To wonder what you all think? How soon after giving birth is it reasonable to expect yourself to diet/get in shape/start a rigorous new fitness regime?

[mameulah]

Expecting our second baby soon. Never lost the baby weight the first time and have to definitely shift weight soon. Our second baby is due at the end of July and I would like to be at least a couple of dress sizes smaller by Christmas.

I know I can cut back and stay on the straight and narrow immediately after birth. But cake and coffee and catching up are all too often too tempting. I am much better when being really focused and full on with exercise.

When realistically do you think it is fair to expect this of yourself?

[AMillionNameChangesLater]

My ds2 is six months old in a couple of weeks. I'll be starting the diet etc then

[melissa83]

I exercise from immediately but dont really need to watch food intake as I dont tend to overeat. Depends how far gone you are as if near end might be too late to start but I find it you exercise a lot during pregnancy then you can just carry on.

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

My ds is nearly 11 weeks and I've tried and failed to get started on losing the baby weight several times already.The sleep deprivation and breastfeeding hunger combined with the fact that everyone brings me cake and I have no willpower means I am stuck in a cycle of failure and feeling miserable about it, which chips away my motivation further. I'm just trying to find a couple of nice outfits in my current size to help me feel better andonce I am less exhausted and handling baby and toddler better, I'll concentrate on my diet more. I am tryt to eat plenty of veg, drink lots of water etc now to make me feel better in general, but not really cutting back in other areas!

[PictureFrames]

I think when they start sleeping through the night is what I'd go for next time. Before then I feel like I need to snack to combat tiredness.

[plentyofshoes]

If I am honest I wanted to get back to normal weight quickly. Once past the 8 week mark (as advised) I started light exercise.
It is hard as you are knackered, but it does make you feel better.
It is harder after the second one!

[BikeRunSki]

I compensated for the huge lack of sleep, post c sec recovery and exhaustion of looking after a baby and a 3 yo with carbs. I also had a lot of low level illness for 6 months after dc2 was born - tooth abscess, tonsillitis types of things. I couldn't have countenanced diet or exercise for several months.

When dd was 11 months old ds (just 4) asked me if I was having another baby. When I told him j wasn't, he asked shy I was so fat.....

I joined Slimming World and started the Couch to 5k. Took me 4 months to lose 3 stone. DS's comment spurred me into action, but I couldn't have done anything before then.

[creampie]

I wouldn't even remotely entertain the idea until at least 6 weeks. If you're intending to really go for it, with heavy exercise and calorie restrictions, I'd think at least 12 weeks or after you've finished breast feeding, whichever is later.

TBH, it's massively harder to find motivation after the second baby than it was after the first, for me at least. The tiredness is just sooo much more crippling, probably because there aren't the natural breaks that you get with the first, when they nap etc. The need for sugar, just to get through the day, was huge until at least 4 months!

Just take it easy on yourself, see how it goes, before forcing yourself to try and meet targets

[PersonOfInterest]

5 years (or was that just me?)

[PrincessBabyCat]

How to say this without sounding sanctimonious.

Just don't take it that way, it's really not how I mean it.

I ate healthy while I was pregnant so that DD would be healthy with the occasional soda. When she was born I just didn't go back to junk food and kept eating healthy, and was back to prebaby weight by 6 weeks. Coffee isn't fattening unless you get mochas, and you can politely decline cakes, by saying your body needs healthy food to heal and get back on track (which isn't a lie). Or if you are breast feeding use that as an excuse. You can buy fresh fruit cups at coffee shops.

But exercising will really depend on how much damage the baby causes on the way out. You'll know when you can start moving around and being active again.

[JamJimJam]

I think there are so many factors to consider, that it's not a good idea to set yourself a strict target.

I put on 21lbs and 28lbs when pg - this was not a huge amount and was easy to lose. I was back in the gym after 6 weeks which helped. I exclusively breastfed but think that didn't help me lose weight.

I have friends that put on almost 60lbs, so obviously found it took a long time to lose the weight. But it takes 9 months to gain all the weight - I wouldn't start to worry until 9 months later.

[Purplepoodle]

For me it was around when my baby had reached 7/8 months when they started to sleep better before that I was too exhausted.

[mameulah]

JellyStrawberries

That is exactly what happened with me after pfb ds was born! It is soooo very difficult.

