Struggling with weight gain

[Pumpkin108]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently 14+3 with first baby. So far I’ve lost about 1-2kg probably from feeling sick and exercise which I guess isn’t a major problem...

However I’m now struggling with the idea of inevitable impending weight gain and changing body. I used to be anorexic and this is something I struggle with largely because in the last year I’ve been on steroids for a chronic illness which has led to about a stone and a half weight gain. I managed to lose about 9lbs but I feel like I’m really struggling not to slip back into old habits. Anyone else felt like this?

you are not alone, there are many ppl who have recovered from eating disorders (including myself) who struggle when pregnant.

my dds are 8 and 10 and i can promise you that the weight fell off.

with each dd i got to 14 stone which was an increase of 3 stone with dd1 and 3.7 with dd2

with both most of the weight dropped off in the first few weeks due to breast feeding and no longer being pregnant

i exercised throughout my pregnancies and it really helped me cope with the gain. I found going through pregnancy was really healing for my body issues.

actually as a mother i'm slimmer than ever but very athletic as i still train a lot, but value the training due to appreciating the time restraints kids bring.

what helped me was keeping moving, buying a running pram to facilitate me getting some exercise post birth and unfollowing any celeb / fitness person on social media who i felt bad after i'd read their post.

so many ppl would love to be pregnant and your body is growing your baby, try to be kind to yourself

good celebs to follow are gemma atkinson, james smith and felicity rosa

@1moreRep thank you, that really helps! I’m trying to exercise still to help me both mentally and physically but not as easy with lockdown. Thanks for the tips re exercising after too

if you look up crossfitoutwork they have a trainer who has just had twins. posting workouts, they are realistic and not selling a lie/ false promise. focusing on health etc, i follow on instagram and they post really good content which won't make you feel like you're failing

so many social media posts just make ppl feel like shit so i only recommend decent ones

Hi OP, I know exactly how you feel.

I suffered with anorexia from 14-22 years old. I’m 26 now and though I am recovered I’ve really struggled with the weight gain and stretch marks I’ve got. I was the heaviest I’d ever been before getting pregnant (albeit I was still small), I had put on over a stone by 20 weeks pregnant and got myself into a massive rut about it.

I’ve had to try really hard not to let myself limit my food intake when I feel like the weight gain is getting out of control.

Im 27 weeks now and have stopped weighing myself completely (literally binned my scales) because I found this really triggering so this may help if not something you do already. I also have asked not to be told my weight if i ever need weighed at an antenatal visit.

It is really tough especially when we have dealt with body issues before, if you do feel like you’re really struggling please speak to your midwife, they have been great with me and offered me lots of advice.

Hope you feel better soon 💕

I eating disorders in my teens and it was only about 2 years ago that I reached a happy place with my body and exercise.

I found the first trimester quite challenging because the weight loss and not being able to eat was a bit triggering. Once that stopped it has been easier. I weigh myself several times a week because for me the reassurance that eating isn't making my weight shoot up helps to keep me on the right track. I have found it helpful in pregnancy too because I can see that whilst my body has changed size considerably my weight change is normal.

Things that I have found helpful is to remove clothes from my wardrobe as soon as they get remotely tight or uncomfortable. I also look at the breakdown of typical pregnancy weight gain extra breast tissue and blood etc as well as the obvious baby placenta and amniotic fluid.

Part of finding acceptance in my body has come from limiting access to mirrors we only have one in our house now and not continually seeing my reflection helps.

Good luck!