Stressed out Mama (like who isn't?)

[abbeyrd1]

Hi everyone! In the year 2000 (Conan-esque), I tried the diet and lost 60 lbs. Then I graduated college, started working and gained about 20 lbs back. Now after being married and having 3 kids I've gained the other 40. I'm about 15 lbs shy of where I started almost 10 years ago. I guess it could be worse. By the way, I had 3 kids in 3 1/2 years. Their ages are 3 yrs, 2 yrs and 4 months.

After my 2nd baby I tried weight watchers and actually felt uncomfortable eating yogurts and cereals and such. But, I tried it and lost only about 5 lbs which came back in a heartbeat. Then I went back to low carbing it and lost a good 20 lbs. Then, I went to Vegas (enough said), then was thanksgiving, then Xmas, then Spring break and then the day after Easter last year I found out I was pregnant again! So that's where I am now.

Its been 4 months since I've had my little prince- and during these 4 months I've started induction and the longest I've lasted was 2 whole days. I wake up every day and try try again. Then, I get home from work around 2 or 3, starving because I haven't had a chance to grab a bite. Then, the baby needs a feeding, then the other one needs a daiper change, and then she wants juice, or a movie, then my other one gets home from school and she announces her list of wants and needs.It never ends!!! And I get SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO frustrated by all the madness- (Because I'm alone at home while all this chaos is unfolding) that I end up saying forget it! I'm starving, I'm feeding my baby some rice, or pasta and I take a bite, or 2 or 3. Or I start eating a piece of ham or turkey with cheese and when it's not enough, I grab a slice of bread to go with it! Anything to fill my empty and stressed out tummy. Then maybe I'll grab a cookie, seeing that I already messed things up anyways.

Later, at the end of the night, when all my little treasures are tucked away in bed, I head straight to a glass of wine, or a couple of low carb beers to totally unwind because by this time I'm a cranky tired you know what. And people have suggested taking a hot bubble bath, reading a book, or other relaxing things- blah, blah blah- but honestly, the bath and the book are much more enjoyable with the wine. Don't you think?

So, in a nutshell-I am stressing, I'm struggling, and even before the day ends I'm a hot mess.

But guess what-If I've done it before, I tell myself I can do it again. Even though its more challenging then ever before. That's my optimistic side for you.

And guess what else, tomorrow, I'll probably have my coffee, my eggs, and by 2 or 3 o'clock I'll be doing what I just describe above all over again.

Maybe one of these days will lead to 2, then 3, and hopefully I'll be able to stick to a clean induction- Maybe...

I don't want to come across like I'm making excuses (which you might think I am).. but It's the honest to goodness reality of my crazy life at the moment and I totally needed to get it all out- thaks for reading...if you made it this far. Ha ha!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Stressed out Mama (like who isn't?)

Welcome to ADBB!

You're not nursing are you?

[abbeyrd1]

Re: Stressed out Mama (like who isn't?)

No, I'm not. Just bottle feeding.

[Georgiana]

Re: Stressed out Mama (like who isn't?)

Welcome to ADBB!

I get home from work around 2 or 3, starving because I haven't had a chance to grab a bite.

Eating something like a cheese stick takes about the same time as peeing, so if you have time to go to the bathroom, then you also have time to eat something.

Some cherry tomatoes and a few flax crackers are other things you can have for a quick snack.

Or I start eating a piece of ham or turkey with cheese and when it's not enough, I grab a slice of bread to go with it!

If you plan your meals, then you will not "need" to grab a slice of bread. Instead, you could grab a slice of quiche or a piece of chicken (cooked by you, not cold cuts).

Or you could have mushroom soup (cooked in advance)... or scramble some eggs (it takes 2 minutes)... or have eggplant or celeriac salad. Children can eat that, too... they don't need pasta and rice.

Then maybe I'll grab a cookie, seeing that I already messed things up anyways.

That's diet mentality... all or nothing.

Atkins, however, is a lifestyle change.

Later, at the end of the night, when all my little treasures are tucked away in bed, I head straight to a glass of wine, or a couple of low carb beers to totally unwind because by this time I'm a cranky tired you know what. And people have suggested taking a hot bubble bath, reading a book, or other relaxing things- blah, blah blah- but honestly, the bath and the book are much more enjoyable with the wine.

What you're doing now is clearly not working... and you can't change the needs of your children. It's you that needs to change... and change doesn't happen if you keep doing what's most enjoyable. If you do what you like most, what's easy and what you've always done, then you can't expect different results.

I tell myself I can do it again.

Telling yourself you can do it is not going to help unless you actually do it. You do things by planning and by doing what needs to be done, not by wishing to do it or by doing what you like most.

And guess what else, tomorrow, I'll probably have my coffee, my eggs, and by 2 or 3 o'clock I'll be doing what I just describe above all over again.

If you allow for that possibility, if you don't PLAN differently but just go with the flow, then yes, tomorrow you'll probably do just what you described above.

[poobears1972]

Re: Stressed out Mama (like who isn't?)

It's more mental than anything. If you think you will fail, you will fail. No matter how busy you are you can stick to plan if you prepare the foods and prepare yourself mentally. If you aren't ready to commit that's ok, maybe someday you will be. Not everyone is ready.

[abbeyrd1]

Re: Stressed out Mama (like who isn't?)

Thanks for your suggestions- It is true that being prepared would make it easier to stay on track. I'll have to stock up and start cooking tonight...I'm ready to drop these pounds.

[Georgiana]

Re: Stressed out Mama (like who isn't?)

I'll have to stock up and start cooking tonight

Sounds good. Cook larger amounts, so that you have planned leftovers. You can then freeze some to have a meal available when you need something quick.

[ConnieC]

Re: Stressed out Mama (like who isn't?)

Sounds like you're looking for an energy boost to make it from picking up the kids to bedtime. Been there, myself.

Here's a suggestion: Tonight, boil eggs instead of drink wine/beer. Then take three to work the next day. Right before you leave work for the day to go pick up the kids--while still at work--eat the three eggs and drink a huge bottle of water. It will take a big edge off your hunger and help to keep your blood sugar stable while you're doing the chaos part of your day.

If you're still in munchie mood when you get home, eat a piece of string cheese and pass those out to the two older kids. BTW, if they don't really want the cheese, they're not really hungry, they're just in the habit, so they're not going to starve if they don't eat it--experience speaking here<G>

JMO.

[sham]

Re: Stressed out Mama (like who isn't?)

Welcome and all the best!

[abbeyrd1]

Re: Stressed out Mama (like who isn't?)

Thanks for the boiled eggs tip- Its simple things like this that I sometimes miss. I think this will definitely keep me on track until I can cook up a sensible lc meal later on in the day-