Before pregnancy I was about 61-62kg, healthy size 8, 5ft tall so BMI was about 25. I've previously been quite overweight and for years have needed to consciously think about my diet/exercise in order to maintain my weight at that level.
I weighed myself this morning out of curiosity and was shocked to see the scaled tipping at 86kg (13.5 stone)... Admittedly I've eaten like a gannet since the start, but I walk everywhere and am still very active day to day. Is this just what pregnancy does??
My thoughts are a bit spiral-y right now:
- I'm planning to breastfeed for at least 6 months, preferably a year (obviously that depends how it goes) and eating less and exercising intensely isn't supposed to be good while BF. I'm worried that I won't lose any weight while BF because apparently it does make you feel hungry, and I will need to eat a good amount to keep my supply up
- That will be difficult, because I'll be constantly battling the thoughts in my head that tell me how easy it would be to lose the weight if I just... didn't eat
- What if the weight never goes? I have an entire wardrobe of size 6-8/XS clothing that I'll be devastated if I can never wear again
I can see it's all trivial. I have a healthy baby in there. But I can't help but feel a sense of dread about my post-partum body.
Anyone else currently feeling like this? Anyone been through this kind of weight gain and can give any reassurance? Will I ever feel good about my body again, even if I don't lose the weight?
Also an added thought - all this stuff about recommended weight gain in pregnancy has to be utter BS doesn't it! I'd already gained the 'suggested amount' by the end of the first trimester 😂