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AIBU?

To lose weight when pregnant? and ask about exercise?

41 replies

NotYoMomma · 21/04/2013 14:46

I've had a few comments from people, some supportive and some implying I am being ridiculous and endangering my baby so I am throwing it out to the MN jury...

I started out nearly 14 stone with a bmi of 35.1
Since having dd I have been lazy (exacerbated by back problem) and eaten poorly and never shifted what I put on.

Needless to say the MW said I was too big to have a water birth (need to be below 35 bmi at 36 weeks or something in my area.

I didn't go on a diet as such, just cut down my (big) portion sizes to what they should be, ate healthier options (swapping steak for beef noodles etc) and cut out the chocolate, crisps and cola, snacking on peppers, cucumbers and grapes.

So after 5 weeks I am now 12st 12lbs and my bmi is now 32.9 - so I've moved from high risk in need of a glucose test to low risk and no test.

I'm over the moon.

I've had a healthy scan and feel so much better, I'm not opening the fridge just because I happen to pass it and I was feeling quite proud. I don't consider that I've been on a crash diet as I still eat all the food I used to, just try to make better choices on how it's cooked and how often I snack etc. I'm still eating the correct amount of calories.

However it's a 50/50 toss up from friends and family as to if this is good or bad. Comments like 'your eating for two now you should never diet pregnant' and 'what's the point' and even (my favourite) 'you will starve the baby'

I want to shake them and ask them in what world trying to be healthier for all of us is a bad thing? It's rubbed off a bit on dh who has also reduced his portions to recommended amount an He has been exercising too, I'm proud of both of us but feel people are determined to make me feel guilty. I'm still obese by bmi standards! I would like to be less than 30bmi by the time baby arrives

(I'm 13 weeks)

So AIBU?

Also I'm considering taking up swimming or light use on the exercise bike - it would be twice a week! But scared of more comments :( wwyd?

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NotYoMomma · 21/04/2013 14:49

Don't know if it's relevant but my bump is growing as I'm losing so I'm still in the same size clothes atm, but my legs are slightly thinner, other than that I'm exactly the same!

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trinity0097 · 21/04/2013 14:50

If in any doubt go to your GP and get advice, that way if they do say carry on as you are (and it sounds sensible what you are doing) then you can say that the GP has recommended you do it and you and baby are being monitored.

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mrspaddy · 21/04/2013 14:51

Ah I want to say congrats to you.. I don't think what you're doing is actually a diet.. it is healthy eating. I am also expecting.. heavier prior to expecting than I wanted to be so still on Weight Watchers soups etc. I am putting weight on but its bump. You cannot start an exercise that you didn't do prior to pregnancy. Whatever you decide be careful.. you need to be able to talk during exercise (indicating you are not going to hard). I can't advise about bike but swimming sounds great.

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Bunbaker · 21/04/2013 14:51

Well done for doing so well with your weight loss. It sounds pretty sensible to me. Why don't you ask your midwife for advice?

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NotYoMomma · 21/04/2013 14:54

I will do on Tuesday when she is in but I just had a funny comment today and wanted to ask out of hours iyswim.

Would like aqua natal be better then?

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MiniEggsJumpedInMyBasket · 21/04/2013 14:54

Wow, well done on your weightloss, that's fantastic!

For exercise, I would stick to swimming and walking in pregnancy as you weren't doing any exercise beforehand. Or maybe try to find a local pregnancy exercise class?

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Yonididnaedaethat · 21/04/2013 14:55

Don't listen to them, with my DS I couldn't eat and was sick constantly Hmm I never gained weight, if anything I lost it. My DS weighed 8lb 4 so a good weight. I'm now pregnant again and even tho I'm only 11 weeks I've lost 7lbs thru sickness and running after a 13 month old.

Congrats and well done Smile

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randomtask · 21/04/2013 14:57

I would agree that it doesn't sound like dieting, rather being healthy. From bitter personal experience, your baby takes what he/she needs first and then you get the leftovers so actually unless you're feeling tired/awful, your baby will be feeling great. With my second pregnancy I was heavier than I wanted at first, BMI of 30, and didn't diet as I felt so awful (turned out I had anaemia and then gestational diabetes). By the time he arrived my BMI 'settled' at 31 and so I did Weight Watchers after. So, I would say don't worry if you feel good and as for exercise, that's good for both you and the baby.

Oh and well done! Every pound I lose is a big effort and I know every pound you lose will make you a healthier happier Mummy.

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FrankellyMyDearIDontGiveADamn · 21/04/2013 15:02

The "eating for two" is a complete myth. You only need about 300 extra calories a day when pregnant - that's the equivalent of a sandwich!

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badguider · 21/04/2013 15:04

Just keep repeating "I am eating healthily for the benefit of all my family including my unborn child"

Well done.

Out of interest, have you any idea how many calories you are consuming? If it's anywhere near 2000 then you'll be getting plenty.

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NotYoMomma · 21/04/2013 15:05

Or half a sandwich if it's from greggs!

I didn't know that. I'm eating the calories for one, not an extra 300. I'll ask about that on Tuesday thank you x

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DrGoogleWillSeeYouNow · 21/04/2013 15:06

Well done to you. Ignore stupid comments about endangering your baby. Slimming World is quite often recommended to overweight pregnant women as a very safe diet. And gentle exercise like swimming would be ideal.

