The thought of exercise: someone tell me I can get away with this .....

[chocolate]

So I'm looking for the easy way out of course! I have 3 boys, done HT a few times, didn't work, swayed this year but miscarried so have therefore felt like I've spent years altering my diet and exercising myself into the ground.
I have relaxed the diet for my break since August but only gained about 2 to 4 pounds, tried not to eat too boy friendly. I'm ready to go low fat/low/protein/nutrients and have mapped out my meals. I currently do yoga or the gym a few times a week but have lost my drive and energy to do this 5 plus times a week for 12 weeks. By the time I have worked 3 days a week and ran around after my boys I am zapped of energy (unless I eat boy friendly then I have the energy!) so I really can't do an hour a day 5 days a week.

So what is the next best?
A) Do an hour 2 or 3 times a week for 10 weeks then do it 5 times a week the last 2 weeks?
B) Forget the exercise completely and just do the yoga classes.
C) Do whatever exercise I feel I can do .. 3 times a week of 40 mins cardio?

I can sense my attitude has shifted, I am more relaxed, can't be bothered to keep the house as clean as often as I did before. Iron every morning for what we need instead of putting it all away in one go. Not so anxious about stuff that is on the news etc. or what I feed the kids etc. So I do wonder if I am becoming less of a Martha! (Great read by the way, although I skimmed a lot of it so maybe that is more girl friendly ;-) ) I have lost my get up and go and need for things to be perfect and my ambition. Going to sway but not too focused on doing it perfectly etc.

I know exercise sways, but 5 days a week for an hour a day for 3 months is just far too much for me atm. Please advise of the next best plan for me regarding exercise?

[onelastsway]

Sorry can't help but would also be very interested. The exercise part is the one bit I find impossible. I don't have an hour spare a day, I don't have the energy on the LE diet...I completely sympathise with you. I could probably just about do 45 mins a day for maybe 4 days a week at a push and am also wondering whether to just do it for a couple of weeks before ovulation but not sure what's for the best....

[Erin514]

I've seen atomic advise people who haven't been doing exercise to add it even if it's at the last few weeks of their sway because it gets such good results. I'm sure she'll weigh in, but I wonder whether, if you really can't manage doing it for the whole 12+ weeks, whether you would be able to do it for just the last month?

I would try to stick to an hour 4-5 times/week, though, instead of doing shorter increments or frequency.

[purple]

Do you have pcos? If so some exercise is better than none. I only did moderate excersise (20/30 min bike ride to work and back) because that wa all I could fit in with 2 kids and full time work. It's not the ideal but it was important to do some due to having pcos and it also helped my mental health.

I'm not sure what would be best for you. I'm sure atomic will have some good advice when she gets the chance to respond.

[chocolate]

Yes I have had PCOS in the past but I think it flares up depending on my diet as sometimes Ive had scans and haven't had the pcos ovaries but other times I have, and then sometimes my skin is trouble free for ages and then it flares up etc.

I think Ill do the hour exercise as often as I can, that may only be 2 or 3 times a week but I guess its better than nothing at all. I have a cold atm so am not doing any, just eating LE and chilling at home to try and shift it.

[squigglepink]

Oh Hi Chocolate, ive missed you :)

So pleased to see you back here. Im really sorry for your loss hun. I fell pregnant after you and lost it after 3 months.. So im back here again too :(

Good luck hun and fingers crossed for both of us xx

[chocolate]

Oh I'm sorry to hear that :-( My fingers are crossed for us both! I'm just getting back into it all and will hopefully be back on here for a bit more, will keep an eye on your progress, have you started the attempts yet? Mine won't be until the start of March

[squigglepink]

Oh I'm sorry to hear that :-( My fingers are crossed for us both! I'm just getting back into it all and will hopefully be back on here for a bit more, will keep an eye on your progress, have you started the attempts yet? Mine won't be until the start of March

I would like to attempt straight away. Unfortunately i dont have a clue where i am in my cycle. I also think AF is here for me. So will have to wait and see what happens xx It could be January even.. Feels like i wasted this whole year!!

Good luck hun xx

[chocolate]

Yeah me too, I did a sway for DS2 but miscarried before him also, then I swayed for DS3, then did HT for 2 years, then back to Swaying but miscarried, and now swaying again so it feels like I've forever been doing this stuff.
Hope you get your AF and can start afresh. I wasn't sure about swaying again after falling pregnant with twins last time and miscarrying so I went on the pill, I'm still on it but feel so much better hormonally that I think I will stay on it right up until March and maybe even start it and just miss a few days on it incase it helps to sway.

