Exercise and calorie intake?

I am 7 weeks out and have a dilema. My dilema is that I have 3 kids ages 2, 4, and 6. I am with them all day. We swim, we do yard work, we are fairly active, if you can imagine all day. The only time I have to go to the gym is when my DH comes home in the evenings. But by then, I am exhausted from all day. My question is do you think I am active enough to not do the gym everyday? What do you other mothers of many do? Also, how many calories should I be consuming at this point? I looked through and re-read my nutritional packet and can't seem to find any info for the stage that I am on, Stage 3. I know stage 2 was 500-600 calories. Just curious? Want to keep things in check? Thanks and Hugs, Lisa

Exercise - as I've come to know if different from any type of activity we have. WL comes with the concentrated amt of exercise such as cardio. But if you feel you're getting enough - who is to judge what is enough? Also, you need to check with your doc or someone who can do a metobolic rate on you to determine how many calories you use up at a resting rate - that will determine how many calories you can consume to achieve/maintain weightloss. We are all different and can not give you any definate calories - unless they are a nutriionalist/dietician. Good luck to you!

Lisa in my opinion it is not the same type of cardio exercise. Does your gym have any day care? Is there a local school with an outdoor track? Taks the little ones with you and make a game out of walking laps around the track. If they are not into it give them a ball and they will play in the grass watching their mommy walking and getting more fit! Just a thought for you? Good Luck KB

HI LISA! Well i am a mom of three kids myself...and do a family daycare business in my home with many more kids hear with me all day. I do not count that as my excersise. I go to the local ladies express gym for my 30 min workout plus some cardio machines. I dont count calories...i watch my sugar intake big time, fat and carbs. AND eat...its impossible that early out to eat to much but starvation mode can happen. USUALLY if your getting in the required amount of protein you calories should be in balance. JUSt follow the rules of surgery and all wout be fine! ITs normal were you are for your first plataue as your body adjusts to everything enjoy