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Original poster

Weight loss struggles post partum

26 replies

HaychEss · 17/01/2026 02:23

I’m 4 month post partum and gained quite a bit of weight throughout my pregnancy. Every day I think about my weight and what I’m going to do to lose it but when I’ve had a really difficult day with baby it can be hard to prepare meals that are healthy and sometimes easier to go for the quick fix. Also not going to lie but by the evening junk food often becomes a comfort (like a reward lol). I really hate how I look in my clothes more though and would like to work at getting to my old weight.
Any tips or similar experience?

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Namechangedforthis25 · 17/01/2026 02:48

Hey to be honest - possibly every single mum has gone through this

it’s very early days and you have a lot on so you should be kinder to yourself.

walk,do some baby mum classss, start to watch what you eat. Your weight will start to melt off in time

Namechangedforthis25 · 17/01/2026 02:48

Hey to be honest - possibly every single mum has gone through this

it’s very early days and you have a lot on so you should be kinder to yourself.

walk,do some baby mum classss, start to watch what you eat. Your weight will start to melt off in time

Ghht · 17/01/2026 02:52

I’m the same. Coming up 7 months pp though. I don’t even fit in my old clothes and I don’t really know how to dress my ‘new’ body shape.

I gained 3.5 stone and I’m still a stone over my pre-pregnancy weight. I know a stone doesn’t sound too bad but my body genuinely looks so different to what it was I’m not sure weight loss alone is going to make me feel better. I can’t shift this final stone and I naively just thought it would eventually go on its own. But I’ve been eating comfort junk food every night and exercising hasn’t been on my radar. I feel knackered mentally and physically but I’ve set myself a target to get into some kind of exercise routine before I go back to work.

You are only 4 months pp so please don’t be hard on yourself. At 4 months pp I was hardly even dressed or out of the house, let alone do anything to help my body.

PurpleTurtleMoose · 17/01/2026 11:17

I'm in exactly the same boat, 4 months pp and feel really bad about my new body.

Some of the above responses have made me feel a bit better, as it does seem it's normal and we need to give ourselves a break.

I'm trying to get out for a walk every day, but only actually manage 2-3 a week. I think it's still helping a bit.

RomeoRivers · 17/01/2026 16:13

I used Noom after each baby; I find the graph really motivating because it tells you when you should hit your goal. But give yourself some grace, 4 months pp is really early, right now it’s just about surviving 💐

Youngdumbandamum · 17/01/2026 16:23

Hi, I recently went through this. I ended up joining a bootcamp at a gym 1. To get me out the house and give me some me time but 2. Because I was fed up of feeling crap.
i know they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but there was alot of women in the same boat as me that had just had a baby so I wasn’t alone.

it actually taught me a lot and now I’m a devoted gym goer.

but try and make gradual changes, drink a lot of water throughout the day as sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger, try and get your 10k steps in a day. I got a walking pad for when little one was asleep and that’s a god send. Eat more protein to keep you fuller for longer. You don’t have to come up with a full on healthy meal, just adapt what you already eat for example spag bol, just load it with veg. Also make sure your eating enough, under eating is also a massive issue with weight gain.

It takes time and the results aren’t instant but you do get there in the end.

Anonymous1589 · 17/01/2026 16:29

HaychEss · 17/01/2026 02:23

I’m 4 month post partum and gained quite a bit of weight throughout my pregnancy. Every day I think about my weight and what I’m going to do to lose it but when I’ve had a really difficult day with baby it can be hard to prepare meals that are healthy and sometimes easier to go for the quick fix. Also not going to lie but by the evening junk food often becomes a comfort (like a reward lol). I really hate how I look in my clothes more though and would like to work at getting to my old weight.
Any tips or similar experience?

You need to give yourself grace. You are only 4 months postpartum. To loose the weight you need to be in the right head space or it will feel like an extra chore.

I gained 3.5 stone in my pregnancy. I gained so much at the end due to sciatica. When I was 4 months postpartum I knew I wanted to start loosing the weight.

