Thursday, August 8, 2013

The Post-Baby Body Part 2



I've been getting out and about everyday indulging in some gentle exercise. Nothing too intense. Beach walks, bush walks and generally trying to keep up with the boys on their bikes. It's my preferred mode of exercise and it's been lovely. Just keeping a bit of momentum going while my stomach muscles knit back together before I would have to up the ante on the exercise regime to get rid of the extra baby weight I've been carrying. As I mentioned in my previous post on this topic, I don't put a huge amount of pressure on myself to get back into shape quickly but at the same time, it has been 8 months and I don't think there has been any change to my waistline. I really don't like the Gym and have actually been secretly holding out on the theory that the breastfeeding would kick in and all that extra weight would miraculously evaporate into the ether without having to break into a sweat.

And with that excellent theory bedded down, it should have come as no surprise to me when I was told by my Doctor at a recent annual check-up that I needed to lose 10kg to be back within my healthy weight range and that some more strenuous exercise would assist with that. That whilst a small amount of fatigue is completely normal for someone with 5 Children, I would feel a million bucks better and have more energy once I'm back within my healthy weight range.  That I'm not 18 anymore and the old metabolism isn't as fast as it used to be. That it may also be a good idea to cut down on caffein, alcohol and my evening chocolate ritual. That no, I don't have Thyroid issues, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or any of the exotic illnesses I had self-diagnosed as being the cause of my fatigue. At that point I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a moment of disappointment and confusion that preceded the gratitude I felt at being diagnosed with nothing more than a battle of the bulge and being a Mum of many energetic Children.




But I'm technically overweight. 

I say technically because I'm obviously still in denial about being labelled an overweight person. I knew I had to lose a few kilos but I wasn't expecting it to be 10 or to be told I was overweight. Although the scales and measuring devices don't lie I just don't see an overweight person when I look in the mirror.  I said as much to the Doctor and she was quick to interrupt me with more truths. She tells me everyone's perception of overweight has changed. People now think they are a weight class lower than they really are. Obese people think they are overweight and overweight people think they are healthy. A shocking 60% of Tasmanians are overweight and I'm there right amongst them. It's a sobering revelation but a huge wake-up call that prompted me into immediate action. So it took a day to clear the house of the last bottle of wine from the fridge and empty the pantry of chocolates but the following day I started.

The doctor suggested I could hire a treadmill for a few months if getting out of the house is difficult. Madness, I say. That's just setting myself up for fail. I can see myself clearly sitting up there on the exercise bike, a glass of wine sitting in the Gatorade drink holder as I leisurely peddle along to Enya, pausing whenever my knitting gets caught in the spokes and grabbing a TimTam as I get back on the bike. 

No, best I remove myself from all distractions and bring out the big guns - the Gym Membership, where there are classes with instructors to give you the kick in the pants you need. I'm going to do a combination of Spin classes and Yoga. I did Spin Classes for a few months following the birth of the other children and it does work, even though I dislike every second of it. You feel like you're dying during the class and even worse the next morning. A spin class supposedly looks like this, smiles all around:



But a more realistic shot is this, and I'm the guy in the green.



I started this new regime on 1 August and so far so good. We've also committed to doing "Dry August" after failing "Dry July" a week into it. No alcohol this month and then just trying to cut down after that. Nothing too restrictive on a long term basis but I prefer a cold-turkey approach when starting new habits. We have gotten ourselves into some rather unhealthy habits of late - please don't judge unless you have 5 Children and a Development Application before local Council. 

With all these new changes, I should be running alongside the Whippet by Christmas. Or at the very least I'll have made some weight loss progress and can embark on more of a weight maintenance rather than a weight loss program. If not, I'll be getting this book I saw on Fiona's blog a few months back. It may be a bit harsh for some, but in the same vein as my Doctor, I do like people who call a spade a spade. 

So, I know I've asked you all before about exercise but that was more directly following the birth of children. Do any of you do regular exercise now? Are you exercising to maintain a healthy weight or to lose weight like me? Spin classes? Yoga? Are you all finding it harder and harder to maintain a healthy weight as you get older? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Mel x

54 comments :

  1. All the best Mel. I applaud your every effort and as a mum of five myself, know what it's like.

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  2. Oh Mel, I hear you. With all that happened I have been giving myself a break, but no longer I fear. So I've started a swim once a week, working on doing a walk with the pram around the block with the dogs. Yoga would be great, but it might be pushing my baby free moments!
    Healthy eating is next. Ironically I lost a lot of weight with my morning sickness and the expressing routine. But at home I've been baking and then eating it nearly all myself. Eek. I think both Rob and I are ready to tackle a healthier lifestyle. Some more sleep would be grand too. Goodluck.

