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Original poster

Have put on loads of weight whilst being pregnant and dreding return to work

26 replies

kindandgentleatalltimes · 18/06/2008 10:46

I work in a male dominated enviroment and I am really anxious about returning.I know sly comments will probably be made and just the looks I will get. I'm not very confident at the best of times.
Its so bad I'm thinking about making excuses to dp about not returning, but I know I have to go back for financial reasons.

I'm not sure why I'm posting but its really worrying me and I have no one I can talk to about it.

OP posts:

OrmIrian · 18/06/2008 10:52

Don't worry. I was in the same boat after my 3rd child was born - first time I had really ballooned and I hated wearing anything let alone smart clothes . So I went out and bought some more new clothes that actually fitted and got a really good hair cut.

IME men are less likely to comment on looks and weight amongst their co-workers than women.

Don't let it put you off going back to work. You can always lose the weight later but don't get stressed about it at the same time as getting back in to work routines.

jelliebelly · 18/06/2008 10:59

IME men probably won't even notice - women are much worse at this kind of thing. As long as you wear appropriate clothes that fit well (even if they have to be bigger sizes than you would like) and make sure you don't have crazy madwoman hair then you will be fine. You need to relax and not worry about it.

jelliebelly · 18/06/2008 11:00

OrmIrian - great minds think alike

SheherazadetheGoat · 18/06/2008 11:02

i think used teh sex and the city line 'i just had a baby what is your excuse' don't fret.

mollysawally · 18/06/2008 11:04

I like that line thegoat, I'll try and remember that.

Thanks for the advice, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has felt like this.
Can't help but still dread it though.

beeny · 18/06/2008 11:05

I work in very male dominated environment which made me lose weight its pathetic i know.Agree new clothes nice haircut and makeup

Original poster

kindandgentleatalltimes · 18/06/2008 11:23

Molly - agree its nice to know that I'm not the only one who feels like this.

Benny - I think if there was women I would feel more comfortable as at least they would understand it was due to pregnancy.

No choice on the outfit as I have to wear a most horrid uniform .. which I have to order and give my new size - too horrendoeus to even think about.

Will get a new hair cut though.

cant help but fret.

OP posts:

mellyonion · 18/06/2008 11:28

when do you need to go back kinda??

is there time to shed a few lbs? (not for anyone but yourself though you understand??)

you shouldn't be so hard on yourself....you've become a mother....the most amazing job in the whole world! xx

Original poster

kindandgentleatalltimes · 18/06/2008 11:38

6 weeks melly, how much can you lose in 6 wks?

OP posts:

RosaLuxembunting · 18/06/2008 11:42

You can lose up to a stone in six weeks. But 7-10lbs probably is realistic. I had four stone to lose after DD3 and it took eight months altogether. Take it a week at a time and celebrate the small goals.,

mellyonion · 18/06/2008 11:51

you can lose TONS kina!!!!

i know how you feel...i was very overweight ater having my dc2, and even found myself apologising to people for how awful i looked (i felt so horribly awful about myself). i started doing weight watchers when my dc3 was 6 weeks old, and lost nearly 3 stone in 7 months. tbh, i lost about a stone in the first 2 months.... i felt so much better about myself for even losing 3 or 4 lbs....my confidence started to grow little by little, and i didn't feel quite so crap all the time.

i do think a new haircut, some nice make up and even some funky new shoes can make you feel more confident about yourself....

don't forget too, clothes hide all manor of scary bts, and you prpobably look just fine to anyone else....we tend to be our own worst critics....

hope you eel a little better soon. x

Original poster

kindandgentleatalltimes · 18/06/2008 12:48

Thanks guys, I think I'll be brave and go to my local WW meeting on Thursday

OP posts:

mellyonion · 18/06/2008 12:59

go on, do it.....you'll feel great i bet for just taking that first step. good luck!

Original poster

kindandgentleatalltimes · 18/06/2008 13:04

Thanks MELLY. I'll post back and let you know. Was it embarrasing at all when you found out how much you weighed?

OP posts:

Ryobi · 18/06/2008 13:05

I dont think men notice either

Original poster

kindandgentleatalltimes · 18/06/2008 13:06

I'm not saying you weighed an embarrasing amount I just meant was it embarrasing being weighed and someone else knowing your weight IYSWIM?

OP posts:

mellyonion · 18/06/2008 13:24

lol.

its only your ww teacher that knows....they talk at the meetings in terms of weight loss.....no one ever asks what you weigh...they don't even say it out loud...you can see it on the scales clearly yourself.

i didn't feel bad about it...i felt positive that i was going to get smaller, and that kept me going...that i was fat, but activly doing something to change that iykwim?

i promise, you won't be the largest they have ever seen....everyone at ww knows where you're at with your eating...you're all in the same boat...you all need to lose weight, so everyone is very lovely, and there is a feeling of mutual support....

do try and stay for the meeting if you can..it'll spur you on to do well over the week.

mollysawally · 18/06/2008 14:18

I will stay for the meeting, I think your right, if I see myself doing something positive to improve my sitution, then I'm sure I would feel better.

I'll post back and let you know if I was brave enough!

twinkleymum · 18/06/2008 14:55

Hi, I'm in a similar situation. Going back in 3 months and am 2.5 stone heavier than I used to be. I went in for a visit and had 4 people comment on my weight gain , but they were all women! I don't think men notice things like that, as they didn't say anything other than hurry up and come back?

mollysawally · 18/06/2008 19:33

Hope your right twinkley!

OrmIrian · 19/06/2008 10:59

Having said that they don't comment when you have out on weight, I've had a few comments since I lost some. Such as when I was eating my salad for lunch "for goodness sake, what's with the rabbit food, you don't need to lose any more weight'. As the salad was full of feta cheese, olives and ham I don't think it as diet food. But some men assume women are obsessed with their weight and what they eat .

tobytortoise · 19/06/2008 18:38

I can really recommend weightwatchers. I have lost a stone in 5 weeks and it hasn't been bad at all.

Good luck

mollysawally · 20/06/2008 09:13

well done toby!

I went last night so first steps start here!

cupsoftea · 20/06/2008 09:22

you've been preg & given birth and if any of these idiot collegues say anything about your appearence remind them of these physical achievements.

mellyonion · 22/06/2008 08:15

mollysawally.....

HOOOOORRRAAAYYYY! well done for going. how did you find it?

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