I joined a mum and baby fitness class once a week. I walked. EVERYWHERE! I was aiming for atleast 10,000 steps everyday. I was eating healthy meals. I needed them to be easy. So I would opt for veg, rice, chicken ect. I cut out bread and anything with too much starch. I was snacking on fruit and having smaller portions. I wouldn't eat after 6-7pm. Weekends I would enjoy myself. I would eat chocolate, ice cream, pizza.

I am breastfeeding my baby and the one thing i dont have this time which I had terribly with my first is hunger. Thats why I think I found this easier.

My sister is now on her weightless journey. 6 months postpartum and it is so much harder for her because she has that hunger but she is walking alot and doing incredibly well. It is different for everyone. So dont compare your journey to anyone else's. I found it so easy to loose weight after my first. I didnt think about it but the weight just fell off and I was always hungry for chocolate! This time ive been doing everything well but its harder and taking longer.

I am now 10 months post partum and finally just under my pre-pregnancy weight and I am so proud of myself.

The most important thing is do not let this take over from enjoying your baby. Your body has just done something amazing, so be proud of that.

DottyLottieLou · 17/01/2026 18:59

I've never lost my baby weight. My youngest is nearly 28. Don't worry about it. As long as you are healthy.

Spottingtwerps · 17/01/2026 20:48

Way too soon to be worried. The best thing you can do right now is get out and walk. Get some exercise, fresh air for you and baby and some cardio for you. No magic, no miracles and no mumbo jumbo. Don't worry about weight and body shape now. There's far too many other things to be worried about.

Original poster
HaychEss · 18/01/2026 01:08

Youngdumbandamum · 17/01/2026 16:23

Hi, I recently went through this. I ended up joining a bootcamp at a gym 1. To get me out the house and give me some me time but 2. Because I was fed up of feeling crap.
i know they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but there was alot of women in the same boat as me that had just had a baby so I wasn’t alone.

it actually taught me a lot and now I’m a devoted gym goer.

but try and make gradual changes, drink a lot of water throughout the day as sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger, try and get your 10k steps in a day. I got a walking pad for when little one was asleep and that’s a god send. Eat more protein to keep you fuller for longer. You don’t have to come up with a full on healthy meal, just adapt what you already eat for example spag bol, just load it with veg. Also make sure your eating enough, under eating is also a massive issue with weight gain.

It takes time and the results aren’t instant but you do get there in the end.

This was a really helpful response… don’t think I could do the boot camp just yet and baby’s sleep windows are like 30 mins atm where there’s always so much already to do but I will be pulling the walking pad out soon and you’re right need to up my water intake!

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Original poster
HaychEss · 18/01/2026 01:12

Anonymous1589 · 17/01/2026 16:29

You need to give yourself grace. You are only 4 months postpartum. To loose the weight you need to be in the right head space or it will feel like an extra chore.

I gained 3.5 stone in my pregnancy. I gained so much at the end due to sciatica. When I was 4 months postpartum I knew I wanted to start loosing the weight.

I joined a mum and baby fitness class once a week. I walked. EVERYWHERE! I was aiming for atleast 10,000 steps everyday. I was eating healthy meals. I needed them to be easy. So I would opt for veg, rice, chicken ect. I cut out bread and anything with too much starch. I was snacking on fruit and having smaller portions. I wouldn't eat after 6-7pm. Weekends I would enjoy myself. I would eat chocolate, ice cream, pizza.

I am breastfeeding my baby and the one thing i dont have this time which I had terribly with my first is hunger. Thats why I think I found this easier.

My sister is now on her weightless journey. 6 months postpartum and it is so much harder for her because she has that hunger but she is walking alot and doing incredibly well. It is different for everyone. So dont compare your journey to anyone else's. I found it so easy to loose weight after my first. I didnt think about it but the weight just fell off and I was always hungry for chocolate! This time ive been doing everything well but its harder and taking longer.

I am now 10 months post partum and finally just under my pre-pregnancy weight and I am so proud of myself.

The most important thing is do not let this take over from enjoying your baby. Your body has just done something amazing, so be proud of that.

