Anyone else trying to lose weight whilst breast-feeding?

[KitKat1985]

Hello all. DD2 now 7 weeks old. I'm 2 stone heavier than I was pre-baby and feeling really unhappy about it. I'd like to use the New Year to kick-start some weight loss but can't go too drastic as I'm breast-feeding and don't want to mess up my milk supply. I'm largely thinking about cutting back on sugary things which I think is my main downfall, and trying to do some more walking. Problem is I find breast-feeding makes me really hungry which makes the whole process more challenging. I'm determined to do this though, even if it is a gradual process.

[KitKat1985]

Sorry meant to say I was wondering if there any people on here in the same boat who would like to join me in this mission?

[athousandsplendidsuns]

I could have written your post almost exactly. Only difference is that my baby is 11 weeks. I'm thinking of trying to avoid sugary things in the week and just having a few treats at weekends but allowing myself to eat other foods as I need them so I dont feel awful/starving while feeding. Then when I start weaning maybe go back to my fitness pal which is how I lost the weight after ds1.

[FatOldBag]

I just wanted to say good luck. I put on about 5 stone with ds and lost it within a year of having him. I breastfed for 2 years. Before I started dieting (at about 3 weeks) I researched the crap out of dieting while breastfeeding, and read studies which showed that mother's diet does not affect supply or quality of breastmilk. For example, they compared the nutritional content of milk from mothers on a nutritionally poor African diet to milk from mothers on a very nutritionally rich western diet, and the milk was the same.

In pregnancy, the body naturally stores extra fat for you to use up (and get rid of!) during bf-ing, so losing weight is very natural while bf-ing - it's why your body stored it in the first place. Nevertheless, I did get a lot of morons telling me I shouldn't be losing weight, based on absolutely nothing - no research, no knowledge, just how they personally felt about it, presented as if it were facts and real concerns. Just thought I'd give you a heads up - a lot of people don't support bf-ing mums losing weight. Just ignore them. Good luck. x

[KitKat1985]

Nice to have a buddy to join me Athousand. I weighed myself this morning and I was 11 stone, 13 and a half pounds. My overall goal is to be 10 stone again. Going to do a weigh-in each Saturday I think. Main objective for this coming week is cut back on the sugary crap and eat sensibly.

And thank you FatOldBag for the support. x

[MooMooTheFirst]

I'm breastfeeding 7mo DS and need to lose a stone before I'm back to pregnancy weight. I put three on and lost two within a month of birth but it's this bastard last stone that won't budge. I'd like to lose another one on top of that as well... but I binge on sugar and carbs and that's an issue that predates pregnancy so my aim is to knock that on the head. Otherwise, I eat healthy meals so I don't want to diet as such.

[TheMasterNotMargarita]

That's interesting FatOldBag.
I've never had a sweet tooth but during this pregnancy and bf I have eaten so many sweets and cakes and been feeling a bit guilty that it mightn't be the best thing. Tbf though I have had an enormous appetite compared to normal, can't recall it the first time around.
I've got a stone and half to lose but would settle for getting into my jeans again. dS is only 4 months though so I'm not in any great rush. I think we should just all be super proud of our bodies for the amazing feats they perform.

[athousandsplendidsuns]

Hi all. Interesting about the milk quality. My problem is that I feel faint and sick if I haven't eaten enough. I'm 13st 5 and was 11st 5 when on got pregnant, but happier under 11st. With ds1 I was much more relaxed about losing it but for some reason it's annoying me more this time. I tend to weigh myself midweek. Got a terrible sweet tooth and guilty of comfort eating when 3 year old plays up. Starting Tuesday on the less sugar plan!

[Swearwolf]

Can I join you please? I'm about a stone and a half over what I want to be, and DD is nine months old . It's weird, with my DS I lost weight within weeks breastfeeding, but this time it just won't budge. I'm hungry and am walking a lot less, and she feeds a lot less often than he ever did. Now at nine months she's really cutting down on feeding.

I'd like to lose as close to a stone as possible before I go back to work on valentines day, then another half a stone or more by my friend's wedding in may.

Desperately need inspiration to keep me on track!

[KitKat1985]

Yay. Some more people to join in! Welcome everyone! So far today I've just had a nice sensible bowl of special k type cereal (except Tesco own brand) for breakfast. Not intending to snack today if possible.

My motivation is that I got some lovely dresses two years ago to wear in summer and then couldn't wear them last year due to pregnancy bump, but I'd love to be able to fit in them this summer. I'm away for a week in June as well and would like to be able to fit into my normal swimming costume. 2 stone by the summer is realistic isn't it?

[athousandsplendidsuns]

Yes I think so kitkat... 1lb a week for 28 weeks brings you to 2st off by june/July...
Swear wolf I also think yours can be done too. Have you got a specific plan or just cutting down? I'm hoping for 2 1/2 stone off by end October when I go back to work. I'm starting Tuesday.

[Swearwolf]

Do you think? I hope so. My plan is:

• more walking. I do the 20 minute school run 3 days a week on foot, but go straight home afterwards so the baby can nap. I intend to lap the park (next to the school) after drop-off each day. I take her in the sling so that should add something.
  
• cereal for breakfast, not toast. Butter is my big downfall.
  
• soup for lunch as often as possible.
  
• when making a pasta sauce, don't put so many cheeses in. Just cheddar and creme fraiche, we can lose the feta, brie, cream cheese...
  
• do not cook too much. I always end up eating what's left, especially if I do dinner for the children at 5ish and make too much cheesy pasta.
  
• try to fit in one more exercise class a week. I currently only do one (it's awesome though, boogie bouce xtreme, aerobics on trampolines!).
  