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    1. Baking and eating it nearly all myself. Yep. Guilty of that too!

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    2. Guilty too :-) And I agree, there's a whole world of new possibilities available when you are getting some solid hours of sleep x

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  3. A subject close to my heart right now!

    For me it's swimming, walking and yoga. When I get a chance. Which is rare. Like you, I'm not a big gym fan. Much prefer to get out in the fresh air. Pushing the two boys up our hill to and from the school bus stop is about it most days. Yesterday I thought I was going to vomit from the exertion!

    I've also found diet is much more effective for me than exercise when it comes to shifting the kegs. Specifically cutting out sugar completely and backing off on the carbs. And right now, while I'm breastfeeding and feeling a bit depleted, I just cannot shove cake in my mouth fast enough. I'm up 7kgs from this pregnancy (and probably gaining!).

    I'm also a bit excited about being back on the booze again. Just one drink each night, but i know it doesn't do my weight any favours.

    You sound like you are 'in the zone' and motivated to make it happen! By the way, I certainly don't see an overweight person when I see your picture. At all.

    Look forward to hearing your updates.

    Rachel xo

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    1. I think this is my problem - I really enjoy food (breastfeeding makes me hungry too) and so have always relied on exercise to lose the extra baby weight but I think the time has come where I need to make some simple changes to my diet too.

      There's plenty of scope there, cutting back on all the packet of Timtams in the evenings and implementing some portion control at mealtimes instead of digging into seconds :-) Nothing drastic in terms of the meals we eat as they are pretty healthy already. Wine has a huge amount of calories so cutting back on that just for a little bit will help hopefully.

      I was inspired by your IQS Post a while back, might have a look into that too.

      xxx

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  4. Methinks your doctor is probably being a bit harsh Mel. I tried for a dry July/August but didn't quite make it and I'm sure September won't either. My glass or two of vino is now limited to weekends only. Everything in moderation would be the ideal. I've cut out bread altogether from my diet and have found this very easy to stick to, and have started going to gym also and to my surprise enjoy it a lot. However, it is a very tame class that I attend. Don't be too harsh on yourself! I don't think I could cope with 5 children and a DA! cheers Wendy

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    1. I definitely subscribe to the "everything in moderation" motto too Wendy. I'm just going to make these changes for a few months to get back on the straight and narrow. We also thought limiting drinks to weekends would be a good idea after this month but no idea if we'll be able to do that. I'm really not being too harsh on myself, it's just the sooner I get onto this the better :-)

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  5. well I just cannot believe that you are classified as overweight!?!! honestly, I can't! you are gorgeous. I am totally guilty of doing zero exercise - aside from the usual chasing the kids but I'm not getting a sweat up doing that. I remember reading that being thin and unfit is almost as bad as being overweight.. while I find that incredibly hard to believe, I fall into that category. I had blood tests done recently too, sure that there would be low iron levels found.. all normal. I expect with some regular exercise I too, would feel better and more energetic - but where do you find the time? Some days are just rushing from dawn until dusk and I've only got 3 - not 5! I guess it's like with anything - if you really want to do it, you will make time. the extra baby weight aside, I hope this new exercise regime gives you the energising lift you're looking for xx

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    1. Too kind Tahnee, but I have put on weight since we caught up in Sydney back in May. Truly. So technically it really isn't baby weight but more an eating-too-much over Winter/not exercising enough because I have the baby etc. I was also hoping the GP was going to say my iron levels were low. Nope. As for time, yes I just have to make time. The Gym is only 10 minutes away so it's easy to do the Spin Classes in the evenings or on weekends when Daniel is home. Yoga, I also do that on the days when all the Kids are at School and I just have Flynn, they have free childminding while you do the class and he usually just sleeps in the pram x

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  6. We did dry May after a particularly indulgent April and I shocked myself by not missing the wine as much as I thought I would - am enjoying it a lot more now for the earlier denial too

    I try and get to a stretchy/yoga class 1-2 times/week. I play a (not very) strenuous game of hockey and I try and squeeze in a walk. My weight is unchanged (and too high)...sigh...I think that means changing the chocolate/wine/cheese/nuts intake which is just too depressing!

