Losing weight with a baby....how the heck did you do it?!?!

[GalaxyGirl24]

Wondering if I'll be able to get any advice from real people who have had babies/children and managed to shift a couple of stone?

Basically, new mum to a 6 month old DD and I already had 1.5/2 stone to lose before getting pregnant. I've managed to get back to my weight more or less at the start of my pregnancy but I can't seem to shift anymore for various reasons such as:

• Breastfeeding (it isn't making me slimmer it's making me ravenous still at times, especially the case in the first few months)

• No gyms being open but tbh even if they were not sure how I'd manage them with a baby who BFs every 2 hrs still.

• Managing baby nap/BF/weaning now schedules with trying to balance a daily walk at least for exercise

• Sheer tiredness at the end of the day and week from poor sleep, physical care of a baby, BF, meal and weaning prep, house work etc.

• General clinging fat in new places such as lower tummy that seems squishier than ever before!

• Poor willpower for avoiding chocolate when stuck inside with baby all day (as I have been on many days in winter due to no baby classes or cafes)

Just either need a kick up the bum or advice or inspiration!

PLEASE HELP 😫

Hello!

So sorry I have no advice I just feel your pain! I have a 6 month old too and I really want to get back to my pre preg weight but it’s so hard to keep motivated when you are tired and stressed.

If it helps, this is my second and I got there I the end after my first but I have more the lose this time!

(I am writing this eating some chocolate...)! Xxx

I walked everywhere with pram/ buggy. Ran up and downstairs many times a day. In 8 months I was very slim and toned. (And exhausted)

OP, I am in the same boat with a toddler and a 5 month old. All I do is run around playing or breastfeed but I'm starving all the time!
I've come to bed hungry as I'm trying to curb my huge appetite and lose the pounds!
Will be following with interest.

@Endofthelinefinally

I walked everywhere with pram/ buggy. Ran up and downstairs many times a day. In 8 months I was very slim and toned. (And exhausted)

^ This. I put on a heap of weight going back to work as I stopped walking at least a mile a day and I started eating cakes and biscuits in the office.

I walked about five miles a day, out with the buggy or in the park with friends (not as easy in lockdown). I also lost weight when my son was about 7 months then again when he was 1, despite still eating cake/chocolate due to hunger after being up at night and breastfeeding. I was actually thinner when he was 14 months than before I got pregnant without going on a diet. A lot is metabolism, and body type but I think the walking was a major factor for me, and it helped lots with tiredness and mental health too.

I've done it three times and I'm afraid it's sheer bloody hard work!

After my third baby (15 months now) I had about 2.5 stone to lose. I basically worked out (YouTube videos) or ran 4 times a week, did intermittent fasting (16:8) and ate literally no junk. I mean, no junk. Not a bit of Easter egg at Easter or anything. Within about 8 months I had lost the weight and am probably fitter now than I ever was.

I'm 40 though, it's easier when you're younger. With my previous babies it was pretty much the same thing although with my first it took longer because I put on about twice as much weight...

It's perfectly doable but you have to just really want to do it. If you don't that's absolutely fine, you're not a model or a celebrity (presumably) who needs to 'snap back' quickly. Take your time and don't be too hard on yourself. Don't forget, you actually have the perfect body already - it made your child.

I have a 4 month old and 2 year old and am finally starting to see results. (Never lost the weight after baby number one)

I'm breastfeeding so try to make sure I don't eat too little. I do intermittent fasting, but it's really not like a fast at all, I just don't eat after 6pm and then have breakfast at 10am and I've lost 12lbs in 6 weeks, half a stone to go. Everywhere says don't do IF if breastfeeding but I've had no issues with supply and baby putting on weight. I also don't eat carbs with evening meal but do with lunch. This is really working for me

Thanks everyone ! I realise that a lot of it could be managed with lots of walking as many of you have said.

The walking is definitely more manageable for me BUT how did you balance walking loads and having to feed your baby? Did baby just nap in the pram and you fed them wherever you happened to be at the time?
Did you do your long walks all in one go or did you do multiple walks in a day?!
I'm a FTM and I'm terrified of going for a walk and then for example DD starts getting upset as she wants a BF but can't concentrate/or needs a nappy change and there's no where to do it. (I realise this is worrying in advance over things that may or may not happen!)

It seems like it is going to be a lot of hard work from what you're all saying (I didn't expect it to be easy to be fair)

@namechangefail2020 I've always thought about intermittent fasting but never known how. The results sound amazing for you! Well done.
Not sure id succeed as some days I haven't even made tea until DDs been put to bed by DH at 6/6.30!

Plus I love an evening snack to chill out with, I realise saying that that I've got food and habit and relaxation all muddled up and it's not ideal

I did it. I was breastfeeding, and I did WeightWatchers (as it was called then). I got extra Points because of bfing.

Like the PPs, I also walked a lot with the buggy. I just used to bung her on the boob before we left, or time the walk for just after a predictable feed.

I couldn't. My children were not easy babies. I had bad pnd. I was too tired and it was a stretch too far. It came off eventually.

@GalaxyGirl24

Thanks everyone ! I realise that a lot of it could be managed with lots of walking as many of you have said.

