Thanks for checking in Treens - you are so sweet!Quote:
Originally Posted by treens
How are feeling right now?
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Thanks for checking in Treens - you are so sweet!Quote:
Originally Posted by treens
How are feeling right now?
I feel silly for getting my head in knots over something as stupid as to when to TTC - I feel like it's probably best to just give myself a "no earlier than" TTC date and see what comes - I mean, we may try for months and months and then my trying to control the timeline would be a moot point anyways LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush
And yes, don't worry...I am past caring about age (too much) since the whole "being done before 35" boast has long sailed! I just find it ironic that when I started TTC at 25 (only had #1 at over 28) I was adamant 35 was my limit, that I wanted a boy first and preferably a majority of boys, if not only boys = here I am considering a 5h child, with 4 daughters in tow LOL
Life has a way of throwing a spanner in the works - which doesn't line up well with my desire to control, well, life ^^
I am feeling well. Just trying to stay super positive and grateful for all the good things in life :)
It's funny how we think an age is so old and when we get there it doesn't seem old. I am going to stay young at heart and mind LOL because i cant stop ageing lol. Also I had my boy at 41, so again you can get yours too!
You will feel exactly the same even in your 50's! The best is yet to come!Quote:
Originally Posted by treens
I agree! I definitely do not feel old like I thought I would / the way I perceived "old" was when I was younger haha
I at times have to remind myself that I am close to 40 - not some 20-year-old spring chicken :P seeing my not-so-taunt and somewhat fattish face on a big screen during a work Teams meeting yesterday did remind me very well, though LOL
I am tossing a few questions in my head - and if you've already answered them (sorry!), please tell feel free to tell me to do a better search on my own old posts LOL
So - still getting crap sleep - I think miss M is teething those 2-y molars so probably not going to get relief from that just yet. It is HARD for me to exercise because I am exhausted, though of course once I am done with a session, I feel refreshed so I do want to keep it up.
1) SLEEP/NURSING - I am still nursing my boobie monster (19m.o atm) & admittedly am over it - BUT I don't want to be mean and go cold turkey - after a day away from each other, she misses mummy and wants nothing but to climb on my lap once we're back home and nurse, and then wants to latch all nigh too (am DEAD! it's worse than a newborn I swear).
My plan is to look at weaning her verrry gradually in the hope that she will be more inclined to sleep (and to let ME sleep!) between now and Xmas.
--> I know BFing does somewhat sway pink - and I know we shouldn't drop Bfing just because of wanting TTC (and I won't!) - but could it be that there is a sweet spot having weaned for XX time before TTC when swaying blue?
2) EXERCISE - I currently manage 2 shortish sessions of HIIT/weights/week plus our weekend walks. The weather will soon be warm enough here that the plan is to get the kids in the pool most days after I pick them up late afternoon & goof around with them (not truly exercise when you have to mind 4 kids including a non-swimming bub alone lol - but activity nonetheless!).
I do want to up the time for the weight/workouts to up to 30-35minutes (currently 20-25" mainly because I am exhausted and time poor) - am I better off doing say one long session of 30-40 minutes or split it to 2*15/20 sessions on the days I do them? and would 3-4 sessions be better than the 2 I do atm? My gut is telling me to do more, regardless of how tired I am - just to get that push and get some tangible results...
Thanks!
We don't have enough data to say. AS a general rule I think the longer you go postpartum, with or without nursing, the more blue friendly you get (within reason of course, after a while your natural settings will take over, I'm referring straight to the effects of pregnacny and nothing beyond that). I'd just roll with it and see how it goes.
RE exercise, either of those options is fine. I would do whichever works better with your schedule any given day. But if you're actually tired, I think pushing yourself too much will not help and may even hurt. If your body is tired, you can't be doing yourself any benefit by pushing even harder. I would do what you can, within reason, without feeling like this is one more thing you have to do in an already too busy life. 2x a week is enough if that's what works the best for you.
Thanks, that makes sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush
Re the wait PP - I guess I have to try to let go of a date - it's doing my head in anyways haha. The "when will I be ok to start TTC?" minimum is what bugs me - I feel like I should just TTC once I feel like I am overall feeling healthier, stronger, fitter, more energised regardless of the rest provided we feel like we want TTC...but since I don't know when I will feel like that, it's another unknown, and I don't like having no control/an unknown element :P
Re exercise - will go with the flow, though I guess I try to really go for it on the days I have both time and energy - and not try to delve on days I haven't quite gotten to it (don't want to get into that negative, self-bashing mode).
