are there any diet or exercise secrets or tips out there for getting the weight off?

Yurena - posted on 03/29/2010

Amanda,
Haven't read all posts but my definite piece of advice is to have common sense. Don't stop eating, then whatever you loose is coming back to stay. Follow a healthy diet (and do some exercise, go to the shops with the buggy) that you are happy to do LONG TERM, quick fixes are not worthy and later on you'll feel hungry or deserving 'a treat' (which will be a week of take aways or something of the like). I wouldn't advice pills of any kind. If you are still keeping the weight after eating healthily, lots of fruit and veg, avoiding too much sugar and fat (and also alcohol, full of empty calories- plus makes you balloon), you should see your GP, who can advice you and plan a healthy diet for you. All the best.

Kelsey - posted on 03/29/2010

i find that when im craving foods that are bad for me or if im snacking a little too much, that if i suck on ice cubes or eat ice thats been put through a blender (so its not hard on your teeth) that it takes care of the snacking i want to do or it gets me through those times im wanting a greasy hamburger or something. it works for me.

Joy - posted on 03/28/2010

get an exercise ball they work google exercise ball work outs they give you plenty to do just use it everyday it really works!!

Emily - posted on 03/24/2010

While diets work you need to make sure that you workout too. Eat healthier like salads and raw veggies rather than junk. I did the special K diet and it worked great. If you stay home with your son try and do little stuff at home to keep you more active. One thing I did was I only kept diapers and wipes in his bedroom. That way I had to walk up the stairs everytime he needed a diaper change.

Brittney - posted on 03/23/2010

I gained almost 100lbs during pregnancy thanks to being on bed rest most of the time. I was up to 240. I am now 200 in 4 months. I am walking, drinking only water, watching calories and fat grams, doing the alli diet, The Firm Cardio dvds, and Wii Fit. All of it seems to be doing something. I am still alot more than what I was before pregnancy. My goal is to be down to at least 160 by the end of summer. With the Alli diet, you have to watch how many fat grams you eat, in turn makes you have to watch calories. I only eat 60 fat grams a day equals out to be about 1200 - 1800 calories. The Alli pill keeps the fat I do eat from being absorbed which helps when I work out to shed the fat that is already there.

Yurena - posted on 03/23/2010

I recommend to eat about 5 to 6 times a day - yes!!! That mean little meals and when you do your digestion your body burns up some calories in the process. Have bran/wholemeal cereals for breakfast and semi skimmed milk, snack on fruit as much as you want (but don't overdo bananas or avocado, you'll put on weight). Skip juices, they are full of sugars and you think you are having something healthy when it is not, if you are thirsty, drink water, if you are hungry, have some fruit. A piece of toast is fine too. Have a good lunch early 12-1, pasta, rice, stew, your body DOES need nourishment. The big mistake is to skip meals or try to starve during the day, you are tired and hungry by the end of it and will end up stuffing your face with something salty/sugary/greasy. Have a mid afternoon snack, sandwich, cereal, whatever you fancy and some dinner later on, soups are great, they fill you up. You can eat everything but don't leave it by the end of the day, that's when your body think 'we have been starving all day, there must be a shortage of food, we need to store', Fruit, veggies, veggie creams are great, make them really thick. Water and milk are good, all the rest to drink is not. Skip crisps and stuff like that, it's ok once in a while but they are full of calories and they don't give you anything, later on you'll want to eat some proper food. Hope it helps. I was a 52 kilos girl (thin for my 1.67 heigh) and now I'm 58.5, gonna start taking care to stay in 56.

Jelyn - posted on 03/23/2010

im 229 now i wanna get back to 150pds my first son i gaind like almost 95pds with him! i got up to 255 or something like tha then i went down to 213 the i got prego again and went up to almost 260 im fat lol i wish i was 150 again =( how do we lose our legs and stomace area faster

Crystal - posted on 03/23/2010

NO soda, DONT eat anything after 7 pm, & walk 30 min a day :)

Andrea - posted on 03/23/2010

breast feeding! works like a charm

Irene - posted on 03/21/2010

I gain 25 kgs with my 2nd. Try sauna it's help for me , but I still got 7 kgs to go :) now my baby is 7 months

Amanda - posted on 03/15/2010

thank you all very much for replying!

Liisa - posted on 03/12/2010

I suggest looking into a Mom & Baby fitness class. It can be a great opportunity to get a work out while bonding with your little one. These classes will most likely target areas that new moms want to work on - i.e. tums & bums. Good luck! :)

Audrey - posted on 03/12/2010

When I finally decided to take the weight off after my first child ( I had gained 75 pounds ) I went with a very common diet that help me lose 50 pounds .. In about 3 months. I got pregnant so didn't keep going with the diet.
- I stopped eating bread all together ( even brown bread ) and went with Ezekiel bread. It can be found in Bio stores. Taste very good but its more expensive.
- Go with brown rice pasta instead of white or whole grain.
-No more junk food! .. Maybe once every few weeks in reasonable portions. No Pepsi, no juice, less sugar in coffee.
- Drink lots and lots of water. About 2L a day. Carry a bottle around, it makes much easier then with a glass. And the more u drink the thirstier you will be.

--You should always have breakfast (ex: 2 toast and a fruit)
--A big lunch (ex: Brown Rice pasta with vegetables)
--Snack: Fruit or vegetables
--And a small super(ex: Salad (no dressing except balsamic vinegar or olive oil) with grilled chicken)

No eating after 7pm!

Try not to have pastas, rice on the same day. ex: if you have rice for lunch don't have pasta at night.

And Important: Try not to mix meat with pastas or rice. always have it vegetables.
Ex: Rice and vegies , pasta and vegies, chicken and vegies, chik peas salad with chicken or turkey
Not: rice and chicken or chicken with pasta.

Its a lot to take in I know! But if your dedicated to it. It will work! And its very healthy.
It didnt do any exercise while I went of my diet (witch ends up being a life style) but i would suggest you do .. To train your muscles at the same time and you dont end up with sagging or loose skin.

If you have any questions let me know!
Good luck to you!
= D

Ivy - posted on 03/12/2010

Just relax...Don't stop breast feeding ur little one..Do it all the more 'cause this helps in weight reduction...take in lots of fresh fruits and fluids to keep u going...cut off on animal protein by 50% and see ur complexion glow and weight lose...

Lianne - posted on 03/12/2010

walk walk walk!! and dance around the house, and try not to eat late at night if you do.

Sheree - posted on 03/12/2010

I went to aqua aerobics from about 8 weeks after having my daughter and I shed the weight so quickly it wasnt funny. your very sore the next day the first few times you go, but its fun and I certainly lost my weight doing it.

Rikki - posted on 03/12/2010

omg having the same issues if u find anything out let me know :)