Jenn Lynn- maybe the weight gain has something to do with all the water retention still going on that soon post-partum??? I feel like I weigh more now than I did about 8 weeks post-partum with Molly, but I haven't weighed myself since the six week visit so I don't know.
Since my earlier whine-fest post, I thought of some tricks I use when I'm really trying to lose weight:
I try not to "drink" any calories. Meaning except for 2-3 servings of skim milk per day, I drink either diet soda or water. I would rather get my calories from eating something than drinking juice or sugar-soda (or liquor, although I so seldomly drink that it doesn't matter for me, but for some it may be a factor).
I try to always have cut up fruits and veggies ready to go- the thing that usually prevents me from doing this is spending the $$ on out-of-season produce, or pre-cut produce (sometimes I can be a weirdo cheapskate). But if that will get me to eat fruits and veggies more, it's worth a few extra bucks every week. I find that fruits and veggies really do fill you up better because of the fiber.
I try to have two meals that are very calorie conscious, and go easy on the third meal- for example- just a bowl of cheerios and skim milk for breakfast, and a lean cuisine for dinner, but have something like a big salad, with cut up chicken nuggets on top (like baked chicken nuggets), maybe a few chips and a little mini-halloween sized candy bar for lunch. Or even something from a fast food place, but keeping in mind portions- like a small hamburger, small fries, side salad and diet coke for lunch, etc. Have a snack if you're hungry so you don't binge- a graham cracker with peanut butter, yogurt, a few crackers and cheese.
Microwave light popcorn is a great snack- very low on W.W. "points" and you can eat a ton of it cause it's so high in fiber.
And I try and just move- if I'm indulging in a favorite tv show, I make sure I get up at every commercial to do something- run the vacuum around, run a load of laundry upstairs, clean up something really quick. If you have stairs in your house, run and down them for 5 minutes two times a day. Park your car farther than necessary at the parking lot. Sometimes, and this sounds like i'm a freak, if I'm at the grocery store or Target, and need to get from one part of the store to the next, I kind of fast-walk, picking up the pace a little bit.
One thing I learned in nutrition classes (took 2 in college) and Weight Watchers is that little lifestyle changes really do make a big difference in the long run- if you are hooked on sugar soda, try and cut half of them out and switch to water instead...or if you can stand it, diet soda; switch to skim milk if you drink 1% or 2%; if you drink whole, babystep it down to 2% then 1%, etc. Use reduced calorie margarine on your potato or whatever (I must use real butter when baking however...)..DON'T DEPRIVE YOURSELF OF SOMETHING YOU ARE CRAVING OR YOU WILL FAIL!!! If you NEED a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or a pack of M and Ms....go ahead and have them. Just eat wisely for the next day or two, or try and fit in 30 minutes of exercise.
OK, I'm now stepping off my soapbox. I wanted to add that when I easily lost the 30 pounds with W.W., I was only 21, and was enrolled in at least 2 college phys ed classes (water aerobics and power walking)....I was SO busy with school, work, etc., that it was relatively easy to do. And my mom was doing it with me at the time so we kept each other accountable. Being at home with 3 kids day after day after day SUCKS as far as not snacking and getting out and exercising. But like I said, I'm coming back from WDW and walking every time Josh is at preschool!
Oh, I just remembered a favorite lunch of mine from the college WW days- a nice sized slice of veggie pizza, a salad with ranch on the side (I am a fan of getting dressing on the side, dipping the tines of the fork in the dressing, and then taking a bite of salad- you get the flavor of the dressing and you hardly eat any of it!!) and a nice diet coke. I felt like I was getting something really yummy and it kept me full for the afternoon.
Hi,
. She did fine initially but had a terrible time later in the night where she was just crying uncontrollably, wouldn't eat, didn't want to be held etc. . She did eventually fall asleep in her bouncy chair and I let her sleep there all night because I was too afraid to move her. I slept on the couch next to her and woke up every hour or so to check on her. I hope the next round goes a bit more smoothly. 
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. I'll be glad when this week is over.
