Springflowers' Diary
- Thread starter Springflowersandmore
- Start date
- Status
Cate
Long term member
I would like to as well, please. I SO love doing strength exercises but also find it very hard committing to doing them regularly. I have this too extensive list, which I need to re-do. Twice a week for me would work too. I'll start after the weekend as I'm away for a couple of days.
I'm really glad you asked because I just looked this up and found research on what works best. I'll post it in my journal so I don't clutter up Springflower's diary.
Springflowersandmore
New member
Hello all! Once again it’s just been such a busy week. I’m amazed at the difference having a lot going on makes. In the past whenever I wanted to try to meet some physical/fitness goal, it was so easy to modify my food or exercise and get it done, because that was close to the only thing I really needed to think about and I had almost too much free time in the day. Now, what I eat or remembering to exercise is basically an afterthought. No wonder it’s harder to lose weight now. But I’ve still been trying to do the little things when I do remember.
Most days I’ve gone for 30-60 minutes of walking, errands or a park or whatever, with the kids. And whenever we eat, I’ve been trying to eat more vegetables, less everything else. And I think I make decisions to not stress eat more than before, or at least I’m more conscious of it. Maybe I should keep a chart and see how often I do so I can see if I’m making progress!
As for weights, I just have kettlebells, and I tend to keep the 14 kg and 20 kg sitting out so that I can pick them up whenever I think about it and do even just a set or two of exercises. (I think I only managed two times in the last week!) I need to start doing core exercises like planks again as well - I’m sure my stomach muscles are very weak now from not being able to work them out while pregnant and recovering, for like the last two years! I have some diastasis in my abs though still that I’m working to correct with my doctor so I can’t do anything to intense, but still slowly getting stronger and back to baseline, at least.
How often do you all weigh yourselves? I haven’t been on the scale in a month. I never was someone to monitor my weight in the past, but maybe it would be another thing to pick up to see a number measurement week to week.
I also got a couple pairs of jeans from a friend who had some they didn’t wear anymore. They happened to fit perfectly and are so comfortable, so I actually tore out the tags before I could see the size so I could just feel good about myself wearing them without being sad about how large they are, since I know I must be several sizes larger than I ever was before. Bigger size or not, I feel so much better about how I look wearing fitting, non-maternity clothes again!
Most days I’ve gone for 30-60 minutes of walking, errands or a park or whatever, with the kids. And whenever we eat, I’ve been trying to eat more vegetables, less everything else. And I think I make decisions to not stress eat more than before, or at least I’m more conscious of it. Maybe I should keep a chart and see how often I do so I can see if I’m making progress!
As for weights, I just have kettlebells, and I tend to keep the 14 kg and 20 kg sitting out so that I can pick them up whenever I think about it and do even just a set or two of exercises. (I think I only managed two times in the last week!) I need to start doing core exercises like planks again as well - I’m sure my stomach muscles are very weak now from not being able to work them out while pregnant and recovering, for like the last two years! I have some diastasis in my abs though still that I’m working to correct with my doctor so I can’t do anything to intense, but still slowly getting stronger and back to baseline, at least.
How often do you all weigh yourselves? I haven’t been on the scale in a month. I never was someone to monitor my weight in the past, but maybe it would be another thing to pick up to see a number measurement week to week.
I also got a couple pairs of jeans from a friend who had some they didn’t wear anymore. They happened to fit perfectly and are so comfortable, so I actually tore out the tags before I could see the size so I could just feel good about myself wearing them without being sad about how large they are, since I know I must be several sizes larger than I ever was before. Bigger size or not, I feel so much better about how I look wearing fitting, non-maternity clothes again!
Wearing stuff that actually fits IS so much better. Makes you look thinner, too, most of the time, no matter what the size. It looks like you´re doing very well and unless you were gaining weight extremely quickly before I´m pretty sure your weight should be going down now.
Right now I just weigh whenever remember in the morning - plus whenever I really, really don´t want to. That last bit is just because I have a tendency to put unpleasant things off and that gets worse the more I do it. So when I don´t feel like weighing because I know the number will be unpleasant I get on the scale right away and have it over with. But everyone´s different there. Some people don´t weigh at all, some take measurements, some weigh daily, weekly, or monthly... Whatever helps you take the numbers as data to be used to optimize your progress instead of a judgment of your self worth.