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    1. We're onto day 8 of no alcohol and I'm surprised how much I'm not missing it either but maybe because I know it's just another 22 more days to go :-)

      Any type of Hockey sounds strenuous to me! A bit like jogging, I think I would fall apart that's why I've opted for the cycling. I agree, the thought of depriving myself of all the good stuff is rather too depressing so I'm hoping the exercise works! x

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  7. Hi Mel, just catching up on your blog.....so much has happened, those photos of Flynn are delicious, what a happy little boy you have there! Love your cushion too. Well done on the fitness regime, there's nothing better than getting out in the fresh air to keep fit and healthy! :) x

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  8. Well Mel, you've just described where I'll be myself in about 6 months time - currently 28 weeks pregnant and knowing I have to drop a few (ha ha more than a few) kilos again post birth, dammit. Geez I needed to lose 10kg before getting pregnant! :S There is nothing worse than losing weight, I hate it. I actually love exercise and going to the gym. The thing that stinks about losing weight is it is 90% what you eat and 10% the amount of exercise you do. This is precisely what I learned after many years of sport where a maximum weight limit applies (lightweight rowing). As a chocoholic, I'd be happy to run 10km or go to the gym every day but not give up chocolate. Having lost about 10kg after my daughter was born 4 years ago (which has since snuck back on), I can testify that losing weight is virtually all about cutting back on the volume of food and watching what you eat as well with a bit of daily exercise you enjoy thrown in. What you eat (and how much) is the most important bit and that's what makes it so hard, for me anyway. The good news is, after about 3 weeks the healthy eating (and cutting back the amount of food) DOES get easier. And once your weight starts to drop, you get really motivated.
    Good luck with it Mel, I'll be in your shoes in 6 months time once this baby is out.
    xxx

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    1. Hi Stella,

      Yep, I'm going to work on portion control rather than changing what I eat (other than just cutting back on chocolate and wine).

      Congratulations on your pregnancy! Very exciting :-) Let me know if and when you get that blog up and running.

      Mel x

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  9. A whippet? More like a greyhound chasing down the rabbit. Go you! xx

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  10. It's tough getting back to shape after kids and boy 5 even tougher!! Goodluck with it all. Personally I used to love spinning and yoga back in the day when I was more mobile so enjoy. They are perfect for toning up xoxoxo

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  11. I've recently joined the gym, because three years on and over 40 = much more difficult to lose post baby weight.

    I always walk everywhere, and having Honey helps. But I have got into some horrific bad eating habits since having Olly. Until recently he was an appalling sleeper, and I started eating all sorts of crap for comfort and stimulation. I'm finding that habit difficult to break. Cold Turkey is the only way for me too, I fear.

    The most important thing is don't be too hard on yourself. A mother of five must be the most wonderful rollercoaster, and I suspect your needs and wants are at the bottom of a very long to do list. I'm going to have a go at spinning when Olly returns to nursery in the Autumn term. I like a punishing workout - go in, go mad, get out. That's my motto!!

    Good luck

    Leanne xx

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    1. That's exactly what I'm looking for too - the quicker this is done the sooner I can stop worrying about it all and just focus on some more enjoyable exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I don't want to be dillydallying on a weight-loss roller coaster for eternity :-)

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  12. Good for you! And also, good for your doctor for saying something and helping you on the path to feeling better. My husband is a doctor here in the US and has many patients who are shocked when he tells them they're short of breath because they're overweight - even their family doctors are so used to overweight patients and/or are so afraid of giving offence that they never say anything. While kind in the short term, it's so much harder on the patients' bodies in the long-term, especially when it causes more difficult recoveries after serious illnesses/hospitalizations. Best of luck as you put in the hard work!

    It's a bit ridiculous - I have baby twins and people keep saying things like "but you don't even look like you had a baby!" Well...I didn't, we adopted our twins, which should be quite obvious when you see that our twins are African American and my husband and I are white! Can't decide if people are truly oblivious or just trying to tactfully hint for more information...

