Anyone want a thread for postnatal weight loss?

[Hardbackwriter]

Sorry if there already is one of these - looked and couldn't find one! I'm 9 weeks pp with DC2, so trying to take it gently but also definitely want to get both healthier and lighter. Between lockdown and a tough pregnancy that made it hard to move much (SPD) I put on too much weight - to my horror I weigh as much today as I did the day before I had DC1! I'm just over a stone over a healthy BMI, about two stone more than the weight at which I feel happy and attractive. I've also really noticed how much fitness I lost during pregnancy and how much harder it makes life to just be so out of shape. So am trying to lose weight and introduce a (appropriate, given I'm still recovering and breastfeeding) exercise regime - anyone fancy keeping me company?

I'll join you!

Baby is 4 weeks old tomorrow and I'm two stone above where I normally plateau. Literally have no clothes to wear. Pregnancy was tough and I had a c-section (third baby) so I just feel like I've totally let myself go.

Usually I need a PLAN to kick start the weight loss, don't know whether to do shakes, protein only, calorie counting or what. But it starts Monday (I need another week to get my shit together!?

I’ll join! My baby is also 4 weeks and I had a c section too @zippityzip

I’m horrifically overweight and BMI 35.

Healthy eating anyway - we started getting a milkman delivery and fruit and veg box delivery every week to force us to cook fresh and varied meals, it’s working well so far - especially having the fruit to reach for, rather than the empty calories of biscuits/cake etc.

Will start some gentle exercise like yoga when I’ve got the ok from the GP. Really looking forward to getting back to my long walks, but building up slowly.

I’ll join too, if that’s okay - I’m 9 weeks PP with my second child too. I was in reasonable shape pre-pregnancy and exercised daily, good diet etc but as soon as I got pregnant I felt nauseous all day every day and just couldn’t bring myself to exercise much at all during pregnancy. I’m EBF and I think that’s been my saviour as my diet is atrocious right now - I feel like my body was burning through the calories initially but I think that’s starting to wear off. My plan is to follow the FIIT app’s post-natal plan combined with a decent walk every day plus cut back on all the chocolate and unhealthy snacks that I’ve been binging on!

I would like to join please! Like a couple of other PPs my baby is 4 weeks and it was my third c section. On the scales I am only a few lbs up from pre preg weight - but then there's lockdown weight too. I'm very short for for me to lose the 10lbs I want to lose is honestly a massive battle, especially while breast feeding and being so hungry!

@017HF I’m also bf, I was wondering if the calorie burning dropped off at some point!

I was particularly devastated to read a thread before, that apparently, your body holds extra weight/fat purely to produce breastmilk, and you can’t loose it until stopping bfing!

That’s defo where my extra 5st has come from 😁

Ah, sorry, just seen all these replies - so nice to have other people to do it alongside! @zippityzip I think starting on Monday sounds very reasonable!

I'm trying to calorie count at the moment - though I tend to be a bit shit about remembering to actually do it - and to do something that my Fitbit counts as exercise each day. Did a 30 minute walk with the pram after dropping DS1 off at nursery this morning so doing ok today!

I want to start couch to 5k - I've done it before and found it worked really well - but I don't think I'm quite up to even starting it from scratch at the moment as I still feel quite weak. I was basically totally sedentary for the last trimester (or as sedentary as you can be with a toddler!) and it's really taken its toll. I did some very gentle postnatal yoga and ached so much the next day, so I guess I just haven't been using those muscles at all.

[quote Flappityflippers1]@017HF I’m also bf, I was wondering if the calorie burning dropped off at some point!

I was particularly devastated to read a thread before, that apparently, your body holds extra weight/fat purely to produce breastmilk, and you can’t loose it until stopping bfing!

That’s defo where my extra 5st has come from 😁[/quote]
I think some women lose weight easier when bfing and some find it harder and you don't get to pick which you are, sadly! I found I lost the baby weight easily with DS1 - when he was 6 months I was lighter than I had been for a decade - but a) I had a lot less to lose and b) he only napped in the pram and I used to walk literally two-three hours a day. This baby is, so far, easier (thankfully!) but also that just isn't an option as I have DC1 with me except on his two nursery days, and I can't make him trot alongside the pram for hours a day (and we wouldn't get much pace!). I started slowly putting weight on as soon as I went back to work - I think I'm just too sedentary unless I make an effort that's a bit unrealistic currently.

The weight seems to be dropping off at the moment, but equally I’m ravenous!

It’s difficult getting back into it but the key is building slowly. I did so many walks with my first, but agree that isn’t going to happen this time!

