Pregnancy and Low Carb lifestyles

[LCandrea]

JR, it is great to hear from you! Got any pics of the little guy to share??

The great news is, you've already lost 60lbs! WHOO HOOO!
The not so good news is, you're eating white flour and sugar.
C'mon girl, you know better than THAT!

It sounds to me like you've really done well so far, and I think if you just get the "great white hazards" out, you'll feel so much better!

In any case, I'm really glad to hear from you.
Welcome home.

love,
a

[Lawbooks]

JR!!!
OMGosh, girl! I have been wondering how you were. We have missed you terribly here.
Hey, I had a baby girl (Raisha -- pronounced RAY-sha) in late March of 2004, so our babies aren't too far apart. Raisha just turned 10 months.

A couple of things:
As Andrea pointed out, you are doing so well already! I *did* stay LC while pregnant and only gained ~34 pounds, but I have only lost 40 since Raisha was born. I am still a VERY long way from my goal. You have already lost ~60 pounds, so you are doing terrific!
As for the missing period, that is completely NORMAL when breastfeeding -- it's one of the perks! With my second daughter (who's now 7), I did not get my period back until she was 14 months old! She was completely weaned by 15 1/2 months.
So don't sweat that; ENJOY it!

Basically, what I am doing while breastfeeding is what I like to call: Atkins with Fruit
I am eating induction-style for most things -- totally limiting sweets and obvious *bad carbs*, but allowing myself low-glycemic fruits and tons of veggies. I also allow the occasional whole grain (like oatmeal), but not often.
I have recently incorporated the "Green Tea challenge" (decaf only!!) (see the Challenge forum) and I am reading Ann Louise Gittleman's book, "The Fat-Flush Plan" and using her wisdom on detoxing the liver and kidneys for more efficient weight loss.
I have to say, I have never felt better and the weight is coming off slowly, but surely.

Exercise is key for me so I have started working out again -- free weights and walking and swimming. Also, I have gotten back to drinking about a gallon of water a day and that REALLY seems to help me.
If you want to communicate off-list (or would just like a sympathetic ear), email me or send me a PM. I totally understand where you *are* (been there; done that with my first daughter). You WILL succeed at this; you just have to take it one day at a time.
I wish you the best!
{{{hugs}}}
Summer

[jraudio]

Thanks all, for the warm welcome back

Andrea - I will find a pic of Sam and post it as soon as I can

Summer - I would love to start exercising again, but I have to work a 9 hour day to make up for 2 30-minute pumping breaks, and then I have to make sure I get home right after work to nurse again... does not leave a lot of time for exercise. As soon as Sam is weaned, I plan to join the gym in my office building and either go during lunch or go right after work (when I can go back to working an 8 hour day). As it is I do plenty of informal exercise, lifting and carrying my son, who is near 20 lbs.

I too am eating fruit lately; I know bananas are high-glycemic but they are loaded with potassium and I got burned out on apples. I had some assorted melon for lunch today with my chicken caesar salad, that was good. I also did something different this morning and ate a bigger breakfast - I was able to go from 730AM to 1PM with no food (it helped that I was busy during that time too), and that felt good. My breakfast was: 2 fried eggs, 2 slices low-sodium bacon, 2 slices whole wheat toast (10g carbs per slice) with real unsalted butter, a banana, a string cheese stick, and an 8 oz glass of 2% milk. I think that all went a long way toward getting me past the morning munchies. Still need to work on my water. I think I have had about 72 oz or thereabouts today, not really enough - should be closer to 100 or so. Gosh, I remember in my heyday doing 4 - 5L of water, or well over a gallon, a day!

Does anyone have the Atkins page-a-day calendar? It has affirmations, food tips, recipes, exercise tips, success stories, etc. I bought it as a motivational tool at the beginning of the year, when I started this new job. And let me just say this: if you are in a job that you hate, or that bores you, it will affect your eating habits! My last job sucked - I had too little to do and I felt isolated. That, plus a snack fund in the breakroom, loaded with candy and junk food, contributed to my not losing weight. You spend 8 - 10 hours a day at work - or more - make sure it's a healthy environment! I am still battling cravings at my new job, but the distinct LACK of snacks and a significant increase in my workload have helped, and if I can just get the rest of my eating on track, I should see some improvement.

I am going to weigh myself at the beginning of next week, and make a new sig line, and start doing this in earnest. I may not be able to hit Induction for another 3.5 months, but that doesn't mean I can't lose some weight anyway. Or at least not gain any more.

Cheers,
Jen

[BrattyChelle]

Jen~

Welcome back...sounds like you're doing all you can to make the changes you want while caring for a new child.

As one mom to another, what about taking Sam in the stroller and walking at night? I know you might live in a cooler climate right now, but perhaps once it warms? As of now that is all I have time for with my 6 week old...but it at least has me moving.

[jraudio]

That's definitely an option when it gets warmer (maybe April), but by the time we get home in the evening (between 6-7PM) it is impractical. We live in Northern VA, and it does get cold here. Now sometimes we will go out to dinner and then go to Target or Best Buy afterward and walk around there, but we can't do that every night we'd have no money if we did

Cheers,
Jen

P.S. I will be able to start working out again in May or June, that's not too far off... maybe sooner if my supply drops more than it has already...

[sizzlingseven]

WHEW!!! Its been months since I've posted... seems everyone is doing well with their new families...

Sydney is 10 months now, cutting her third tooth, saying mama and dada, and trying to walk.... she has been a real angel, so easy!!! and I got really lucky.

So, today I've decided to come back to LCE regularly and get this final 50 pounds off.... as some may recall, I went from 159 to 263 so my back and legs were T-I-R-E-D!!! I'm down to 187, so I've lost 75 pounds so far, but my goas is to be in the 130s, so I have about 50 pounds to go... I have been reducing my carbs and doing a lot of walking but I haven't done induction for over a year so I'm going to start today.

Anyways, hope everyone's new babies are doing well. Its funny, because lately I've been noticing all the pregnant mommies and I miss having a baby in my tummy... probably in another year I'll get pregnant again so that there's about 2 1/2 years between the kids.

Have a great day, stay focused and keep in touch!

[Shelleyg]

~bump~ up

[Josh.Parker]

Hello, n congratulations!!!!