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    1. It was difficult to hear but I'm very happy with how the Doctor approached the issue. She is right, after all.

      Congratulations on your Twins! People say the funniest things don't they. I suspect they may be interested in finding out more about your family if it is quite obvious that you are both white and your children are African American. I still get funny questions about my Twins, people are mostly just curious I find.....x

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  13. Good luck Mel, I know it's not easy - I'm sure I could have a very healthy diet and lifestyle in general if I only had myself to look after!

    I'm not good at exercise apart from swimming once a week, however I started a diet this week which I do online - I log what I've eaten and what exercise I've taken - it's encouraged me to do more as I'm embarrassed to see the big red 0 in the exercise column if I do nothing!

    I do think walking everywhere (when possible), holding the correct posture and some swimming is the way to go when you're no longer in your teens (I did fierce aerobics and step classes in my teens and twenties, it would probably kill me now!)

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    1. Oh, the GP mentioned I should write down everything I eat for a week just to visually see the situation. Just the thought of doing that has already made me be a bit more mindful of everything I consume. I like the idea of swimming but I worry I'd just plod along without someone cracking the whip along the sidelines. I'll definitely think about swimming though after a few months of Spin :-)

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  14. Good luck with your new regime! Losing weight is so hard, particularly when you're tired. I totally agree with the cold turkey approach. I do that too. If I don't, and try the more balanced everything in moderation approach, I tend to just sink back into my old ways... forgetting that I am trying to do something different :)

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    1. Agree, there was no way we could be trusted to have just 1 square of chocolate in the evenings with a whole pile stashed away!

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  15. I think you sound like you are well on the way to the loss you want to make. Mentally is the hardest part. I admit I hate exercise and am slack at it. I think with five kids just hanging washing and cleaning the house is quite a work out. For me, I know the only way I really lose weight is to reduce the food I eat. Less numbers in means less numbers to burn off...and lately the maths has not been equalling what it should!

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    1. It's such a simple equation isn't it? I know this but I really needed that big shock of being overweight to make it a priority. You're in great shape Claire! x

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  16. I've just started swimming twice a week to try remind my tummy muscles they exist! I walk everywhere just because i lije it but i dont think it helps with muscle tone or my weight. I'm contemplating one of those vigorous aqua classes, but mainly contemplating it from the depths of the spa pool! Just make it fun if you can i guess. Good luck x

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    1. Thanks Max. It's the same here - I'm literally running around all day and doing some exercise but it's just not shifting the weight. I think swimming would be great for overall health and will probably do this in a few months when I finish doing Spin classes :-)

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  17. I need to lose 10kg to get back to my pre-baby weight. I had four children under 5, which was a good excuse not to shift the weight between babies though I almost managed after number 3. Since having number 4 my weight has remained constant and I've convinced myself that's better than yoyo dieting and must be my ideal bodyweight. Reading this I realise I need a reality check and should pull myself together, especially as my "baby" is now 23. Walking and netball are my favoured activities as I absolutely loathe the gymn.

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    1. A steady weight is better than yoyo dieting according to the GP as each time you come off the diet your base weight increases slightly instead of staying at where it was before the crash diet. Another reason why I'm focussing more on exercise than changing too much of my diet. Netball is great exercise but there's no way my knees would hold up to that type of punishment anymore :-)

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  18. Go Mel! You're brave to try the gym. I don't think I could. I've been doing pilates since the start of the year. Great for toning. I'm half-heatedly contemplating (maybe) trying some jogging when the weather improves...ahem... I did Couch to 5k a few years ago and it was very effective. Of course, when I got to 5k I stopped cold turkey... Good luck!

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    1. Thanks Greer! I've never done Pilates. Is it good? Similar to Yoga? I would love to be able to run, but it hurts too much :-) Something to work up to maybe. But I really like the idea of doing things that I could still do when I'm 90, like swimming, walking and cycling even. Let us know how you go with the jogging.xxx

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  19. dear mel, i love your humor, you have me giggling all the way through your posts. i don't know what a tim tam is, but it must be yum (chocolate?)! it sounds like you will reach your goal quickly with all the things you've set in place for yourself. and doing it with your husband. that is key.

