post pregnancy weight

[K8eee]

So apparently I've put about 2 stone on since I found out I'm pregnant. will be 39 weeks Sunday, so not long to go! I don't look as though I've piled it on, and a lot of my clothes still fit. I am really worried ill turn into a blubby mummy and pile a shed load of weight on but I intend not to! anyway, I'm after some help and advice from other mums who have managed to shed their baby weight and when is sensible to start doing so?

[MorganLeFey]

Yep - what MabelBee says - not everyone just loses weight breastfeeding...

I gained about 60lbs/4 stone (stopped weighing myself ) whilst pregnant & only made it to 37/40.
BUT lost 40lbs/nearly 3 stone by the time I got home after having the baby (!)
BUT unfortunately then regained about a stone in the first 6 months breastfeeding a newborn - no car so walked anywhere we needed to go but I guess we didn't go out a huge amount in the early days (too much screaming) & I felt pretty ravenous & what I did eat one handed was probably quick and easy comfort food (too much screaming).

Once we started weaning I started dieting - I think giving yourself 6 months to just see what happens without putting pressure on yourself is probably a reasonable idea. Now within 7lbs of my conception weight at 10 months old. However, personally in the future I'd probably want to try & restrict my weight gain during pregnancy to 40lbs max - as that's what seemed to be the true pregnancy weight this time & I'd try to be more aware of healthy eating/getting out & about post partum - although hopefully role modelling for a toddle will do that.

[Ifyoubuildit]

Agree with the other comments, there was some residual weight that didn't shift until I stopped breastfeeding. Maybe the body's way of storing the energy for feeding?

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

I don't think you are unrealistic wanting to exercise as soon as possible, if exercise is something you enjoy. I think you may be a weeeee bit unrealistic in thinking that you'll be off to the gym at 6am to fit in a session before your husband heads to work (unless he works shifts and starts later?). In the early days, any time off at that time of day is likely to be priority sleep time! Who knows, you might be bouncing with energy, but I wouldn't make that something you will feel guilty if you don't achieve.

There are lots of other options though. For example, lots of areas have buggy fit type classes. Go a few times and see what they do. You can keep going if you like the group aspect, or just learn what to do and go on your own/with a like minded mum friend.

Beware juicers too. You can take in a lot of calories that way without noticing. You're actually better off eating the whole fruit/veg as a snack.

[Gen35]

I agree, exercise helps enormously mentally, having a small baby can be exhausting but you don't get the post exercise endorphin high from it. Ps I also have a smaller (by 2 inches) top half and bigger hips from dc1, I was actually v glad to have smaller boobs but now of with dc2 and they've reverted for a while!

[ClutchingMyPearls]

If you want to gym then do it. I plan to get back to it as soon as I feel able as well. Being fit and active is a good thing mentally and physically.

Lots of my pals are doing half marathons ATM I am so jealous!

[Cariad007]

K8eee if you want to get back to the gym then do it! It may involve having to go at different times so that your partner can look after baby but you will sort something out. I'm 3 weeks post-partum and can't wait til my 6 week check up so that I can exercise again. I kept up with gym classes til 38 weeks and then did 2 weeks of yoga and long walks and I swear it helped with the v straightforward birth and minimal weight gain I had.

ChicaMomma, don't worry - you may well go back to your wedding size. I'm back into most of my pre-pregnancy clothes and can't believe what a calorie burner breastfeeding is - my stomach is flatter than it's been for years so I will be keeping up with it as long as possible!!

[ChicaMomma]

I can understand that K8eee, i'm struggling to embrace the bump too. I am carrying a honeymoon baby, so I've literally gone from wedding weight (i joked that i was on a 'worryingly thin' plan pre wedding) to preggo weight in 26 weeks. We actually got our wedding DVD the other nite, DH and i sat on the couch (eating ice cream, ironically) and i COULD NOT BELIEVE how thin i was back then, i didnt even realise it- and it's only last September!!! i will probably never be that thin again, and i find that a bit depressing, i cant help it. My bra size has gone from a 32 to a 36 on the back, and some say things like that will never get back to pre baby size.

but hey- all worth it, absolutely. But we can mourn our former bodies!

