As a little history, I used to be a very active/ fit person, but my senior year of college I stopped my workout routine due to an extremely difficult class/ work load. As everyone knows, it is so much harder to re-start after being off of a strict routine. Since this time (and mainly since I've started TTC) I've gained 40 lbs and have went from a size 6 to a size 12/14 (though most 12 are too small for me now). I am at a point now that I really NEED to lose weight and get back into shape, but my biggest hurdle thus far is the exercise part... my body actually aches like that of someone 2-3 times my age and exercise is unbearable. Since the beginning of the year, I have really been strict with my diet yet the scales are yet to budge. I thought if I could drop some weight then exercise would be easier, but I can't figure out what to do to get that initial weightloss to begin. Does anyone have any tips/ suggestions? I'm very serious about getting in shape, and I would really appreciate any input. Thanks!

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Hey Deanna!
The more I learn about diet/weight loss the more I think that different things work for different people. Starting is the hardest part for me, too. I was always "normal sized" in highschool, and when my mom got sick my senior year, I ate ALL the time for emotional reasons and gained a ton of weight--and I've always gained weight easily so it was NOT GOOD. After that, I lost 70 pounds before my wedding doing weight watchers. Any time now that I gain some back and need to lose some I have to be really strict the first 2 weeks. Exercise is necessary but I have to really restrict what I eat those first two weeks, eating no more than 1000-1200 (equivalent to the 20-point WW jumpstart) calories a day. And you cant do that forever, its only a short term thing! That's what's worked for me. It sucks!

I wish you the best of luck in your weight loss--I know so many of us are in the same boat! Keep going and you'll get there!

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Since this past January, my diet has been very restricted... for example, my typical meals include: breakfast: a small bowl (1 c.) or cheerios with skim milk or a piece of fruit and a glass of skim milk or juice; lunch: 10 baby carrots, 4 broccoli sprouts, a fat-free yogurt, and a piece of fruit; and dinner: 4 oz of grilled or broiled meat (typically chicken or fish), steamed or boiled veggies, and on the rare occasion a half of a baked potato. On top of that, I don't use any sauces such as butter, salad dressing, etc. I'm not sure how many calories that is, but I'm certain it couldn't be too many. I used to eat 2-3 times a suggested serving and never gained a pound when I was exercising regularly, but I have been eating like this since January and the scales have honestly not budged even a pound!

What is so confusing is that I could always eat/ drink what I wanted and I was always a very slender person. Now I'm very strict about what I eat and drink and I can't even begin to get to the slender person I used to be.

I know exercise is essential, and I have started walking (very slow pace) around our neighborhood a few times a week, but even that little bit kills my knees and hips. What is so depressing is that I know the little bit that I've began to do really serves no benefit to my body, but I'm in so much pain afterwards that there is no way I could do more than that right now. I figured it would be easier on me if I could lose some weight but that so far has proved impossible.

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Have you tried swimming at all? Or just doing some type of exercise in the water? That is much easier on your joints than out of water. I'm not sure if you would want to spend the money, but an elliptical machine is also something that won't hurt as much. As for the diet, I don't have a clue. I've also always been one of those people who could eat anything and never gain weight. Unfortunately, the older I get, the more weight I'm gaining now, especially since my m/c. I gained about 10 lbs while I was pg and had an awful time getting it off. I've cut back on how much I eat. I usually don't eat breakfast, if I eat lunch, it's a small lunch and then dinner at night, but I don't allow myself seconds anymore. I've lost the 10 lbs between that and swimming and water-skiing. Good luck and I hope you are able to find something that works.

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Deanna, that does sound like a restricted diet!! I don't know why you'd gain weight, then...Have you talked to your doc? Also, if you don't mind me asking, how come you're having so much pain when you exercise?

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Deanna, Are you sure that the fertility Meds aren't keeping you from losing weight? I know anything that changes up your hormones can effect your metabolism & make you gain weight. I really believe that because every time I got on bcps I'd gain weight. I think it's very common to gain weight while ttc especially with meds.

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I haven't talked to my doctor... I know this is something I should do. We recently moved to a new area, so I haven't established a PCP yet.

Poor joints run in my family, and I've also had many injuries to my knees growing up.

