Baby weight not budging 16 weeks post c section - hormonal reason?

[Davey88]

I had my son 16 weeks ago and although I initially lost about half a stone, I quickly gained it back again and then some. People told me it takes a year to lose baby weight and I was happy to take it slow and give it time but I’m a third of the way through that time frame now and nothing is budging (I have about 2.5 stone to lose). I know it’s still early days but I think I just assumed the weight would slowly come off. I eat healthily and rejoined the gym about a month ago but NOTHING has come off. I’m wondering if there is a hormonal reason why I am maintaining the weight.

The health and happiness of my son is my main focus at the moment but I also struggled quite badly with my weight and body image in my teens and early 20s and I feel really upset looking at my reflection at the moment. I feel like I’m back in those dark days. I’ve been able to lose weight fairly easy in the past by reducing calorie intake and exercising. But this time it’s not working.

I mostly BF for the first 8 weeks with formula top ups and am mainly formula feeding now but BF if my baby wakes during the night. I know people say you lose weight from BF but that didn’t happen for me and I have heard that some women don’t start losing weight until they stop BF or their period returns. Can anyone relate to this?

Or maybe you are eating more than you need? A calorie deficit is usually all that is required, and "eating healthily" won't cut it if you don't examine what and how much you are eating.
All that said, go easy on yourself. 16 weeks post c section is not long and your body has had a lot of recovery to do. I would concentrate on getting moving, get out with baby and get lots of fresh air. Congratulations on your new (ish) arrival!

I do understand the calorie deficit point but I’m confused because I have been this weight for about 12 weeks and maintained this exact weight eating far more calories than I’m eating now and doing no exercise. For the past 4 weeks I’ve been doing two 1.5 hour power walks a day (on top of walking around from place to place), and swimming 4 times a week for 30 mins. I’ve cut out chocolate, ice cream, butter, full fat milk, bread and eating pre-prepared calorie controlled dinners that are under 650 calories 3 times a week. Eating bran flakes for breakfast and salads for lunch. I usually let myself off one day a week but can’t imagine I consume enough calories in that day to really make a difference.

In the past when I’ve needed to drop weight I’ve done what I’m doing now and it’s worked. Hence why I thought there might be a hormonal reason why my body is holding onto the weight. Possibly for breastfeeding. Or maybe my metabolism has just changed now and I will have to work harder than before to see results.

I still have a way to go in my recovery like you say so trying to be sensible with the exercise and not doing HIIT which is what I used to do. Anyway the exercise and getting out in fresh air is making me feel good so will keep doing it even if I’m not losing weight!

My weight started going down when I started using the combined pill. I do think theres a hormonal element, The numbers really weren’t adding up for me.

I would recommend tracking what you are eating and drinking. You may be consuming more calories that you think. I certainly notice a difference when I do that.

But saying that it is early days and you should not worry too much. And congratulations.

I'm 10 months pp and honestly the weight is only coming off now. For some people it's just a really slow process unfortunately

I found a big difference after the 6 month mark. I do believe the "it takes a year" guide has some truth in it, slow as it is 😑also as your baby starts to sleep better you'll be better rested and more motivated!

@Rinatinabina Thanks for replying. That's interesting. I was sent home from hospital with the combined pill but haven't taken it yet. My period hasn't returned yet but will be interesting to see whether there is an effect when I start the pill.

@TartanGirl1 Thanks for the tip about food tracking. I've just downloaded My Fitness Pal so will see how I get on with that. I've got into the habit of having an iced coffee when I'm walking (no sugar) but hadn't really considered how many calories could be in the milk from that.

@romdowa Thank you. That's good to know and I can cope with it being a slow process as long as eventually it starts to come off!

@Nutellatea Thanks. I've heard a few people say that things changed at 6 months so it's good to know I'm not far off that point! Baby has started to sleep better in the past week thank God! So I definitely feel more energised.

I’m 19 weeks post c section today and was just thinking the same thing this morning. It just isn’t budging, and I know I’m not consuming more than I burn. I walk the dogs for at least an hour a day, run/lift weights as well at least three times a week and I’m not stuffing my face - yet all the weight is still here and really getting me down.

Does anyone have any weight updates? I'm 18 weeks post c-section now and I'm doing everything I usually do to lose weight and none is coming off! So frustrating :( I'm calorie counting and exercising daily.

Are you breastfeeding????

If so, yes it's hormonal, and Prolactin is why you are finding it impossible to lose weight.

Don't believe the myth that it's meant to help, it has the opposite effect.

www.healthline.com/health/parenting/breastfeeding-made-me-gain-weight#4.-Hormones,-schmormones-

Prolactin is a “fat-storing hormone” is secreted postpartum to help stimulate milk production.
While research on this area of prolactin in sparse, countless lactation consultants, health practitioners, and disgruntled moms hypothesize that our bodies undergo metabolic adaptations to hold onto excess fat as “insurance” for the baby.
In other words, if you were temporarily stranded on a deserted island with no food, there will at least be something there to feed your babe.

sorry @Emmasian94 I’ve only just seen your post. Just to update too if it’s helpful - my son started refusing the boob about a month after I wrote my original post. My period then returned and I lost about 5kg in a month! That was without doing anything differently. So for me hormones were definitely a factor. I lost another 3kg in the next couple of months then had to work quite hard to lose the rest. I’ve just given birth again but this time I’m a stone heavier than I was after my last pregnancy eek! Won’t be worrying about doing anything about it for a long time though.