Working Out and Dieting

Portion control is the key. I'm currently trying to take off a lot of weight put on because I wasn't paying attention to what I was eating or how much I was eating. Once I started watching my portions the weight started coming off.

You already have some good advice! I'll just add a little to it.

That last ten pounds is the very hardest to lose. If you needed to lose fifty pounds, your body would burn more calories when you exercised. This is not a good reason to gain forty more pounds. My point is that your body is working more efficiently right now, so the weight is harder to get off.

This means, I'm sorry to say, that you're going to have to pay attention to what you're eating. This is my big problem, too - I'm an emotional eater and lots of things set me off in the wrong direction. But in order to get the pounds off, you're going to have to watch the calories - which means that you don't want any calories going into your mouth that won't serve you well. Put only the best things inside you - the most nutritious, the ones your body can use the most, and only a very controlled bit of the "fluff" (if you have to have any at all). If this means you have to clean out the cupboards, go for it. I'm not meaning to lecture, because I know how hard that is.

This is also where the journaling, accountability, etc., come into play, but I don't need to repeat what's already been said.

The other thing I'll add is that once you have babies, your figure changes. You may not be able to make it exactly the way it was pre-baby. But don't obsess about it. You have better things to do. Lose the weight to be healthy (so you can take care of your family and yourself better), and dress the figure you have now, not the one you wish you had.

Do you swim? Maybe that might be worth a try. It exercises muscles in a different way than, say, a stationary bike or a treadmill does. Maybe you'll like it better for the areas you don't want to have bigger.

Add way more fiber to your current diet, it has been proven to help with weight loss.... and it is really hard to eat as much fiber as we need... I think its like 16 grams a day is what we are supposed to do. One piece of high fiber (by the label) bread only has 2 grams of fiber in it. Check all the labels on things that you eat and notice your fiber in take. Adding pulverized flax seed to sauces, oatmeal, grapenuts is a way to add fiber and you dont notice it in there taste wise.
Also add a few cups of brewed green tea to your daily regimine. I have not changed anything else in my diet or exercise program and I have lost 20 lbs very rapidly by just doing these two things.
Exercise that builds muscle but that is not cardio will not burn fat so yes a fat butt and legs will get larger because the muscle got larger and the fat is still on top of it. Doing the 10 thousand steps a day is the best exercise you can do to get rid of fat. Eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies..... dont let yourself get hungry because that's when you cave in for cravings of high carb foods that are quite fattening if you arent burning it off.... and you'll crave chips, cheesebugers and stuff like that.
Since I've been eating healthier my stomach cant even tolerate the junky stuff anymore, it gives me a stomach ache and I feel really crappy afterwards, just like a hangover after alcohol, bad food can do the same thing.
Good luck and keep on moving ;)

Sorry, you're going to have to trim calories.... or really pump up your exercise.

My family is currently doing a weight loss challenge because we all need to loose about 15 lbs, so I know where you're coming from. The great thing is having the support, but I thought I'd tell you what we're doing (and seeing results from):
1- write down everything we eat, and an estimate of calories. The biggest thing we all found was that it was less the kinds of foods and more the portion size. Check out portion sizes on the packaging, and see if you can get your portions down (use a smaller plate and serving spoon, and eat slowly). It also made me more aware of the random snacking that I do in the afternoons that fills out my calories. Make sure that you are getting 5 servings of fruits/veggies and 2+ of lowfat dairy a day for best results.
2- 20 minutes of exercise daily. At least 3 days should be "cardio" (fast walking, running, swimming, step-aerobics, dancing, etc) - anything that gets your heart rate up. And two days should be resistance (yoga & pilates count, as do traditional weights but use low weight and lots of reps to tighten rather than bulk). Also make sure you stretch well after - it strengthens and leans out muscle and prevents soreness.
3- ACCOUNTABILITY (this is where the family thing helps us) - find someone to report to weekly on how you did, where there will be praise for a good job and you don't want to disappoint (or where there is a reward for the weekly winner from all the non-winners - that's what we do. Based on points, not on amount lost). Do you have any friends who could join you? Get your hubby to join you? Maybe there are internet support groups that are free. Set up a reward for daily, weekly, and ultimate success?

Do it in a way that you can maintain the lifestyle change. If you just "diet & exercise" until the weight comes off then go back to your routine, it'll come back, often with "reinforcements." A permanent change in your body will take a permanent change in your habits.

Cardio vs. all weight lifting or squats, which are probably contributing to your muscle build-up. However, muscle burns more calories than fat does, so it's good to have some! It also gives you some body weight so judge your progress by how your clothes fit and not just what it says on the scale. Do a mix of treadmill (or jogging or serious walking or zumba, etc.) with your heart rate in the correct range - not too high, not too low - to burn fat. Get a pedometer (about $10 at discount stores) and try to get in 10,000 steps a day - park farther from the store entrance, take steps vs. elevator, and so on. With 4 kids, you'll be astounded at how many steps you take just getting to the laundry room and back! Also try to recognize that it just gets harder to lose weight as you get older. Be sure you are doing a variety of calisthenics such as crunches and biceps so that all the muscle isn't in your legs. There's not a lot of muscle in your butt so once you start losing fat, your butt will look better - you probably just have some fat there with muscle underneath - most of us gals do. Fill your house with healthy snacks - better for the kids too. Eat 5 small meals a day - or consider it 3 meals and 2 snacks, but use a smaller plate. Have whole grains and drink a lot of water to be full. A lot of "hunger" is actually thirst. Try to get rid of the white bread, white pasta, white rice -- it turns quickly to sugar and is stored as fat. Eat things that take longer to digest so you feel full longer. But don't avoid fat altogether - healthy fats like olive oil, peanut butter (without partially hydrogenated fats & corn syrup), and so on are good. I'm a carb-craver I admit, but a great whole grain bread dipped in herbed olive oil is great - I use mixed Italian seasoning in a little bowl, and top it off with olive oil. I love pasta, but I use whole wheat and top it with cooked eggplant, peppers & onions -- I cook up a bunch in a saute pan, then freeze it and defrost as needed. Whole wheat triscuits with a little cheese spread feels like a great appetizer and gives me that crunch I crave.

Good luck!!

My advice is to join Weight Watchers. It's about $40/month but your health insurance may reimburse you up to a specified amount. Everyone I've met who joins and actually FOLLOWS the program loses weight and loves it. The program really helps you identify areas in your life where you can make changes, which seems to be where you are at right now. Good luck!

Not knowing what type of work-out that you do you could possibly invest in a weight vest. They are easliy adjustable weight wise and mimic a heavier weight WITHOUT being heavier. I bought mine at Dick's Sporting Goods and I think it was around $80.00.

They look like bullet proof vest and have weights inside that are removable so you can make it as heavy or light as you want. You WILL sweat a lot wearing it so I suggest wearing sweatshirt underneath.