For my own health/stamina, I do think slightly longer and frequent sessions would be good though as I can feel the benefit after the session (during am like a puffing elephant on one leg and no core lol) : dopamine high, and that competitive/feelgood feeling ^^
Overall, the more I read - the more I think I just need to focus on feeling somewhat lighter/fitter and having more protein - then when close TTC go for it with upping cals etc
I think that is where I have "gone wrong" before - wanting to plan too far ahead but possibly, losing the benefit because it was over too long a period and not "intensely" enough - I reckon light touch/steady (not really actively losing weight but looking at losing a bit of fat and building a good base/good habits) for now and then go "all in" 12 weeks prior ttc.
Also - just stumbled across beef tallow tablets: these are grassfed and no nasties.
https://www.amazon.com.au/Softgel-Ca...s%2C373&sr=8-4
Assume they are ok to take? I probably wouldn't take 6 a day like recommended (I have a regime that will be quite enough things to swallow haha) , just maybe one or two - I thought that was an easy way to up the animal fat etc ;)
Keep in mind though that you may have done nothing wrong at all, it's entirely possible you had the best sway it was possible to have, and then just from luck fell into the opposites camp. Or it may have been things that happened all the way back in your teenage years were playing some part and it's just taken a bit longer for you to overcome them than it is the average person. I don't want you to look too hard for what you did "wrong" and look to change things that for all we know may have been helping!
They're fine if you want to try them, altho I have not seen anyone else use them. Totally your call to make!Quote:
Originally Posted by LMSM
Don't worry - am fully aware of that and like I may have said previously - not trying to look at the nitty gritty details that may or may not have made any difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush
It's more of an overall direction that I think I may have had in the past that I feel made me lose the benefit of HE/sway to an extent as I tried prepping so far in advance that some things fell on the wayside, no doubt. The outcome may well have been the same, either way - but without wanting to reinvent the wheel, I guess I need to feel good without obsessing, just get into good habits and then go hard in a lead-up close to actual TTC, not like 6-9-12 months ahead or I will lose steam iykwim?
It totally makes sense! I just have to give my standard warning about that!!
As always, appreciate it ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush
I think not being TTC now is just doing my head in (kinda just want to get to it - this waiting is tough) - but conversely I am not in the "space" to so either (my youngest is such a difficult sleeper that I cannot fathom the idea of another baby, really, right now). Just ordered a night weaning book off Amazon that has had great reviews = wish me luck with my stubborn babe LOL yesterday, at not 20 m.o started saying "NO WAAAAY" when she disagrees in her cute little voice _ got a feeling that's the response I'll get with this book:tissue::nyd::rofl:
That's absolutely precious (spoken as the person who doesn't have to deal with it! :))
She was actually really cute ! The book talks about how Mummy, Daddy, baby and milkies go to sleep when it’s dark...so she went around the house saying night night to all and everything and crashed in her own bed next to me but without boob..win!
She only stayed there a few hours before joining us but even her middle of the night wake I told her it’s still dark, we all are sleeping..boom, laid down and slept.. the sun gets up at like 4.30am now so she was adamant for boob then onwards but proud of her ;)
That's awesome!!! Love it!
Not expecting it to be easy but it’s definitely encouraging- and so darn cute haha
Good thing is it gave me and DH a but of alone time - just post O atm and trying to test how much stamina I can expect from him for when we do ttc LOL
Ha ha yes that's always a good thing to "test out" isn't it! ;)
Hi Atomic (and others),
I’m trying to put together menus/items to prep to make it easier for me to ensure I hit my targets of protein (and fat) especially.
An easy way to boost a recipe would be nuts – including PB: is it worth even looking at PB powder as it has less fat?
Tru-Nut Powdered Peanut Butter, 454g : Amazon.com.au: Pantry Food & Drinks
Obviously, not wanting to get all my protein/fat from nuts (just to be clear)- but it ups the nutritional profile of anything I suppose ^^
It’s a tough balance to strike as my eldest daughter has weight issues (she is borderline obese :( ) and I don’t want to go overboard with HE for her sake (yes, I can keep some items for me but overall, it is easier if what I make caters to the whole family as much as possible and she unfortunately also seeks out all and any food she can find so hiding/keeping separate can backfire).
The PB powder was a good option for her to enjoy a PB dip (when powder is mixed with some water) with her fruit for instance but I don’t want to single out things “for her” so she is self-conscious IYKWIM?
HE is a healthy lifestyle for us to have as a family anyways IF I can manage to keep carbs in control – but admittedly, like most kids, my kids will need a fair bit to keep full and that’s what they go for too (they’d have cheesy pasta every night tbh LOL) ..ideas???
