**Claire**

Right, I'm posting in here as I need motivation to get myself back to the gym. I figured that if I 'Go Public' I'll shame myself if I don't make an effort to get off my backside.

I used to be a proper gym bunny and I used to go about 4 times a week. Now obviously I won't be able to put in that much time because of the baby but I'm still going to aim to go at least 3 times a week and on the days that I can't go I'll be out for walks with the dog and Bethany.

So this is what I'm aiming for, my pre-pregnancy body......



When I was pregnant I tipped the scales at 12st 7lbs and I'm now down to 10st 4lbs (6 weeks later). I was about 61.5kg when I first fell pregnant and I really want to get back down to about 9st (I'm around 8st 10lbs in that photo). So I've got 1st 4lbs to lose. Realistically I'd like to be down to my ideal weight by Christmas!! So I'm setting myself a goal of losing 2lb a week (is this realistic?).

I've got to be honest, my diet is shit and I can't give up things like Crisps and Lurpak As a diet and workout aid when I was training before I took Inferno tablets which really helped me to keep going at the gym when I was totally knackered on the treadmill and I'll probably do the same again.

My workout used to consist of:-

30mins run treadmill at around speed 10.5
10mins crosstrainer speed 11
10 mins bike trying to cover at least a specific distance (I can't remember how far I used to aim for )

Then every other trip to the gym I used to do some weights to try and tone up.

I haven't been for my 8 week check up yet but I'm sure that the Dr will say I'm fine as I've already been back to the gym a few times to see what I could actually achieve.

What I'm after is a routine and diet which will help me lose the 2lbs a week (bearing in mind that I love crisps and lurpak ). I don't want to end up with huge muscles, I just want to be sleek and slim.

I intend this thread to be my update thread where I can keep posting my progress every week. When I was going to the gym before it was because I was training for Formula Woman so I had a purpose and an objective. This time it's a bit different as I don't have a specific purpose apart from the fact that I'm sick of feeling so big and not being able to fit into any of my clothes. Having already been to the gym I know that it's going to be an uphill struggle as I couldn't even run for more than 3 mins

Any advice would be much appreciated , depending on how brave I am I may post pictures of what my figure looks like now and update it every week so I can see the progress I'm making. Then again if I look really bad then I won't

Bring on the blood, sweat and tears!!!

snedboy

Right firstly its going to be hard if your addicted to crisps!! Try swapping to low fat ones and the like and try 1 pack a day not 3/4 etc lol

Your gonna need a high protein diet so lots of fish,chicken,turkey etc.try to aim for 6 meals a day but half meals not full on portions.Get plenty sleep every nite aswell as thats most important bit of it all really so you have plenty energy for the gym.

Your excercise routine should be fine as it is to start with but over time could include other excercises like crunches,reverse crunches etc on non training days.Buy 1 of those balls aswell they are fun at home

Any other help i can think of i will re-post later

Good luck

kiddie

Instead of crisps try these

garrybhoy

I would think just looking at the stunning figure in that pic would have been enuff.....wow!!

craigos

no pain no gain,crisps gota go snack on something beter,flapjacks,etclooks like you new how to work out well looking at the pic,i guess its just maken time that you have to try and do,or put 3 bags of sand in the base of your pram and head for the hills,lol

ESCYSCOTT

iTrader: (1)

tbh she looks great considering she only gave birth to our daughter 6 weeks ago. She hasn't got one stretch mark anywhere and she very nearly has a flat stomach again! I'll pursuade her to let me take some pictures and then you's can give her a hard time to get off her arse down to the gym!!

I've been going back to the gym too but was wanting to go early mornings so Claire could go afternoons but it's difficult because of the broken sleep you get with a baby.

Lee_R21Turbo

iTrader: (1)

Claire.....dya mind - pictures like that this early in the morning when I'm eating my bowl of muesli really dont help my digestion!!!

I'm absolutely positive you'll have absolutely NO problem in getting back to how you were before Scott got you pregnant - see Scott - its your fault!!!

As an incentive you're not allowed to come down & go out in Liverpool until you're half way towards your goal.....next weekend then? LOL!

**Claire**

Sowwy Lee

I'm going to start my diet tomorrow, limit myself to 1500 calories a day, I'm also going to have my main meal at lunch time then a lighter meal in the evening If I need to snack on anything I'll have fruit.

I'm going to find it extremely difficult as I'm so used to having what I want when I want so it's going to be hard for the first couple of weeks. I'm going to order my supplements now so that they come in the next week so I can get myself back into the swing of things!!

Slinky Dink Panther here I come

Kieron

6 weeks after giving birth I think your mad. How the hell you two find any time to think about anything other than Bethany at the moment is beyond me. My boy is 6 months and its just been a blurr! I have managed to half heartedly go down the gyn when I can and when I have the energy but thats only me and not the missus as well.

