Baby weight not budging - hormones?

[Cait93]

Hi

4.5 months postpartum (aware this is not a very long time however is important to me) the last of the baby weight does not seem to be budging? I’m very active and was throughout my pregnancy.

I stopped breastfeeding completely around a month ago, is it likely that hormones need to settle and period to begin to see some weight loss? I have about 5kg to lose but from someone who used to lose weight so easily to not budging at all, very disheartening! I strength train 3 times weekly, 1-2 days cardio and long walk every day with baby. Clued up on the calorie side so just really confusing as to why there is no progress.

any feedback would be much appreciated!

Hi Cait93, this happened to me on my last pregnancy in fact I gained extra weight once I stopped breast feeding , I wasn’t eating additional calories I was running 10k a week and walking 8k a day and I wasn’t losing an ounce! Nothing fitted I’m generally very slim when not pregnant . Intermittent fasting was the only thing that worked. I had dinner by 6pm and would eat by 11am the following day . 17 hr fast. I would drink green tea or sparkling water with lemon after 6pm. I felt amazing the weight came off I felt fitter and really felt my body had a reset . I did this Monday to Friday had my wine and treats at the weekend .

I really think it could be hormones taking time to settle after pregnancy but the fasting feels like it’s cleansing your system , my skin and IBS improved also. This is my first time to reply on here sorry if I waffled but I hope I was of some help.

Hi!

thanks for the response! Funny that you mentioned fasting, I started two weeks ago, I eat between 1100-1900 and have found it quite easy, it was more to cut out the snacking in the evening as I was bad for it!

Pre preg I was size 6-8, I do fit in my size 8 clothes now but they just feel tighter and less comfortable, i seem to be holding the excess weight around stomach and thighs. Again very aware it’s early days and I’m already considered slim, however I like to feel comfortable in my own skin!

I think I just wanted reassurance that the weight would eventually come off!! I’m hoping maybe once my period returns, it might help kickstart the weight loss!

Don’t know OP but do think hormones have a lot to do with weight gain/loss around pregnancy.

Unfortunately for me BFing didn’t make me lose weight and my body hung in onto extra pounds until my DC began to feed less around and didn’t shift completely until they were fully weaned around a year old.

one’s body shape also changes eg. Rib cage and hips get wiser and this doesn’t usually return to its formed self, most women are a slightly different shape after kids. But 4# months is still early, your body is still recovering especially if low on sleep, after twins, had small gaps between pregnancies etc

I don't know if there is any rhyme or reason to it. After DC1 my weight didn't budge, no matter what I did. After DC2, I lost 10kg without trying.

Clued up on the calorie side so just really confusing as to why there is no progress.

it was more to cut out the snacking in the evening as I was bad for it!

I think there's a strong possibility that if you've been snacking in the evenings (and other times?) your calorie intake is a lot higher than you realised or intended.

See where you get to once that's under control before despairing.

read "why we eat to much" by Andrew jenkinson

Hello!
3 months PP here and in the same boat. Not breastfeeding. Exercising 4-5 times a week, controlling calories. No progress. Now resorting to slimfast diet plus exercise.... let's see if I have any luck?!

Forgot to add. Like you I was a size 8 pre pregnancy. Have about 1 stone to lose (two back to back pregnancies are to blame here!)

Give yourself time. It took me 8 months after my second and third baby to lose the weight. Tried dieting/exercising after I had my third for a few weeks and somehow managed to gain weight lol. Gave up on the diet (still do light exercise, mostly walking) and returned to pre pregnancy weight by 8 months PP

It’s so frustrating isn’t it! Throughout pregnancy, I was told I would bounce back so fully believed it ha! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t look that different to pre preg, but I can tell the difference!!! Don’t think I can do anymore to lose weight unless I start eating dust!

hoping period is on the horizon which may be the reset I need

How old are you out of interest? I found it changed with age. Early 20s, bought size 8-10 jeans a few weeks later and the same. In my 30s it was so different.

Are you reducing calories? You need to ensure you’re in a calorie deficit to lose weight, extra walks etc aren’t enough.

Your hormones need to settle down. Give it time.
However, make sure you aren't pregnant again too.

Few people just return to pre pregnancy weight without dieting. I had to lose over a stone each pregnancy, and it was hard going. I’m not someone who just loses weight without trying

You will likely have changed shape as well.
I lost 20kg since prepregnancy (completely lost appetite due to PND so not at all healthy), but I still can't fit in jeans that fit me pre pregnancy due to the change in my shape.

I’m 31, problem is I still feel like an 18 year old so didn’t even consider my age!!!

I am very active throughout the day, burning between 2000-2200 on average and eating around 1600-1800 calories.

im wandering whether there may be an element of muscle involved as I had to switch to mostly weights when pregnant due to girdle pain so may contribute to heavier weight but surely not 5kg. I just want the extra weight shifting from my stomach and thighs and then I can be relatively relaxed again!

Definitely think my hips have widen, having to really pull the jeans up when I hit those hips!

Did do an emergency pregnancy test when I realised I was heavier now then 4 days post birth!!! Nearly had a heart attack

Muscle weighs 4x that of fat so if you have been building muscle that could account for your current weight

I've heard it takes 9 months to put it on and 9 months to take it off so I wouldn't worry! If you're getting plenty of exercise and eating well you'll be building strength and fitness so you're doing great! Try not to worry, your body is still healing.