Right now I just weigh whenever remember in the morning - plus whenever I really, really don´t want to. That last bit is just because I have a tendency to put unpleasant things off and that gets worse the more I do it. So when I don´t feel like weighing because I know the number will be unpleasant I get on the scale right away and have it over with. But everyone´s different there. Some people don´t weigh at all, some take measurements, some weigh daily, weekly, or monthly... Whatever helps you take the numbers as data to be used to optimize your progress instead of a judgment of your self worth.
I think you are doing fantastic! All those walks really burn calories and can relieve stress, too. I was really surprised at the difference between stretching and yoga and walks and hikes in how walking burns about twice the calories. I love the idea of tearing the tags out of the clothes so you don't judge yourself! I am noticing that when I feel positive about my body and my health, I tend to take better care of myself. For myself, I was really surprised how making a chart of how much I exercise really helped me keep my goals, and it led to a sense of accomplishment which made it more satisfying.
I weigh myself a lot (almost daily) because I am just starting dieting, and I don't want to backslide too much, but in the past I didn't weigh myself much while dieting, just weekly or every other week because I didn't want to stress over the daily ups and downs. I agree with LaMaria - whatever works for keeping you motivated. As a mom I tend to put my priorities last, so it's been a big exercise in self compassion for me to insist on more veggies and fresh fruit and less fattening stuff in the house, so I think it's really great how you are slowly changing your family's diet!
I only did dumbbells twice this week because I did so much digging in the garden that my wrist got a little sensitive to lifting heavy things. Next week I am just mopping walls and floors (from construction dust) for my extra chores for the week, so it won't be hard to throw in weights for arms. I think I'll increase to 3x a week and see if 10 minutes is a good amount. I am doing a little ab work and wow, do I need it! I have to cheat a little on the modified exercises.
Congratulations on getting out of the maternity clothes!!!
I weigh myself a lot (almost daily) because I am just starting dieting, and I don't want to backslide too much, but in the past I didn't weigh myself much while dieting, just weekly or every other week because I didn't want to stress over the daily ups and downs. I agree with LaMaria - whatever works for keeping you motivated. As a mom I tend to put my priorities last, so it's been a big exercise in self compassion for me to insist on more veggies and fresh fruit and less fattening stuff in the house, so I think it's really great how you are slowly changing your family's diet!
I only did dumbbells twice this week because I did so much digging in the garden that my wrist got a little sensitive to lifting heavy things. Next week I am just mopping walls and floors (from construction dust) for my extra chores for the week, so it won't be hard to throw in weights for arms. I think I'll increase to 3x a week and see if 10 minutes is a good amount. I am doing a little ab work and wow, do I need it! I have to cheat a little on the modified exercises.
Congratulations on getting out of the maternity clothes!!!
Cate
Long term member
Well done! I SO remember that feeling
That will be a real boost for you!Personally, I think weighing once a week is a good idea but everyone is different (if I don't like what I see I then have a very good day & weigh again next day) & I like LaMa's idea of weighing when she really doesn't want to. That makes sense to me. If I don't weigh each week I'm inclined to backslide a bit.
I think your health should be bumped up the priority scale a little bit. Try thinking of yourself as your 4th child & give yourself some well-deserved attention xoxo
Petal001
New member
Spring flowers I am not great at weighing myself . But I have started to again once a week. Unfortunately I have to as otherwise I go in denial. However I try not to get too hung up on the scales . I was a scales addict at times and that's not good either .
Glad you have clothes to feel comfortable in , makes such a difference .
Springflowersandmore
New member
Thank you all for the comments!!
Once again I never found quite the time to write an update for several days. Cate’s comment about making my health a higher priority stuck around in my head all week, even though I don’t think I acted on it, haha.
I think I’ve done well though incorporating more activity into daily life. Lots of walking, and we spend most of the day outside. Keeping busy and out of the house also helps cut down on boredom eating. I think I only did maybe once?
I actually had people tell me I looked like I was losing weight twice recently. I was really surprised, since I can hardly tell a difference, and it hasn’t been that long since I’ve made any effort at all. But I bet that I’m not as bloated now, and plus the new clothes that actually fit I can tell do make a big, big difference.