Are you being unrealistic? it depends- you might have a section- in which case yes, you are. But i have known people to be in the gym within 2 weeks. I'm having a june baby so just plan on being out and about in the sunshine lots.. here's hoping we get some!

[weebairn]

39 weeks is pretty grim. You can spend the day weeping into cups of tea if you'd rather, that would also be fair enough. :)

People's recoveries are very different. I was doing gentle exercises (post natal yoga type stuff) at 2 weeks. I was running at 5 weeks - very slow start, I did the couch to 5k over a few months. I think this was all totally nuts, looking back, but I had been so so fed up of being so slow and tired. Also baby slept well in the early days so I could get up in the morning and go out for a walk/jog while baby and boyfriend slept. So it's not impossible. I don't think I knew anyone else who did stuff like this, but I missed my fitness so much.

However I had an entirely straightforward delivery.

Getting out for a walk with the baby every day is a really good thing if you can manage it. Babies like going for walks, they like the motion. You get some fresh air and exercise. Depending on your delivery, it might be a little while before you can do that, though.

Try not to pressure yourself! This is my main goal for pregnancy/baby no. 2, to just do things at a natural pace. If you're a person who likes being fit, you'll get fit again. But like the weight, the timescale can be a bit variable.

[K8eee]

I should be embracing my bump I know and enjoying all the smiles and attention I've been getting but I guess the novelty is wearing off and I just want my baby here to snuggle impatient I know.

am I being too unrealistic wanting to head to the gym as soon as I can or will that just not happen and I should keep dreaming?

[weebairn]

But you're 39 weeks!!! Of course old pictures of you look impossibly slim. Rub that bump. You'll have your little baby soon. Think about the rest of it later.

[K8eee]

What has really depressed me is I found a photo dh took of me when we were first together. I didn't realise how slim and toned I was wish I took it for granted. I am only 24 so hoping I can shed the weight pretty steadily.

I haven't gorged as much as I couldve, it's only been the last 6-8 weeks that I've been really hungry but im trying to fill up on fluid and carbs, fruit and yoghurt. not sure if I'm doing myself any favours though.

[weebairn]

I think a lot of it's out of our hands, anyway. I just make small babies. I never bloated in first trimester, either time. That's nothing to do with how much I did or didn't eat. I wouldn't judge people too quickly who put on a lot of weight, people's bodies react very differently to pregnancy (and breastfeeding for that matter - for every friend I have who is skinnier than before and says its the breastfeeding I have one who cannot lose the last stone/half stone until they stop feeding, and then it just drops off).

I think all you can do is try to eat reasonably, try to do some activity in the day, and be kind to yourself. Growing a human is pretty impressive.

[ClutchingMyPearls]

Try not to worry too much about the body aftermath of birth. Two stone is reasonable at full term.

Like others said, take away the baby, the placenta, the blood, the extra fluid and you are down a lot of that anyway.

Just give your body time to go back to 'normal'. I pee'd out several pounds of fluid in the days after DD1 I never realised I was carrying so much!

I must say though that there have been subtle but permanent changes to my body since having my first. I weigh less now than when I had DD. but my hips are an inch wider and my chest measurement under my boobs went from 31 inch to 29. Figure that out! Wonder if anyone else has experienced similar?

[weebairn]

I've never been able to lose weight quickly. But when I shift it, it stays off. So I shouldn't complain (though sometimes I still do )

[ChicaMomma]

ah Ok, i was wondering!! God i hope it doesnt take me 7 mths- but if it does, then it does. All we can do is remain active during pregnancy and try and keep our noses out of the troughs within reason. My sister put on 4 stone on her first and not only did she look absolutely horrific, but it took her 18 mths to get back in shape- there's just no need for that kind of weight gain. Next time i wont gorge as much in the first trimester either, i took the 'eating for 2' a bit fair initially -especially as i migrated from wine to chocolate!!! Whoever reckons giving up booze = instant weight loss is deluded...

[weebairn]

I didn't really eat more breastfeeding, even though people insisted you should/could. I got more thirsty than hungry.

[weebairn]

No no chica I agree with that bit - I think I lost a stone in the first week or two! But the second stone took about 7 months - and I was doing a lot of exercising, I ate pretty well, and I breastfed - it just takes time for most people I think (not all).

