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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask the best way to lose 15lbs when you can't exercise much?

33 replies

TaliZorah · 14/10/2015 20:30

Posted somewhere else but got no reply.

I had a c section 7 weeks ago. I was 135lbs before pregnancy and am 140lbs now. I want to be 125lbs.

I'm eating 1,500 calories a day and walking a lot, but since the birth I have a really bad back that makes lifting extremely painful. Until I find out what it is I don't want to do any strenuous exercise, and probably couldn't anyway

What can I do to lose weight when I'm limited in what I can do? Thanks

OP posts:

CampariSpritz · 14/10/2015 20:35

OP, give yourself a break. The pounds will come off but it might take a bit of time. Certainly let yourself recover properly and cut yourself a bit of slack. I found until I stopped breast feeding, I couldn't shift the last few pounds. At month 5, they seemed to magically drop off.

Rainbunny · 14/10/2015 20:39

OP it sounds like you are doing all the right things so try to be patient. Actually exercise, while great for your health is not anywhere near as important as diet when trying to lose weight so don't worry that walking is your only exercise right now.

devmum · 14/10/2015 20:40

St Davina (I am addicted to her DVDs) says 9 months up, 9 months down. At the moment your body is still recovering from major trauma, give yourself a rest before worrying about your weight.

Being only 5lb away from your pre-pregnancy weight at this stage is amazing, you should be patting yourself on the back and eating another pudding

Meerka · 14/10/2015 20:41

Your hormones will be still running round your system like mad. Give yourself time.

as and when your body is ready, it will start to come off as long as you're not overeating. Beyond that I personally found the 5:2 diet great. YOu don't have to exercise, it's a matter of not eating much on two days. But ... if you're breastfeeding, then keep it at minimum 1000 cal. The 5:2 diet thread has some super supportive people on it.

But wait until your body has had time to settle down!! They say here "nine months up, nine months down"

Original poster

TaliZorah · 14/10/2015 20:41

I'm not breastfeeding (DS was in nicu and was fed via tubes and never got a good latch) so that shouldn't affect it. I just want to feel normal, even though I'm only slightly heavier my belly feels squishy and I don't like it, it feels weird

Re diet, is 1,500 a good number? I tried less but I end up feeling really hungry.

OP posts:

Original poster

TaliZorah · 14/10/2015 20:44

It's nothing I did to get back to this weight, I had a tiny bump that measured 30weeks at 38. No idea why he was 7lb 11 so pretty normal sized.

Never thought of 5:2 I'll have a look :)

OP posts:

iMatter · 14/10/2015 20:46

Of course your belly feels squishy - you've just had major surgery!

Take it easy for the next month or so and you might find your back pain improves of its own accord.

Let your body heal and then look at exercise.

miranda1969 · 14/10/2015 20:47

Firstly I agree about looking after yourself first rather than worry about weight loss. As regards losing weight I always find the 5:2 diet works for me. Plenty of resources online about it. It works for me but it's not for everybody.

GoodnightDarthVader · 14/10/2015 20:47

7 weeks! Give yourself a break, OP. You're doing good things.

Bambambini · 14/10/2015 20:49

I don't think you should be worrying too much at 7 weeks. 5:2 diet works for me but I wouldn't think about this early on after having your baby.

Original poster

TaliZorah · 14/10/2015 20:49

Thanks guys, maybe I'll be a bit more patient. I hated being pregnant because I had loads of complications so I just want to feel normal! But I'm probably being unrealistic in how quick I want it

OP posts:

Bumbledumb · 14/10/2015 20:55

Re diet, is 1,500 a good number? I tried less but I end up feeling really hungry.

You do not want to end up feeling really hungry. It's much better and safer to take it slowly. Aim to lose about 0.5 - 0.75 lb a week.

Without knowing your age and height, 1,500 may or may not be right for you. Use a calculator like this to determine how much you need to eat or sign up to MyFitnesspal.com and enter your statistics.

Original poster

TaliZorah · 14/10/2015 22:00

22 5"7

That calculators really helpful. I get about 1800 if I go with lightly active and 1500 if I go for desk job.

I'd guess looking after a young baby and lots of walking comes under lightly active?

Thanks for all the comments

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 14/10/2015 22:04

Um, of course your stomach isn't normal yet!!!! You grew a whole person and then had surgery, it doesn't just bounce back a few weeks later.

MuttonDressedAsGoose · 14/10/2015 22:07

Exercise is only a little bit helpful in losing weight. It's almost all down to calories.

Some people do well with calorie counting. Some do better by changing which foods they eat.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 14/10/2015 22:11

It's such early days. Is weight loss really important now or are you trying to reclaim your body/identity? It sounds like you might be putting yourself under pressure.

MrsTerryPratchett · 14/10/2015 22:16

It took months for my tummy to feel normal after a c-section.

I just did your BMI and you are normal now, would be at the very low end of normal at 125. So there are no health implications.

Purplepoodle · 14/10/2015 22:18

I wouldn't worry too much about your body at the moment, it can take up to 8 weeks for your uterus to fully contract. Find a good Pilates instructor/class that specialise in back problems - it will help your back and slim stomach down

Blankiefan · 14/10/2015 22:29

As others have said, give yourself a break. I found that when on mat leave, I walked everywhere with the pram (I has no car for the first time in my adult life and time to actually walk EVERYWHERE). That combined with staying off the biscuits made the weight drop off.

PS. Went back to work / driving again / the biscuit tin and it all went back on...

Meerka · 15/10/2015 07:59

That's probably a good idea ... eat regular meals but stay off the biscuits and snacks in between. They don't half add up.

Original poster

TaliZorah · 15/10/2015 08:36

It's definitely that I want my identity back. My pregnancy was horrible and I felt unwell the whole time, and I had a traumatic birth. I just want to feel normal.

OP posts:

TheCatsMother99 · 15/10/2015 08:44

Please give yourself time. Your body did it's amazing job at carrying your child and needs a bit of time to rest and adjust. Then when it's ready, you'll more likely have better results with whatever you choose to do.

When you're ready, I also recommend yoga or Pilates as they help your back and your core which in turn will make you look and feel slimmer. Yoga and Pilates are different so might be an idea to try a class of each and see which you prefer. Then you could look in to something like slimming world maybe as it doesn't hugely rule your life and is more about moderation than anything else? You'll need to check dieting advice if you're BF though.

Mermaidhair · 15/10/2015 08:55

You had a C section seven weeks ago. Your poor body needs a rest and adequate food to recover. I would give yourself another few months.

KatieLatie · 15/10/2015 09:01

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Helenluvsrob · 15/10/2015 09:04

You are wanting to be really quite a low weight for your hieght as 125lbs is something around 8.5stone and you are 5foot7.

Your current 10st gives you a normal BMI...

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