How does Wendy keep her weight down?
Monday, February 5th, 2007
Losing weight is a trial when you are having a baby and nursing every year! I struggled for many years before I found “the key” for me. I decided one day that I was going to find out why I was overweight. I went and bought a new notebook and just started to write down everything I put in my mouth, even a mint. I simply ate like I always did for about a week and found that I was eating way too many calories. I won’t tell you how many (sheepish grin). Then I analyzed my log and thought of ways I could cut back on my unhealthy habits.
The result? I lost 40 pounds! That was 4 years ago and I have had three more kids since–one set of twins. I made it a regular habit to write down everything I ate, analyze the list, and figure out where I could feasibly cut back.
I also learned to move more. I really didn’t exercise much other than chase kids and keep the house clean. I would consistently remind myself that I didn’t need to be sitting around long. When I would feel the temptation to sit around, I would tell myself, “Wendy, get up and move!” So my motto to lose weight is, “Eat less, Move more!” Even bouncing your foot when you have to sit is burning calories. I came up with this plan out of necessity: I knew I couldn’t join a fitness center or Weight Watchers.
Another important thing about my weight loss was being relaxed, not desperate, about it. I did stick to the real foods, real butter, real cream, eggs. I didn’t just eat egg whites but the whole egg. I didn’t buy any diet food. I read all the labels. I bought a food book that showed calories. I cut out white flour and white sugar as much as I could. Another trick I found was to try to eat every two hours even if it was just three bites of an apple of a few crackers.
I would not stuff myself at mealtime and would look forward to a little snack later. In the morning, as soon as my eyes open, I would take 3 bites of somthing to break the fast of overnight. See, what I learned was when you starve yourself your body just goes into starvation mode and hangs onto everything so you don’t really lose weight. If you put 3 bites of somthing into your tummy every 2 hours and eat small meals your body can “trust” you and will drop the weight. I saved desserts for special parties and would be right back at it the next day. Sure, I had some days that I would overeat, but the key was to get back at it the next day. Have more good days than bad. Drink your eight or so glasses of good water every day. Soup is huge. A cup of soup is very satisfing but doesn’t stuff you.
I figured that my stomach was a muscle and that I needed to shrink it. I was used to eating too much at once. I didn’t think anything of 3rds at supper time! Now I am content with a simple serving at mealtime and small healthy snacks throughout the day.
I had to watch out for false guilt. I hated to see things get thrown out, and I used to often finish my children’s meals after dinner. I prayed and asked God to help me not to feel responsible for every scrap. He always met me there! So I stopped finishing any of the kids plates or anything else.
The transformation has been so dramatic that some of my friends have asked me what happened to my face! My brother saw me after 3 years and he said I was 1/2 the size I used to be. I lost 10 sizes. I will post a before/after picture soon.
February 8th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Ohhh… at 35 pounds over weight… I can’t wait to read it. (I betcha self-control has a little to do with it.)
LOL
March 13th, 2007 at 6:45 am
Well, we have six, and I’m currently running about 50 pounds overweight, but the last 30 of it was put on while doctors were frantically trying to regulate my thyroid (I was born with congenital hypothyroidism). We also, unfortunately, had three arrows go back to the Lord before 15 weeks of pregnancy and that took its toll.
But, as I get my medical issues under control and we pray for blessing from the Lord, I would love to hear any tips you might have (I have the self-control thing down…. now I just need to master the metabolism thing!)
May 30th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I too, have done the same thing. As a result, I am only 126 lbs. I have 2 more pounds to go till I’m back at my prepregnancy weight and this is my 5th child. I’m so excited! I like to eat little snacks through the day and eat a small amount for meal times. It works great. Everyone wonders how I bounce back between children, this is the key! Don’t eat so much! Oh, nursing helps too.
Thanks for sharing.
Stacie, mother of 5
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:43 am
I can’t wait to see those before and after! I am not going to finsih off our scraps anymore!!! I never thought of that, but it adds up!
Mommy to 4 sweet girls… will we ever have a boy??? : )
August 15th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Have you posted those “before and after” pics??
Thanks so much for sharing this! I have 7 children. I have have been up and down the scale twice in the last 6 years…lost 60# after baby#4 kept it off for three years even during pregnancy#5 …gained it all back with baby #6 then lost 40# and gained it all back again with pregnancy #7. I sure wish I could end this battle of the bulge for good!!! Your success has pretty much confirmed my present thinking…”move more, eat less….you’d think chasing all the kiddos all day and all the housework would be enough “movement”!!! LOLOL!!!