I'm not sure if I have respect for you two or shocked amazement but either way good luck

Dirty Harry

iTrader: (12)

being a father of 2 I saw what my wife went through,persoanlly I would speak to your midwife first before any sort of diet,as if your breast feeding your baby will need all the goodness it can get so do you so dont starve your body as having a baby really takes it out of a womans body,
you have pleanty of time to get trim once you and your baby has got a good start and that mean eating good food

**Claire**

Bethany is in a really good routine and to be honest she is a really placid good natured baby that she doesn't really take much looking after at all (have I just tempted fate lol!!)

Scott works next door to the house as we own a fish and chip shop so he's on hand more than other partners probably would be so I'm not totally knackered as I'm not doing it all myself. Don't get me wrong though I still get tired and cranky but I do have a lot of support.

I have most nights to myself as Bethany is in a really good night time routine, she has her bath from 6.30pm and then bottle and bed for 7.30pm. She gets another bottle at about 1am and she sleeps through till about 6am when I get up with her. I know that it will probably all change and her routine will go out the window at some point but she's great at the moment so fingers crossed it stays that way for a while

**Claire**

I only breastfed for the first few days so she is on bottles now

I understand what your saying about not starving myself and I've got plenty of time to get trim but being out of shape and unfit is really starting to get to me as I'm so not used to being as big as I am. When I look in the mirror all I see is baby bulge and not the slim, sleek figure I used to have which does depress me.

I know I've only just had a baby and 6 weeks isn't a long time but I feel it's time to start making the changes that I need to make to get back to my pre-pregnancy state. Of course I'll discuss my diet and fitness plans with my Dr at my 8 week check to make sure I'm not pushing myself too much and as long as he's cool with it it's full steam ahead

Turbogal75

Good for you, its about how you feel and when your ready, your a grown woman who i am sure knows her limits. It took me 6 months to lose my 5 stone of baby weight 9 years ago, got down from 14 to 8 and a half. I aslo had a c section and wasnt allowed to do anything for 6wks.

Wishing you all the best and remember a little bit of what you fancy does you no harm.

**Claire**

Thank you A few weeks ago I couldn't have cared about my baby weight, I was so wrapped up with being a new mum that I didn't even have time to look in the mirror let alone worry about my weight

Now that Bethany is more settled I definitely feel it's time to make a start it might take me a long time to achieve my goal but I know I'm determined enough to get there eventually

This isn't a sprint, it's a marathon!!

**Claire**

Well, I started back at the gym on Sunday, usual cardio routine and OMG!!!! This is going to be a lot harder than I thought I can't run for toffee and after 10 mins on the bike I felt like I was going to be physically sick

It's my 2nd session this afternoon and I'm not looking forward to it one bit but I guess it will get easier as I regain my fitness back. On the plus side I stood on the scales on Sunday and the ones at the gym said I was 10st so I've only got 1st to lose....... YAY!!

I wish I was rich, I'd just do a Kerry Katona and get the fat sucked out of me, pitty I haven't got a spare Ł15k lying around Then again at least I'll be proud of myself when I've done it all on my own.

My diet is going well too. I haven't had a bag of Crisps since Saturday wooohoooo!!

Turbogal75

Good for you........ I always found the bike in the gym boring rather be out on one.

**Claire**

I was watchin the Grand Prix on Sunday so it wasn't too bad, all the machines have TV screeens with a selection of channels to watch. I'd be bored shitless if I had to run on the treadmill for 30mins without anything to watch. I'd probaby only last a couple of mins

Turbocabbie

wow claire.. pre pregnancy you were stunning and had a cracking figure

can't comment on post as no pickys were displayed, but good luck with your quest anyway.

Turbogal75

I cant watch the tv while on the treadmill makes me run funny..............Good luck with your work out today i am sure it will be a bit easier after you have done a few.

**Claire**

Thank you

I'm still plucking up the courage to let Scott take some photos of me to post up. Depending on how I feel after the gym I may let him loose with my Canon, it will definitely spur me on to keep going to the gym

Ryan_3

geez, nic epic there stunning

claire, try this

http://www.fatloss4idiots.com/

im loosing like 3kg in 11 days! and you feel good. im using the diet generator

ull want be dissapointed. best of luck!

**Claire**

Seriously? Is it not just a scam?

Ryan_3

no claire, its working for me

im eating roast beef and sausages while typing part of the diet

**Claire**

I think I might have to give this a try

Ryan_3

I lost 3 inches of me waist in one moth

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

Good luck, You look spot on in that picture!

godzilla

iTrader: (1)

Hi Claire

Few months late in saying this although I said to Scott a few days after...... Congrats on your new little bundle of joy! How is she sleeping?

As for your diet..... hmmmm, you look like you have a high met' rate by looking at the pic of you so I would not worry to much. Keep the fluids high.... at least 6 pints of water a day. Any form of cardio will help. A good one would be to take Bethany out in the pram. She will get the benefits of the fresh air and you will benefit from the walking! Or... Take Bethany out shopping with you but make sure you put a few layers of clothing on, im meaning a 3 t.shirts and 2 wooly jumpers....you will sweat like mad thus causing your weight to drop.

You could always take your Pug 205 Mi-16 out for a fast drive......that would be enough for me to loose a few lbs with fear....lol! My old 205 GTI 1.9 was fast enough let alone another 70 odd horses on top!

