Hi

Is there anyone out there like me? I gave birth to my first baby (girl) at 43. She's now 18 months old. When I got pregnant I was 10 stone 8 and now it has crept up to 11 stone 12. Yikes! I've started swimming and walking but am finding it difficult to stay motivated. My biggest weakness is white wine with dinner (too much). I know that if I can knock that on the head I will start losing weight, especially as I eat really healthily anyway. I'd be interested to hear from any like-minded older mums or indeed anyone who cares to reply!

hi jenny, i'm not quite the same as you although i am now a first time dad at 44 also known as a MAD ( middle age dad). life is a bit different but we are enjoying it . my problem is the time disappears too fast! i'm sure that you will lose weight chasing the toddler soon x

Hi Jenny,

Congratulations, being a parent is the most difficult job in the world, but also the most rewarding (at times!)

I think I beat your record for weight gain. I started at 8 stone 7, and put on half a stone for each baby - I had 4. Then I stayed the same for ages, but now the weight has started to creep back again, but I am having some success in toning up and have stopped gaining weight.

The wine can be a problem - I used to find I needed it to relax - fortunately that's not the case any more and I limit wine to weekends. But I will top up my glass if I leave the bottle out.
Try these:
Use a smaller glass
Put the wine back in the fridge as soon as you have poured a glass
Have a water glass as well so that you are not using wine to quench your thirst.

Good luck

Hi Jenny,

I'm not in the same boat as you - I'm looking forward to my kids leaving home soon (God willing) but with me, when my children were little, it was post natal depression that caused the weight to go on (rapidly). Breast feeding meant I lost the pregnancy weight quickly but when the depression hit it piled on. If you are drinking every night you may have some form of baby blues. It is worth looking at things that lift your mood as no matter how loved and wanted your children are motherhood is a huge adjustment for you self image.

Good luck and remember your children will love you whatever your size and shape, so don't beat yourself up.

Jean

It may seem a good idea at the time, but don't forget that it is full of empty calories. We all enjoy a few drinks at times and sometimes too much, but in the long run it isn't worth it. Keep up with the walking and the swimming.

Are you stuck at home on your own all the time, this can depress you at the best of times. My hubby works away all the time and I often get fed up, I find going for a walk even if its on my own will give me a lift. Logging on here helps a lot as well, so log on every day and you will always find someone to 'talk' to.

I'm also not in the same boat as you. My children are grow up and have children of there own, apart from my 16 year old who is still at home.
I had my last child at 37 which was class then as an older mother cheek!
I also enjoy a glass of or two at the weekends but with a glass of water so it dilutes it slighty, as Sue has said you can sometimes drink more wine to quench your thirst. So its a good idea to have water so as not to drink so much wine as a thirst quencher and enjoy it more as an accompliment to your meal.
Also the weight you have put on will soon come off when running around after your littlt one.
Congratulations on being a first time Mum, children are so rewarding.

Hi Jenny
Congrats on being a mum you will find it both rewarding and frustrating! I have teenagers now but put on weight with both 3 stone eacht time which I lost with ease with weight watchers being 26 and 32 at the time. Now I have no excuse and have lost one and half stone really since March when I started walking, running and cycling more. I really think it helps with your mood and generally being able to cope with life. On the wine issue I love wine and so drink only small amounts during the week and have upped the water intake which I think helps. Have you tried yoga, or pilates? both good for gettng back in shape after having a baby. Just take each day at a time and enjoy your child. These days go so fast and you should really appreciate your time. Anyway all the best must go for a walk now as the sun is shining!

Hi Jenny,

I think I might be in the same boat as you,a bit younger.I was a size 14-16.I have put on 2 stones since the preganancy.I have a 2 year old son.Wine is not a problem,but carbohydrates are.I love cooking big dinners and I feel guilty about throwing away food ,so end up eating lot more.I went out recently to meet an old friend who commented'have you put on more weight since I last saw you last year?' .I was embarrassed,as I haven't lost any weight since the delivery(I haven't put any extra weight on).
Yes ,I have decided -no temptations any more,It's high time to lose the muffin top.I am just trying to write a food diary.(started this week,so far,so good),walk during my lunch hour and evenings and not to snack in the office(office kitchen is loaded with goodies).I believe if we are motivated,we can do it .all the best