Can't lose my pregnancy weight

[HL123]

Hi all,
I gave birth to my daughter 5 months ago. I gained a lot of weight during pregnancy - 4 stone - 2 of which was gone within a couple of weeks. The other 2 stone is still there however!
I have been trying to stick to a calorie deficit of around 500 calories a day (using my Fitbit to log food) and I manage it for a few days then just give up.
Evenings tend to be the problem and when I eat the most - I used to go to the gym in the evenings, but I'm a single mum so don't really get that opportunity now, and feel so exhausted I'm not sure I could even given the chance!
Does anyone have any tips? The extra weight is really getting me down.

Hi HL. I feel your pain, I really do. First of all, be kind to yourself. Normal people do not lose their baby weight within 5 months of giving birth. Caring for a newborn (whether bf or not) is mentally and physically exhausting. When you remember that one of the key things for weight loss is sleep, you should perhaps take a bit more time and slow things down. Instead of doing something as challenging (mentally) as calorie counting, try taking some smaller steps for a few months. Such as - cutting out snacks? Giving up wine and beer (drinking only spirits and low cal mixers)?

There are lots of tactics you can use to lose weight that don't involve calorie counting (which yes, definitely works, but takes a lot of willpower and mental effort). Intermittent fasting, the 5:2 diet, cutting out carbs all can work, but perhaps for the moment you're not in the right place. Also, a lack of exercise won't stop you losing weight (especially as you get older, you can't out run the fork) so look at exercise more for your mental and physical wellbeing rather than as a weight loss tactic. So rather than beating yourself up for not getting to the gym, try just aiming for a long walk every day, with baby in a sling/buggy).

Unless you were overweight to begin with, a stone or so over what you used to be isn't a bad thing. It's just a different thing.

PS if you are mentally ready and really do want to lose the weight quickly, another option is Exante (or similar very low calorie). I ended up doing it to kick start a 4 stone weight loss, and found it worked so well, I stayed doing it to lose 3 stone in about four months. But it is tough.

I did weight watchers to lose the baby weight; I’d save my points to be able to have a treat in the evenings which kept me on track as I need to be able to have something to look forward to even if it was a low calorie hot chocolate

Also just to add I wasn’t hungry while doing weight watchers as I was full up on the zero point food so that helped me just stick to my treat on the evening rather than eat too much

Can you go for lots of brisk walks in the daytime with the baby in the pram? Will get you out and about, give you a change of scene, fresh air and some exercise. Maybe the baby could nap while you're doing this.

Otherwise, I lost my baby weight (twice) on Weight Watchers. I similarly put on 4 stone for each pregnancy and it took an age to shift - but it did go.

Sadly though, WW isn't working for me to get rid of the 2 stone that crept on during lockdown and stress eating (my DH lost his job and I'm working ridiculous hours). I'm also perimenopausal so have started using Janeplan instead. That's working well and I lost 8lbs in 3 weeks (whereas I kept losing and gaining the same 3 bloomin' pounds with WW for about 4 months).

In short, move more and try to find a diet plan that works for you.

And be kind to yourself - adjusting to life as a single mum is hard.

Come over and explore the low carb bootcamp. It's ace.

Hi, I’m in a similar position OP. I had my DD 5 months ago and am 3 stone heavier than before I was pregnant! My baby WILL NOT sleep unless held so at night I am sat in the living room and all my resolve fades.

I am going to try doing low carb and stop keeping bread in the house, bread is my main weakness. Also I think it would do me good to cut alcohol out for a few months.