How did you lose weight postpartum?

[brightstar16]

I am five months pp and stopped bf around a month ago. I weigh similar to what I weighed around 2 weeks after giving birth. I’ve tried to eat healthily since maybe around a month pp but definitely had bf hunger and was just starving all the time! I’ve definitely noticed this has dropped since stopping breastfeeding but I’ve also noticed I’m not burning as much which all makes sense.

I am struggling to find time to exercise (other than walking), and I know I really need to build up my core strength before being able to do anything strenuous.

I have been watching what I eat but feel like nothing is changing (I’m obviously not eating low enough calories) and that I’d need to go on a more drastic diet to actually lose weight which I just don’t think is realistic for me with the busyness and exhaustion that comes with having a baby!

I’d love to hear brutally honest accounts of how you lost weight pp. Did it just fall off? Did you have to diet/ exercise excessively? Did you struggle and then notice a point pp where it became easier?

How different are you to your pre pregnancy weight? X

Honestly? I had to track calories and diet really strictly. Was the same each time. Sadly. O experienced hunger like i never have before when breastfeeding but once I stopped feeding dieting was possible. It was around 1.5 stone / 10kg each time.

I breastfed all my DC for two years. Not for weight reasons but because it’s what the WHO recommends. Always back in normal clothes after a few weeks. Never tracked calories. Only now in peri having to be a bit more careful.

About 1.5 stone heavier x

It was very hormone related for me. There was no way I was losing much weight whilst also breastfeeding so it was a good 2 years at least before I could even start. My last labour I also dislocated my knee so definitely gained more weight with not being able to move much.

Ever since I've just been rather stressed/burnt out/exhausted so its been hard going. I've managed to lose nearly a stone by intermittent fasting but illness does stop progress for me. Be kind with yourself it's so tough with young children.

My first was a velcro reflux baby who was a terrible sleeper, so the weight (and then some) dropped off from constantly having to pace to get them to sleep and never being able to stop or put them down long enough to eat. Also had bad HG in pregnancy so hadn’t put on much weight to begin with. I was constantly complemented for how I’d “lost the baby weight” but I was literally starving and felt so unwell, and when I look back at pictures I don’t think I look good.

I’m now 7 months pp with my second and have put on so much weight that I’ve had to buy new clothes because nothing fits. Completely different baby so I can actually eat meals in peace and only walk if I feel like it, and I’m so much happier for it. There’s a big age gap with mine so I had a while in between where I went back to normal levels of eating and exercising, so I’m not worried and am giving myself this year just to recover and readjust. I recently started a gentle Pilates class to start to build up my core strength.

I know this isn’t what you asked and I mean this kindly, do you really need to lose weight? The baby stage isn’t forever - why not start by focusing on doing things that make you feel good (gently jogging, swimming, yoga, whatever floats your boat) and go slowly from there?

Thank you, I feel as though I’ll have to do the same! Can I ask how long it took you to lose it each time? Did you exercise or was it mainly diet focused?

It literally melted off, pity now I'm hitting menopause I can't lose a pound

I agree, it’s absolutely not just about how you look. I hate how much society focuses on ‘bouncing back’. It’s absolutely much better to be kind to yourself!

Thank you for the suggestion and that is a good idea. I wish I wasn’t so focused on it but finding it hard to accept the weight gain as I’m the heaviest I’ve been in my life. I have a holiday booked with family in a few months and the thought of being in a swimming costume is not a good one right now! But I would love to start some activities just to get some enjoyment and relaxation out of them, thank you.

It’s a bummer isn’t it. I miss being able to eat cake every day!!!

I was very focussed each time as I just wanted to wear normal clothes etc. I did a strict 1,200 a day all logged MFP, higher protein, lower carb, cardio around 3-4 times a week (before the days I was into weight lifting!) it came off quickly like 1kg a week so 3 months all done.

Diet, calorie controlled, restricted what I ate, it’s the only way.

For me losing weight postpartum was the same as losing weight at any other time. Tracked calories so was in a 500cal deficit, walked more, lost the expected 1lb per week.

Walking is great for weight loss for me. I don't count walking around the house/to the corner shop, but on proper good pace walks of at least half an hour, I'd burn calories at a conservative 70cal per mile (I weigh about 10st). I tracked the exact distance using Strava, then I ate those calories back so I maintained the 500 cal deficit but ate an extra 70cal for every mile walked on a proper walk. I still lost 1lb per week and found it much easier to maintain because I could eat more calories.

If you can't manage other exercise, try to increase your walking. People on here often say walking doesn't burn calories, but if you are doing proper walking it really does.

It came off just from breastfeeding both times.

I feel for you!

