postpartum weight and body image.

[supermum17]

I am 11 weeks post partum and really struggling with body image and weight gain.
I gained 3 stone during pregnancy which I didnt even realise I was doing and have so far lost 1.5stone but for the last 6 weeks the loss has completely plateaued. I am EBF at present so don't want to restrict my diet too significantly. My diet is fairly healthy with lots of protein/fruit and veg/mostly meals made from scratch but my weakness is chocolate to pick up my energy or emotionally eat when Im tired. I had been eating about 320grams chocolate per week but have cut this out now. I also need to look at portion size as this has gone up with BF hunger recently. I love my healthy happy baby but some days are still tough and make me want to reach for a treat. I know I have to address my ways of thinking to help this. I am regularly exercising doing 4-8k per week on rowing machine but do spend alot of time sendentary on sofa feeding as currently wee one is feeding 10-15 times a day.

I feel disgusting - the weight is entirely around my stomach region, making me still look pregnant and have a significant tire I never previously had. I used to be size 10-12 and now god knows - maybe 14-16- none of my trousers or tops fit, I have gone up 4 or more cup sizes and am in bras for 16-18. The only thing I can wear at present is baggy jumpers. I have so many stretch marks all over my stomach and the fat there overhangs my c section scar. I dont feel attractive or like I can ever feel good in clothes again. These thoughts have ramped up recently as I have a wedding to go to this weekend and have had to try on lots of things to figure out what to wear but honestly dont even know if I will go as too embarassed to be in public.

I was hoping EBF would help with the weight loss but feeling despair at my current situation. Will I ever love myself again? Any advice on what else I can do bar reduce calories/increase movement which I know is the obvious answer.

Hang in there!
You are doing the right things (giving up chocolate, exercising and breastfeeding). I bet in another 11 weeks you will have lost more. Your body will recover it just takes time

Don’t panic!

you have done the right thing giving up the chocolate.

I know it doesn’t feel like it but it’s still early days and breasts full of milk weigh more than pre pregnancy boobs too so don’t worry!

i ensured I ate well, exercised (perhaps see if you can add in a daily walk with the baby in the pram) and it does go. Tiredness doesn’t help but hopefully that will ease. Or try and get help like some extra power naps whilst someone holds the baby to avoid the tiredness and reaching for the pick me up biscuit! But take care of yourself. You are more than what you weigh and you will be able to lose it if that’s what you choose to do but you didn’t put it on in 11 weeks so don’t beat yourself up for not losing it that quickly too x

Hi OP, I'm in a similar boat, currently 12 weeks PP after my 3rd c section, EBF and still have 1.5 stones to lose. In my experience the weight will shift in its own time, especially when breastfeeding. I EBF my last one too, and by the 6 month mark I was back to my pre pregnancy weight. It's not easy spending 6 months feeling unhappy with your size, but personally I'm trying to be realistic this time around.

My advice would be to keep doing what you're doing, be patient with yourself and don't beat yourself up if you spend the odd day on the sofa or scoff loads of biscuits after a bad night. Also consider some exercises to strengthen your core and pelvic floor, which should help your tummy.

People really aren't open enough about how long it actually takes to bounce back after a baby!

Ps I am currently sat BFing DC to sleep and have nearly polished off a full packet of biscuits!

Oh and another thing I've done this time around is buy a few items of clothes which fit me now and flatter the shape I am at the moment. That's really helped take my focus off feeling rubbish because I don't fit into any of my pre pregnancy stuff. I know exactly how you feel, but trust me you really don't need to be this hard on yourself and you certainly don't need to be restricting portion sizes when you're breastfeeding. You're extra hungry for a reason, your body needs that energy to feed your baby. Hang in there!

Echoing what others have said, it takes time and I don't think dieting or doing a mega exercise routine is the answer. First baby took me 4 months, second baby maybe a year but I actually didn't weigh myself too often as it caused unnecessary stress.

I ate plenty of chocolate while BF and just followed my cravings. Which for me actually was a lot more protein/meat, as I hadn't been able to stomach it while pregnant. And calorie dense stuff. First 3-6 months I was ravenous and allowed myself to eat to my heart's content. After that my appetite levelled out naturally without needing to restrict. I would also do as much walking a day as I fancied, and later more strength work to rebuild core.

Would agree with buying some slightly bigger clothes for a while so you're not putting pressure on yourself. Before you know it you'll be back in your old jeans.

You've lost 1.5 stone by 11 weeks post partum? That's incredible! Well done you!

You sound like you're doing amazingly for 11 weeks. Buy a few flattering and cheap things to tide you over.

Please please please don't put pressure on yourself, eat healthy and try and move when you can but it's still really early days and the weight will come off gradually.

I found my body hung onto a bit of weight when I was bfing that came off when I stopped.

I know it's easier said than done but enjoy the baby and thank your body for all it has achieved

Ok so 13 weeks PP I know exactly how your feeling but! I have the magic diet for weight loss which without exercise helps you shift the extra pounds it's called the cambridge 1:1 and 3 months PP you are allowed to use it.

I was on it before I fell pregnant and they promise you 1 stone a month weight loss and it really works. I am starting on step 1A

I was 11.5 stone 5.5ft when I fell pregnant after loosing a stone on the Cambridge 1:1 just before I fel pregnant with my DS.

When I went Into labour I was 14.9st 95kgs and ate like a pig during pregnancy.

Now after walking 6000 steps 3-4 times per week I am 12st 2lbs 13 weeks PP and started back on the cambridge weight plan this Monday I lost 4 pounds in 4 days since I started back on it this week.

It really helps shift the extra fat and my tummy is finally going down! Since starting the Cambridge 1:1 I am now taking a break from exercise as it's a very low calorie diet with 3 meal replacements per day roughly 600 cals a day plus teas and coffees. E.g now driving to playgroups instead for a while.

I use rasins as my sugar fix on a night feed and try and drink a shed load of water.

Look at the success stories on Youtube I used to follow SJ strum mum of 3 her weight loss journey was amazing.

They then teach you how to maintain your weight loss by intoducing real food again slowly.

I really hope this helps you if you want to do it as I know how hard it is to shift the weight I had gestational diabetes so drinking loads of water also really helps to shift the extra fluid.

Good luck mama OP you got this! x x x

I just wanted to say you don’t need to cut out chocolate or need to start some daft diet. I’ve had 5 children, I remember how crap I felt at not fitting in my clothes but I went back to normal. Make little changes, calorie counting has always worked well for me and wishing that I’ve always included plenty of sweets and chocolate as I’ve a massive sweet tooth. Eat what you want just make sure you get enough fibre & protein and don’t fall for the mistake of cutting calories too low.

I think it just depends on the person, I plateau at a certain point of diet and exercise, it fell of naturally in the beginning then nothing, now with the 1:1 it's falling off again, some people have to work for it others are just lucky I guess.