hey all! well have been up and out for a walk and a play at the playground already today and got home for lunch - had a meeting so not really my own motivation lol

hmmm... so to catch up...

leesa - am 170-171cm so about 5'7" and have always had quite wide hips (let alone now...), size 10-11 being my minimum pre preg size on bottom. top am not concerned about so much as still have quite a narrow waist (although still about 6-7cm to go to get back to pre preg) and shoulders and have never really carried much weight on top...

starbright - i would totally recommend a food diary then hun, cos there must be something in your environment that has changed (also pregnancy and BF actually dry out your skin considerably as well, but not that much!). also worth thinking about are things like washing products like what soap or body wash you use, what laundry powder or additives, what moisturisers and make ups, whether you wear gloves for (everything in my case) washing up, nappy bucket, cleaning etc. whether you drink enough water or too much caffeine. what products you use on bub's skin, bum or bath, whether you use wet wipes or water and a cloth... all those kinds of things. if i wasn't as strict as i am with my and bub's environment then i would probably be pretty similar to you (truly) as if i do something that aggravates my skin then they end up (within a day or two tops) cracked and bleeding and excruciatingly painful. also have you thought about flaxseed or fish oil supplements?

sammiejane - not vain, is totally about you and your self esteem (vanity would be how you look for others, not yourself). i am absolutely with you on this as this is what i want too. i want to feel gorgeous and attractive and not like a potato person

pumpkinzulu - honey, even if you just have a few ready made meals in the freezer and fridge (whether from friends, family or the supermarket) that might help you out a bit. your bub is still so young and i remember having things like single or serves two packets of soup, curry and risotto in the fridge AND freezer when bub was teeny as i didn't have the time or energy to cook. it really helped as then i could just take one out of the fridge and heat it up and bung whatever i didn't use back in the fridge. you need to eat well both for your recovery (birth is BIG on the body) and if you're BF then for the quality of milk for you little one. other things are like individual sized tins of tuna (flavoured or not) or salmon or sardines in the pantry and then you can just rip into one and have a burst of protein. cos honey, the guidelines are generally to not lose more than a kilo a week so 15 in 4 sounds dangerous for you health not to mention bub's... have you got a coffee group or friends who are mums too? or just someone who you love who can drop in once or twice a week, wash your dishes, do your vacuuming and make you a casserole or something? i aim for three meals with protein (breakfast, hot lunch and hot dinner) and a snack or two if i'm hungry (usually either raw fruit, veges or nuts).

miss k - hope the nutritionist went well

belfie - well done on the cycle!

beckoes - hope your goals are going well

tellytubby - hope you're having a good day today

everyone else - ditto!