1200 calories- not losing weight. How?!

[Caloriewoes]

So I need some help.

Baby is 6 weeks old and from about 2 weeks, I've been counting calories.
To start I was logging about 1400- felt this was a huge decrease compared to what I was consuming during the end of pregnancy . Did lose to start but slowed right down to 0.5 - 0.25 of a lb a week- so reduced again to 1200.

Despite this, I'm still only losing very little. To put into context, since 20th November I have lost 2/3s (that's two thirds!) lb

I'm at a total loss. I'm actually going to bed hungry and did a 5km walk this week. I am not the most active when I have my baby at home alone (doesn't sleep and I have a toddler at nursery so I do use some time to recoup) but I am active on the days I have them both and do all the housework, etc. I have never had this issue before and would normally lost weight on 1200 calories.

What do I do? It is really starting to get me down as I can't fit into my clothes so I'm rotating 2 pairs of jeans. Do I cut to 1000? I daren't go up as I wasn't losing much on 1400. Could it be my cycles stopping me losing (not had a period yet but not breastfeeding).
All help appreciated! I'm considering some sort of exercise boot camp but I'm so bloody tired!

[theriverrunsthrough]

Its your steps too. you need to be aiming for around 15000 steps a day or the equivalent of fat burn.

When I was on 1400 a day I lost hardly anything and to be fair I wasn't getting those daily steps in.

I have a job where I am sat on my back side most of the day so I only lose weight when I hover around 1000 cals a day

1400 cal a day and 15000 steps and the weight will drop off you

[SugarlumpsesBumpses]

Are you breastfeeding or formula feeding? I only ask because for me, no matter how much I ate healthily I could not lose any weight until around 1 year when she breastfed a lot less.

Also, for me, sleep is a huge factor. I can gain 3 lbs overnight for a bad nights sleep and no extra food! Genuinely! And if I have a week of good sleep I weight about 5 lbs less. Example, I got to my first goal and was so close to tipping under it but then had a shocking nights sleep so am 4 lbs up now! It's crazy how hormones work.

Also, good luck with it but baby is only 6 weeks so don't beat yourself up!

[theriverrunsthrough]

also, when I had dd1/dd2 I didn't drive so I was out pushing them to shops, going on walks literally power walking every where.

Then I got the car and by dd3 I had a lard arse.

[Caloriewoes]

Thanks.

I had no idea I'd need to do so many steps too. I am just so tired as baby won't be put down overnight but I do need to be stricter and get out walking more. The cold is very unappealing!

If I cut to 1000 would I still need the steps? I feel so fed up.

[Caloriewoes]

I'm formula feeding and get very little sleep. I did lose weight with my first on similar levels of sleep (but was a couple or years younger!).

[LadyCampanulaTottington]

It's because WHAT makes up those 1200 is a vital part of weight loss that is lost on many people OP.

1200 of mainly carbs will be completely different to 1200 of mainly protein.

Eat high protein, moderate fat and low carb and it will come off quickly.

[AuntieStella]

At only six weeks post partum, your body is still in hormonal bounce and recovery mode.

i think you need to wait a bit longer to get into an even keel before aiming to lose weight. And sleeping better will help enormously, and I expect it'll be a while before you can count on that.

How much do you want to lose? I'd aim to just avoid gaining weight for the next six weeks or so. Plenty of exercise (ideally outdoors) as that will boost your well-being in so many ways. And then go back to dietary measures in the New Year

Buy two new outfits (second hand or from a supermarket) to lift your spirits about your appearance, and (re)donate them later

[Caloriewoes]

I'm vegi so perhaps my diet is more carb heavy. Thanks for the tip. I'd normally have porridge for breakfast, for example.

[SinoohXaenaHide]

Your hormones are still all over the place, cut yourself some slack. Although you aren't breastfeeding your body's evolutionary optimisation during the time after childbirth is to efficiently store as much energy as possible from the food you eat - consider a paeleolothic hunter-gatherer woman who gives birth in the autumn just as food is beginning to get scarce. She needs to survive and keep her baby alive till spring when food becomes easier to find again. Your metabolism is doing everything it can to avoid burning thise fat reserves.

It's not a moral failing to have a bit of baby-weight. If you give yourself a month or two of grace where you don't worry aboit trying to lose weight - just maintain your current weight and keep as active as you can, it will be a lot easier to get rid if the fat once your metabolism isn't in famine-survival mode.

[RicStar]

Its probably your hormones OP be kind to yourself. I am on 1400 - 1600 and have been steadily losing but do have plateaux periods - my youngest is 3 years though, so I am not in sleep deprived new baby bit and perhaps had a lot more than you too lose. I think 1000 would be unsustainable and should not be necessary. You just need to give it time.

