Just starting out 11 months post partum.

JahMoka · 01-Jul-07, 06:28 PM

Hello,
I used to post here when I was really thin and wanted to get in better shape. Now, a year or so later, I am 11 months post partum and currently about 37 lbs over weight. I now weigh 157, at 5'4 tall after losing 13 pounds in 2 months with just cutting out junk food.

Last Sunday, I started Billy Blanks boot camp elite Mission One and did it 5 days this past week.

My main problem is I've never had to lose weight before so I kind of don't know how to...

I'd like to discuss the fact that I want to get down to like 110 lbs. Can cardio with weights actually help me accomplish this goal, or do I have to become a vegan?

All responses welcomed...and if I sound stupid, I apologize in advance...

CF-OC_gal · 01-Jul-07, 06:47 PM

Quote:

I'd like to discuss the fact that I want to get down to like 110 lbs. Can cardio with weights actually help me accomplish this goal, or do I have to become a vegan?

Welcome ! Now the answer to that depends a lot on your genetics and lifestyle. perhaps a little more info about your current lifestyle and bodytype would be in order. In the mean time check out Amanda's post pregnancy journal. She's got things moving in the right direction.
Nothing wrong with being a vegan but it is not a prerequisite to better health and weight loss.

**Lady C** · 02-Jul-07, 08:14 AM

If you used to post here before, I don't recognize that name. Did you use something else?

Like Brat said - there is no one diet or exercise routine that is right for everyone. I would pick a routine that has strength building, endurance building and overall cardiovascular aspects. Keep your diet close to 30% protein, 40% carbohydrates & 30% fats (good fats). You can track it using FitDay.com or TheDailyPlate.com.

More information about what you are doing would also help.

**.V.** · 02-Jul-07, 05:25 PM

Hmmm cardio, weights, reduced calories. Sounds like you've got it all covered.

Vegan? No, it's not needed. Unless you just want to.

After my wife had our last baby I kept doing the sympathy eating until I was 300lbs.

Managed to get myself down from there to something more acceptable by eating red meat between 4 and 6 times a day. Does that count as post partum? Probably not...but you get the idea. Just eat the foods that are right for your body, work hard, and you'll get where you want to be.

JahMoka · 19-Jul-07, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady C

If you used to post here before, I don't recognize that name. Did you use something else?

Like Brat said - there is no one diet or exercise routine that is right for everyone. I would pick a routine that has strength building, endurance building and overall cardiovascular aspects. Keep your diet close to 30% protein, 40% carbohydrates & 30% fats (good fats). You can track it using FitDay.com or TheDailyPlate.com.

More information about what you are doing would also help.

Okay, I've been having log in problems ever since I changed my email. I've finally received a confirmation email to log in again.

To answer your inquiry, I wasn't a frequent poster. I have no advice to give. I am the one seeking advice so, to avoid being annoying, LOL, I would just browse for answers.

But thanks for the advice and resources-TOTALLY appreciate it!

CF-OC_gal · 19-Jul-07, 08:48 PM

Sorry you were having login problems. Search around for some of the basics here on discuss fitness and then "ask away."

We've got lots of people with lots of experience and opinions to help you get started on something that you hopefully will come to enjoy and make part of your lifestyle.

Merrida · 10-Oct-07, 10:37 PM

First child?

JahMoka · 11-Oct-07, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrida

First child?

Yep!

Merrida · 12-Oct-07, 04:57 PM

A couple of things cross my mind. I'd rather have you say you want to be a certain size than a certain weight. One of my clients comes to mind and I can't help but use her as an example all the time because she illustrates the point. She put on 10 pounds and dropped two pants sizes. Getting hung up on weight isn't healthy. Not to mention 110 on a 5'4 frame, depending on your genetics,...that's pretty small.

You can continue to lose weight with proper diet, HIIT cardio, and of course weight training. Leave the tapes on the shelves to collect dust unless you want to just dance around for fun.

Your hips will never be smaller. When we give birth, our pelvis spreads to make room for the baby. You can trim down, don't get me wrong, but you need to bear in mind the BONE structure of your hips is changed permanently. That's not to say you cannot create a shapely look.

Of course doing lots of intense cardio can potentially break DOWN muscle, so sure you'll thin out,...at a very deleterious cost to your body. Is your body fat isolated or all over? Not that that matters, the approach is the same.

PS: As for your sig line,...only you can deem your own goals, but a heads up is you may not get a lot of support here if your goal is to "be skinny."

JahMoka · 13-Oct-07, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrida

A couple of things cross my mind. I'd rather have you say you want to be a certain size than a certain weight. One of my clients comes to mind and I can't help but use her as an example all the time because she illustrates the point. She put on 10 pounds and dropped two pants sizes. Getting hung up on weight isn't healthy. Not to mention 110 on a 5'4 frame, depending on your genetics,...that's pretty small.

