Can't Loose Baby Weight and I Breastfeed - ALOT

Replace your foods for big glasses of water with a little lemon squeezed into it. Drink a glass before you indulge in your food craving... this will either eliminate the craving altogether or at least give you the time to regroup and redirect and do something else before hittin the cookie jar. It's all about self discipline. Right now food is your enemy learn to sort of hate it for what it's doing to you. That's the mindset I've been using since I stopped smoking on NY eve. If you hate it you wont crave it... it really works. AND always remember that a lot of times when we feel hungry its really because we are thirsty (it is the SAME feeling) when you feel thirsty it means you have already started the beginnings of dehydration. Drink first, eat second if you still need to. That would be my prescription for you... good luck.

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A good way to start is to put baby in the stroller and go for a walk every day, even if its just walking the mall. Switch to low fat milk. Drink more water cut out the suggary sodas , if you drink them.
eat a snack 3hrs after eating your meal.
Snack on something like a wheat muffin , or a protein. Something that's made with dark grains or a fruit , it will help keep your blood sugar up and push your metabolism up instead of letting it drop so you'll burn fat naturally.
Try this diet.
http://ifitandhealthy.com/slow-carbs-fast-carbs/

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water water water...I will say I am in the same boat. I am 5'0 and before baby I was 120. I EBF but my supply tanked at 4.5 months after i went back to work. I am not cruising at 132 and feel like a blimp (extra around the middle)
The water is a big help. Something else I did and I JUST started on Sunday is I made the Zero Calorie soup. So now when I have that craving, I just eat a big bowl of the soup and that does the trick. I am on day 3 and my pants feel a tad looser (they are not leaving the pattern indent in my skin)
I personally dont feel like breastfeeding did much for me losing weight. I was hungry all the time because my mind was busy keeping her occupied along with being physically awake and sleep deprived..so it was easy for me to just eat something at 4am when she woke up. I am now buckling down so I can get back my tiny figure..only have 12lbs to lose but on a frame that is only 5 foot, 12lbs is alot.
I wish you luck...if you want to be my Diet buddy for a month or until you feel you can do it, I am yours :):)

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You are not alone.. I CONSTANTLY fed my first daughter, and gained weight... it was ridiculous... I would eat everything that was placed in front of me... with baby #2 the same thing, he is a little piggy and eats non stop... and I lost in the begining... and now5 months later the same thing, I am hungry all the time and have not been able to loose...Weight Watchers would be something good to start to help curb eating habits.. I might be joining myself...
good luck!

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You know, what you're describing is exactly what I am going through, only I am 26 weeks pregnant! When not pregnant, I hardly have an appetite but when pregnant, oh boy, if there is food, I will eat it. I would say this hungry appetite you are having is hormone related. Are you taking birth control pills? The pill can make you gain weight. Or perhaps some other hormone type of birth control? Have you talked to your doctor about your cravings for sweets? I would question if there is an underlying condition that may be causing this. It could simply be that your hormones from pregnancy and breastfeeding are still unbalanced. Every woman is different so it would be unfair of me to tell you that you should have lost your weight by now. Are you exercising at all? Are you active? Incorporating exercise into your daily life DOES make a difference. I breastfed exclusively, lost all of my weight in less than 6 months... BUT, while I did not diet (I don't believe in diets), I DID work out. You need cardio to burn fat and to sculpt those muscles, you need weights/resistance bands. I wonder if craving sweets is a symptom of something going on in your body. I would start with a visit to your doctor.

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I didn't loose weight during breastfeeding for the same reason. I desired candy and chocolates.

Since you see that is the true issue... concentrate on eating a lot, but eating healthy. Cut down (not out) candies and chocolates and start walking around the block a few times every day.

Weight Watchers does have a breastfeeding program too.

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Have you had your thyroid checked? It could be overactive and you are feeling hungry all the time.

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I feel the COMPLETE same way I've exclusively breastfeed my 10month old and I feel like i'm hungry ALL the time, I've steadily lost weight but very very slowly. I WILL NOT keep junk in the house because if I do I can't control myself and I will eat it all and in ONE sitting!! UGH! I'm also doing weight watchers and that has totally helped me!! Good Luck, you'll get there!!

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I did not read all your responses, so forgive me if I'm repetitive. The good news is, you did lose MOST of your weight, you're just holding on to that last 10 pounds. I did not find myself extra hungry and did not eat more sweets than usual when BF (although I have quite a sweet tooth anyway, so that's not saying much). However, with both my boys I held on to an extra 5 lbs or so until I stopped BF, then the last few pounds went away when I weaned them. So, I don't know if that helps or not, but you may drop a few more lbs once you're done nursing. If not, at least it's just 10 lbs and not the full 25 you gained! (I always gain closer to 40 lbs with my pregnancies, but lose it all pretty quickly until I hit the last 10-15lbs which are much slower to disappear).