[WTF475878237NC]

Calorie counting from two weeks old? I don't mean this unkindly but have you got a history of problematic eating? You seem to have put a lot of energy and focus into this rather than self care and giving your body recovery time for your sake and your newborn.

[Bonnealle]

I think you need to give yourself a bit of a break. Going to bed hungry will not help you sleep and being rested is most certainly the best thing you can do at the moment for you and your family’s health. Hormones definitely are playing a part in this, sleep is also key in weight loss. Exercise has a minimal effect in weight loss, so don’t worry about the steps. You’ll get there eventually, just get a bit of sleep first!

[ShamalaHamala]

How strictly are you counting these calories? Are you weighing everything?
If I was on a 1200 cal a day diet I would not be eating something like porridge for breakfast, it's a waste of calories.
A banana with 100g fat free greek style yoghurt for breakfast, carrot sticks for a mid morning snack. Salad with turkey breast for lunch, and then a very veg heavy curry for dinner ought to keep you fuller without feeling hard done by.

[Caloriewoes]

I have the porridge pots which are 214 calories. I avoid cereal to save having to weigh it etc. It also keeps me full.

Yes- I do weigh it all. I've honestly been really strict- hence why I am feeling so demoralised by it all. I've been much more lax and lost weight in the past. I didn't know if it could be my thyroid or something.

Thanks all. There are some fab ideas here. I'm very healthy otherwise (although I'm now thinking I perhaps don't drink enough water!).

I'm just desperate to feel 'nice' and like 'me' again. I'm not in a position to replace my wardrobe.

[Gearedtoyou]

Enjoy your baby. 6 weeks is far too early to be stressing over this

Eat well and avoid snacking. Get out with the pram when you can.

Eat real porridge not the powdery instant stuff!

See where you are in 6 months' time

[MsTSwift]

Not if you’re breastfeeding but what worked for me was reading up on Michael Mosley intermittent fasting. I don’t eat until early lunch and don’t get hungry. Eat normal food on smaller plates minimise snacks. Burn 500 calories most mornings in stationary bike. List 2 stone and maintained for 2 years now. I’m older than you though and don’t have a baby and toddler!

[Caloriewoes]

You're right. I am absolutely loving it so it isn't tainting my experience with my beautiful baby.

We just have some nice holidays planned and I'd like to have some clothes to wear.

[theriverrunsthrough]

@LadyCampanulaTottington

It's because WHAT makes up those 1200 is a vital part of weight loss that is lost on many people OP.

1200 of mainly carbs will be completely different to 1200 of mainly protein.

Eat high protein, moderate fat and low carb and it will come off quickly.

For me it didn't matter what I ate. Calories were calories.

My day consisted of - porridge, sandwich from asda, weight watcher meal or some other low cal meal, low cal hot chocolate/bars.

I know this was incredibly unhealthy but I did lose weight.

I just dont move enough due to work and when I get in I am shattered. I even bought a fancy running machine which is now a fancy clothes horse

[Caloriewoes]

That would be me too! I'd sometimes eat my calories in chocolate and it make no difference. .

[overworriedmum]

@Caloriewoes just FYI, although no idea if this is the case here, but post partum thyroiditis is fairly common and relatively under diagnosed. Symptoms of underactive thyroid can be weight gain, muscles cramps, fatigue and feeling depressed (most pretty common symptoms of the post partum period anyway, hence the under-diagnoses!), so might be worth having your thyroid levels checked if you feel you have any of those other symptoms!

Agree with other posters too though- it's so so early, be kind to yourself! Hormones won't even have settled yet and you'll be sleep deprived so take care of yourself.

[Crazycatlady83]

My DS is 5 months. I did the same as you, started CC quite early and didn't shift anything for ages. It all then came off over a 6 week period from when he was about 8 weeks old. I now only have 5lbs left to lose to get back to where I was! They aren't shifting though - I've fallen off the wagon this last couple of days!!

I also have a holiday booked for April and couldn't afford to buy a whole new wardrobe! Plus I didn't really feel myself being a little heavier!

I did up my exercise though not excessively (just daily walks or a mum & baby exercise class). He also started sleeping better so I think a combo of all that has helped!

Good luck!

[Caloriewoes]

Thanks all. Some really interesting information here.
It is just so boring being in a calorie deficit for such a long time and not getting anywhere.

I hoped to lose the weight and then go up to maintenance calories which is much more sustainable.
I'll have to persevere. I wonder if there are any natural supplements I can take to aid the metabolism.

[Caloriewoes]

Also, baby is getting worse and not better with sleep currently.

[Disfordarkchocolate]

Assuming your bottle feeding and from my own experience it's because your are eating more calories than you are logging.

[Caloriewoes]

Sorry - missed a few questions. I need to lose about 11lbs - 12lbs to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Not much in the grand scheme but feels impossible at the moment!