Thanks for all the congratulations everyone. I feel like a bit of a fraud though, because it wasn't THAT hard (and I know it is for many people). I guess knowing I had done it twice before made it easier. And it was an on again/off again pursuit, which I think it is why it took me all that time (my doctor this pregnancy was of the "you will lose it in 6 weeks" school which was unrealistic and discouraging)
Ellen I thought you had hit you "range" a while ago - you were an inspiration to me!
Nicole - I didn't follow a specific plan. I am hopeless at dieting, and have never really done it in a big way. My theory is that I have a fast metabolism and I shouldn't muck it up by cutting down on food too much. I did cut down on sugar from time to time. Desserts and baking are weaknesses of mine. I love carbs and could never low-carb but I did sometimes try to keep them to about 6-7 serves a day.
I am kind of lucky that I don't like potato chips (crisps) or any similar salty snack, most lollies (candy) or beer. I also limit my meat intake for other reasons and don't drink wine often.
And of course I am breastfeeding and running around after the three kids. I am also a fidgety, leg jigging type of person.
So with all that as a caveat, the effort I had to put in was mainly with exercise. I had a few spurts, a couple of ones where I was running a lot (and I have found all my life that once I get up to say 25km a week I start to lose weight)
one where I joined a gym and did weights and used the stair climber and the last one where I have been swimming a lot, training for a ocean swimming event. I was surprised by the swimming as I have have never found it good for weight loss before - I guess it is if you do enough - I did 4-6 sessions a week, some only 1/2 hr but some 11/2.
I have done more evening exercise than ever before - I don't think I ever thought of it as a possiblity, and have found that fitted my body cycle quite well. That also helped moderate my food intake as I can't eat too much at my evening meal or I would be uncomfortable (I did have a snack afterwards though!)
Hope that wasn't too much information!