    it is frustrating isn't it? i am having to watch and count what i eat and drink now and it is so hard, one of the biggest challenges is my husband. he is a terrible influence (his admission) and says oh just have this little bit or one more glass is fine...he in the meantime burns zillions of calories everyday and eats for two men and is still the proper weight. he likes to go to dinner and will make reservations for us after work, which i love and appreciate but then there it is so hard to portion control! it happened that in my 40's i had one after the other sports injury which required surgery, my knee, wrist and ankle, then i contracted a mystery african illness on a trip to zimbabwe in 2009 that i've never fully recovered from. these things put a halt to competitive running and triathlons i'd been doing through my 30's and 40's. then came menopause. eeps.

    now i just try really hard to be good and limit (when chuck is not around)and do a lot of walking and hiking. we have a gym where we live, but i always feel guilty when the great outdoors is here too, and so much nicer. one thing that is sure to happen to you that did to me is you will exercise more as your children grow. my kids were my biggest motivators for years. we ran, surfed, hiked, just worked out in general together. i do miss that! good luck! you can do it!

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  20. Bahaha the title of that book is fantastic! I suck at exercising. I cut down on the amount of carbs and sugar I was eating after I had Imogen to lose the weight but exercise just hardly ever happens for me. I wish I had a treadmill or so etching because its the getting ready and going outside the house that always deters me. I started walking arou d the lake near our house a while ago and it lasted all of 3 weeks. Plus I'm about to go back to full time work so I have no idea when I'll make time for exercise. I was looking into the local pool the other day and I'm thinking I might stop in after work a couple of nights to swim laps. I just have to get myself motivated to go!

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  21. I hear you! I had a big hissy fit to Mr H this week about my weight. I have to do something but I am a guts and LOVE my food. I have found I can not eat what I want anymore and get away with it. Even though we are outside a lot I don't do as much walking as I did when we lived in town and I need to get in the car a lot more. Tom and George were huge babies (10pound plus) and were thirsty babies. I breastfed them both for ages and when I breastfeed I am continuously hungry. I put on lots of weight when breastfeed and now that I have finished, I have yet to loose it. So I plan on making some changes. By the way - I think you are GORGEOUS! Cheek bones to die for. Take your time with it and allow yourself treats. You are a mum of 5 and totally deserve it xoxo

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  22. Oh Mel, it's a never-ending saga isn't it.
    Firstly ... I'd find a new doctor.
    Secondly ... no, seriously, you sound like you have your head in the right space, and that's what's needed. You really have to reach the point where you're ready to act.
    Two years ago I followed the Couch to 5K plan and fell in love with running (something I'd never done in my life). Now, I try to run 3 or 4 times a week, and though I don't know that it contributes much to weight loss, it makes me feel good about myself and gives me some space. I do know though, that when the kids were small, as yours are, it really was so much more difficult to get some 'away' time.
    As a few of the other commentors have mentioned, I think it's more about food intake than it is about exercise, which is difficult when, like me, you love to cook ... and eat.
    Four months ago I jumped on the 'quitting sugar' bandwagon, which has been a wonderful experience. I would recommend the book 'Sweet Poison' by David Gillespie to anybody with an interest in their family's health, even if you have no intention of giving up the white stuff, it's a very interesting read.
    Anyway Mel, I can completely empathise with you, I have struggled with weight (and food) all my life, my pregnancies seen as the greatest excuse to eat mountains of food, and then have to lose the weight later.
    I sincerely wish you well. I do think it gets easier as the weather warms up as well, so hopefully not long now to some warm, sunny weather.
    Look forward to following your progress.

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  23. Now I would tend to agree with Stella that is is more about the food than the exercise where weight loss is concerned. If you are looking for a way of eating that is easy to stick to and gets results have a look at the csiro diet. It is lower carb higher protein and the portion sizes are very helpful. You can also cook the recipes for the whole family and just add the pasta/mash/rice back in for the growing kids who need it. Husbands love it as it is meat/protein based. My hubby and I did this diet years ago and roughly still eat that way now, you may need to modify it slightly for breastfeeding though. You can get the books online and they include recipes. My take is that unless you are an elite athlete carbs are not a girls best friend so we have ours for brekky and lunch and none for dinner. I love chocolate and eat it every day but I don't drink wine so it probably balances out. Also I have never done a spin class but a good friend of mine arrived late at her gym and snuck into the darkened room for her spin class and had to go up to the front row as all the bikes were full. She slogged it out, her ample backside flailing around and it was not until the lights came back on at the end that she realized she had waltzed her ample backside into the front row of a private spin class for the Queensland basketball team. The horror! mel x

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  24. laughed my butt off!!!
    (is that a way of losing weight!?)
    I especially enjoyed your narrative of wine, tim tams and knitting on the exercise equipment - aaaaaaah
    it's all sooooo TRUE!!

