I'm a mom

[Saucy9904]

Kind of obsessed with trying to get my old body back. Obviously that isnt going to happen...at least I don't think it's possible unless I get a tummy tuck done. Anyway, I work out 5 times a week, I eat healthy the majority of the time but I still have really bad cravings for crappy junk food. My work enviroment is full of overweight women who eat and eat and eat really bad foods. Anyone have any suggestions as to how I can make my cravings go away so I won't give into all this bad food that sorrounds me?

and any training suggestions on how to lose more fat? I do cardio every day, I lift, and I eat well. I'm not at all fat, I'm actually skinnier than I was before having my kiddie. I do love my body other than my stomach. Ideas, anyone, on how to get a tighter tummy?

Muchas gracia

 

[curgeo]

If it is just loose skin, then you might want to consider talking to a doctor about plastic surgery. If it is just muscle tone, then direct ab work would be in order.

A lot of times people crave junk food is because the blood sugar gets a little low. Consider eating a teaspoon of natural peanut butter or taking in some time of protein when you get your cravings. Synephrine in the anafit store has also been shown to reduce sugar cravings.

As for your work environment, I sympathize. I myself work with a lot of unhealthy people who drink and do drugs on their breaks. My key is to always bring my lunch with me. I have a big 'ole cooler that I pack and I make sure I have enough to eat throughout the day. I even make allowances for snacks (when I diet...which was years ago..LOL) such as celery with PB on it. Believe me, it does help the cravings.

Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[que_66]

Welcome to EF!!

Start with some of the stickies at the top of the forums, they have some great links and information from women who have or have had the same issue(s).

 

[Saucy9904]

Thanks. I'm considering plastic surgery but all I can think about is if I have another kid...is it worth it? I didn't want to fall into the plastic surgery craze but I know my potential and I'm having a hard time reaching it with workouts and good eating.

 

[Sassy69]

Hey saucy! Welcome to EF & congrats on Mommy-hood! If you are planning to have more kids, definitely stay focused on that goal over the remaining post-baby fat. There are PLENTY of moms who have managed well w/o surgery - at least to the point of everythign but surgery.

To help you better - I'd like to point you to the couple of stickies at the top of the board as a place to start:

Are you new to EF LAdies Board - START HERE!

TOP THREADS - MUST READ!

Then if you can give us a detailed outline of what you are currently eating, portion size, when you eat, and your specific training schedule, we can probably give you a lot of little tweaks to at least keep you moving towards your goals. Often "I eat clean & train alot" doesn't really give you the optimized way to acheive your goals and you sort of fall into a rut. The best way is to look at what you are doing and look for ways to change it before looking to the extremes of surgery, etc. There are no quickie solutions, but there are plenty of steady, on-going, positive, always improving things you can do to your lifestyle to get where you are going.

And of course I think you will find a lot of the same situation among the girls here -- seems only a small subset of us are trying to live the "good" lifestyle and the rest of the world is sitting at the Taco Bell drive thru. Its tough, but it can be done. We're all there w/ ya!

If you want, take a look thru some of the girls' journals here for a look at the day-to-day stuff we all deal w/!

 

[Saucy9904]

Hey saucy! Welcome to EF & congrats on Mommy-hood! If you are planning to have more kids, definitely stay focused on that goal over the remaining post-baby fat. There are PLENTY of moms who have managed well w/o surgery - at least to the point of everythign but surgery.

To help you better - I'd like to point you to the couple of stickies at the top of the board as a place to start:

Are you new to EF LAdies Board - START HERE!

TOP THREADS - MUST READ!

Then if you can give us a detailed outline of what you are currently eating, portion size, when you eat, and your specific training schedule, we can probably give you a lot of little tweaks to at least keep you moving towards your goals. Often "I eat clean & train alot" doesn't really give you the optimized way to acheive your goals and you sort of fall into a rut. The best way is to look at what you are doing and look for ways to change it before looking to the extremes of surgery, etc. There are no quickie solutions, but there are plenty of steady, on-going, positive, always improving things you can do to your lifestyle to get where you are going.

And of course I think you will find a lot of the same situation among the girls here -- seems only a small subset of us are trying to live the "good" lifestyle and the rest of the world is sitting at the Taco Bell drive thru. Its tough, but it can be done. We're all there w/ ya!

If you want, take a look thru some of the girls' journals here for a look at the day-to-day stuff we all deal w/!

Hey look at that, our names are similar...you're sassy, I'm suacy.

Anyway, I use to measure my food but I got lazy. I was given a list of do's and donts which I followed from November until January...I lost a pant size and I was looking real good then life happened.

I guess my main problem is that I am a single mom so my time, patience and energy is limited due to having a kid. I go to the gym in the evening from 7 until 8 because of my work and daycare schedule.