September 5th, 2007 at 7:59 am
I had this same problem with a 6 member family. I ate too much for the energy I burned during the day. I now have a recumbant bike that has helped me to lose 90 pounds without working out intensely. I did ten minutes before each meal & reduced myself from two eggs/two slices of toast for breakfast to 1 each. I saw immediate results. I had to exercise to lose it but not everyday. Homeschooling had helped me to gain some weight by sitting more in teaching one on one. I now try to stand more while teaching & I have the children read to me while doing my bike.
You are an inspiration to all of us!!
March 31st, 2008 at 11:26 am
Hi Tina and all, I am an inspiration? You are! You lost 90 pound that is so very cool, a big pat on the back from me.
I am working on this again after a new baby and it is coming but slow. I am now walking 9 miles a week and it is fun and really good for me, mentally and physically.
I am really watching what I put in my mouth. Soup and salad are great.
I really would like to continue this blog with anyone interested.
Smile and have a great day,
Wendy Jeub
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
Hi Wendy!
Thank you for sharing! You really simplified what it takes to lose weight. It reminds me of a book I read, ‘Look Great, Feel Great’ by Joyce Meyer. You two give very similar advice. = )
I seem to overcomplicate things, and perhaps that is what has kept me from losing weight, and what has frustrated me in the past. Seems like every time I get frustrated with myself, I gain another 10 pounds.
I’m going to follow your wonderful advice and start eating smaller portions and start moving around more.
Thanks again for sharing, and for giving me hope that it is possible to lose my excess weight.
Have a blessed day!
Rachel
July 9th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Wish you could keep up this blog. Could use encouragement. Found out I have diabetes 2. So for once I HAD to do something. Doing ok with it but have a lot of weight to get off. I do like your suggestion that you are not desperate but relaxed about loosing weight. I am also writing down everything I eat. Am finding when I eat the RIGHT foods you are more full. I also eating more small meals. It does help.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Hello Marie,
So nice to hear from you. =D
Thank you for telling me about your struggle with weight. I do understand how much hard work it is!
During my 3rd pregnancy I was told that I had Gestational diabetes, I was very sad to hear that news.
However, I got on the Diabetic diet and actually did very well controlling it with just diet changes and some exercise.
I have just recently returned to my pre-pregnancy weight now after having my 14th baby and it was by doing all the things I had learned before. I put it all into practice each and everyday and stuck to it. Of course I still am. Arriving at my desired weight does not mean I stop doing all the things that got me here.
Setting some goals is a great way to meet some of the demand of weight loss. Simply set a goal of say, ‘1 lb a week, so I have a goal that I will lose 1 lb a week over the next month.’ Now maybe that does not seem like a very big goal but on the other hand most people lose between 1 to 2 lbs a week, realistically on a good set diet and exercise routine. If on most weeks you meet this goal and on some weeks you actually lose 2 lbs a week and some weeks you don’t lost any, in 4 months you will probably average out at having lost 16 lbs or more this is great!
When we lose weight at a slow and steady pace we are more apt to keep it off by naturally developing and implementing new habits, those new habits become part of our life and we become healthier people.
Taking some prayer time and time to relax and de-stress are great ways to get to your goals too. Pray always and when you get to that point when you feel that you just can’t resist some temptation, God is faithful and will meet you there and provide a way out for you. You just have to be willing to take it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
You know it is important and now you have to do something about it, just like you said.
I am sure you are going to do just great!
Please keep me posted on your progress, I would love to hear how you are doing.
Holding you up in prayer.
Joy!
Wendy <
Note: I am currently working on a book about diet and weight loss, it will be out later this year.
July 13th, 2008 at 8:24 am
I also noticed that Wendy has no wrinkles, great skin and hair, and looks SO young period —and especially for a mother that has 13 children.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:28 am
Well… Thank you so much Carolyn! Blushing…
October 17th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Wendy, I noticed that you said you are working on a book on diet and weight loss. I can’t wait to read it! Yay! This is one area that I think, unfortunately, causes some women to decide to stop having children. You are an inspiration, and we would all appreciate the advice you could offer in a book. I have found your books and your CD to be wonderful and informative.
October 17th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Wendy, I also wanted to ask you what your diet is like during pregnancy and if you exercise during pregnancy? Also, do you eat the same meals that your family eats or do you prepare something different for yourself? Thanks.