.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to even try a semaglutide in your situation. Side effects aren’t uncommon and you can’t really afford the downtime.

[Anonymous]

Ozempic

[Anonymous]

OP, be kind to yourself. Losing weight when you are still nursing is very difficult. Poor sleep with a baby and multiple kids makes it even harder. I never lost the last of the baby weight with any of my kids until I fully weaned. Honestly, I didn't really physically feel fully "like myself", until my youngest was in elementary school. Even then, between full-time work, occasional nights awake with a sick kid, the typical evening family scramble... the energy and time to devote to my own well-being was slim. For now, do what you can. Up your protein and reduce your carbs. Eat whole foods. Eliminate junk foods. Go for stroller walks with the little ones when the older ones are in school or day care. Once the youngest is a bit older and you feel like you have more energy, focus on gaining muscle - quick barbell workouts (relatively heavy) can do wonders for your strength and long-term health.

Above all - give yourself some grace!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Diet Coke habit is NOT absolutely fine, it should be the one thing you focus on changing right now. You’d be better off developing a habit of drinking coffee or green tea, preferably sweetened with nothing other than honey.

ALL artificial sweeteners are dysbiotic meaning they disrupt gut biome and can lead to metabolic disorder. Additionally many are now linked to other health issues and there is substantial evidence that diet sodas drive weight gain because the brain expects calories when it tastes the sweet and seeks other calories when there are none from the soda.

Green tea and coffee are both metabolic boosters. Ditch the soda and develop the healthier habit. One step at a time, start there. And lift some weights every day to get some muscle mass back it will help burn the fat.

I gave up my 1 coke zero a day about a year ago. Nothing changed for me. Maybe I am invisibly healthier but it did not show up on the scale or any of my numbers. Shrug..

Diet Coke doesn’t have effect on your weight, but it absolutely does on your teeth and bone health. Trust me, if you exchange Diet Coke for water and green tea, you absolutely will be healthier for it, regardless of the scale.