I had hyperemesis with my daughter and only gained a minimal amount. My mum asked me when I was 7 days pp if I had lost my "baby weight" yet. I wasn't far off! By day 10 I was back at my pre pregnancy weight and by the time I stopped breastfeeding at 10 months I had lost another 1.5 stone and was only a few pounds heavier than when I had anorexia.

I had my son in September I started pregnancy on the back foot after 2 unsuccessful pregnancies with hyperemesis in 6 months meant I had lost quite a bit of weight. I then went on to have a complicated pregnancy, my weight stayed the same between 29 and 35 weeks and then started losing weight. I was back at my usual weight within a week or so. All I have heard from mum is how proud she is that I didn't put on weight in pregnancy and that my "figure" had returned so quickly. I was rushed in for induction at 36+6 because my health was taking a nose dive and personally the fact I walked out of hospital 5 days later with a healthy baby and my body slowly recovering is the amazing thing! The way we talk about women's bodies can be utterly fucked up sometimes!

Get your bloods checked for thyroid and hormone levels - post partum can wreak havoc on metabolism.

Then up your protein to minimum 120g a day and restart your prenatal. Pregnancy and breastfeeding deplete the body!

Minor calorie deficit instead of major, or you'll screw it up more. I lost 3 stone after last baby by doing 1800kcal a day, 120g protein, 10k steps, 3L water & 2 weight workouts a week.

What is it that you want to change @brightstar16?

How do you feel about your body? It has done something pretty amazing but along the way it has changed. Is it the weight? Hide the scales, and if you do want to keep a vague eye on your weight bring in a rule. Once a week/once a month just to check where things?
Is it your shape and how clothes fit? Even without changes in weight the way the body changes means that it might look the same either way.
There seems to be quite a bit of guilt in your post about not being able to exercise or eat healthily because of the baby. I think I'd explore what this means to you a bit more.
Babies are parasites, they take take take even when you aren't breastfeeding a baby they are still zapping energy and motivation and leave you running on empty. It doesn't leave much time for you. I wonder if it is worth carving out a bit of time for you. My first was a velcro baby, in my arms 23h and I lost who I was completely. I started having a long bath once a week and it was heaven. If you could have 2h a week to do anything what would it be? Next how can you make this happen?

Between 6 and 9 months was when my friends seemed to start to enter back into their own worlds, it took me longer with my eldest and it was more like 14 months but we had a difficult ride, I'm 6 months pp with my second and I'm at the point where I'm starting to get that bit of space between me and him. We are getting more rest and the demand on me and my body is lessening.

I think for now I would keep listening to your body. Then start to think about small incremental changes between now and 9 months then reassess. I wouldn't set goals based on weight but would look at what goals would make you feel more comfortable with yourself and where you are would it be eating "better" foods? Feeling stronger? Being more active? More energy? More time for you? You will probably find that as you make progress the weight will come off as a byproduct of the actions. Take care.

I had my thyroid and iron levels checked at my 6 week appointment as my thyroid levels were slightly off before I fell pregnant. These all came back normal, but I did think levels may still change after 6 weeks.

Thanks very much for sharing what you did, I imagine this helped you feel so much better in yourself too by being active and not restricting too heavily. I would like to get back to weights once my core is stronger and will look to up my protein!

Thank you for this response, you’ve touched on areas here I hadn’t even considered but make so much sense to me, so thank you. ❤️

I just don’t feel comfortable in myself but at the same time I’m amazed at what my body (and all mother’s bodies!) has achieved. I think it’s a combination of things- I’m not as bothered about the number on the scale but I’d like to lose fat in areas I’ve clearly gained a lot in like stomach and legs. I’m aware my stomach will likely never be the same in terms of stretch marks and loose skin and I’m ok with that.

I think your suggestion to take some time for myself would help and to clearly set out things I could be doing to help feel a bit better. If I do get time to myself I can tend to just catch up on messages or watch tv, I think doing something more purposeful would definitely help overall.

23h a day must have been absolutely exhausting for you, I’m glad you’re getting a bit more time with your 6 month old. It’s amazing how different each baby is.

Thank you again for your suggestions and hope you and babies are all well ☺️

Not helpful, but I put on 20lbs with each pregnancy and I had lost it within 3 weeks. I did look like a deflated balloon around the belly though, for about 6 months.

I breastfed for a year each time, not sure if that helps or not with weightloss. I was never someone that ate more because I was breastfeeding. I certainly was not going to the gym for at least 9 months pp.

I had 4 stone lose - paid for a coach and stuck to a calorie deficit. Walking at least 10k steps a day - people say they haven’t got time for this but it’s easy. Walk to the shop etc instead of drive. Losing weight is hard with or without a baby. Lots of people think they are eating in a deficit but they aren’t.