I can’t serve them a huge steak each every night ( I tend to prep meals in advance because work so means they are one pot deals often) – so lots of the meals kinda need to be smaller portion meat (mince beef, diced chicken etc) and I worry that’s where I am failing HE…can’t get the big quantities of protein I’d like via actual meat (and especially red meat).
If we go out I do order steak or brisket beef / beef burger etc (as opposed to my previous chicken, fish or veg options) but that obviously is only once in a while.
Also – DH said the other day he’d like to start running and I am here going “NOOOOOO,don’t!!!” … I don’t want his balls bouncing for an hour at a time like that (he’d not go every day but still). I’m not sure how to encourage weight type of activity instead of the running TBH other than his new boss is similar aged and really buff (ex- police, who goes to gym every morning lol)…how the F*ck to tell him I’d like buff over long and lean without sounding creepy about his boss?? LOL
Yes peanut butter powder is fine as long as you're using it as a part of an overall healthy diet and getting more of your fat and protein from animal sources.
I understand completely re having to have certain food criteria just based on your family's needs. Totally fine to adjust that as you need - keep in mind that more fruit and veg is a part of HE too and you really don't HAVE to buy much in the way of carbs, which can be an improvement overall. Dairy, lean meat, fruit and veg, hard boiled eggs, nuts - those are all super healthy options on HE Diet. I would err on the side of not having the fruit juice and focusing on tomato juice instead, it's so much lower cal. Same with dry fruit and banana - you don't need them and they're basically "nature's candy".
Keep in mind too that it's ok not to ever get up to the sky high levels some do on HE Diet. All you need to do is have more protein than you normally do. If you normally eat 60 g, even just getting up to 70 is fine. You do not need to get up to 120! That is not a failure at all. When I got my boys, I had many days where I would eat primarily vegetarian. With my last two boys, I would have my nuts or cheese + orange breakfast (with tea), a midmorning snack at work (usually green tea and a granola or chocolate bar) then lunch was often fully vegetarian - cheese sandwich, baked potato, bagel, egg taco, bean and cheese burrito, avocado and salsa with a few chips. Then for dinner, only then would I have meat, and probably 2-4 times a week we'd do something vegetarian like burritos or baked beans + mac and cheese, or fried potato and eggs, fried rice, grilled cheese, that sort of thing. Then my bedtime snack was cereal with full fat milk or yogurt with berries. With my first two, we were broke and eating even MORE vegetarian (and with my oldest boy I would skip meals and often only ate one meat sandwich a day - without any other meals because I was working at a roast beef restaurant then) So I'd skip breakfast, eat at work, and often skip dinner or just have cereal. The 90-120 g protein is a goal but you don't have to hit it, as long as you're eating MORE than you were.
I would let drop that men lose muscle as they age and jogging may actually make that worse. And jogging is really really prone to causing injuries - I actually discourage my pink swayers from jogging if they don't do it already because they so often end up injured.
The truth is too, jogging is pretty unpleasant so even if he starts doing it, he may very well not stick with it - so it may be one of those "wait and see" type of things!
Thanks Atomic!
Juice and processed stuff is a treat here anyways, not an every day thing anyhow - so we don't get stuff like juice more than say once a month at most (and between 6 of us, a bottle = 1 breakfast haha)
I guess it's just trying to up the veg (and meat) rather than having the carbs being the "fillers" - but my kids can be tricky to feed veg to (they love salad, but will frown at broccoli & co).
I guess I will continue what we've done so far, just restrict my own carbs and replace more of them with leafy greens to fill me up as I want to ensure I get better balance of nutrients and less "empty" foods (I love my carbs and have for as long as I can remember used them to be my main source of calories/fill me up) ;) that way DD1 isn't singled out, we all eat the same, just different proportions of the same things?!
When I can't get protein via meat - I now mix veg/salad with a good portion of haloumi or fresh buffala mozzarella (each serve is a good 20-25g of protein and has fat too - which is obviously animal source) so that I can still get carb/protein (animal source ideally) ;)
Like you mentioned, the main meal is the one where we are all together at home as a family so dinner is where I usually get a portion of meat (and 50% of times, in leftovers for lunch the next day ^^) - will try to not overthink it but my brain is always going when I prep food or eat it "is that enough protein? did you get animal fat? that's just pure carbs, where's your protein?? your veg??" LOL yesterday at the office, I was starving mid-afternoon, only had a banana (lovingly packed by hubby) so was racking my brain as to what protein I could add...ding ding, had some almonds left so got 5-6 almonds with it and it did the trick. Nuts really are the magic thing to add to anything haha
Re hubby - like you say, running is not pleasant per se - and I doubt he would keep it up - and TBH he hasn't taken it up since mentioning it - so will maybe have to find a nice but sneaky way of indeed dropping a line around the aging/sagging/muscle loss and wanting to help his body hold up so to speak haha he is 44 so no spring chicken! :P
All of that sounds fantastic to me!! Keep up the good work!
