Help me jumpstart in a realistic way - major SOS

[Anonymous]

Okay guys, I feel like I truly hit rock bottom. I'm a mom of two under two and literally exhausted (pregnancy two was failed birth control, but we love her). The common cold, which I get often from daycare germs, knocks me out for a day with body aches. I'm in the middle of one now. I think my immune system is just gone -- too much coffee (like 8-10 cups a day), negligible amounts of water, no consistent exercise, interrupted sleep (baby 2 still waking up 1-2 times to eat at night though I'm working on that ASAP), horrible diet (husband has a natural 6 pack so he wants ice cream, chips and Thai take out all the time and I give in and eat with him). I'm a good 40lbs overweight. My neck is chronically sore from likely horrible posture at work and while feeding baby. Overall, I often just feel like my body has been hit by a truck after the kids go to bed and I can't live my life with that feeling anymore.

Big picture, I know for me that eating healthy and exercise are the foundation of being healthy. I've done it before and been a triathlete and super healthy eater. But as a mom, I've never been healthy and I realized today that if I continue on this path, I'll have heart issues and diabetes in a minute and just be a poor role model of health for my kids. And I do not want that.

So, would love your ideas for realistic ways to better incorporate exercise, healthy eating, vitamins/supplments that would help me given my lifestyle right now, mottos or approaches that maybe have helped you when you felt like you had no time, you were exhausted, but know you needed a change.

I feel like I'm at rock bottom, I'm ready to make the change, and would love any tips, strategies and recommendations you have. Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

This is a season in your life. What could help you get through it? Could you get healthy food delivered so you don't have to go to the grocery store and be tempted? You can get frozen or pre-cut vegetables and simple fruits that don't need a lot of preparation. Even a lean cuisine is healthier than takeout and chips. Can you get a better desk chair or a foot rest or other things to make your work posture better, or see a chiropractor for a few sessions (I have one I liked in downtown DC if you work there). Could you hire a sitter or swap with a friend for some childcare so you can nap?

Maybe alternate a cup of water and a cup of coffee throughout the day? Or make a habit of drinking water before you eat. There are some nice insulated water bottles with built in straws or other closures that are easy with one hand. I also make iced tea every couple days (just get a big jar or something, put a teabag in it, fill with boiling water, let it cool, take the bag out, and stick it in the fridge). No sweetener and no caffeine if you do herbal tea.

When you are done eating a meal, make a habit of brushing your teeth or using mouthwash so you don't keep snacking.

Now that it stays light later, could you work a daily post-dinner, pre-bedtime walk with the kids in a double stroller into your routine? Even 20-30 minutes of outdoor time and movement could be useful.

And what exercise do you like to do? Could you pick a weekly yoga class or personal training session or jogging route and commit to going with a friend? Could you do a simple lunch (Amy's frozen burrito or a can of soup, some pre-washed salad greens with cherry tomatoes and balsamic vinegar and maybe some tuna or beans or a hardboiled egg, and a piece of fruit) at your desk and use part of your lunchtime for a walk around the block and some stretching?

Things are going to get easier for you in a few years. But for now look for shortcuts to get healthy meals and

[Anonymous]

^sorry that should have said healthy meals, sleep, and some sort of exercise. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

You need your DH's help and support on this. He can order whatever takeout he wants at lunch, but at home he needs to be on board with healthy meals and doing his part to help make that happen (however the two of you divide child care/food prep/grocery shopping/etc. so that one of you has time and energy to plan and cook healthy meals).

I wouldn't want my DH counting my calories, just helping to make it possible for me to do that.

[Anonymous]

I had two under two. You are in a HARD stage, girl. Take it easy on yourself. Right now you're in survival mode. Keep in mind, it gets SO much easier every year. Mine are 5 and 7 now.

I'd start by making little changes. Cut back on the coffee. Drink coffee in the morning, have a cup of black tea in the afternoon (will still give you a boost but doesn't have as much caffeine as coffee so won't keep you up all night). Make sure you drink a lot of water. Have a cup of chamomile tea an hour before bed.

Get meal delivery - try Territory meals. I've heard they are good and they are healthy. Probably cheaper than takeout in the long run. Plus, one less thing for you to have to do! (no cooking and no cleanup!)

Get out for a walk with the kids. Just put them in the stroller and walk. Or, walk on your lunch break.

Try to go to bed at a consistent time each night.

And again, be kind to yourself. You're in the thick of it right now. It will pass!

[Anonymous]

Hi OP. I'm RIGHT HERE with you. Here is what helped me:

~I did a round of whole30. It's meant to be a challenge, not a sustainable diet. It's excellent for jump starting clean eating. You do not have to count calories so you won't be hungry. You can eat as much as you want as long as it's within the guidelines. Get your husband on board. Tell him your health is at risk. It's only 30 days. It's a challenge, but a good one. And there are so many resources for it.

~I started going to the gym at 6am. Find a workout that works for YOU. My therapist looked at me square in the face and said "you need to be exercising." More than anyone else, that scared me into working out! I felt better almost immediately. Exercise gives you endorphins! Endorphins make you happy! It also gave me a lot of energy.

