How many hours of sleep do you get on average everyday? Parents expect a lot from themselves, while they run on very little sleep. Did you realize that if your body isn't properly resting, it's difficult to maintain a health body weight?
I want you to take a little sleep inventory. How much continuous sleep are you getting? Any naps?
If you aren't getting at least an average of 5 hours of continuous sleep in a week, weight-loss should not be your focus right now. It is not a realistic goal to expect from your body.
I'm talking to you, sweet-mothers-of-6-week-old-babies-who-think-they-need-to-start-dieting-RIGHT-NOW... No, you do not. Sleep. Sleep every chance you can. Don't stay up reading a book. Don't stay up reading blogs, washing dishes, doing laundry. If at all possible, sleep.
How do I know this? Let's just say I speak of what I know. My babies are not sleepers. I do not make children that sleep well at 12 weeks old or even at 3 years old.... If you are able to get a good night's rest then absolutely, you may move on to your next health goal.
Now let's say that your kids are sleeping well, but you just do not have good sleep habits. Before you set about a new exercise routine and a new diet, you must better your sleep quantity and quality.
The first time my first child slept all night long was when he was 19 months old. I spent most of my son's first year of life thinking that I couldn't possibly lose weight because I wasn't getting enough sleep to exercise. I think I was right, except that I used it as an excuse to not make any dietary changes either. Baby number 2 sleeps much better, but I'm still not getting enough sleep. He is 5 months old today and I am already within 10lbs of my pre-pregnancy weight. It took me about 10 months to get to this point with the first. The difference is that I'm eating much better. I'm not starving myself. I'm nursing and eat 5 to 6 times a day and I even eat dessert, just less often. Most mornings I start the day with protein instead of a sugar filled muffin. I snack on healthy things like fruit smoothies and make sure I eat veggies every day. I only lose about a pound a week which I think is a pretty healthy rate, and I realize it may slow down a little as I get closer to my goal. I'm not exercising much, but I do yoga maybe twice a week which I feel I'm capable of on less sleep than say running. Anyway, I'm just saying that you are definitely right about not trying to do to much when you are overtired, but dietary changes can make a difference in weight loss and of course overall wellness.
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