Show quote history

Firstly well done you 👏🏼
I also have pcos so I find it more difficult to lose weight and my sister is getting married in April so added pressure to lose weight but will try take it slow and make little changes first.

OP posts:
Original poster
HaychEss · 18/01/2026 01:14

PurpleTurtleMoose · 17/01/2026 11:17

I'm in exactly the same boat, 4 months pp and feel really bad about my new body.

Some of the above responses have made me feel a bit better, as it does seem it's normal and we need to give ourselves a break.

I'm trying to get out for a walk every day, but only actually manage 2-3 a week. I think it's still helping a bit.

Same, nice to know it’s normal.
i try to get out for walks but to be honest find it a challenge especially because of the time of year with it getting dark early and don’t exactly feel safe walking on my own with baby in our neighbourhood.

OP posts:
Original poster
HaychEss · 18/01/2026 01:16

Ghht · 17/01/2026 02:52

I’m the same. Coming up 7 months pp though. I don’t even fit in my old clothes and I don’t really know how to dress my ‘new’ body shape.

I gained 3.5 stone and I’m still a stone over my pre-pregnancy weight. I know a stone doesn’t sound too bad but my body genuinely looks so different to what it was I’m not sure weight loss alone is going to make me feel better. I can’t shift this final stone and I naively just thought it would eventually go on its own. But I’ve been eating comfort junk food every night and exercising hasn’t been on my radar. I feel knackered mentally and physically but I’ve set myself a target to get into some kind of exercise routine before I go back to work.

You are only 4 months pp so please don’t be hard on yourself. At 4 months pp I was hardly even dressed or out of the house, let alone do anything to help my body.

This resonates with me especially the last bit of not getting dressed or out the house…some people make it look so easy!

OP posts:
Wintermothering · 18/01/2026 04:01

Prepping healthy slow cooker meals in advance (look at dump bags by taming twins and bored of lunch) when you have a bit more time. Trying YouTube workouts, baby may be interested in watching you so this

Iocanepowder · 18/01/2026 04:15

Agree it’s very very early op. Be kind to yourself.

DC2 is 2 and i still haven’t lost my baby weight. It sucks. But she doesn’t sleep and i’m exhausted.

With DC1, i lost half a stone from going on long walks with the pushchair every day. But appreciate the weather is crap!

If you can afford it, my friend joined a private gym (David Lloyd) with a creche and I am kicking myself that I didn’t do this during my second mat leave. It would have saved my sanity as well.

OneLilac · 22/01/2026 15:48

I feel exactly the same my son is 13 months and breastfed exclusively. I’ve gained 2 stone since I had him and that breastfeeding hunger is REAL!! I try to eat healthy smaller meals during the day but by late evening I’m starving and end up eating junk food. I also have pcos and find it so hard to lose weight. It’s still early days for you so don’t panic, enjoy your time with your baby and try some little walks here and there

Thingything · 22/01/2026 15:52

4 months is so early. Are you breastfeeding? Some women find breastfeeding melts the baby weight off, others (like me, and my sister) couldn't lose weight at all until we finished and then when hormones stabilized we sort of snapped back to our pre baby sizes.

I'm not saying stop breastfeeding!

I am saying it may be your hormones won't let you lose weight right now as they want to hold onto the rolls to feed your baby.

Thingything · 22/01/2026 15:54

PS: for your sister's wedding, rather than trying to get back the body you used to have and feeling pressured, why not get something lovely to wear that makes you feel amazing at the size you are now? Get your hair and make up done, invest in some Spanx... you don't need to change your body to feel great, you just need clothes that fit the body you have x

Thisisbexie · 23/01/2026 13:37

Four months postpartum is such a hard phase – you’re still in the thick of it!

I really relate to what you’ve written. I gained a lot of weight in pregnancy and then even more during the first 6 months PP - sometimes I would eat a bag of Haribo a day just so I had the energy to get through the day!

For me, it honestly didn’t start shifting until much later, once he was older and sleeping better, and I wasn't so tired and once I stopped focusing on ‘losing weight’ and started rebuilding my core and strength gently. The mindset shift helped just as much as the movement.