I remember being so excited at how much weight I lost initially and being convinced I'd be back in my jeans in a month or two. It was not to be! But looking back, I looked great after a year, so I wish I had been a bit easier on myself.

[MabelBee]

A word of caution... not everyone loses weight breastfeeding! I thought I could eat loads and lose weight just like others have said on this thread but I put on an extra stone while breastfeeding my twins. This time I am still exclusively breastfeeding my subsequent baby at 6 months, but the weight is very, very slowly coming off by doing weightwatchers. A pound a week maybe, with a couple of weeks staying the same weight and then another pound. It's painfully slow going.

[ChicaMomma]

Umm, i don't think it's THAT unrealistic to say you'll be down a stone after a week weebairn...

Take a seven-to-eight-pound baby, plus about two pounds of blood and amniotic fluid, and you're pretty much assured a 10-pound weight loss in the hospital after you deliver. In the first week you will probably lose another three to five pounds of water weight. So, that is a stone without even doing anything.

I didnt mean a stone of fat in a week- just in case you thought i did!! but if the OP is only up 2 stone, she'll likely only be carrying 1 stone after about a week. This is a pretty good result IMO. I know people who have gained 4 stone during pregnancy.. which is clearly not ideal for anyone!

[weebairn]

Great Soprendo Lots of people say that! I think I am lot less active with a baby than before though. But I have a physical job (which I now do part time rather than full time) and I used to walk to work and back (I don't have the time any more) and I used to do loads and loads of exercise, every weekend me and boyfriend were out in the Peaks doing monster hikes. Now I run after the toddler yeah, but… well I don't think I'm as fit.

Something is right though, as I was down to the small end of my normal size and also still in my 8-10 jeans at 12 weeks pregnant! Maybe it is breastfeeding, but in my case it took a while to kick in.

ps. congrats! we must be due about the same time!

[GreatSoprendo]

When I was preg with DS I was enormous. Within a week of him being born, I had lost a stone. By the time he was 8 months old, I was wearing size 10 clothes for the first time in about 5 years - I was a big 12 before I was pregnant.
I definitely attribute the weight loss to BFing - it burns a huge amount of calories. Obviously pram pushing and sling carrying contributes a lot too. I would say though don't limit your calorie intake if you are BFing - you need to eat and drink tons to keep it up!
Generally I think I'm much more active now I have a baby too - there is always washing to put out, hoovering to do, toys to tidy, meals to make, so between an 11 month old and a FT job I do very little sitting and relaxing and am always in a rush, which keeps the weight off.
Am now 11 weeks pregnant with DC2 and still in my size 10 jeans (was obviously preg by 11 weeks last time) so am thinking I might not put as much weight on this time, just because I'm having to keep going and be really active.

[weebairn]

I didn't put on that much (about 2 st), and I stayed fit and active right till the end, and I was exercising really quite early after birth (probably too early) and I exclusively breastfed - the weight still took quite a while to come off. In the realms of 7-8 months to be comfortably in my normal clothes.

It did though and by just over a year I was the same shape and size as if I'd never had a baby.

I think ChicaMomma's comment is a bit unrealistic for most women (some people do just drop the weight instantly, of course).

I wish I'd been less impatient with myself. This time around (i am 12 weeks now) I'm going to try and do the same stuff (eat right, exercise) but just trust my body to get back to itself when it's ready.

[Ifyoubuildit]

By the way, give yourself a year before worrying about weight gain.

[Ifyoubuildit]

I gained 4 stone with both of mine. I lost 3.5 stone of it within a year just by doing whatever mums do (I did breastfeed though) and the other bit I lost when I started to exercise again (without any effort on the diet front). Unfortunately I'm now finding that middle aged spread has set in and that's far worse and harder to shift than any weight gain from pregnancy!

Most people I know have naturally lost most of their pregnancy weight without trying. Your enemy is all the snacks you eat when you're at home with baby and eating leftovers when they start weaning

[dietcoketime69]

I know this is probably a really stupid question but do breasts feeding and expressing have the same effect in terms of weight loss? :)