Is baby weight harder to lose?

[Lulette]

My baby is nearly 3 months old and I am currently about a stone and a half heavier than pre-pregnancy, and have been this weight since a month or so postpartum. For the past three weeks I’ve eaten between 1,400 - 1,800 calories and been on quite long walks. A couple of days I haven’t stuck to this, eg at a wedding, but I’m certain I have run a calorie deficit, and am eating a lot less than pre-pregnancy. I’m not breastfeeding.

I haven’t done any ‘proper’ exercise as I don’t want to be apart from my baby yet.

I’ve only lost about 1-2lb. This is a far, far lesser rate of weight loss than I would be used to pre-pregnancy.

I’m wondering whether baby weight is just harder to lose? Hormonal or something? Has anyone else experienced this or is it just me?!

Your body is still adjusting to no longer sustaining a human so your hormones do play a part.

Plus for me sleep is a huge aid in weight loss, so the broken sleep in looking after a tiny baby made me retain more water and because I wasn’t well rested my body hung on to weight despite exercising a bit and eating well.

Keep going for nice walks with your wee one and eat well to fuel your body rather than focusing on calories and deficit. After a few months you’ll find the weight comes off more easily.

You may also have fitness classes nearby which allow you to take your baby - I’ve been going to one since my youngest was 11wks (I’d had a c section) and it has been a godsend not only for the fitness benefits but the contact with other mums.

I think it is a lot harder. I was left with a stone of baby weight to lose after my DS was born in December. I started exercising again in April and managed to get to 3 weights classes a week and was able to start running again in June. I’ve lost 10 pounds so far and I have definitely had times when I’ve sacked off the diet - hen night/holiday/most (well if I’m honest probably nearly every) weekends!

My trainer at the gym told me to aim for a loss of a pound a week which I’ve not really managed!

I also found following a high protein less carb diet helps plus logging what you eat - the app my fitness pal is very good for this. Definitely classes where you can take baby are great - do they have any buggyfit type classes near you?

It feels like it is taking forever to shift so I feel your pain! It is a long hard slog losing 1-2 pounds might not seem like a lot but it’s a brilliant start

@leftie624 are you taking measurements as well as tracking your weight? Sounds like you’ll be getting more toned and changing your shape, which won’t be reflected on the scales.joe wicks doesn’t call it the sad step for nothing

*@hulamelody*No I have just been weighing myself tracking measurements is a good idea, I’ll try that thank you.

thank you for the responses! I’m sorry it’s slow progress for you too but pleased to know it’s not just me if you see what I mean! I’ll try taking my measurements and look out for a buggy fit class. I think there’s a mamafit nearby too!

If I eat 1400 calories I maintain weight, and I exercise a fair amount - ie try to run up to 5miles a day. But walking/running don't burn a lot of a calories depending on your weight maybe 70-80 a mile so the running is more about keeping fit than losing weight. To lose weight I have to eat 1000 calories + exercise calories.

*Disclaimer - if you are breast feeding you need to ensure you have enough calories for that too.