10 pounds or a job?

Today's Mom Daily was written by Omaha mom Anne Monahan.

When my youngest daughter was 3 years old, I decided I needed to lose some weight -- I couldn’t get by on the fact that I “just had a baby” anymore – she was THREE!

I had already tried the low carb diet (worked for awhile, but all the weight came back) and Weight Watchers (I was always hungry.) This time, I decided to do it my way. I started slow with an hour on the treadmill at least five days a week. I usually walked or jogged a little, but I’ve never been much of a runner. After about 6 months (and about 12 pounds) I added light weight lifting to my routine. All of this was in my basement, and my girls played while I worked out.

I should also mention that during this time, "The Biggest Loser" was very popular. The show recommends eating oatmeal to fill you up, so I started each day with a bowl of oats whether I was hungry or not. For lunch, I usually had a turkey sandwich on wheat bread with mayo, provolone cheese and mustard. I added my favorite chips – Lays Classic plain! I do not like the baked ones and with this “diet” I didn’t want to give up the foods I love or be hungry all the time. I would eat dinner with my family as normal.

So I followed this routine for a year and lost about 2 pounds a month. It was not a lot of weight, but I lost it slowly and was still able to enjoy the foods (and drinks) I love. The second year I worked more on weights and building muscle. In the end, after about 18 months, I lost 30 pounds. I noticed my hair was better, my skin was better, my muscles were toned - it was all good! I dropped three dress sizes. I was able to maintain my weight for another year by working out about three times a week and still basically eating whatever I wanted.

Then my youngest turned 5 and started school full time. So, it was time for me to go back to work. I found a wonderful job at an advertising agency that allowed me to work 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. so I could pick up my four children from school.

My time after school now is filled with kids’ homework, sports and other activities, so I don't have much time to work out. Before I know it most nights, it's dinner time. Then books, baths and bed. And by then, I am usually exhausted.

For the first six months after I started working, I was somehow able to maintain my weight. Then, after a while, the pounds started creeping back. I tried to keep to my morning oatmeal routine, but there is always a ton of really good food around the office of an ad agency. I work over the lunch hour and eat my lunch at my desk so I could control that, unless we were ordering pizza or Jimmy Johns! I even ditched the sandwiches and chips for yogurt and Wheat Thins. Still, the numbers on the scale continued to get bigger, right along with me!

I know what everyone will say – “You just have to make time for your workout. Get up early and do it before work.” Ick. I hate getting up early. In fact, I have a rule that I never get up before 6 a.m. unless I have a flight to catch.

I love my job and the people I work with, but I am struggling with the weight gain. Plus, I already got rid of all my “fat clothes." I’m afraid at this rate, I won’t be able to fit into any of my fall or winter clothes.

So I have come to the realization that I need to be better about watching what I eat – would it be SO bad to say “no” to that yummy quiche and cinnamon roll or pizza in the break room once in awhile? Probably not. And I need to sneak in those work outs whenever and wherever I can. I’d like to get back to my ideal weight AND keep my job.

What do you working moms do? Help a sister out! » more