I'm going to eat what I like though on the few events I have over Xmas but just be a bit more sensible about it. Fingers crossed you get a bfp before Xmas and can then enjoy not being on the diet X

[squigglepink]

Yeah me too, I did a sway for DS2 but miscarried before him also, then I swayed for DS3, then did HT for 2 years, then back to Swaying but miscarried, and now swaying again so it feels like I've forever been doing this stuff.
Hope you get your AF and can start afresh. I wasn't sure about swaying again after falling pregnant with twins last time and miscarrying so I went on the pill, I'm still on it but feel so much better hormonally that I think I will stay on it right up until March and maybe even start it and just miss a few days on it incase it helps to sway.

I'm going to eat what I like though on the few events I have over Xmas but just be a bit more sensible about it. Fingers crossed you get a bfp before Xmas and can then enjoy not being on the diet X

Ah, what a journey! Sending hugs your way xx
Im not really doing the LE i was doing before. Im just doing what i can tbh. I did 7 months LE then preg for 3 months so a lot of wasted time.. Im just back on coffee and wine. No snacking unless i feel like it. No breakfast unless i feel like it. I dont have what it takes to do LE again unfortunately x

[MrsGoodies]

Yeah me too, I did a sway for DS2 but miscarried before him also, then I swayed for DS3, then did HT for 2 years, then back to Swaying but miscarried, and now swaying again so it feels like I've forever been doing this stuff.
X

Me too! Tried hi tech after DS 2. Failed. Then swayed for 9 months. Then had DS3. Then back to hi tech which failed spectacularily (not sure why I thought it would work after failing the first time but I switched clinics twice and was desperate). After two years of this I finally got my BFP....then mc at 7-8 weeks :( 6 months to recover/save up for ONE last Ivf/pdg which DH by now had enough but reluctantly agreed....accidentally fell pg with twin BOYS (no sway)....miscarried...almost bled to death....another 6 months to recover. Finally do the last ivf....forced to do FET...only 2 embies survive the thaw....BFN....give up on hi tech completely...start swaying and losing weight for 4 months...bfp with a GIRL (on my own with no hi tech even!).....miscarry...start swaying again 7 months...bfp...now waiting to miscarry. :(

I look back at what I wrote and it seems so pathetic. Where has my life gone?

I wonder if the swaying is causing mc?

[chocolate]

Oh gosh that sounds awful! Have you had any explanations for the miscarriages? Sounds horrendous to go through all that, hope you feel ok! Sorry you are miscarrying again, I hope you have lots of support and can have a happy ending X

Me too! Tried hi tech after DS 2. Failed. Then swayed for 9 months. Then had DS3. Then back to hi tech which failed spectacularily (not sure why I thought it would work after failing the first time but I switched clinics twice and was desperate). After two years of this I finally got my BFP....then mc at 7-8 weeks :( 6 months to recover/save up for ONE last Ivf/pdg which DH by now had enough but reluctantly agreed....accidentally fell pg with twin BOYS (no sway)....miscarried...almost bled to death....another 6 months to recover. Finally do the last ivf....forced to do FET...only 2 embies survive the thaw....BFN....give up on hi tech completely...start swaying and losing weight for 4 months...bfp with a GIRL (on my own with no hi tech even!).....miscarry...start swaying again 7 months...bfp...now waiting to miscarry. :(

I look back at what I wrote and it seems so pathetic. Where has my life gone?

I wonder if the swaying is causing mc?

[chocolate]

I may end up the same Squiglepink, I don't think I can see it though for another 3 months. I think I can do ok ish for the diet as long as I don't exercise that much and just exercise when I feel good. Maybe once I cut out the sugar I will be on the up and the diet may make me feel better. Its always combining it with the exercise though that just drains me. I'm going to focus on lowering testosterone levels the most as I think I did pretty good sways with my boys so I have a feeling it comes down to my testosterone or something. Will get back on the spearmint tea!

[atomic sagebrush]

I can't say which of the three options is best. It's just beyond my ability to know for sure.

Do keep in mind that my 60 6-7 recommendation is because I had to pick a number that I felt would work for most people, most of the time. It doesn't mean that you can't get a girl with a different level of exercise, it is because I have to set a goal to aim for and my goal needs to be effective for the bulk of people.