~I drink between 80-100 ounces of water a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay guys, I feel like I truly hit rock bottom. I'm a mom of two under two and literally exhausted (pregnancy two was failed birth control, but we love her). The common cold, which I get often from daycare germs, knocks me out for a day with body aches. I'm in the middle of one now. I think my immune system is just gone -- too much coffee (like 8-10 cups a day), negligible amounts of water, no consistent exercise, interrupted sleep (baby 2 still waking up 1-2 times to eat at night though I'm working on that ASAP), horrible diet (husband has a natural 6 pack so he wants ice cream, chips and Thai take out all the time and I give in and eat with him). I'm a good 40lbs overweight. My neck is chronically sore from likely horrible posture at work and while feeding baby. Overall, I often just feel like my body has been hit by a truck after the kids go to bed and I can't live my life with that feeling anymore.

Big picture, I know for me that eating healthy and exercise are the foundation of being healthy. I've done it before and been a triathlete and super healthy eater. But as a mom, I've never been healthy and I realized today that if I continue on this path, I'll have heart issues and diabetes in a minute and just be a poor role model of health for my kids. And I do not want that.

So, would love your ideas for realistic ways to better incorporate exercise, healthy eating, vitamins/supplments that would help me given my lifestyle right now, mottos or approaches that maybe have helped you when you felt like you had no time, you were exhausted, but know you needed a change.

I feel like I'm at rock bottom, I'm ready to make the change, and would love any tips, strategies and recommendations you have. Thank you!! \

OP, I hear you. Lots of moms feel like this and I was like this too 2 months ago. Do you have extra money to throw at the problem?

I tried exercising a lot at first, but I did NOT see results. As they say, Abs are made in the kitchen. I reassessed my plan and decided to do the Ideal Protein diet instead.

I was at starting weight 137 and I'm down to 120 now. I'm 5'2 and petite, so 137 was a lot for me. Pre-babies I was 108-115 at most. You could also just do a keto diet, but Ideal Protein gives you fast results. You do have to change your lifestyle and meals going forward though. You can't go back to eating large meals and crap. I do plan to do Kayla Itsines BBG workouts to tone up too!

OP, you can do it!

[Anonymous]

I hear ya ... I was in the same boat with 2 under 2 and needing to lose the baby weight. I gained 60lbs and 55lbs respectively with my two babies within 19 months of each other. It was hell on my body.

I started running at 6 weeks pp and have kept at it. Most of the weight has come off but I definitely still have 5ish pounds to lose and my baby is 18 months old.

I would suggest that you lower the caffeine and increase the amount of water you are drinking.

DH and I just started to cut carbs at dinner time since we eat so late and that has definitely helped. I eat carbs for lunch but for dinner we eat a protein and two veggies or a protein, veggies and fruit.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I second the Whole30 suggestion. It helps you rid your body of sugars, toxins, processed crap and makes you much more food aware. You can do anything for 30 days. That’s what I told myself over and over. Please drink water!

[Anonymous]

I am you, almost. My kids are 4 and 18mo and my younger one doesn’t sleep. I was basically eating to stay awake after 3pm when all the coffee would make my stomach hurt.

I am working with a dietitian (Misfit Nutrition) and she has coached me to try different things and made suggestions and tweaks as we go. I’m down 7lb in 4 weeks and what works for me is fasting before 1pm on Tues and Thurs, avoiding added sugar, focusing on carbs from whole grains and legumes and giving up my beloved Diet Coke. I feel fantastic and I also feel like it’s sustainable for the year it’s going to take me to lose 40lbs.

[Anonymous]

Other things helping besides the coaching / accountability of an online dietitian, we’re doing Fresh 20 for meal planning. I don’t follow their current week. We use the archives to find weeks we like. Also I do MommaStrong workouts - $2/month and 15 min a day. We use Harris Teeter Fastlane so I don’t impulse buy junk food and also don’t have have to get the kids out of the car. So I basically live my life online - but that’s how I am getting through this season.

[Anonymous]

I'm with you to OP, lots of us are so try not to get too down on yourself. We are doing a really tough job raising little people and some little people require more hands on time than others, so maybe yours fall in that category like mine do? I tried Whole 30 and although awesome it required a ton of time to prep so wasn't really sustainable. Based on DCUM, I've slowly ramped up intermittent fasting from 16:8 to 5:2. I feel better and it's the easiest thing because it requires literally no planning and no extra steps. On my fast days I treat myself to yummy seltzer flavors or iced tea or some other drinks I don't usually have (usually I'm just a water or coffee gal). I don't know about fasting while BF-ing but maybe just shortening your eating window will help limit some calories? I'd also see about getting DH on board. My DH is the same way, although he can't eat as much as he *thinks* he can and he is gaining weight. It's hard to resist when he's crunching right next to me! Good luck and kudos to you for just getting through this period. Sometimes survival mode lasts for awhile...

[Anonymous]

There are lots of good ideas here. From experience myself, if I’m not sleeping thru the night in not getting up early to workout, but if you can that’s great. Maybe you can find some other moms to walk with in the morning or night? I sometimes put my son in a stroller if he’s up early and just walk - he’s 4 but it’s nice for him and me first thing in the morning.

I echo making it easy on yourself to eat healthy and asking your husband to help out with the temptation. I love the suggestions for alternating coffee and water too. Good luck and keep us posted!