Pre pregnancy diet which is quick yet maintains health and fertility

[biondina123]

Hi guys,

I need your help. My partner and I are talking about having a baby. Initially we had agreed on starting to try in September this year but he's now (rightfully) pointed out that not only am I possibly too large to carry the baby to term without being bed bound and that if I don't lose weight before I'm unlikely to lose the weight, which I'll gain, afterwards since I'll be too busy and tired.
I'm currently 86kg (13 stone 7 pounds) and am 172cm (5'7") tall, my bmi is a horrible 29! Therefore I wanted to ask you what pre conception diets you tried?
I've already cut out sugar and all processed food and I'm exercising 3 times per week but it's not making a jot of difference :-(
Since I'm 33 I don't want to waste any time and I had set my heart on September but it's looking more and more unlikely.
I have already tried Alli but I'm not sure it's a good way forward.
Thanks xx

A BMI of 29 and too large to carry the baby to term?! Eh?! I'm all for being healthy but that's ridiculous. You aren't even flagged as a risk in my trust with that BMI. Just try not to put too much on during pregnancy.

Yes but the problem is I'd go over 90kg when pregnant. That's a lot!

I also couldn't get past the bit about ending up bed bound. What?!

Cutting out all sugar and processed food and increasing exercise sounds like a good start and I'm surprised it's having no effect. What are your portion sizes like?

Look at The Body Coach
It is a 90 day plan. The first month is Low-carb, tonnes of fresh, vitamin packed food and lots of protein, then you reintroduce carbs over the next 2 months
The HIIT exercise burns fat without stressing your adrenal and hormone systems. Plenty of healthy snacks and you don't feel hungry

You have to stick to it properly though
There are no cheat days at all, and you have to weigh the portions out properly

It is £50 per month (so £150 in total) but we found we saved off our shopping bill by not buying booze, snacks and rubbish so the total monthly cost was the same

I really don't think 90kg is a magic number that leaves you bed bound. It's really not unusual!

I went from 90kg to 83kg before Christmas using the alli tablets and a low fat diet (I gave up sugar summer last year). Then we moved city and we knew no one so we were sort of in extended holiday mode, going out etc (I know it's bad but first step is admitting it lol 😃) I then went back to 86kg and have managed to get to 84 but went back to 86 again.

I think I probably enjoy too much wine which when pregnant I'd have to give up. I have said that I don't think I'll gain much weight during pregnancy because of my diet combined with no alcohol at all. But my friends (who have kids) have told me that it's impossible and that I'll put on at least 20kg. Hence my partner's worry. He doesn't think I'd be able to walk if I was 20kg heavier than now (I have an old knee injury which doesn't bother me but I can't run) so has said that he is not comfortable with me getting pregnant at this weight.
Therefore I need to lose weight. My portion sizes are probably too large. He serves me a slightly smaller portion than he gives himself and my mother did remark yesterday that they were huge portions. So perhaps that is it.
For the 90 days programme, I like the sound of it but, I'm worried since I'm doing quite a bit of travelling for work between now and July. Is it possible to travel and manage the diet?

Thanks guys

Yes it is possible to travel and stick to the diet but you have to have some discipline, and that includes no wine and not finishing everything on your plate when you order room service!

I have signed up for the diet and they are going to send me my personalised plan within 5 working days. I'm going to start on Monday 29th May after my holiday to Italy! Can't wait to get started thanks!

Just don't cut down too much. I was on a very low cal diet and exercising around 6-8 hours a week, and I really struggled to conceive. It was only when I upped my calories that I started to ovulate. So diet if you want to but make sure you don't go too far or it might be counter productive!

Great news, OP!
I really hope it works for you. DH and I did it together and it really opened our eyes to what our portion sizes should be (a LOT less than we had been used to!) and also how little we miss carbs, and how good fresh food tastes when served with mountains of green veg.

My top tip would be to buy these scales because the recipes call for really precise amounts and dial scales don't really work as well.

My other top tip would be to print out the whole pack when you get it and tab all the recipes, so you can use it as a cook book in the kitchen - much easier than looking them up on a tablet or computer while trying to cook

We used the YouTube channel for the workouts - loads and loads to choose from, you don't need any equipment for most of them, and he is really motivating. You can do them in the house to save having to go to a gym
www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1