Because sleep deprivation isn't miserable enough on its own

by Linda Lee (Subscribe to Linda Lee's posts) Feb 29th 2008 10:00AM

Categories: Newborns, Just For Moms, Health & Safety, Eating & Nutrition

I wouldn't say I'm on a diet, exactly, but I'm going through the process of changing my pregnancy eating habits -- which can best be described as "if it contains fat, salt, sugar, or preferably all three at the same time, eat until maternity pants self-destruct" -- and embracing ~~depressing~~ sensible food choices such as nonfat cottage cheese. Sigh.

There are many pitfalls to overcome when you have two small children and you're trying to lose weight. First of all, there's the Reward Factor, where at the end of the day you feel like you've served back-to-back tours of 'Nam and is it really too much to ask to have just one goddamned bowl of ice cream? With cookies crumbled into it and maybe also some Pringles? There's also the Convenience Factor, which has to do with being cramped for time and having to eat over the sink while simultaneously warming a bottle and wiping up a juice spill with your foot -- that one makes preparing a nice salad far more cumbersome than, say, devouring several handfuls of Triscuits and a Red Bull.

Perhaps my biggest challenge so far is the Leftover Child's Food Factor, where I have a mini-standoff with the remnants of my toddler's meal. I certainly don't mind taking a pass on something hideous like a Gerber's "Pasta Pick-Up" (grah, why does he like those things?), but a handful of Annie's goldfish crackers, the last few spoonfuls of his macaroni and cheese, or the rind of his PB&J? Sometimes on the way to the garbage or a tupperware they somehow get lost. IN MY MOUTH.

I guess one solution to that problem would be to make sure his meals always feature vegetables and fruit instead of crackers and sugar, but really, why should we both suffer?

Comments (8)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jennifer 2-29-2008 @ 11:36AM

I am beginning to realize that I will never sleep again... :(

Eric's Mommy 2-29-2008 @ 1:43PM

That's my biggest problem too, the whole finishing my kid's meal thing. I can't let that food go to waste! I can't give it to the dog because he's overweight, what else am I supposed to do?

maria 2-29-2008 @ 3:54PM

I keep telling myself that food I don't need (and lands on my hips and belly) is even more wasteful than throwing it away. That doesn't mean I've lost my "baby" weight - 3 kids in 4 1/2 years has done a number on my waistline - It's lack of time for gym and the reward factor - thy my reward is a glass of wine (or 2)...

Jill 2-29-2008 @ 4:26PM

I took off the baby weight the first year after having a baby. Then baby started solid food and I put it right back on. Taking it off this time is proving harder. Thou shalt not each child's leftovers. Just pretend he slobbered on it all, put a few bites in his mouth, changed his mind and took them back out, dropped a few bites and picked them back up and generally disgust yourself away from eating it!

Karen 2-29-2008 @ 4:43PM

I don't "cheat" on my diet and still can't lose weight while I'm sleep deprived - the sleep deprivation literally screws up my adrenals and stressed my body so that I can't lose. It is a complete no-win situation. (Praying for sleep for all of us!)

tim s 2-29-2008 @ 11:46PM

To get better sleep during the day or to get your children to fall asleep faster and sleep longer check out www.blackoutez.com It's a window cover that completely darkens the room. Your children will take longer naps! You know what that means? They are better behaved, easier to deal with.

Shawna 3-02-2008 @ 7:52AM

I simply can't let food go to waste, so instead it goes to waist. While I'm still pregnant this is not a problem, but I'll probably have to be a bit more careful after the next one is born.

Mind you, the biggest plus here is also the biggest drawback: it's usually the protein and fruit 'n veggies that my kid doesn't eat, so at least it's good for me. I'd prefer that she eat it though, obviously.

Daren 3-03-2008 @ 11:01PM

If you ONLY eat Riley's leftovers, it works out well. Diet-wise, anyway. That's my three a day right there. Annie's leftovers.

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