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I haven't tried swimming, but I'm in the process of looking for a fitness center where that may be available. Elliptical machines was the only type of cardio I used to be able to do, due to my knees. I'm just afraid to invest in one without being sure that I could still use one like I used to.

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I'm sure that the fertility meds have something to do with it, but I just really need to find something to get past it. KWIM? I guess I'm mainly afraid that if I don't do something now, then it will really get out of control.

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I know what you mean. That's why I decided that until I'm back to my normal weight I'm not going to go the med route, because I know I'll gain weight if I have to go on meds. I hope you find something that works for you. I LOVE doing pilates & working out with my ball. It's very easy on the body & it gives you fast results!

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Aw..well Deanna, I hope that slowly you get it figured out, I'm sure you will. As soon as you're able you should visit a doc and I bet you'll feel better just to get it started/taken care of.
Also, any exercise is better than none, even if its just to maintain as opposed to gaining more weight.

We belong to Bally Total Fitness, if they have one in your area, and they have great specials that are SOO cheap. Its a very basic, not fancy gym. I just go in, work out, and leave! Elliptical is my favorite, too.
So..those are some ideas I guess!
Keep us posted on how you're doing, we're here for you!

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Deanna - I feel you girl. Since TTC, I have gained about 25-30 pounds. This has all come on since December. I was a gymnasts growing up and I played basketball and volleyball often. My dh and I used to play in 3-4 leagues a week and I was constantly moving. Now I sit in a desk for 12 hour days, go home exhausted and sit on the couch, play on SK, do homework, and go to bed. I don't move like I used to and I know that has a lot to do with it. I eat about the same. I have never been a good eater, but I have maintained my weight eating the things I enjoy. Now that I am getting older, I don't have that luxury.

Today I bought a treadmill on craigslist and I plan on walking on that while watching my shows after work. I know that it will be hard for you in the beginning but as the weight comes off you can do more and more activity. I think swimming or water exercise will be the best for you like Jessica suggested. And Pamela has a point about the fertility meds. I have stopped taking my prenatal and I probably won't do another Clomid cycle to see if that helps my weight loss.

P.S. as I am writing this post I am eating Rolo's....so I am not a good example.

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Thanks... I love you girls... I will start looking into a PCP and maybe they can recommend something to help jumpstart, but in the meantime I will try to find a low-impact routine that is easier on me.

Oh Amy... those Rolo's sure do sound good... savor them for me! The biggest "snack" I've allowed myself since the new year is tortilla chips with guac (no sour cream though).

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Deanna,
I'm not sure I have any good advice, just encouragement. Like someone mentioned, swimming would probably be a good choice for you. I've belonged to a couple of different gyms, and I did best in the one that I felt most comfortable in. I don't like the Bally's, or 24hour Fitness types, too open for me. And find a good, understanding doctor to talk to. My whole life I've had opposite reactions to medicines, so I think my recent weight loss I owe to clomid. One good thing out of this whole ordeal for me.
Good luck! If you set your mind to it, you can do it.
Laura

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Deanna - I can PM you some more information with specifics about this if you want. The 2 things I would suggest are pool exercises, specifically in a heated pool. You can find a place that will heat the pool to body temperature, it's certainly not refreshing, but it's very very good for the joints. Also, you may be restricting your diet too much. You have to eat a minimum number of calories for your body to function with a "normal" metabolism. Well, normal when you aren't on fertility meds. You may want to add up how many calories a day you are eating, and adjust it to 1300-1500. Your diet is looking to me like it is maybe around 1000 calories. It's counter-intuitive, but it's true that those few extra calories can make a huge difference. And the combination of diet and exercise are really the key to taking of weight sensibly. Good luck dear!

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Me -29 DH - 33
Married June 13, 2003
Completely anovulatory without meds
10/07 - 12/07 50mg Clomid,
12/07 - DH's SA all normal!
2/21/08 - RE consult
3/08 100mg clomid cd3-7, no follicles, cycle cancelled
4/08 - 150mg clomid cd3-7, u/s on cd14, 1 follicle @ 24mm, trigger shot on cd14 and timed bd,
5/08 - HSG looks good
6/08 - IUI+INJ #1,
7/08 - IUI+INJ #2,
8/08 - IUI+INJ #3