With pfb ds I was able to go for lots of long, long walks. But now he is a toddler and we will have a newborn the walks we go on are slooooow, at a toddlers pace. I guess I will have to get the fitness dvds out!

[Writerwannabe83]

My DS is 13 weeks and I have no idea what I weigh.

I know what I was pre-pregnancy and what I was at 39 weeks pregnant but that's it.

I have no desire to weigh myself - I prefer to live in ignorant bliss

Exercising and a healthy diet is the last thing on my mind

[EmmaLL25]

I walked endless miles with DS to get him to nap. Breastfed on demand and lost baby weight and more in a few months.

That said I couldn't have faced dieting, the sleep deprivation has given me such a sweet tooth. Now I'm back at work I try to just pack salads/fruit so the days when I'm
not bf during day I'm watching what I eat.

I went to a mum and baby Pilates class from 10weeks and found that really helped my core strength, especially after having a section. Also did a few mum and buggy classes which were good to get up a sweat.

Prior to having baby I found limiting my portions really helped, I bought a smaller dinner plate and tried do drink lots of water too.

Good luck.

[fatlazymummy]

It depends how you feel ,doesn't it?. I didn't do any vigorous fitness routines, but I didn't eat lots of cake and I started going for walks after a few days. I don't like being overweight and I didn't want to just sit on the sofa either.
I lose weight naturally after my births, but with my 1st I was left with about an extra stone, so I went on a 'diet ' after a few months and lost it quite quickly. I didn't need to after my 2nd and 3 rd births.

[carrielou2007]

I are anything and everything when pregnant with dc3 and put on 5 stone . I rejoined slimming works when he was 2 weeks old (they are supported something to do with midwives whilst bf) and I lost the 5 stone by the time he was 5 months. Helped by walking school/preschool run 6 tines a day half hour each way as due to sight problems not allowed to drive. Was quite amusing I had pre-op when he was 5 months at the eye hospital I caused panic that the scales were malfunctioning. That was until I pointed out that u had been 6 months pregnant when I had my last operation

[Mouthfulofquiz]

I'm currently 9 weeks post birth with my 2nd - have done a couple of short runs and am trying to watch what I eat but I have also developed a bit of a sweet tooth! My little one breastfeeds a lot which I think is increasing my appetite. I used to run around 5k a few times a week but I think I have a mild prolapse now, so I'm having to keep the distances in check and concentrate to exercising my pelvic floor instead! Very annoying considering the baby shot out really! But I had a chronic cough throughout pregnancy which well and truly Knackered it. I've got about a stone to shift.... Will give myself until Christmas...

[standingonlego]

All depends how birth goes and how you feel. Do it when you are ready, do not worry about anyone else. Go at your pace.

For me what made a huge difference was breastfeeding and walking everywhere with the buggy at a brisk pace. Always have water and fruit with you. Simple, no rocket science but really works. Sleep anywhere and anytime you can!

[OscarWinningActress]

Three months. I was an avid exerciser during third pregnancy and went back to the gym at about 8 weeks (intense exercise...kickboxing and advanced step). It was too soon . I got really depressed and got much too thin (was breastfeeding). I'd go for gentle running/walks if I had to do it again. If you're nursing, your body is working round the clock. Don't go crazy on top of that .

[deakymom]

the rule is 9months on 9 months off and if its not off by 9months diet

[LittlePeaPod]

I have always kept fit and I went back to the gym after 4 weeks post ELCS. I had consultant and GP approval before going back.

I agree with those that say go back when you feel ready. I had to go back because I started feeling depressed because I wasn't exercising. It wasn't about weight loss for me. it was more about the endorphin rush.

[ThisIsmySecretPassword]

I put weight on with ds1 and started losing it as soon as I could. I can't remember exactly when but I was back to normal when he was 4 or 5 months. I used keep fit videos and was very determined. I bf which I am sure helped me loose weight a lot faster.
I was 25 and fairly sporty. I don't think it matters if it takes a lot longer though - it depends on how you feel and what your priorities are. You can't plan it.
I was much more careful not to put on too much with the rest of my kids.

[LadyNexus]

50 years.

Yup, that should do it

[littledrummergirl]

Dd is nearly 10yrs and I havent managed it yet..