What made the biggest difference was having something really simple and structured that I could do at home, without decision-fatigue on hard days. I also found giving myself permission to eat for comfort sometimes (without guilt) took the edge off the cycle.

If it’s helpful, I’m happy to share a couple of gentle postnatal guides that helped me get started again – one is even free!

You’re definitely not alone in this!

Original poster
HaychEss · 24/01/2026 04:08

OneLilac · 22/01/2026 15:48

I feel exactly the same my son is 13 months and breastfed exclusively. I’ve gained 2 stone since I had him and that breastfeeding hunger is REAL!! I try to eat healthy smaller meals during the day but by late evening I’m starving and end up eating junk food. I also have pcos and find it so hard to lose weight. It’s still early days for you so don’t panic, enjoy your time with your baby and try some little walks here and there

I feel you,,, feel like I’m just getting bigger and bigger by the day. Hate when family member point out the weight gain as though I haven’t noticed it myself 🥲

OP posts:
Original poster
HaychEss · 24/01/2026 04:11

Thisisbexie · 23/01/2026 13:37

Four months postpartum is such a hard phase – you’re still in the thick of it!

I really relate to what you’ve written. I gained a lot of weight in pregnancy and then even more during the first 6 months PP - sometimes I would eat a bag of Haribo a day just so I had the energy to get through the day!

For me, it honestly didn’t start shifting until much later, once he was older and sleeping better, and I wasn't so tired and once I stopped focusing on ‘losing weight’ and started rebuilding my core and strength gently. The mindset shift helped just as much as the movement.

What made the biggest difference was having something really simple and structured that I could do at home, without decision-fatigue on hard days. I also found giving myself permission to eat for comfort sometimes (without guilt) took the edge off the cycle.

If it’s helpful, I’m happy to share a couple of gentle postnatal guides that helped me get started again – one is even free!

You’re definitely not alone in this!

I think I’ve accepted that it’s not going to come off for a good few months yet as she’s now teething and has never been a baby who stays asleep for long periods during the day without being held and I’m always just exhausted keeping up with house chores and the baby.
p.s. if you could share that would be much appreciated

OP posts:
Original poster
HaychEss · 24/01/2026 04:13

Thingything · 22/01/2026 15:54

PS: for your sister's wedding, rather than trying to get back the body you used to have and feeling pressured, why not get something lovely to wear that makes you feel amazing at the size you are now? Get your hair and make up done, invest in some Spanx... you don't need to change your body to feel great, you just need clothes that fit the body you have x

Will definitely be doing all of the above x

OP posts:
Paaseitjes · 24/01/2026 09:29

At 4 months I felt like an awful matronly lump. At 10 months I'm still a stone over and weight loss has plateaued, but I'm definitly slimming down still and I look and feel a lot better. For me, a few things helped. Buying cheapish jeans that fit every few months so that I have something to wear that I feel ok in. I've actually worn them out because I only have one pair that I wear every day and wash regularly when the baby gets them dirty. Similarly I have 1 good bra for wearing out and to work when I don't have to breast feed. That makes all my clothes look better. The best thing though was buying a running stroller. We go out at least twice a week for a running nap and it dealt with the snow brilliantly. I think that's the main reason I'm toning up and it's helping my pelvic floor too.

OneLilac · 24/01/2026 11:59

HaychEss · 24/01/2026 04:08

I feel you,,, feel like I’m just getting bigger and bigger by the day. Hate when family member point out the weight gain as though I haven’t noticed it myself 🥲

Show quote history

It’s so annoying when they point it out 🤦‍♀️just why. I just have zero energy or motivation which is also difficult as I do want to lose the weight. Just feel stuck

Fupoffyagrasshole · 24/01/2026 12:04

4 months - give yourself a break op!! I focused on weight loss once my baby was in nursery and daughter had started school and incorporated healthier eating and gym into my week - I calorie count now and prep meals three times a week. Batch cook !! I just be boring tbh - Same meals on loop but I know their exact calories and nutrition etc so I know I. Staying calories deficit. Upped my protein intake

strength train 3 lunch times in the gym near work