MWF: I do 30 minutes of cardio...usually bike or ellipticle then I lift for the rest of the hour. Row machine 40lbs, bench press 40lbs, lunges on the smith machine 105lbs (I hear it's a crappy machine but I have a bad lower back and makes my life much easier), and leg press 175lbs....two sets of 20 on each machine

TThSat: Cardio only. Treadmill and bike or stair stepper

My food isn't measured anymore but it's pretty consistent. I use to eat oatmeal for breakfast but realized that it wasn't filling me up enough, thus being the reason for my constant snacking (I picked cheetos out of the trash for godsake!) So mornings I usually eat 2 boiled eggs and oatmeal or a wheat bagle with peanut butter and oatmeal. Lunch is usually steamed chicken or meat with vegetables. I don't eat dinner anymore because I don't feel hungry by the time I get home I usually drink a protein shake after I get home from the gym. Snacks are usually fruit, organic chips, edemame, cucumber...nothing too bad

That's my life as of now. I'm a volleyball player so I'm trying to train to keep my skills as well. I want to be faster, have a stronger arm swing, and jump higher. I would love to be a swimsuit model but beggars can't be choosers. I know I haven't reached my limit yet so I guess that's what I want. I want to reach my absolute potential...or as much as I can with my limited time.

I had a trainer at one time (she's the one that provided the list of food) and laziness is probably a huge factor for not being able to be what I can be. Volleyball is my motivation. That and trying to find a husband....kidding

 

[Saucy9904]

Oh yes...I'm 5'7'' and 135lbs and I don't know my body fat. I keep meaning to do that...

Weight loss isn't my issue. I'm trying to bulk up and gain a vertical

 

[Sassy69]

Well, hard to speak specifically to your diet, but basically it looks sorta clean, but inconsistent and probably lacking in everythign including calories. We probably have different builds, but I'm your height but I compete at 7-8% bf at 135 lb. Right now I'm around 160 lb & 18% bf. So if you want to "bulk up", first you need to eat like you want to build muscle - that means enough protein to provide the stuff to build muscle, enough good carbs to provide energy to build muscles and enough good fats to keep it all working correctly. Therefore I'd suggest working out a meal plan that provides enough of that stuff, and stick to it, regardless of whether you are hungry or not -- the point is not to fit your random eating moods but rather to fuel your body for yoru goals. And of course, spend a little time to figure out a schedule that works best for you w/ your momminess and your schedule to make sure you do get in your meals & prep time. It takes a little discipline to establish the habits -- but if spend that time up front, the rest falls into place w/ some little tweaks to fit your lifestyle, and eventually become habits. The way to achieve your goals is w/ consistency - its not sexy but it does work.

As far as gaining a vertical - I'm assuming you mean your jump and not your height? If you want height, hmmmmm. stand in some high quality manure? Otherwise, you might look at some of the more sports-oriented training like plyometrics that are intended to improve endurance, "spring", etc. These can be incorporated into your training routine and keep it more interestign as well. It sounds like you are a bit bored w/ the whole thing and pressed for time to really get a tight program together. If you can spend a little time to develop a good diet and then look at some variations to your trainign, you might find it more interesting if you can frame it as "improving your jump by 1/2 foot " or soemthign -- I know I always feel more dedicated, focused and "hardcore" if I'm trainign / dietng for a specific purpose, e.g. competition.

 

[jenscats5]

Thanks. I'm considering plastic surgery but all I can think about is if I have another kid...is it worth it? I didn't want to fall into the plastic surgery craze but I know my potential and I'm having a hard time reaching it with workouts and good eating.

Sassy covered the rest - so speaking from a plastic surgery standpoint - is it fat or just loose skin?? Or both?? You may be able to tighten up your loose skin in time - but it can take some time.....how long has it been since you had your baby?? Since you're planning on having more children you may want to hold off on the surgery since another baby can negate the surgery to some degree or you may need a redo....Also make sure your posture is good as that can affect the look of that area.....

Oh and welcome to EF & Congrats!!

 

[Gymgurl]

It takes alot of time.....just work at it....you won't fix it in a week.....they say to give yourself a year of working out to get back into prebaby shape

 

[Saucy9904]

Sassy covered the rest - so speaking from a plastic surgery standpoint - is it fat or just loose skin?? Or both?? You may be able to tighten up your loose skin in time - but it can take some time.....how long has it been since you had your baby?? Since you're planning on having more children you may want to hold off on the surgery since another baby can negate the surgery to some degree or you may need a redo....Also make sure your posture is good as that can affect the look of that area.....

Oh and welcome to EF & Congrats!!

Thank you everyone

You know, it might be lose skin. My stomach is hard underneath my little pouch. I don't plan on having kids any time soon but I know I'll want them in the future sometime...in about 10 years or so. The idea of a tummy tuck is very attractive but, like you just said, I'd be afraid to spend all that money then go have more babies and ruin it. My daughter is 19 months and I lost all my weight very quickly and then started working out fulltime this past September.

 

[jenscats5]

Thank you everyone

You know, it might be lose skin. My stomach is hard underneath my little pouch. I don't plan on having kids any time soon but I know I'll want them in the future sometime...in about 10 years or so. The idea of a tummy tuck is very attractive but, like you just said, I'd be afraid to spend all that money then go have more babies and ruin it. My daughter is 19 months and I lost all my weight very quickly and then started working out fulltime this past September.

Well if you decide to wait 10 more years for more kids - if it bothers you that much you may want to get it done.....your skin may or may not come back or tighten - that depends on your age, how elastic your skin is, time, etc etc....

Plastic surgery consultations are free - may be worth some time just to have it looked at, then weigh your options.....