Bmi higher than should be- how to I prevent too much weight gain?

[littlegreengloworm]

I have a baby and did really well IMO on losing all the weight after having him. I had already a higher bmi than I should have though. I am a 12 to 14.

I'm embarrassed today. Midwife was lovely but I know she felt I need to keep an eye on my weight.

I am going to start walking and swimming again, what should I eat? Lots of protein ?

Hi littlegreen
I put on five stone in my last pregnancy , I am determined not to do it again this time round. I admit I wasn't careful about portions last time and started off at a higher weight than I did this time (i'm size 10). My M/W said she is going to keep an eye on my weight and I think that will help manage it more (I don't remember ever being weighed last time). I think portion control is the way forward. Downing five chocolate milkshakes last time was not sensible, or clever . I am so conscious of it, and just minding how much I eat, walking and swimming also.

Oh dear! I've got first midwife app next week and I know my weight's going to be an issue. I do get quite a bit of exercise but eat too much too. Know I shouldn't diet but hope I can keep up the walking and cycling -for now.

Unfortunately I don't think you can do much to control it, beyond eating healthily and keeping active.

Before pregnancy I rarely ate chocolate/cakes and ran 10-15 miles per week. If I did have some treats or missed some runs I would see weight going on straight away.

Now I'm pregnant, have been living off Lion bars and haven't run since 16 weeks (although I do at least walk to the shop to buy the Lion bars). Have had very little weight gain and it's all been on bump and boobs.

So yeh, no idea what's going on with that.

I know myself I have been a bit careless- ie having a few biscuits after dinner etc. so I can knock those things on the head.

I think there is a difference between "dieting" during pregnancy, and simply eating only your required calories.

So if you were eating too many calories before getting pregnant, that doesn't mean you have to continue eating the same amount. You can cut down your calorie intake. You just want to avoid a deficit.

I'm not sure from your post if you are pregnant again, or trying to lose a bit more weight post pregnancy. If post pregnancy then I would say the best thing would be lots of very gentle exercise and cutting down on calories. Maybe something like weight watchers, which seems to worrk well for people?

ps, congratulations on losing all the baby weight! If you can do that, then you can definitely get to within a healthy BMI :)

I was a size 14-16 with a BMI of 29 when I got pregnant and no midwife has weighed me during this pregnancy or had any concerns, or put me as High Risk. Why? Because I am healthy, have excellent blood pressure, iron levels etc. that is what is important. I've only put on 11 pounds at 32 weeks because I have probably lost weight not being able to stuff my favourite cheese and wine! I don't think we should judge ourselves because we weren't skinny little things before we got pregnant.

I mean lost some fat weight while putting on baby weight, I have put on weight by 32 weeks!

Thank you. I'm nearly 16 weeks. I am really making an effort to eat mor protein, walk more, cut down. It's getting me down today.

I started a thread about a similar issue the other day... I've been eating lots of lean protein, veg, some fruit and cutting down on the white carbs so sweet potatoes, quinoa and brown rice instead. Not 'dieting' just cutting out the crap. Generally doing the 'eating clean' thing, though I've had a few bits or bread, normal potatoes etc.
Thankfully I have gone off sweet things- even fruit tastes too sickly at the minute! The lack of wine calories (not to mention the accompanying munching) helps too! Seeing a difference already.