To lose weight when pregnant? and ask about exercise?

[NotYoMomma]

I've had a few comments from people, some supportive and some implying I am being ridiculous and endangering my baby so I am throwing it out to the MN jury...

I started out nearly 14 stone with a bmi of 35.1
Since having dd I have been lazy (exacerbated by back problem) and eaten poorly and never shifted what I put on.

Needless to say the MW said I was too big to have a water birth (need to be below 35 bmi at 36 weeks or something in my area.

I didn't go on a diet as such, just cut down my (big) portion sizes to what they should be, ate healthier options (swapping steak for beef noodles etc) and cut out the chocolate, crisps and cola, snacking on peppers, cucumbers and grapes.

So after 5 weeks I am now 12st 12lbs and my bmi is now 32.9 - so I've moved from high risk in need of a glucose test to low risk and no test.

I'm over the moon.

I've had a healthy scan and feel so much better, I'm not opening the fridge just because I happen to pass it and I was feeling quite proud. I don't consider that I've been on a crash diet as I still eat all the food I used to, just try to make better choices on how it's cooked and how often I snack etc. I'm still eating the correct amount of calories.

However it's a 50/50 toss up from friends and family as to if this is good or bad. Comments like 'your eating for two now you should never diet pregnant' and 'what's the point' and even (my favourite) 'you will starve the baby'

I want to shake them and ask them in what world trying to be healthier for all of us is a bad thing? It's rubbed off a bit on dh who has also reduced his portions to recommended amount an He has been exercising too, I'm proud of both of us but feel people are determined to make me feel guilty. I'm still obese by bmi standards! I would like to be less than 30bmi by the time baby arrives

(I'm 13 weeks)

So AIBU?

Also I'm considering taking up swimming or light use on the exercise bike - it would be twice a week! But scared of more comments :( wwyd?

I haven't actually lost over a stone, I've lost a stone.

I haven't stopped eating any food groups and honestly biggest change I've mad Is the chocolate, coke and crisps, which might give you a clue to the excesses I was eating before.

So 14lbs in 5 weeks (I may have put some back on this week though as I've had a McDonald's and a piece of cake! Find out tomorrow)

Is 2.(something) lbs a week, so only just over what was recommended above. I'll try to make sure I eat a few more kcals

Congratulations op! I'm changing my diet at the moment to lose my baby weight and am ttc. I'm determined to be fitter and happier during this pregnancy!

Well done, OP. I think you have the right idea.

Petra that was a very interesting post, thanks for that.

I lost a stone and a half in both pgs due to hyperemisis, although I had it to lose. Both babies were fine! I think if you have it to lose and do it in a sensible, controlled way you should be fine, especially if all you are doing essentially is eating properly. I think Slimming World do a scheme for pregnant women.

Well done you. Healthy eating and sensible portions is perfect for you and baby. Yes Slimming World do a pg plan and a bf plan but it sounds like your doing a fab job off your own back. If your last scan says baby is a good size then all is well. Keep up the good work and good luck with the birth .

Sounds good to me - I'm doing the same thing - lost about 20lb so far (though about 7lb of that was pre pregnancy) 9 weeks now and just doing healthy eating and losing about 1lb a week now which suits me fine. Definitely not dieting - just trying not to eat loads of shit. Going to try and lose another half a stone and then I'll aim to maintain.

Petra that's helpful information - thank you.

I think trying to be healthier - not dieting - is a great idea and it sounds like you're feeling much better for it. Also think swimming or something like yoga would be great for keeping fit.

I lost 2 stone 2 lbs whilst pregnant. I just stopped eating crap as soon as I found out as didn't want my baby having rubbish!! I was 13 stone 7 when I first got pregnant. Got weighed on my due date and I was 11.5.

Baby weighed 10.1 by the way 13 days late.

When you say you are aiming for a BMI of 30 do you mean excluding 2 stone of pregnancy weight or including. Because I started off with a BMI of about 22/23 (ie nicely in the healthy range) and will at 8 months am somewhere between 27 and 28 (haven't weighed myself for ages) so expect to be about 28 by the end.

Yes fine to lose body fat when pregnant just not ok to do drastic diet. Cutting out empty sugary calories reduces lots of pregnancy risks and if anyone says otherwise they are v ignorant. Swimming also good as is brisk walking yoga water aerobics or exercise class aimed at pregnant women.

Ohnosnow that is quite good to hear. Will continue what I'm doing until 20 weeks scan and then maintain maintain maintain whatever I might be x

Cutting out the crap is great that's called healthy eating and tends to be the ideal at anytime even pregnancy.

It appears those digging at you have this confused with a calorie restricted diet.

I second swimming as well.

Well done op, you're not dieting, you're adjusting your lifestyle in a wholly appropriate way, anyone that tells you is cars wrong.
Exercise especially swimming sounds excellent, just take it easy. Very difficult to do any damage swimming according to midwife (I've just switched from running to swimming at 25 weeks due to PGP).

I didnt diet in any way. just cut out the crap and eat healthly. i craved fruit and the only drink i could stomach was water.
The weight just came off.

just eat healthly op and you will see the difference.

I was the same, I went down from a size 18 to a size 14 when I was pregnant.

Same as you, I cut out the crap. I also continuously threw up for 16 weeks, and could only keep down broth, jacket spuds and salad.

You don't have to stop a slimming world during pregnancy for similar reasons - it's just common sense healthy eating.

Congrats and good luck with the baby.

The hardest temptation is being home on mat leave with a tin full of custard creams, a steaming tea pot and a morning of "Cash in the Attic" in your pajamas.