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Original poster

To ask about your postpartum weight loss

33 replies

user666555 · 13/08/2024 12:53

Hi,

Posted on here for traffic

I had a baby 8 months ago and haven't been able to shift the weight. I also look quite swollen (round face, swollen fingers/feet etc).

I feel so down about how I used to look compared to how I look now.

Can't go to the gym for financial and logistical reasons as I have no one to look after baby when I go.

Have started walking again but feel so discouraged when the number on the scales doesn't change.

What can I do? How do I go about losing the weight and swelling? What worked for you?

OP posts:
Copadelcarmen · 13/08/2024 13:13

Gym and exercise is very little to do with it. Weight loss is 90% what you put in your mouth. Not being able to go to the gym shouldn’t be holding you back.

Hormones are still everywhere at this stage but its diet and portions.

i gave myself a month to eat biscuits and order in deliveroo, then overhauled my diet. Lots of greens and protein and good fats. No sweets- just berries and Greek yogurt. Once I was disciplined, bit of dark chocolate.

i had more energy and felt better as a result, despite being incredibly sleep deprived. It was also nice to feel flexible and ‘light’ and comfortable in clothes when they were at the crawling stage.

being a healthy weight is self care

TheCosyRain · 13/08/2024 13:12

Whilst exercise is important for physical and mental well-being, it’s diet that will mostly dictate your weight loss.

I do intermittent fasting which works for me. But I didn’t tackle it until about 18 months after having my baby.

Original poster
user666555 · 13/08/2024 13:11

@Threetrees745 thank you for the helpful response. Glad to hear your journey has been more positive!

Can I ask why protein is important? Doesn't that bulk you up more? Sorry I don't really know much about all of this as I was actually quite petite prior to pregnancy and never needed to worry so much about my weight

In terms of YT videos, are they gimmicks or can they actually really work? sometimes I feel like you get sold the idea of this ideal body on YT workout videos but the reality of it all isn't that straightforward.

I'm literally hardly eating anything now as I just want results and to lose weight. For example yesterday I had a bowl of cereal (was having a down day and didn't cook) and today I've had just a coffee so far.

OP posts:
Squeezetheday · 13/08/2024 13:09

Can you exercise at home? There are trainers like Joe wicks or Caroline Girvan who have loads of videos on YouTube for free.

You might find postpartum while your hormones are all over the place that you need to be quite strict about your diet and consciously make an effort to eat healthily.

BeardieWeirdie · 13/08/2024 13:08

My local swimming pool let me have my babies in a car seat by the side of the pool while I swam. You could also take turns with a mu friend. I walked lots - didn’t like being stuck at home. I breastfed and couldn’t get enough calories in me. I lost all my baby weight and then some in a couple of weeks, which I’ve attributed to breastfeeding but I know some women think BF makes them retain weight.

Threetrees745 · 13/08/2024 13:07

I had a baby 4 months ago and have lost a stone so far. In all honesty, it has been hard and I've had to force myself to cook something healthy when I was dying just to order in a greasy takeaway when I was knackered. I'm using nutracheck to log my calories and eating between 1600 and 1800 per day while prioritising protein in every meal. I also have some quick, cheap and easy recipes than I rely on for lunches and dinners.

For the exercise part can you get some dumbells and follow some YouTube workouts in the house? There is some really good 25 min full body ones that you can do with baby playing beside you on a mat or while baby is down for a nap.

Original poster
user666555 · 13/08/2024 13:06

@kiana2015 4 months is still quite early although I know it still bothers you because it bothered me too but I would've expected to have lost more weight by now.

I wonder if it's safe to take Mounjaro? I wonder what the implications are long-term?

OP posts:
kiana2015 · 13/08/2024 12:57

Sorry I can't be of help. my DD is nearly 4 months but I would also love to know anyone's advice. Would do mounjaro if I could afford it

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