Any suggestions on how to lose the baby weight?

[mrsm22]

I had my first baby 17 weeks ago and for the first 8 weeks i was pretty much bed ridden due to the traumatic labour i had (i had an episiotomy and 3rd degree tears) but my stitches came completely undone and i had to wait 7/8 weeks which it took for my episiotomy to heal up naturally, which meant lying down or sitting (to one side) and doing very little as it was so painful to walk etc. I know i'm not the only one to have been through that. So although my DS is now just over 4 months old, I am not really 4 months on as it has only been the last month or so that i have been a lot more active due to the problems i have had since the birth. It may sound silly, but before getting pregnant I was a lovely size 8, i have always been busty but have always been very slim. I did have a big baby (s pounds 3 ounces) and got quite big when i was pregnant, but i thought the large bump was all baby and water and expected to be slim again after having my baby boy. It may sound silly and maybe i am stupid for not knowing my body would change so much, but i look so different now. My figure is totally different. One thing i never had was hips but now i have these big hips and i look wider, not to mention the flabby tummy i am left with. Years ago (in my late teens and early 20's) i suffered with anorexia and although i am fine now (i am now 30), my weight has always been an issue for me and i think it always will be. Will i ever lose these hips i seem to have now got? And any suggestions on how to sensibly lose the weight? I have started going to the park every day and walking round briskly while pushing the pram (I live in leeds and near Roundhay park if anyone knows it, so ideal to go to regularly) and i am trying to do that as much as i can, although the weather being so rubbish lately has not helped. I know it maybe sounds daft, but i had no idea my body would change so much. I know the weight i may lose in time if i diet and exercise but do hips actually ever go, or is it normal to gain child bearing hips and am i now stuck with them. I look in my underwear drawer and i haven't a hope in hell of getting back into my size 8 skinny pants, i'm stuck with size 12/14 knickers that look more like shorts (some days i even wear my size 16's that i got when i was heavily pregnant due to the comfort)! Any suggestions?

Your body will go back to how it was, however it will take longer than 17 weeks - give yourself a year with gentle exercise, sensible eating (which is easier said than done especially when adapting to life with a new baby)

Your hips and 'width' will eventually go - you get wider as your body changes shape to accommodate your growing baby and also lays down fat stores later in your pregnancy - if you are breastfeeding it'll take a while for your figure to settle down as the hormones sort themselves out. Your tummy will soon firm up though - esp if you do some stomach exercises. Don't forget it has grown over a period of 9 months so will take a while to get back to normal.

You sound as if you've had a difficult time and probably because you've been on bed rest you haven't been as active as perhaps you would have wanted to be.

Lots of people on here recommend 'The Shred' and I have seen great results in shifting the flab - however you may want to wait a few months before giving it a go as it's quite hard work but very good.

When you find out let me know, DSs are not 15 and 11 and I still can not get back in to my pre child leather trousers

I'm currently a few weeks behind you - 3rd degree tear 3 weeks ago and still in a lot of pain. I'm desperate to get out and about walking and exercising but my body isn't ready . I also live near Roundhay Park, so maybe in a few weeks time we could get the prams out power-walking around the park?!

It will happen but it will take time-try to be patient with your body. There's a company called Fitness4Mums (I know, awful!) that run Pramtastic classes in York and Leeds that are very good and also a nice way to meet other new mums. They aren't easy so if you're still recovering you'd have to take it slow. Other than that I'd recommend Weight Watchers if necessary, though it sounds like you're more annoyed with your 'width' which is because your bones have moved, and which just needs time, than with your weight. I've lost the weight (DD is 7mo) but still have the tummy flab-I don't think that's going anywhere unfortunately!