Losing baby weight during lockdown

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

Just looking for some help really! I just feel really lost with motivation and knowing what I should be doing.

So my situation - about 3.5 stone overweight, 5 month old baby, ebf. Currently taking the baby for a walk every day and going for a (very short!) run three times a week.

I know the key is diet really but I'm just SO hungry all the time and seem to have developed a sugar addiction to boot. My dp has lost loads of weight during lockdown as he's very strict at low-carbing but I'm vegetarian and don't like to eat a lot of dairy so if I restrict carbs what the hell do I eat? And I really need to cut out the evening biscuits/chocolate but I'm just so fed up at the moment with January and lockdown and being stuck at home with the baby that it's the only thing I have to look forward to or that feels like a treat. How do I kick the habit? I never used to eat so much junk and I don't buy chocolate for myself but we have a massive stash in the house left over from Christmas/birthday presents etc.

Any advice welcome! I know what I should do theoretically but everything is just so shit at the moment it's difficult just getting out of bed in the morning. But I really want to be back in my nice clothes this summer instead of wearing ratty old maternity leggings the whole time.

No advice but joining you in solidarity. I’m in the same situation - 4st to lose really and currently wearing the aforementioned maternity leggings!
I’ve just started up with myfitnesspal to try and keep myself accountable and have dusted off the Apple Watch to set some movement goals. That’s as far as I’ve got for now.
Right, surely it’s time for another tea and biscuit!?

Your baby is still so little, it's hungry work feeding a baby so don't feel so bad. Well done on the running.

Could you maybe ease into it? Plan for healthy eating in February, spend the next few weeks finding recipes you'll really enjoy and meal plan. For the rest of January whilst everything is still so miserable try cutting down the chocolate in the evenings to every second night to kick the habit. Then the following week cut down to twice a week?

Low carb makes me miserable, and hungry, not great for breastfeeding. I don't think you need to do it all at once. Pasta and rice dishes are fine as long as you're watching your portions, fill up on fruit throughout the day.

Don't think about it until your LO is eating solids happily. My boy is 8 months and now I'm thinking about shifting the weight. While you're breastfeeding you need to listen to when your body is hungry.
Just switch to good fats like avocado, nuts etc. Its not how much you eat its what you eat! I lost 6 stone before I had my baby from just running and was eating really well. Any questions feel free to ask.

If you are vegetarian and not eating much dairy make sure you are eating enough protein. I have a similar diet and have noticed that if I don't get enough protein during the day I get hungry and crave sugar in the evenings

"If you are vegetarian and not eating much dairy make sure you are eating enough protein. I have a similar diet and have noticed that if I don't get enough protein during the day I get hungry and crave sugar in the evenings"

This.

I'm also ebf a five month old and the sugar cravings are real! I never had a sweet tooth before but I have a daily chocolate habit now. I need to lose about 5st to be a healthy bmi and was losing weight with calorie counting and mfp before I got pregnant so I've just taken that back up in the new year. 7lbs down so far. There are days when I'm particularly sleep deprived and I just cut myself some slack and don't worry about being too strict but I still log everything so I can see where my calories are going. I like to get out for a long walk with the pram everyday if I can, but sometimes this just seems impossible when feeds, naps, weather, opportunity etc. just don't line up so again, being kind to myself when this happens. I think slow and steady loss is definitely best whilst breastfeeding.

@Pipperleen @WutheringShites86 solidarity! I'm glad it's not just me! Everyone always says how hungry breastfeeding makes you and I was like - nah, I never eat biscuits, not going to start now... Well, that resolution lasted for all of two weeks and that's only because I was so traumatised from the birth that I didn't want to eat anything at all for a while. Now I can't stop!

Eating more protein is a very good idea - I stopped for a while as I thought dd might be allergic (she isn't, fortunately) and haven't restarted as I used to eat way too much cheese and didn't want to hop back on that train again. But I should maybe start back on the kefir again and boost up with beans and eggs etc. And good fats are also probably a bit lacking at the moment, I could definitely put more seeds and nuts into my salads and porridge.

Sorry probably not what you want to hear... I managed to slowly lose majority of weight but was hovering between 7lbs-10lbs above pre preg weight by the time I stopped feeding at 17 months. I literally couldn’t lose weight until then probably a combination of my body being stubborn and lack of willpower. But I honestly felt like I needed that sugar especially during the first 9 months! I think you need to cut yourself some slack and factor in that would do want your biscuits/chocolate whatever it is you like! Just try and focus on making your breakfast/lunch/dinner about healthier and packed with veg end healthy fats (eating more fat has massively helped me stop snacking ).

Good luck, you’ll get there but you are the reason a lovely little baby is growing so you must be doing something right

Can I join too? Am back to my prepregnancy weight BUT I was trying to lose weight when I got pregnant, and still have 2st to go to be a healthy weight, and feel this is even more important now with obesity being a risk factor for COVID. Also even though the scales say the same, I am a totally different shape and much jigglier! Baby is 6 months, not ebf but almost (just has 100ml of formula at bedtime) - but we’ve just started on purées!