• more lemon green tea, which I do actually like, less hot chocolate or sachet cappuccino.
  

I don't want to follow a diet exactly as I know where I'm going wrong, I just can't seem to help myself. I'm doing MyFitnessPal but I'm useless at figuring out weights and portion sizes so have no idea if I'm getting the number of calories right.

[Swearwolf]

PS, kitkat, your username is not helping

[MooMooTheFirst]

I've just eaten McDonald's because DS hasn't napped and I knew I could get him to sleep in the car and I'm angry at DP for going out last night, getting back at 4am and then getting out of bed just before 2 this afternoon

I did weigh in after breakfast (14stone) and I will try harder tomorrow.

[athousandsplendidsuns]

It's about 2lbs a week to get to nearly a stone by valentine's day isn't it? If I'm trying hard I think 1-2lbs a week is possible and I think that's the recommended amount for healthy sustainable weight loss.

[Swearwolf]

I think 1lb a week is more realistic for me splendid (wasn't sure how you like to be abbreviated...) but I'd need 2lb at least to hit a stone before I go back to work. I need to try VERY HARD!

[Borntorunfast]

Just to say, when I bf both of mine the weight loss only kicked in a few months in. I put weight on to begin with as I was hungry all the time. But then my appetite returned to normal and the weight came off gradually but easily - I didn't diet and lost 4 stone with my first, 2 with my second (I put on less second pregnancy). It was very easy but it depended on longer term breastfeeding (I fed for 12 months both times). Only downside was that I put weight on when I stopped!! So... Just saying be gentle with yourselves, some of you have really young babies, and I know it's shit feeling fat (I really do), but for me at least I didn't have to do much except be more patient than I usually am.

[athousandsplendidsuns]

Didn't think about abbreviations when picking name... Doesn't really work does it! I would be so happy if I could start getting a pound a week off, it seems so much harder second time round, probably because of the insane amount of chocolate I've been eating.

[athousandsplendidsuns]

Thanks born! Hard to be patient when no clothes fit but you're right and it's good advice to hear.

[Swearwolf]

I'm finding it harder second time around too, probably because I can't do nearly as much walking because I have the big one with me. When he was a baby he pretty much only napped in his buggy so we'd be out walking miles every day, but you can't do that with an older child to drag along!

[TheMasterNotMargarita]

That's good to know, born.
My trouble is I have a huge appetite compared to previously. I try to fill up with fruit/yoghurt etc but like another poster love my buttery toast and find I don't feel full until I eat some stodge.
I am getting out walking but not much chance of any other exercise at the minute as DH does shifts and the baby is still feeding a lot and won't sleep long unless on me or in the pram.

[Tfoot75]

My dd2 is 8 months and I've been using my fitness pal since she was 3 months and have lost 2 stone, still want to lose another half stone or so now that Christmas is out the way. I think as long as you eat sensibly and the right things to fill you up it doesn't have any effect on milk (at least, dd2 was ebf until weaning and is perfectly happy and healthy size and weight etc). So just wanted to share what's worked for me so far

Totally cut out snacking during daytime unless extreme emergency and then have a banana

Eat things that are filling for meal times, don't try to cut these back as it's snacks and puddings that are calorific! I had overnight oats (slimming world type recipe) for breakfast then would have a filling lunch eg two eggs and two slices brown toast then Normal but calorie controlled dinner (so weighed out pasta/rice to ensure portion size, no creamy sauces etc)

For evening snacking consciously buy stuff that's calorie controlled, e.g. A solero ice cream is really yummy but less than 100 cals.

My fitness pal has really helped to see how many calories are in various things so it's a lot easier to make better choices. E.g. If we were making steak and chips at home on a weekend before we'd have loads of chips and onion rings, now we'd weigh out 100g each and have 3 onion rings and it's fine! Don't have to miss out on anything just helps to make the right choices.

As I've been bf I've not had to be ultra strict tbh, but not sure how easy the last half stone will be in the midst of reducing feeds etc.

[Tfoot75]

Oh and I've found a lot of things are habit, e.g. I would always have a bit of chocolate before bed, if you're really strict with yourself and don't have something for a few days, you might find you don't fancy it any more and it was just a habit.

[Alwaysinahurrynow]

I'm third time around on the post pregnancy weight loss. I was 13st 13 when I went in for my section and am 11st 4 at 3 months post. Goal weight is 9st 2, I've got back to it twice before so know it's achievable. I'm doing weight watchers which gives you added credits for breastfeeding. Easy wins are dropping any kind of milky coffees for americanos and cutting out chocolate and cakes. Walking for an hour a day really helps too! Aim is to be back a pre-pregnancy weight by April!

[Slothlikesundays]

Can I join? Dd 19 weeks. I put on 4st in pregnancy. I have 1 1/2 stone left to budge. I lost all the other weight within 3 weeks of her being born and not a single pound since. I'm already fairly active with dog walking, I'm planning yoga and Pilates for my back and to put down the biscuits . I'm also going to try and cut out snacking but it's so hard as I'm hungry all the time!

[lilygirl81]

I'm needing to do this too. I was overweight before getting pregnant, lost lots due to not being able to eat for 17 weeks, and was pre-pregnancy weight when I had my baby. 5 months on, and I'm not 2 stone over and need to lose at least 4 stone. I only got 3 stretch marks during my pregnancy but my tummy is now covered in them. I just get so hungry when I'm feeding, plus my baby doesn't sleep so I'm up 20 of 24 hours and just graze the whole time.
I've signed up to Wright watchers, but think this is going to be tough