Can I shape up while pregnant? Not lose weight as such but get back to how I was

[Mortigua]

Gained two stone over the last year after struggling with depression and side effects from anti depressants ( now off them ). I'm now 20 weeks pregnant and was 1.5 stone over weight at my booking appointment. What are my chances of getting some sort of weight loss regime in place? So far I've been scuppered by spd and sickness ( the latter making me want to eat hourly).
Today I've made a start by getting my 10 000 steps in. Yesterday I over did it and was sick so trying to walk at a gentle pace.

I suppose I'm looking for experiences really. I'm desperate not to end up with 5 stone to lose instead of the two I've lost after previous pregnancies

I suppose I'm looking for experiences really. I'm desperate not to end up with 5 stone to lose instead of the two I've lost after previous pregnancies

When I gave birth to both of my dc I was half a stone less than when I conceived, so not a massive drop but at least it wasn't a gain!

I ate healthy food and made sure I wasn't eating huge portions. That's about it really. I also had spd and had been on crutches since 15 weeks so wasn't able to exercise, although did do gentle swimming. Mostly I drunk a lot of water.

For me I gained weight after pregnancy both times. I listened to the whole don't worry about what you eat too much while breastfeeding, the weight will drop off. I definitely ate more than during pregnancy, the same during the day but more at night when I was feeding all night and tired. I put on about a stone during breastfeeding. As soon as I stopped the weight fell off. The irony.

Thanks MaverickSnoopy, that's amazing to end up lighter than the start (unless you had lots of sickness which I know happens for some to cause weight loss which is awful).
I also only lost weight after finishing BF both of my previous pregnancies before this one! I think my body clung to it till I stopped or something as I was actively trying too.
I've never been actually overweight before so it's hard knowing what to do and I had hoped that stopping drinking, no tablets, eating healthier etc would mean at least a small loss but so far I just feel huge , I guess I've not exercised much though.

I've been doing 15 mins of antenatal yoga a day since about 25 weeks, and been amazed at how toned and energized it's made me.
Been eating a lot of ice cream and toast too though, so can't give much advice on the healthy eating front!

Yes I'm not generally a bread person but practically lived off toast for the first 15 weeks or so due to awful nausea so I'm with you on that!
That's good to know that 15 mins a day can make such a difference. I can go to yoga once the kids are at school but maybe I need to dig out my old pre natal exercise dvd too for days when I can't get there.

I do youtube videos:

Sympathise OP! I was overweight before getting pregnant and my goal was to just not derail things too much. Didn't gain anything in the first trimester but couldn't stop eating in the second and my PGP has been a nightmare which scuppered any exercise ideas.

I'm now 28w and I've gained 19lbs. For my BMI the recommended range of weight gain was 14 - 20lbs so I'm already almost over my quota with 3 months to go.

I'm hoping now the hunger has eased up a bit I can either safely lose a few lbs by eating better and thus off set, or just gain the minimum needed for the baby. But I'm not sure how likely it is for me.

Its difficult because your body is in conservation mode. But I'm 18 weeks and finding that I am not interested in sugary food, and that i cannot eat a normal size meal in the evening, so theoretically I suppose its possible.

Be careful about exercise though - including yoga. Anything which involves your core or abs now is a bad idea, as the top layer of your stomach muscles as spread apart now to allow the baby to grow, and if you exercise your abs in that position they will be less likely to join back after you give birth (leaving you with a flabby stomach because your muscle wall is misaligned).

Best off doing some walking, swimming if you like it, prenatal classes (most places do them and they have the added benefit of meeting other mums), and eating healthily rather than stressing about minimising calories.

Thank you for the link hadn't thought of YouTube - good idea!
I'm not sure what I've gained melting marshmallows but I am thinking the same , also really hungry now the nausea has mostly gone too. I'm trying to make heath choices but so hard as I'm carb obsessed at the moment! My recommended gain was the same which worried me as I know I gained more with the other two ( although actually that would have been right as my bmi would have been lower). I was going to the gym loads pre getting pregnant and hoped to carry on but the first trimester was a write off and now I feel i can't go back to the same intensity of classes. I wasn't losing weight by going even then but was more toned so that's probably adding to my misery!
Thanks Kimmy. I wish I was off sweet stuff. I am usually more a salty snack person but this pregnancy has me craving stuff for the first time in three pregnancies and it's mostly the sweet stuff!
You are right and I need to get swimming I think and walking more unread of gym stuff now. I think I over dd it yesterday as it was hot and I was violently sick when I got in. Today my hips are really bad ( convinced myself the Spd was wrong diagnosis as I felt fine- know better now!!) So I do need to be realistic. I'd really love to just gain minimum weight now and be in good shape for the birth too.

Morning ladies i am in the dame boat although only 10 weeks, my midwife said slimming world is good to do whilst pregnsnt as u are not deprived of anything and neither is baby. So thinking of trying that x

Hi Vicki. I did slimming world.when breastfeeding and they allocated me extra syns. It did involve a lot of sweetners etc but you could avoid them I'm sure. It's good for accountability - I don't think I could bear to weigh myself at the moment though!

Oh yeah, RE the stomach muscle issue, that video has a downward dog move in which can be tough on your abs - I've swapped it for child's pose since about 34 weeks!

Thanks PS. I'm going to have a go at that tomorrow as am out this eve. Failed massively on the steps thing today and healthy eating due to a day of full on nausea!

I'm broadly following slimming world and I'm working with a personal trainer. Going to start back at Zumba on Monday! Also going to try more walking now my energy is getting better.
I'm getting married 6 months after baby is due so trying hard to tone up and minimise gain healthy. It's not about losing weight for me it's about keeping my gain within the heathy guidelines set out by NHS. I was a bit overweight going into the pregnancy 12and a half stone at 5'7"

Good luck!!

Thanks Tigger that all sounds brilliant. Personal trainer will be great I bet for helping you do it safely.
I think I really need to sort my diet out. Been trying to get my steps in but I do think I'm over eating now that the nausea is a bit better.