I do feel that 45 minutes and 4 days a week is the barest minimum. Anything less than that makes me very nervous (for anyone who does not have PCOS, that is - PCOSers need to exercise even if you can't get that much in becuase the benefits to blood sugar are so huge that it counters any possible risks of moderate exercise)

But again, I'm not saying you can't do less exercise and get a girl - just that it makes me nervous.

[atomic sagebrush]

Me too! Tried hi tech after DS 2. Failed. Then swayed for 9 months. Then had DS3. Then back to hi tech which failed spectacularily (not sure why I thought it would work after failing the first time but I switched clinics twice and was desperate). After two years of this I finally got my BFP....then mc at 7-8 weeks :( 6 months to recover/save up for ONE last Ivf/pdg which DH by now had enough but reluctantly agreed....accidentally fell pg with twin BOYS (no sway)....miscarried...almost bled to death....another 6 months to recover. Finally do the last ivf....forced to do FET...only 2 embies survive the thaw....BFN....give up on hi tech completely...start swaying and losing weight for 4 months...bfp with a GIRL (on my own with no hi tech even!).....miscarry...start swaying again 7 months...bfp...now waiting to miscarry. :(

I look back at what I wrote and it seems so pathetic. Where has my life gone?

I wonder if the swaying is causing mc?

I have a full investigation as to if swaying could possibly cause m/c in this thread. I take the idea very seriously and do not just discount it out of hand. http://genderdreaming.com/forum/gender-swaying-general-discussion/29504-guide-swaying-after-miscarriage.html

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes I have had PCOS in the past but I think it flares up depending on my diet as sometimes Ive had scans and haven't had the pcos ovaries but other times I have, and then sometimes my skin is trouble free for ages and then it flares up etc.

I think Ill do the hour exercise as often as I can, that may only be 2 or 3 times a week but I guess its better than nothing at all. I have a cold atm so am not doing any, just eating LE and chilling at home to try and shift it.

Then you need to do the moderate exercise. Do not go couch potato

[onelastsway]

Wow, reading all this has really hit me. I am so sorry for the painful journey you have both been on Chocolate and Squigglepink and that is a fascinating and very honest article about the potential effects of swaying on miscarriage Atomic. I have had two healthy boy pregnancies, got pregnant very easily and had no losses. But to be fair my diet was always pretty healthy, everything in moderation...I eat a lot (boy) but I am slim etc. I do feel less healthy on this LE diet (coffee, alcohol, more refined carbs, low blood sugar from fasting - I even ended up delaying ovulation this month from hitting it too hard). I've been back and forth about HT but we can't really afford it and success rates don't seem great. I think reading all this has made me realise I WILL continue to sway, but not to extremes and that having a third boy would be amazing too. Before, I thought I just wanted a girl and although that is still my preference, I don't want to waste these precious years with my boys over stressing about it. I know if I don't have a girl, the GD will come over me in waves, like it does now, but reading this has put it in perspective for me. My main reason for wanting a girl is for that mum/daughter relationship but I realise I can have that with my boys. That there are no rules with all this. I hope you can manage to just stick loosely to the swaying principles and relax and enjoy your time with your children and I hope and pray for BFP's that stick for you both shortly x

[chocolate]

Hi Onelastsway, I have always made sure my boys come first and I enjoy my time with them, and if anything, it has me building in more special times etc. As I guess I feel a bit guilty for wanting a girl.
I hope your sway works and just do whatever your best is, Ill be doing my best too and then I know Ive done what Im physically capable of. If I find the exercise too hard I will have to just cut down and be happy I tried :-)

[onelastsway]

Hi Onelastsway, I have always made sure my boys come first and I enjoy my time with them, and if anything, it has me building in more special times etc. As I guess I feel a bit guilty for wanting a girl.
I hope your sway works and just do whatever your best is, Ill be doing my best too and then I know Ive done what Im physically capable of. If I find the exercise too hard I will have to just cut down and be happy I tried :-)

Exactly. Perfect attitude! Lately I think I've sometimes become too obsessed with it and occasionally put my boys second to the exercise or researching more or just been grumpy with them because I'm hungry!! Going to take a more relaxed approach now and like you say, just do all that I can manage and hope for the best. Oh and you shouldn't feel guilty at all for wanting a girl. It doesn't mean you love your boys any less. I adore mine but still the desire for a girl is strong. Best of luck to you and will be watching out for happy news from you soon!