Whats the score with BFing and diet/exercise?

[Mandymoo]

DS is 15 weeks old and BFing reasonably well - however i resemble an horrendous haggard, beached whale and need to tackle this issue NOW!!

My question is can i sensibly diet (ie, not reduce calories as such but cut out all the crap) and can i exercise while BFing?

Thanx

dont diet, eat healthily... I was told to eat an extra 1000 calories a day! Dont cut carbs is what I was told aswell. Exercise will be fine though

BF burns around 500 calories a day (min). So if DS is feeding well, you are already getting a decent calorie burn. I found that as long as I stuck to a sensible diet (not too many cakes or cookies) and had my 3 meals plus snack in the afternoon it worked wonders. With DS I lost 30 lbs. With DD (who was my first born) I didn't lose nearly as much -- but then again ate loads more cakes !

You can exercise, long walks are great. Of course, lifting the baby can be great as well. Mine liked it if I lay on the floor, put them on my tummy and then lifted them into the air. Think benchpresses, of course, they kindly put on weight, so your "exercise" increases.

Oh Mandy (feel a song coming on )...sorry you are feeling so about it. I did WW when I was BF and the weight fell off. I would just keep an eye on the treats but still eat lots and go for walks and I bet you see a difference soon.

im doing slimming world while breastfeeding and it is fine to do, you get to eat extra healthy extras. ive also started doing exercise but im not doing too much, pilates a few times a week and davinas video 3 times a week plus occasional cycle rides and obviously walks with the push chair daily

DollyP and VNmum - is SW/WW easy to follow and do you feel hungry?!

I've just reached my goal weight on WW - I found it very easy to follow. I am definitely going to go back after next baby (you can join from 6 weeks after birth of your LO).

WW factors BF into your plan so you get an extra allowance.

mandymoo, i found i was hungry on WW but on SW i can eat loads and still lose weight. you can even do SW when pregnant and BF as you get a certain number of extra things to eat. if you love carbs, like pasta, rice and potatoes and fruit and veg then SW definately for you. Even if your a big meat lover its for you to, i just love my carbs thats all. its a great feeling when you're meant to be dieting and you can eat as much pasta etc as you want. you dont feel like you're on a diet at all, and you can still have treats.

Very eary to follow. And you get to eat LOADS. If you are fully BF your allowance is quite hard to eat if you have a lot of fruit and veg, so you can still eat choc, wine, crisps etc. Do it, you won't regret it

Ah, I see that not everyone found WW had enough to eat . Well, mandymoo, it worked for me that's all. They do a plan where potatoes, rice, pasta etc can be eaten in unlimited amounts but I did the other one.

Never done SW, but may be joining if I lard up by the end of this pg (quite likely!)

Thanks guys - with regards to exercise, does it have to be light or can i start with something like a body combat class?

i think it would be ok to do a class, just take the usual precautions and stop if you feel unwell. also id have a rest day or two inbetween classes and gradually build up from there to the level of exercise you want to do. if you notice any change in your milk supply then slow down abit

hi mandymoo, I got back into exercise when baby was 12 weeks old - joined WW and did the no count plan - its great, you get extra points if you are BF and you can eat unlimited carbs at your set mealtimes, I don't feel hungry at all. I also went back to the gym at the same time, I tend to go every other day and then just go for a walk on the inbetween days to keep me rested - I have lost 10lb in the first 3 weeks and thats with eating 3 really good meals and having healthy snacks too! my only tip is to make sure you feed/expres before you exercise or it can be alittle uncomfortable! let me know how you get on, I feel much better for exercising and getting back into shape - good luck!! (grin)