Ryan_3

lol at godzilla. mate what do you think of that diet im on? im now at 108kg's

Steven_RW

The addiction to foods goes away really quickly if you want it to. Just half the amount of crisps n lurpak you eat in a day, then quarter it after another week. Just ween yourself away from it. The other key I find is to not be hungry, eat regularly and the right stuff and u trade crap food for more good food. Takes away the hunger.

I used to be addicted to the biggest bowl of crap frosties and crunchy nut mixed every morning with semi skimmed milk. I now eat porridge, skimmed milk/water with a mix of nuts and seeds. You don't miss it after a short while.

Good luck getting your figure back. But I think everything is obvious. Oh year. If you have excel on ur pc u can keep a food diary (well u can use any software, I just happen to use excel) and it allows u to keep an eye on what u eat and any obvious bad habbits stand out like a sore thumb. If you want me to fwd u mine from work on monday morning, so u have a template, just put up your e-mail address.

Good luck

RW

godzilla

iTrader: (1)

Not had a chance to read bud.....will check it out now.

godzilla

iTrader: (1)

Hmmm, interesting.

If it is working for you then stick with it! They really stress about calorie intake. Im a believer as in its what you put in your mouth. Eat a load of crap and the fast acting carbs will be stored as fat.

Im 6ft and 214lbs. I have done 8-9000 cal' meals a day in the past and put on muscle due to the foods im munching. To keep at a stable 214-217 I eat 3,500-4000 cals per day. This is spread throughout 7 small meals.

When sites knock the low carb diet it always makes me think..... what did the caveman live on? Meat and greens......both of these = 0 carbs! Yet the Caveman had to be lean and fast to catch the prey. I know we have changed sooooo much since then but, stick to the basics and your body will love you for it! You will feel good and have heaps of energy!

**Claire**

Bethany is great now bless her, she's 10 weeks old and is really settled into a nice routine. She generally wakes up anywhere from 6am-8am and she's in bed by 8pm after her bath and bottle so at least we have that established. This makes it quite easy for me to get to the gym when I want to as I'm not completely shattered by having to get up in the night every 2-3 hours (just wait until she starts teething though ).

I've been really good recently and I've cut out crisps. When we went shopping last week I didn't even buy any so I don't have temptation in the house. We did buy Lurpak but it's Lurpak lighter so I am trying to make an effort.

What I'm seriously lacking at the moment is motivation. When I was getting fit for Formula Woman I had a goal to aim for, there was a reason for me going to the gym and it really gave me so much motivation to get my arse there and make an effort.

However, even though I have a goal (losing weight) it isn't giving me the same motivation as I had when I was going before. Maybe it's because I've got such a steep hill to climb and it is going to take me so long to achieve my goal of getting down to my pre-pregnancy weight and getting my body back to normal.

I'm incredibly impatient and I want everything like yesterday. Losing weight isn't an overnight thing and I do understand that but if I don't see immediate results I'll feel demotivated and then I'm back in a vicious cycle of having no motiviation.

Perhaps I shouldn't have eaten all the chocolate and cakes that I did when I was pregnant

**Claire**

What a great idea, if you wouldn't mind I'd really appreciate it, I should really keep a food diary, it will definitely help me to see exactly what I'm eating and around how many calories I'm taking in too

My e-mail addy is c_bear76@hotmail.com

Thank you

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

How you getting on?

Andy_R

iTrader: (3)

GO! GO! Claire
I'm back training as of Wednesday -It's been a good few months since I was there with any sort of regularity (May/June time) Joined a new place which is nearer to where I now live. All thats stopping me going now is a induction(apparenly I HAVE to do it), new gym, new equipment, a fresh set of goals.
Awe naw, what HAVE I let myself in for!

sunny

iTrader: (1)

Clarie you look very well in the first picture.

Andy - cor blimey laddie long time no speak. Fancy bumping into you over here! Hope your well pal.

**Claire**

I went on the scales on Sunday and I was 9st 7lbs so my diet is definitely helping. I'm going to start my new programme at the gym next week.

I am finding it hard to get motivated to go though, but I know that my weight loss will stop if I don't go to the gym and ultimately it's about toning my body so I can get rid of my wobbly bits so I can't just diet and skip the gym. I think it's made that little bit harder as now the dark nights are drawing in it's so much easier to snuggle in on the sofa and have lots of cuddles with Bethany.

I'll get there eventually

**Claire**

Thank you Andy

Once you get back into it I'm sure it will get easier, there's something addictive about going to the gym I hated having the induction, I found it really embarrasing

**Claire**

Thank you

cep23

I only recently lost 4 stone. Haven't really had time to enjoy my new figure and i'm just over 6 months pregnant now! I'm trying my best, and doing not too bad i don't think in refraining from stuffing my face with fatty foods. Can't say if that will all begin in a month or so! It's nice to see this thread as i hope i have your determination when i've given birth. I miss not getting in to my old jeans and clothes like mad, i just hope i make myself get back to the weight i once was!
Good Luck, and i think you're doing brilliantly so far.
Caroline.