Argh, have been good all day today and yesterday but I'm so tired, my back is killing me from carrying DS2 in the sling while chasing after DS1 all day and I could kill for chocolate right now!

What meals have you had today @Hardbackwriter?

I had whole meal toast for breakfast, homemade leek and potato soup for lunch; then stir fry for dinner. Ruined it all with a packet of haribo this evening! (One of the big packets..!)

Turns out I felt so crap because I was developing mastitis... Diet temporarily suspended until I no longer feel like death and my boob stops throbbing! Though currently no appetite anyway

@Hardbackwriter that’s a shame - hope you’re feeling better soon! X

@Hardbackwriter oh no I hope it clears up quickly for you 😞 had that with my first and never felt so ill

How is everyone doing??

So I was late starting and have been eating what I want with a few glasses of wine this week. Bought some "stop gap" clothes a couple sizes up as my regular clothes are too small but maternity clothes looking stupid. Well I put on the jeans this morning and they are still too small.

So I've had a hormonal sleep deprived fit of rage. Naturally.

Been on Amazon and ordered some strip shake and when that arrives it'll be a shake for breakfast and lunch and then a no carb dinner (approx 400-500cals).

Ideally want to lose 3 stone but will be happy with 2. Have to crash diet initially to get my motivation. Hate myself right now.

Anyone (else) finding it absolutely impossible to lose? The weight fell off me after my first child but after having my second nothing on earth is shifting it. And DC is now 5!!

There is one exception. I lost 10lb doing 'reverse dieting', so, eating more. But I've 3 stone to go to get back to where I was pre 2nd DC. I am thinking of asking my GP for a referral to an endocrinologist. Something has to be going on.

I would like to join you all. I’m now 10 weeks postpartum and I have a stone to lose to get back to my pre pregnancy weight (or 1 stone 4lbs to get back to pre lockdown weight!!)
I’m exclusively breastfeeding and stupidly thought that the weight would drop off. I was wrong. But I’m so ravenously hungry all the time and I’m craving carbs like toast and buns and cake so that’s not helping. I’m too scared to cut calories too much in case it affects my milk supply.
Weight at 40 weeks pregnant 10 stone 12lbs
Weight now 9 stone 9lbs
Target 8 stone 10lbs ( or 8 stone 6lbs to be where I’m most comfortable)
Does anyone have any tips?

@zippityzip I have also bought some stop gap clothes, great idea I thought as I can’t stand being squashed and uncomfortable

I'm 4lbs down - currently doing 16:8 with 800 calories.
Not enjoying it at all. But still feel like a fat mess and my clothes still look awful!
Someone keep me motivated please!

I saw this and thought I'd join...then realised my baby is two and no longer a baby and I'm not exactly in the postnatal period anymore. I'm wondering how much longer I can call it "baby weight" for? I have a stone to lose and I have struggled. @Hardbackwriter I have also struggled to lose the weight with DC2, as they are much easier and don't require walking for naps. It's harder to focus on yourself, with subsequent children too.

@zippityzip well done so far! I haven’t really gotten going as I had quite severe abdominal pain last week and is only just starting to get better. I’m going to give intermittent fasting a go. 800 calories doesn’t seem like much though, sometimes it’s not beneficial to eat so few calories and can actually stop you from losing weight, which seems counterintuitive I know, as it’s not sustainable long term so then when you up your cals you gain weight. You can use this calculator to work out how many cals you should be consuming each day based on current weight/height/goals and activity level

www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html

@017HF I know - but unless I crash diet and get some quick results I get demotivated so quickly and binge. My relationship with food is unhealthy. Once I can shift the initial stone then I can maintain and be more sensible.

I just checked my BMI and it's 26 which is in the overweight category. I have never been overweight. And DH took a family photo over the weekend and I can see how round my face is.

Three years ago I was an easy size 8. Now I'm squeezing into 12 when really it should be a 14.

I need to take a fat photo to remind myself of why I'm doing this. If we manage to get on holiday this year I don't want it to be plagued with me feeling insecure.

@toomanytoomuch good luck with your journey. Have you started?

@BattenburgBerry your username makes me want cake 😂

And @017HF I hope you're feeling better.

Thanks @zippityzip! I have started, but I have no motivation as I'm trying to return to work after a couple of years looking after my toddler and doing the house up too. I'm the same with losing motivation quickly and I also dislike being overweight. I was a size 10 before and I'm hoping to get back to it. I have a whole wardrobe waiting for me, it will be out of fashion before I get back into it at this rate.

How is everyone doing?