You can continue to lose weight with proper diet, HIIT cardio, and of course weight training. Leave the tapes on the shelves to collect dust unless you want to just dance around for fun.

Your hips will never be smaller. When we give birth, our pelvis spreads to make room for the baby. You can trim down, don't get me wrong, but you need to bear in mind the BONE structure of your hips is changed permanently. That's not to say you cannot create a shapely look.

Of course doing lots of intense cardio can potentially break DOWN muscle, so sure you'll thin out,...at a very deleterious cost to your body. Is your body fat isolated or all over? Not that that matters, the approach is the same.

PS: As for your sig line,...only you can deem your own goals, but a heads up is you may not get a lot of support here if your goal is to "be skinny."

Thanks for your input. You're right about HIIT and to my knowledge that's what Billy Blanks is all about.

But I recently switched to a low carb diet (I eat the good carbs) and started doing total body circuit training (The Abs Diet DVD) and I've lost 15 pds since August. I also walk 2 miles before doing the circuit training so the fitness dvds have really helped me a lot.

To me, the word "skinny" is synonymous with "thin." I want lean toned muscles, a small waist line, and a flat belly and I'm not afraid to admit that fact.

I appreciate the advice and will definitely note the points you've made concerning not being hung up on weight and doing HIIT. I agree because though I lost only 15 pounds, my belly has shrunk tremendously (the hangy part at the bottom is completley gone) and I can fit medium shirts now instead of large but that's more because I finally stopped breastfeeding.

Merrida · 13-Oct-07, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JahMoka

To me, the word "skinny" is synonymous with "thin." I want lean toned muscles, a small waist line, and a flat belly and I'm not afraid to admit that fact.

and I can fit medium shirts now instead of large but that's more because I finally stopped breastfeeding.

1) No problem with you wanting to be toned, but it was when you said "skinny" I imagined you won't get much in the way of replies here that you will find to your liking.

2) Double whammy: Breast feeding burns roughly 600 calories a day,...I don't know when you stopped breast feeding but a time will come when that lack of 600kcal/day burn will catch up with you.

JahMoka · 14-Oct-07, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrida

2) Double whammy: Breast feeding burns roughly 600 calories a day,...I don't know when you stopped breast feeding but a time will come when that lack of 600kcal/day burn will catch up with you.

I'm not sure of what you mean by this.

ajarvis · 14-Oct-07, 09:31 AM

you gotta watch what you eat since before you were burning an extra 500 calories a day or so just from breastfeeding. I think that's what she means. My son is 15months and I am still not down to the size I want. However I believe that is my own fault as I have not been regular enough with the exercise. That being said I'm trying not to focus on weight, but pants size. I know that my hips are changed forever, but I should still be able to get into a size 4/6 (like before) since there's quite a bit of extra padding there lol. I am still breastfeeding my son, but he only nurses before bed, and once a night so I'm not sure what the calorie burn from that is... I do believe it is helping me when I "cheat" and have say a chocolate bar.

JahMoka · 14-Oct-07, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajarvis

you gotta watch what you eat since before you were burning an extra 500 calories a day or so just from breastfeeding. I think that's what she means. My son is 15months and I am still not down to the size I want. However I believe that is my own fault as I have not been regular enough with the exercise. That being said I'm trying not to focus on weight, but pants size. I know that my hips are changed forever, but I should still be able to get into a size 4/6 (like before) since there's quite a bit of extra padding there lol. I am still breastfeeding my son, but he only nurses before bed, and once a night so I'm not sure what the calorie burn from that is... I do believe it is helping me when I "cheat" and have say a chocolate bar.

While breastfeeding, I drank water and tea, ate turkey burgers (on whole wheat buns), pizza, salads, chicken breasts, lean cuisines, and lots of peanut M&Ms. I wasn't losing any weight but I wasn't gaining any either. I still had most of my post partum weight on me.

So, once I stopped bf'g, I changed my diet (more fruits and veggies, no bread, and lean meat) oh and I completely stopped with the Peanut M&Ms. I lost about 8 pounds just from changing my diet and lowering my caloric intake.

But once I started walking and doing beginner's circuit training (with 3-5lb weights), my stomach began to visibly shrink.
This makes me so very happy.

I started this thread back in June and now it's October, so I'm glad to say I see really good results. FINALLY!

Are you doing cardio?

ajarvis · 16-Oct-07, 09:36 PM

I do cardio occasionally. When I started back to the gym in January I lost a bunch of inches all over, and that was mainly from weightlifting, and occaional cardio. I'm starting back on that this week. I did day 1 on Sunday, and will go tomorrow, Thurs, and Fri to get the rest of my program in. I run after I do weights if I have the time.