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  25. Go you! I will watch from the sidelines with interest, cheer you on, and not even whisper how many kg I need to lose ... after two long courses of steroids in the last couple of years it's a scary number. But I have lovely skinny clothes in my wardrobe from four summers ago and I'm determined that by next summer they'll fit again! I just kinda wish I had still had kids little enough to need running around after, that would help, but instead due to the ME and the RA I spend far too much time sitting on my butt!

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  26. Go Mel!! You sound so determined and passionate about it, hang in there. I am usually the person saying you should be happy regardless of your shape but I'm not going to argue with an actual doctor. We drink more than we should - I'd rather have wine over chocolate any day - and when I have a dry month the weight does come off really fast. I used to run a few times a week but have become very lazy of late...when the schools go back in September I will have to do something more organised and regular. Boo.

    Gillian xx

    PS. Your description of you on the treadmill...brilliant. :-)

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  27. Good for you! And such lovely surroundings to exercise in.

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  28. Mel, picturing you in that green shirt in the spin class made me giggle :) There's no way I would classify you as overweight... you are stunning in every shot you share here, truly!! In saying that, I guess the doctor is interested in your health and therefore, good on you for making some changes to your exercise regime...

    As for me, I'll be totally honest... for years, I have done zero exercise. I was doing some before I fell pregnant with Grace, but with a few issues in the first trimester, I was basically on the couch all day. Once Grace came along, there was an odd walk here and there but nothing more. I hate the gym and know that doing some exercise would do wonders for my energy levels, but it's finding something that suits me... While I don't have weight issues, I have high cholesterol (thanks to hereditary factors) and therefore, even though I eat very healthily, doing some exercise would be good. I had made my mind at the start of the year to start walking a few mornings a week before Paul headed off to work, and then my arthritis flared up and exercise was impossible. Now with it under control again, the mornings are far too cold to be out so I've started walking just once or twice a week on the days Grace is at kindy, taking the dog for a walk while Soph sits happily in the pram. I actually am really enjoying getting out in the fresh air and sunshine. I'm also keen to start a yoga class and in fact, Grace's primary school had a message in their newsletter last week about evening classes in their hall from 6.30 to 8... just at the end of our street so I'm going to look into that.

    Let us know how your exercising goes over the coming months... xx

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  29. I love this, and am feeling very much like you are - only from the other perspective! I know I'm underweight, and I don't eat properly, or exercise well. I'm CONSTANTLY tired and blah. Pepper's only just started sleeping through the night at 10 months (after waking 5 times a night since she was born omggggg) and breastfeeding really seems to sap me. But this is the season of my life at the moment, and I've got to make the best of it! Eating more than four pieces of toast and a chocolate biscuit every day probably should be the first thing on my to-do list, haha. I wish you well :)

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  30. Too funny Mel, I would be that guy in the green too, ha. I think your chilly weather down there doesn't always help the motivation, but I like to walk our youngest (and the dog)to school and the walk about 1k around the block as my exercise. I wouldn't do it if the dog didn't love her walk, but I like how good I feel afterwards. At my last check-up my doctor said I was underweight and that I should add some weight. Is she kidding!I have celulite, no way do I want to add some more weight! I'm watching how Carol(Naturally Carol) goes with her sugar elimination plan, I could do with less sweet treats. Ps. you definitely don't look overweight.

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  31. oh wonderfully written, funny, honest...don't be too hard on yourself tho'. I started running earlier this year and I feel a thousand times better. I have more energy, I go to bed earlier and sleep better. I am more patient with my kids and my head is clearer. It takes time and effort but I think it's worth it. The other thing that might be worth checking is your iron levels. My iron was severely depleted and after various procedures and getting the all clear I was iron deficient from neglect. I have taken an iron tablet daily for over a year now and it has made a huge difference. Good luck in becoming a healthier you!

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