@yahyahs22

"If you are vegetarian and not eating much dairy make sure you are eating enough protein. I have a similar diet and have noticed that if I don't get enough protein during the day I get hungry and crave sugar in the evenings"

This.

This. I'm a vegetarian, I have had a lot of success with Joel Fuhrman's eat to live/nutritarian diet... it works, and its healthy/sustainable... as long as you like beans

hellonutritarian.com/nutritarian/
www.drfuhrman.com/get-started/quick-start

You don't need to go nearly as hard core as these suggestions to lose weight readily - if you eat beans for 1-2 meals a day (eg bean burgers, chilli, salads, soups, stews etc) and load up on veg it will work for you.. and the odd other meal/treat won't make much of a difference

basically its unprocessed food, not too many carbs, loads of veg: it will obviously work IF you find this way of eating to your taste

Hello @HelloViroids! Yes I was overweight when I got pregnant too, was planning on losing it first but ended up conceiving second try which I wasn't expecting 😂

Made a real effort to eat more protein yesterday (lentils, feta and tofu - not all together!) which definitely helped with the hunger if not the chocolate consumption...

@10kaDay thanks, will check that out! I love beans although I think dh might divorce me if I ate them twice a day given their effect on me

And thanks for the encouragement @Montysauras, I need to try and remember not to be too hard on myself!

Can I join? 5 month old and trying to slowly lose weight, just want to lose a stone to start!

Having a bad food day today, just had lunch and now I've only got 196 calories left for the day 😬

Can I blame the snow? At least I'm logging honestly though

@WutheringShites86
I personally think that logging honestly is half the battle and I applaud your hearty lunch!

I’ve purposely let LO nap on me today so I can’t go to the fridge...

@Pipperleen well it's my DD's current lack of sleep that drove me to it really. Nevermind, now I've eaten all the crumpets (smothered in cheese and Worcester sauce) they won't be there to derail me again!

I've given up for today - dd decided to cut her afternoon nap short so I've had an amaretto sour and ordered a pizza

I'm doomed

I have a six month old and need to lose about 13kg.

I graze and really struggle with sleep deprivation, as soon as we have a bad night I hit anything sugary. Currently I'm just trying to swap biscuits and hot chocolate for better choices. High protein really helps me

Amaretto sour and pizza sounds amazing though.

I have a five month old and I have about 16kg to lose in total. I definitely feel when the sleep is bad I just go to drinking lots of milky coffee and eating sweet stuff. I have been advised not to really exercise and lockdown boredom on top does not help at all. I’m not even ebf so don’t have that as an excuse!

Sugar is just such a temptation when you're knackered!

Have been so unhealthy this weekend, not held my dh ordering me a load of treats from the bakers, but tomorrow is another day... Going to write out my meal plan in the morning and do my best to stick to it! Lots of protein and cut down on the snacking.

@Nowisthemonthofmaying new week new start tomorrow!

I've been looking into weaning in preparation for DD when she turns 6 months and thinking it's all the more reason to be eating healthier to set a good example for her.

@WutheringShites86 yes to the weaning stuff - I really don't want dd to end up with my food issues! It will be a good incentive to start feeding myself properly and cut out the junk.

I dont have much advice but I just wanted to say hi. I have had 2 kids and have decided to shift the 10lbs I need to get back to pre pregnancy weight (as in, before I got pregnant with DD2, not DD1, I have to be realistic lol). I have been on my 'diet' since Saturday. No sweet stuff, no dirty food, no alcohol, as little bread as possible, a walk every day with the double buggy but if I dont get out to walk because of the rain I do a Joe Wicks. I have NEVER done proper exercise before. I have done one Joe Wicks so far, and it was NOT fun. I am lucky that I dont have a sweet tooth, but I am addicted to bread in any form, so I have been feeling pretty hungry but havent snacked and then demolishing my dinners (which do tend to be very healthy. DH is a former rugby player and is into his fitness). Its not going to be easy, but I have been vaguely sticking to slimming world recipes as my mom had great success with slimming world about 10 years ago and kept it all off (about 3.5 stone). My morrisons order is arriving later. Its the most expensive shop for a long time. Full of fruit. DD is a fruit fiend so we already get through a lot.

@TwirpingBird hello! That sounds like a sensible plan.

I've been very good today, had a late breakfast of eggs on toast which kept me full, and then just an orange and some nuts for lunch. Healthy veggies and pasta for dins I think!

I have been good so far too. 2 egg omelette for breakfast, tuna pasta with veg for lunch, but dinner is sweet potato, carrots, peas and dirty chicken from the freezer. No fresh meat in the house til the shop comes later. I also power walked with the buggy. A 25 year old with the most amazing (and exposed) waist and curvy hips jogged past me in her skin tight leggings while I huffed and puffed over the motorway bridge .... jealousy is motivation I suppose 😆

Just checking in!
Have been religiously tapping everything into My Fitness Pal and I’m 9lbs down. 100% water weight I’m sure but it’s given me a boost. Now to navigate the weekend...