Just looking at healthier sweetener options - in my supermarket can get molasses:
- Sugar cane based
- Date based
or
_ Pomegranate based
Assume all are ok but the pomegranate one would be best from a nutrient stand-point? Any thoughts?
Thanks! :)
I already use date or coconut syrup when I can instead of honey or sugar but wanting to switch it up if possible ^^
I think that the slight differences between the three are really just basically your preference. They're really three different things with different applications, all have slightly different nutritional profiles, so I would just use whichever (or more than one) that you happen to prefer. Date molasses I believe has a lower GI, the pomegranate molasses is tangier, then regular molasses has more of the molasses flavor that we're used to. Totally up to you!
Thanks! Will have to check the actual bottles when in the shop as online there is no nutritional info - was just trying to get the one that gives me the most nutritional bang for my buck :PQuote:
Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush
HI!
Ok - we've now booked tickets to go back to visit family in Europe in JUly/August next year so I've tentatively set myself the goal TTC while we are there. Just need to tell DH that's the plan LOL
I figure, we likely will be relaxed as on holidays, eating-a-plenty (French food), might be able to drop a kid, 2, or even 4 with grandparents here and there so could get some BD in... it'll be summer, warm, lots of vit D etc
If I get pregnant then, it'd give me a DD of late April- mid May depending on cycles so a great time of year (here in Australia, that is) to be super pregnant ^^
Which means - the plan is to sway hardcore about a good 8 weeks prior to departure (that is the thing that worries me...jetlag and messing my cycle/body, though...there's an 8-hour time difference at that time of year) so can get 8-10 or 12 weeks of 110% sway in (as in, upping cals a bit with more fat and protein).
The goal is still do a lighter sway (as in holding steady weight, gaining muscle/reducing bodyfat by having a good overall regime of diet and exercise) up until then - and adding supps for both of us 3/4 months prior to departure (as in, having the full suite, not just the basics).
How does that sound?
That sounds FANTASTIC!!! I would honestly not even worry about jet lag and all the rest of it. A lot of people get their desired gender on holiday - something about getting into a new groove even for a short time seems like it works more often than not. Your timeline of when to do the basic vs. full on sway makes perfect sense too - the groundwork will be laid, and then you can just build on that.
Thanks Atomic!
I know it sounds silly - but dreamt last night that I got Sneak Peek results back saying BLUE! so I feel it's my body's way of saying - "yup, let's do this, we WILL get our boy!" - because I have been terrified of an opposite so feel like it's the mental block gone haha
That's great!! I love encouraging dreams. I had a dream I remember vividly from that time - I dreamed my husband and the two oldest were renovating the house and there was all this lumber and power tools everywhere (my husband is always renovating something and well, er, spending every dime we have on it) and my third son and a fourth boy I hadn't even HAD at that time were toddling around in the midst of it all. Then, off in the corner, back behind all the wood and tools and craziness, I could see her! My brain was like "Kristin you must push through all this and you WILL get to her in the end!" Typically I'm not a person for prophetic dreams at all but it was just so vivid and it really did come down to me having to ignore all the chaos and going for it! :)
I'm so excited for you!!!
Oh that just gave me the goosebumps!!! Like you, am truly a no "non-sense/voodoo magic" / "only believe what I see" kinda person - but that is just WILD!Quote:
Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush
I dreamt we were having a dinner with kids and fam, and I got the results email - and had a brief look (I would never read emails while at the table normally but guess I was eager to see if results were in haha): seeing the disbelief on my face, DH just winked/smiled at me.
It felt like he validated it too, which seems super goofy but it felt like I was at peace because this wave of " hang on tight, it WILL happen, just you wait and see"
So silly really as it is just a dream but have felt super pumped since then haha
Also feel like am making progress with my eldest DD - having an ADHD assessment done in a couple of weeks - and feel like if we can be more at peace with all that's going with her, we will be - as a family too - more of in a better place to welcome a new baby / boy.
In context it's even weirder because I've put so much on hold and even set it aside totally while my husband renovates things, built our house, etc etc that it really did have a deep personal meaning.
I hope you get the help you're looking for with your DD - and that some maturity will really help in a few months too! Some of my kids' temperaments just would improve like flipping a switch sometimes, just when they got old enough!
