22kg Weight Gain

[rww2019]

Hi ladies! I am 38w and I've gained 23kg during my pregnancy. I started off at 58kg, and was generally happy with my body. I suffered from really bad pre-natal depression and I turned to food, even though I used to be a really clean eater. I'm now 83kg and I honestly don't remember what I used to look like. Every inch of my body is enormous, my face doesn't look like mine and I even have neck fat! I'm only 5"6 so this weight gain just has completely changed me. I've tried so hard to keep positive but I feel so disgusting when I look in the mirror, I've avoided seeing friends for months now because I feel so self conscious. I'm really worried that I'll never go back to how I used to be? I know I have a lot of water because my hands look like the hulk! I would LOVE to hear if any of you guys gained this much weight and if you were able to lose it all and how long it took? Don't mean to sound vain and I know its all worth it I am just so bored of feeling so horrible about the way I look! Thanks so much in advance for any positive success stories!! xxx

[LilyMumsnet]

We're just giving this a bump for you, OP.

[angeltattoo]

Honestly OP, after giving birth you'll probably loose at least a stone instantly, and then over the following weeks you'll loose loads of water. That bloated look is all pregnancy, especially the last few weeks as it's all about the baby packing on some pounds.

See how you fee after that - your body will be different, but once you see what it can do, grow, deliver and feed your baby you'll appreciate how wonderful it is! Also you may need to eat a lot if breast feeding, go with the flow and try not to worry.

After both of mine, without doing anything different I was back to pre-preg weight after about a year. After my second, lots of walking and pushing the double buggy was good exercise and toned me up.

Also after finishing BF things change again and I lost more at that point.

Good luck, the last fee weeks are difficult but they do end eventually enjoy your baby.

[Sicario]

The only way to get rid of the weight once the baby arrives is to just crack on with it. I found it difficult because I went a bit mad on the cream scones while I was breastfeeding. Then I realised what I was shoving in my mouth and thought, hang on a minute.

Cutting certain things out is a good start. No fruit juice, sugary drinks - in fact all sugary stuff. Don't have them in the house. Walking with the buggy. Wearing clothes that you feel nice in while letting your body recover.

A friend who gained 4 stones while pregnant said "sod this" and decided to eat only her favourite things - fried egg sandwiches and crisps. She worked out she could have 2 bags of crisps and 2 fried egg sarnies per day. Amazingly she lost the weight in 5 weeks!

You just have to find a way that works for you - weight watchers online, or whatever - and don't worry about it! Your body is busy doing something miraculous and who cares about a bit of post baby weight. It will come off, so long as you put your mind to it and stay away from the mars bars.

[Sunshineandshowers81]

I gained 4 stone when I was pregnant with my son. Didn't lose anything when I have birth (?) So then tracked everything I ate and exercised and lost the weight within about 7 months