What should my realistic weight loss and fitness expectations be after having baby

[YellowFishy]

I am currently pregnant with DC2 and due in May. I am 5ft9 and what can be described as average/sturdy build. When I am really slim (size 10-12) I still weigh between 11 and 11 1/2 stone. I piled on weight in first pregnancy, didn't loose it all, and have piled on again this time, though not quite so much. I anticipate after baby is born I will weigh about 14.5 to 15st.
I am really trying to focus on healthy eating now and work out a plan for losing weight which is manageable and do-able. I love to go running and prior to falling pregnant again this was how I lost most of the weight from DC1.

I would like to aim for a 10K race in October and to have lost the 3-4 stone by then. Is this realistic in others experiences?

I am so desperately unhappy with my body and have been for a while now. I want to feel like me again, I want to feel sexy for my husband and to have the confidence to go out etc, etc.

I can't offer any concrete advice as I've not done this before myself ... But I think the same rules ought to apply I.e. slow and steady, healthy weight loss, and don't put too much pressure on yourself!

I think running will do you good, plus it's quick and cheap - just throw on some trainers and go! You could also get some weights and do squats and lunges, and do some core exercises everyday to sick you in. That's what I did before I got married and it seemed to work!

Best of luck with it all!

I think starting to eat more healthily now is a great start, and it won't do baby any harm either.

Thank you, must admit really looking forward to the running again and at least it can be something which fits around the children!
I like the idea of weights, squats and lunges!

I don't think you're being unrealistic, my DD was born in Feb last year and I ran a 10k race with the puschair in the October, and would have been for enough to have done so a couple of months earlier.

Running is brilliant as you can do it with the DC in the puschair (I can recommend the Nipper 360 double, I'm expecting DC2 and have been trying out a friends double).

I agree with those who say eat healthy now if possible, I'm sure if you watch what you eat now you won't put on 3 stone in the next two months.

Good luck and enjoy'

My initial reaction to your post was that it was a bit over ambitious but you could definitely make a big dent in the excess weight in that period.

I think it really depends on how you feel and of course the baby too and whether you intend/manage to breastfeeding. My DD2 is 5 months and I've managed to lose 20lbs since 7 jan through walking everywhere and doing WW. I'm also breast feeding which helps. I probably could have lost more if I was really going for it but I've had nights out, big meals, puddings etc. I've also just started running again so am hoping that will increase the weight loss. I anticipate that if you are a runner you'd easily be able to get up to 10k even if you didn't start for 2-3 months.

I found that in the first 12 or so weeks I couldn't think about dieting etc. I just concentrated on my 2 kids but that after that period of time I was really ready to focus on me.

Sorry, posted before finishing. Just wanted to say good luck with it all but don't put too much pressure on yourself in the early days. Having a newborn and a toddler is pretty full on!

Thanks Gatorade and Doreta, how did you find running and breast feeding. I bf DC1 till 6mths and didn't run in this time. I'd like to bf DC2 for much longer and wondering if running and bf works together - is it uncomfortable to run while full of milk etc?

My boobs have really calmed down now so I rarely get that very full feeling and the running has been fine. Mind you, I have been wearing 2 super strength sports bras. I don't think I would've wanted to run early on in breastfeeding because your boobs are all over the place.

The only thing I've noticed us that my boobs do seem to leak more after a run. No idea why that would be.

I guess it's another of those frustrating wait and see things!

I found running and breast feeding ok, I had a c section so I didn't start running until about ten weeks after DD was born, my breasts had settled down a lot by then although I did try to feed DD immediately before a run.

A really good sports bra,, breast pads and drinking plenty of fluids were important (fluids especially if running in the summer and breast feeding at the same time).