Weight loss tips for BF mums

[Isbutteracarb]

I put on approx. 3 stone while pregnant (possibly more but I stopped caring keeping track towards the end 🤷🏼‍♀️) I lost about a stone after the birth (probably all the cluster feeding), then a bit more very gradually, but then I went back to work and put weight back on (mainly due to stress/tiredness/office cake culture/being tied to a desk all day).

DS is now 14 months and still BF, but I'm desperate to shift this last stone/stone and a half. None of my clothes fit, I feel uncomfortable and grumpy and not confident with my body at all. My problem (other than a sweet tooth) is portion control and snacking - I've still got a hell of an appetite and when I don't snack between meals I start feeling nauseous (has anyone else experienced this?) and end up binge eating whatever I can get my hands on. But DS usually only has one feed before bed now so I think my appetite is out of sync with how many calories I actually need for milk IYSWIM.

So I guess what I want to know is: does anyone have any tips for losing weight sensibly while BF?Would be interested in hearing success stories and what worked for you.

I kept my last stone on for at least 2 years for all the reasons you've said!

Eventually I got fed up so signed up to My Fitness Pal to remind myself about calories and to really see what was doing the damage.

I had a Garmin fitness watch at the time so linked that to MFP which really helped show me what a difference activity made to my day as suddenly I could eat more! and encouraged me to do loads more walking and keep at the couch 2 5k running. There was the option to add BF to the app so it adjusts calorie count to take that in I think.

I think it was mainly being reminded that cheese, meat, mayo, oil and chocolate are insanely calorie dense and that I could eat a whole plate of veggie curry for the same calories as a couple of handfuls of chocolate gave me the motivation to properly change how I ate and it's mostly stayed off.

@FusionChefGeoff I've also signed up to MFP in desperation! I've used it before but got fed up of the passive aggressive messages it sends when you miss a few days 🙈 I'll try not to fall off the wagon this time - do you remember what your daily calorie allowance was? At the moment I've got 1800 but I'm wondering if that might be too high since I'm only feeding once in the evening.

Will look into the watch as well, good idea! I had to cut out dairy for a while (suspected CMPA for DS) and I did lose weight as a result but as soon as I got the all clear to start reintroducing it I was right back on the chocolate

The watch also gets round the passive aggressive messages as it synchs automatically and therefore ticks a 'has accessed app' box without you having to do anything

My allowance was 1200 but that was torture!!! I had also just finished BF I think so didn't add any extra for that. So my motivation was high to walk / run every day to give me an extra 300-400 which was more sustainable from my sanity perspective.

Maybe reduce to 1500 and see how you get on?

Be prepared with boxes of healthy snacks eg veg sticks / fruit so you can keep the nausea at bay without busting your intake.