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NotYoMomma · 21/04/2013 15:08

It's probably 1800 on average, I'm having three meals a day and fruit in between. I used to skip breakfast etc then eat more at lunch and tea and snack mid morning.

I ate less yesterday (not pecking) but then in the evening we went out and got a McDonald's, so I'm still allowing myself the odd treat and haven cut out every bad thing drastically.

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NotYoMomma · 21/04/2013 15:09

I also walked with Dd more rather than get bus or drive. Dh is happy too as he gets the car!

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badguider · 21/04/2013 15:10

BUT.... are you talking about normal BMI or some kind of "pregnancy adjusted"?

I just calculated what my BMI would be if I were a healthy weight to start with and then put on what the books say is a healthy amount to gain and it would be between 31 and 32.

So maybe you need to revise your target of BMI 30 and instead think about staying at the BMI you're at now but with more baby and less fat :)

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Iamsparklyknickers · 21/04/2013 15:20

I think it's great that you're making a conscious effort to eat healthier - pregnant or not. You should be proud of yourself.

People around you are clearly confusing healthy eating with dieting - there is a massive difference. As long as you're keeping your MW informed and listening to your body with regards to exercise I really don't see the problem.

Your eating habits now are probably covering more nutritional needs than previously and perhaps thats the angle you need to talk about around people. The weight loss is great, but it's a side effect of eating healthily imo.

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NotYoMomma · 21/04/2013 15:24

Oh I don't want to be a healthy weight by time baby gets here, that would be too big a loss! I'm aiming for 30 so I am 'overweight' as opposed to obese.

Then anything else I want to lose will be AFTER DC2 is here :)

Thank you for the nice comments though.

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badguider · 21/04/2013 15:25

re. swimming and exercise bike, i would ask your MW for some advice, I am sure they'll be delighted to help - have you got an appt at 16 weeks? Normally they say it's ok to keep on with what you already do but don't take up anything new, but as you didn't do anything before that might not apply.

I am doing gentle cycling regularly at 20 weeks (used to mountain bike a lot so this is a reduction for me) and also going to pregnancy yoga (i used to do ashtanga yoga) and going to start aquafit this week (as i want to get into the habit so i can take the baby to adult&baby swimming).

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badguider · 21/04/2013 15:27

Just saw your recent post - you're supposed to be 'overweight' when you're carrying a baby :)

You SHOULD be 25-35lbs MORE than the highest weight in the 'healthy' category when you are at 40weeks pregnant.

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badguider · 21/04/2013 15:29

sorry, I mean you're supposed to be slightly into the 'obese' category when you're at full term pregnant. You're supposed to be about BMI 31-32.

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petra27 · 21/04/2013 15:43

Hi, my BMI in my last pregnancy was about dead on what yours was at the start of yours. The GP was a bit uncertain, so sent me to see the consultant.

The consultant (at St Thom' in London) said:

a) Many GP's are out of date with the up to date current thinking which is backed up by research which shows that you improve the outcome of the PG if you:-

b) Lose UP to 2lbs per week until week 20 (there is no current evidence as to the safety of losing more than this so avoid doing so. If you are losing at a faster rate than this you must eat more to slow it down).

c) From week 20 you should NOT be seeing a weight loss on the scale as your baby is putting weight on by this point and this will appear to affect your weight upwards. Instead

d) Weigh yourself at week 20 and then seek to maintain this same weight at every future weigh in during the preganancy- this means you will actually still be losing weight and the same sort of rate, but as the baby is also putting it on, it balances out on the scale

e) Seek to eat a healthy diet with a full range of nutrients, nothing faddy, cutting out entire groups of food or extreme. If an outsider could look at what you had eaten in a day and think 'this is a normal, healthy diet' then it is OK. If they would have any concerns as to its contents, it is not OK.

I hope this helps.

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Suzieismyname · 21/04/2013 15:52

Just keep up the healthy eating. I started my first pregnancy at 13stone, within a week of DD1 bring born, I was 12 and a half. All down to walking a bit more and cutting out cakes, crisps and biscuits.

There is a huge difference between full on dieting and eating more healthily.
Well done you!

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midori1999 · 21/04/2013 15:55

Over a stone weight loss in five weeks does sound extreme, we're oh eating an awful lot before?

I think it's fine if you are being honest with yourself about how much you're eating and not allowing yourself to go hungry at all and not making sure you eat enough carbs.

I have GD and am under consultant care. Eating more healthily has made me lose almost 5KG from week 8 to 15 (BMI was 32 at booking) and both the consultant and endocrinologist frowned at this, but said that as long as I wasn't actively trying to lose weight and was ensuring I ate plenty, plus my scans were all ok, then they would just keep an eye on things.

For the poster who mentioned Slimming world, although they do have a plan for pregnant women, they do not advise or allow the loss of more than 7lb without referring you back to your midwife/consultant.

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Meglet · 21/04/2013 16:00

I don't think it sounds bad at all. You're eating sensibly and I assume your weight is balancing out. Swimming sounds like a good idea.

I thought you were going to say you were on the cabbage soup diet or something silly!

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sarahtigh · 21/04/2013 16:02

apparently you only need the extra 300 calories in third trimester, this might be different if you were very slim before pregnancy

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