The fact that DD is somewhat willing to do the assessments is encouraging (poor kid has had it tough at school with lots of bullying so I just want to tease out what is the consequence of dealing with crap at school and what could be do a diagnosis to best help her).Quote:
Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush
Yesterday they all were so good, it felt SO SO good! and DD4 had had 3 nights this week where she slept most of the might in her room/bed so am seeing that it is possible to get back to a routine where we all feel more refreshed but also have more peace in the home (chaotic, but more at peace haha)
Like you say, sometimes they grow and mature at what seems the flip of a switch, without anything being done differently otherwise...boom!Today they probably will make it hell for me just to prove me wrong but for now, enjoying the loving, peaceful time ^^
Yes! That is what our experience has been too - everything is in stasis, then everything changes overnight! It's so weird! Always just when I feel like I'm good at managing it!
I know,right!?
As we are in the lead-up to the festive season - trying to make the best choices for my upcoming sway:
- FATS: I read a study on mice and their offspring - where some mice were fed high carb diets (had overwhelming majority of girls) vs mice fed only lard (majority of boys). These mice all had the same background prior to changing diets prior to conceiving (change was just only before getting pregnant).
So it got me thinking - should I add lard to the mix? I know you mention it as a good source - I use EVOO (for salads, 3-4 times a week at least) and for some cooking though am trying to move to mainly coconut oil or butter. I do use coconut oil or butter for any baking though. If so, will probably not add it now but when I do my blitz leading up TTC say in May next year (with TTC being July/August)?
- DRINKS: will go for whole fruit juices over any soda - and saw lots of boy mums/ blue swayers that were successful drank red wine. I prefer cider so it's not my natural preference (& for wine, prefer white or rose)...
can I avoid the alcohol and get alcohol free red wines to still be "festive"??
When I am actively TTC, is there a preference? We do not drink much at all usually - but know that over Xmas we will and also when we are visiting fam and friends o/s in July/August next year there WILL be alcohol at every lunch/dinner haha I don't want people suspicious of me being pregnant and getting their pesky comments (5? FIVE??? kids!!) when I am not even pregnant yet :P
I assume there is something in red wine that is beneficial - but is that benefit lost when alcohol is removed?
- GRAINS/SEEDS: I am using a 1/2 teaspoon of chia seeds maybe once or twice a week in my overnight oats. I know you say they may sway blue but to be safe limit them. Is that amount ok?
Also like quinoa as a grain over rice etc - is once a week ok?
Thanks for listening to my seemingly never-ending supply of questions and soul searching haha
Lard is certainly ok, but please feel free to eat ANY saturated/healthy fat - butter, coconut oil, and even EVOO are ok, it's really the canola, soy oil, corn oil, margarine, shortening type of stuff it's best to watch out for.
Cider is fine too! alcohol free red wines are great as well. We believe it's the reservatrol, which is present in all sorts of grapey drinks, and the alcohol is not necessary. To be honest I am a big soda drinker, always have been, so I can promise that drinking soda pop now and then won't be a dealbreaker either. I think you should just roll with it, if you need to have a drink to keep everyone off your case, on occasion it's not a big deal.
(hint - I had to give up alcohol due to migraines. It never did when I was younger, but at some point I could not even have a single drink without ending up with a pounding headache. It's a great excuse and people don't even think of it when you use it.)
Yep twice a week on the chia seeds and quinoa is a great amount! Not enough to have medicinal effects, but often enough to get the nutritious benefits from them.
It's my pleasure! Thanks for your patience!
Awesome, thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush
Yes - I'm only using EVOO, butter or coconut oil at this stage so should be ok - will add some lard closer to the actual TTC to mix it up ^^ I'm definitely staying clear of the others, and avoid processed foods as whole unless I can find a healthy/clean option
Great for the drinks - won't stop having a cider here and there, and will give the alcohol- free wine a go over Xmas - if I like it will try when we are on holidays in July to avoid having TOO much alcohol then (people mean well but I know we will be having SO much food and people will want to indulge us with a wine/drink)..
I love me a lemonade, and ever since DD3, has been my go-to drink - I swear when pregnant that was all I could muster as it gave me a bit of calories, the cold bubbles & lemony flavour made my nausea more bearable..DD4 is like 95% lemonade haha
I'll allow myself some here and there but will try to favour more nutrient dense options whether they are sparkling water with a bit of citrus or a proper fruit juice ^^
Thanks re the quinoa & chia seeds - I wasn't sure if that amount was problematic one way or another so can stop worrying about it then ^^
Sounds FABULOUS!!!! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season with lots of indulgences!
Thanks - you too!!! :D
I just feel 2023 will bring me my boy so feeling positive ^^
That is GREAT!! Stay positive and keep your eyes on the prize!! Sending you more blue dust than you know what to do with!