It’s my birthday this weekend, by the way!! Planning to go out tonight, hopefully get babysitting for the girls so my husband and I can have a more oeaceful time, and get some food and a loooooot of drinks- been a long time since I’ve been able to have alcohol, with all the pregnancies. Haha!
Once again I never found quite the time to write an update for several days. Cate’s comment about making my health a higher priority stuck around in my head all week, even though I don’t think I acted on it, haha.
I think I’ve done well though incorporating more activity into daily life. Lots of walking, and we spend most of the day outside. Keeping busy and out of the house also helps cut down on boredom eating. I think I only did maybe once?
I actually had people tell me I looked like I was losing weight twice recently. I was really surprised, since I can hardly tell a difference, and it hasn’t been that long since I’ve made any effort at all. But I bet that I’m not as bloated now, and plus the new clothes that actually fit I can tell do make a big, big difference.
It’s my birthday this weekend, by the way!! Planning to go out tonight, hopefully get babysitting for the girls so my husband and I can have a more oeaceful time, and get some food and a loooooot of drinks- been a long time since I’ve been able to have alcohol, with all the pregnancies. Haha!
Happy Birthday!!!
Really happy to hear you are getting in lots of walking and cutting down on the boredom eating. I was so shocked when I realized I did that. I had convinced myself I was actually hungry, and now I go to the fridge and look at the food but don't graze. It feels nice to like how I feel more than liking eating to alleviate boredom. I wonder if the exercise gets people out of the boredom mindset because we feel better with more exercise and so think of things to do instead of feeling bored and eating and then getting more sedentary?
Have fun going out on the town in your new clothes!
Really happy to hear you are getting in lots of walking and cutting down on the boredom eating. I was so shocked when I realized I did that. I had convinced myself I was actually hungry, and now I go to the fridge and look at the food but don't graze. It feels nice to like how I feel more than liking eating to alleviate boredom. I wonder if the exercise gets people out of the boredom mindset because we feel better with more exercise and so think of things to do instead of feeling bored and eating and then getting more sedentary?
Have fun going out on the town in your new clothes!
Springflowersandmore
New member
Thank you all for birthday wishes!
I had a fantastic day. Got a cordless vacuum, haha, which I have genuinely been wanting badly for a long time now. My husband also bought me a couple books on cooking pasta, since I've been wanting to make more and better tasting pasta dishes for us lately. The day before we also bought a new tent, really huge family-sized one, which was really expensive but we plan on doing a lot of camping. Last night we also dropped the older kids off with my husband's mom while we went out for drinks and then a fancy dinner, and then I actually slept mostly peacefully, with only one baby at home (which is why I am having time to type this now!). It's also coincidentally raining, which is perfect because I love the rain, and it's been super hot here recently so I'm glad for the cool.
I realized I really haven't had a chance to do even a very short strength workout all this week. It just doesn't even occur to me to remember, especially when I have work waiting as well as lots of other daily things always to do. I've been strength training regularly for well over 10 years now, so I have a good base of muscle, I guess, which hasn't seemed to be put off even by my recent inability (or not more like forgetfulness) to train the last long while. But I still don't want to lose it! Going to try harder to make that happen this week.
I had a fantastic day. Got a cordless vacuum, haha, which I have genuinely been wanting badly for a long time now. My husband also bought me a couple books on cooking pasta, since I've been wanting to make more and better tasting pasta dishes for us lately. The day before we also bought a new tent, really huge family-sized one, which was really expensive but we plan on doing a lot of camping. Last night we also dropped the older kids off with my husband's mom while we went out for drinks and then a fancy dinner, and then I actually slept mostly peacefully, with only one baby at home (which is why I am having time to type this now!). It's also coincidentally raining, which is perfect because I love the rain, and it's been super hot here recently so I'm glad for the cool.
I realized I really haven't had a chance to do even a very short strength workout all this week. It just doesn't even occur to me to remember, especially when I have work waiting as well as lots of other daily things always to do. I've been strength training regularly for well over 10 years now, so I have a good base of muscle, I guess, which hasn't seemed to be put off even by my recent inability (or not more like forgetfulness) to train the last long while. But I still don't want to lose it! Going to try harder to make that happen this week.
- Status