MikeCFT's advice column

Sorry this is so long, but I need to explain:

When I was pregnant, I felt so exhausted and fatigued all the time basically for no reason. (I guess it was just from being pregnant, I don't know, but I was pretty tired. All the time.) Also, I was put on bed rest for the last month due to increasing blood pressure. (I have always had normal blood pressure, if this is important.)

Now that he is 4 months old, I don't feel as I did through out the pregnancy, but I feel like I can't keep myself in gear to do much of anything that is productive anymore, and I hate being this way. I don't know if being so tired, as well as a month of bed rest, during pregnancy has caused a drop in my metabolism, or what.

I am overweight, so I certainly don't need to be feeling this way. And feeling this way is all so new to me and rather bothersome, because before I got pregnant, I was quite the busy-body; I liked to be moving around and doing something. I just feel so lazy, and I hate it. I wasn't a lazy person before.

So now, my question to you is, what should I do to resolve this? Not only do I want to have more energy to enjoy my life and get my dishes done (LOL), but I would also like to drop some of this weight. I just don't seem to have the stamina at this point to do my laundry, let alone start a good exercise regimen. What should I do?

If it helps, I was overweight before I got pregnant, I only gained 16 pounds throughout the pregnancy (I was shocked because I always craved sweets in the last trimester), and I lost 31 after he was born. Now, however, I have gained back 10. I'm still below the weight I started at, but I'm slowly climbing back up to it.

I try to eat healthy, but sometimes I can't afford to buy a lot of health foods, because my husband is a meat and tater guy, so I have to buy what he likes to eat or I'll feel bad (and he is losing weight, the little punk, LOL).

So any help you can give will be greatly appreciated! If you need any more information, you know who I am. ;)

-Brandi

Brandi,

Post natal conditions can be pretty discouraging and difficult to overcome, but do keep in mind that physiologically you are made to deliver and recover from child birth. There can also be mental irregularities which accounts for cases of post natal depression.

Your body has gone through a lot of changes and will continue as you become older and you are feeling the mental and physical stress from it. Be confident that you can change your current condition if you empower yourself and set a goal. Most people with fitness don't set goals and when they do, it's fairly unreasonable. Start with your mental state- get into a positive mindframe that you are going to be productive and overcome this obstacle. Keep in mind also about your smoking habit and be prepared for a slower metabolism if you quit or adjust to this condition if you have already quit.

As far as not being able to afford healthy meals, the good news is that it is cheaper to eat healthy than it is to eat unhealthy. All it takes is chicken, fish, beef, fresh fruits and veggies, whole grain breads, oatmeal, some peanut butter and dairy such as low fat milk and eggs. Making meals in advance, such as grilling 10 chicken breasts on Sunday night and making a big pot of whole wheat pasta and filling 5 separate Tupperware containers with this gives you lunch for a whole work week for less than 10 dollars. Tuna (The Ultimate Nutritional Advantage) with fat free mayonnaise or salsa and rice is a great meal, also extremely cheap. See what I am getting at? Start out slow- get breakfast down first and when you get consistent with it, move onto lunch and so on. Big thing- EAT BREAKFAST lol. Remember also that different carbs have different values on what's called the GI or Glyemic Index; slower digesting carbs such as oatmeal and pasta are best eaten earlier in the day while fast digesting carbs such as rice are best eaten later in the day. This combination of slow/fast at the right times will also help prevent you from overeating late in the day.

Now what can you do for exercise? It doesn't have to be complex Pilates and an hour on a treadmill. Start out slow, why not try a little walk around the neighborhood after dinner a few nights a week? Watch the sunset, burn some cals while rocking out to some 80's tunes :-P

Try it out, baby steps and don't get discouraged if things don't happen immediately. Stay consistent and keep that good mindframe and you'll be just fine.

[view]

(Rating: 5) Thanks, Mike. I appreciate your help! Your answer was easier than I thought it would be! LOL I guess one important thing is I should start eating breakfast. I haven't for years, even though I know it is important. :\
P.S. 80's Rock On! :P

<<< Previous Advice Column

Next Advice Column >>>