The walking is definitely more manageable for me BUT how did you balance walking loads and having to feed your baby? Did baby just nap in the pram and you fed them wherever you happened to be at the time?
Did you do your long walks all in one go or did you do multiple walks in a day?!
I'm a FTM and I'm terrified of going for a walk and then for example DD starts getting upset as she wants a BF but can't concentrate/or needs a nappy change and there's no where to do it. (I realise this is worrying in advance over things that may or may not happen!)

It seems like it is going to be a lot of hard work from what you're all saying (I didn't expect it to be easy to be fair)

I walked for hours! I would breastfeed / change nappies on park benches, in pram or in cafes / public toilets (when open). I would take a packed lunch and snacks as the babies got older. I would walk on my own or with friends. We would cover miles and push buggies up and down hills or grassy parks.

By 6mo DS2 was feeding at really regular points so I could predict when he'd want a feed: in the morning when we wake up, at 9:00 before nap 1, at 13:00 before nap 2, 16:00 and bedtime. So fitting in exercise/walks around that is really easy.

DS1 however was just constant, and I ended up feeding him out and about on park benches a lot. In cafes, pubs, baby classes etc. A lot of the time people don't realise you're doing it - I was at a wedding when DS was tiny feeding him with a cover and an old friend thought I'd hurt my arm and it was in a sling - he didn't realise there was a baby under there. I quickly ditched the cover and even then people just think you're just cradling him.

Since Jan I've been doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred on Amazon Prime Video (£6 or something). As soon as I put DS down at bedtime instead of flopping with a bar of chocolate I go and do the workout, it's only 20m and it's giving me so much more energy and really helping me not snack at night. I'm back down to my pre pregnancy weight (20kg down), just a couple more kilos till my ideal weight.

Can you try and give yourself something other than food as a reward or relaxation aid? A lovely bubble bath with candles? Time doing your favourite hobby?

No real pearls of wisdom here but joining for solidarity, I'm in pretty much the same boat as you OP. Just about back to pre pregnancy weight but already had some to lose! About another stone to get to healthy BMI.

My DD is 3 months now and don't get as much time for exercise as I'd like so diet is the main focus, boring but just keeping an eye on the calories, I use My Fitness Pal to track.

It helps having her in a way - gives me a motivation to want to be healthy and set a good example for her!

@smeerf Yes that's a good idea, I'll have to think of some other me time treats such as a new book, doing nails maybe!

@eleanorsos same! I really do want to get healthy, drop this 1.5/2 stone and have more energy for her in time for when she's a toddler. I also have a destination wedding coming up to attend in July (whether or not it goes ahead is another issue) but I'd still like to feel good about myself so I can go into the water with her without being embarrassed.

I just don't want to be hampered by my body, plus I want her to have good habits and health!
(It would also be nice to feel attractive again!)

I have the motivation for like a week but then it wanes when I've had a bad night with her and I'm tired. Now the weather is getting better maybe it'll be a bit easier as there'll be no excuse to not get out!

@GalaxyGirl24 oooh jealous of the wedding! The only other thing I try to remember is I'd hate her to grow up thinking she ever needs to be ashamed of her body - so I try to remind myself to love and be kind to it now whether I lose the weight or not. I'd say go in the water either way and have a fab time!

But with any luck we can get there healthily too 😁

@eleanorsos So true! I want her to feel comfortable in her skin so I need to work on not putting down the body that grew her!

Lots and lots of walking . I find working out makes me hungry and I can easily eat back my calories but with walking I don’t get as hungry and it’s so easy !

Still workout though , even if you do eat back the calories . It feels good and you will see a difference . I also find as my body gets use to working out I feel less hungry after a workout . I’m not sure where you live and if something like this is available but I’m part of a postnatal family club . It’s called Busylizzy and they offer tons of classes for both mum and baby . The workout classes are the best . It’s a paid membership and you bring baby along with you to the classes - buggy fitness class , boot camp class, aerobics, yoga, Pilates etc ! At the moment It’s virtual though . I was with them for my first born in person and I highly recommend them. I’m with them again for my second baby virtually and it’s also great 👍🏼! Surprisingly my 3 month old thinks I’m hilarious doing squats standing over him haha !

My last tip is never allow yourself to get too hungry . I stick to three main meals a day but I’m constantly snacking on healthy foods in between. I’m also nursing so I need to snack lots to keep my energy levels up . I find I’m more likely to stick to healthy foods or normal portion sizes if I’m not starving or restricting myself .

Both times at about 7/8 months, when there was less breastfeeding and more solid eating, the weight just started going. It was like my body was holding on to fat reserves for the breastfeeding, and then it recognised that it didn't need them anymore.

@EgSk Walking seems to be the main theme here for everyone! Now it's getting nicer I do hope to be able to do longer walks with DD. Also yes we do have a similar thing local to me called SweatyMama, i did a prenatal mamilates class but then Covid hit and it's all been virtual ever since. (I'm terrible at online classes, definitely more of an in person type of woman)

@gumbucket I am hoping beyond hopes that this happens for me too! Really hoping I've been holding onto fat because of BF.