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I have had three children via c-sections. I began pregnancy #1 at 5'3" and 130 lbs. I jazzercised about four days a week up until week 37. My total weight gain for the pregnancy was about 30 lbs. I nursed for eight months, and weighed about 140 when it was all done.

With pregnancies 2 and 3, my incision line (from the c-sections) felt painful when I exercised. Without that fuel-burning during pregnancy, I gained 60+ pounds with each of those children, never losing it all between kids. After #2, I was at 150, and after #3, I kept gaining and gaining while nursing and exercising. I sure didn't get any taller, but I was 203 pounds six months after giving birth. OMG.....

You are not alone. I definitely gained weight while nursing. It took me two full years of diet and exercise to lose 75 pounds, after which I had a tummy tuck to remove the excess skin (and re-connect my abdominal muscles, which I did not even realize had split in the center during pregnancy). THAT was the best money I have EVER spent. : )

Enjoy your children, take care of yourself, and do not worry. You have nothing but time to lose the weight. It will pass with effort.

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This was like reading a post writen by me! Same height, weight, eating. With my first child, I lost weight while nursing. With my second, I nursed for a year and was ravenous, and didn't lose weight. When I stopped nursing, then I started losing weight, but I had to kick start my metabolism again (diet, exercise :(). I actually weigh less now than I did in college...at 122. FYI, along with the weight loss, I had a lot of hair loss at first, just like month four while breastfeeding, that freaked me out. I think that our bodies will hold on to the fat while nursing if it is needed for milk production. Weight watchers is great, easy now with new point system. I bet you'll lose it fast now. Good luck!

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I gained weight while breast feeding and didn't lose until I stopped. Minus the weight of the actual baby and fluid I gained more weight while breastfeeding than pregnant! As soon as I stopped quickly started losing the weight and taught myself how to be full on smaller portions again. Good luck!

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You're not alone! I went down to 138 after baby was born, but am back up to 150. With my first child I only breastfed for about 6 weeks before she had a weight crisis and refused to breastfeed. Anyway, I lost lots of weight initially but kept it off. My theory is that since you need more calories, you just eat too much. So best solution is to add some exercise to your day and eat more fruits and veggies rather then desert, snacks, extra carbs or meat. Its no fun to be hungry! :) It was also hard for me because my dear friend is my same height, had her baby 17 days after me, but trimmed down SO QUICKLY and she eats 2 times as much as me. BUT, she exercises a lot more, so that probably keeps her metabolism going. And she's younger. Obviously my metabolism is slowing down with age, and I need to exercise more.

Best wishes, you can lose it, breastfeeding isn't magic though. :)

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Wow! I saw the name on here and it really tripped me out (my name is L. D too - there aren't too many of us out here!)
I would have to tell you an answer that may be a little different and "unconventional". As a licensed certified Hypnotist, I can tell you that hypnosis may just be the answer for you. In my practice, I have helped many with bad eating habits (lack of vegetables), sugar cravings, etc... Here is the link to the Dallas Child article: http://www.dallaschild.com/showarticle.asp?artid=1220 Interesting? Yeah.. I just moved from Frisco to G.P. 2 L. D's in the area! :) Definately before choosing a Hypnotist, make sure they have the proper credentials because anyone in Texas can claim to be one. There is no policing in this state. I would recommend finding a female who has experience with breastfeeding... Hypnosis works. I find when I am working with people I get the benefits too, I always lose weight when I'm working with weight loss clients and while I was in the middle of working with HypnoFertility, I got pregnant too (that client had her baby a few weeks ago). I know we are here in Texas and there are a LOT of misconceptions about hypnosis. Please read the article... That should answer questions... Call the Guild for recommendations (I'm not trying to solicit you, I would like you to make the decision for yourself), and give it a try. All my best!

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I also breast feed and had the same problem my son is 2 and I am still struggling with the weight. I am hoping to find something tha I will respond too and drop all this weight!

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Hi there... I actually know how you feel... it's good to know that I'm not the only one. I'm also breastfeeding and my baby is 3 months old and I need to do something about the extra weight as well.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Make small changes... Drink extra water.... I bought a book called "Never Say Diet" which has a straight forward strategy to know off the extra pounds and never put it on again... I will be trying that shortly... Check out the website: http://www.chantelhobbs.com/chantel/

Your baby will soon start crawling... then walking... and will keep you on your toes and then you will see the weight come off... Take one day at a time! I hope this helps!

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Hey L. -
I have not read the other answers. But, I want you to know that you are not alone. Honestly, my daughter turned 3 in December and I FINALLY said, "Okay, I really can't call this baby weight anymore" and I got serious about losing weight. I joined weight watchers online only (more affordable) and it is helping tremendously. Even weight watchers gives you more points when you are breast feeding because they realize it takes calories to feed a baby.

Also, just to encourage you, I know that a HUGE part of my problem with weight is mostly how I eat (I do exercise). I have been doing ww online for 3 weeks and already, I don't crave the sweets like I did previously. I think we train our bodies to crave what we give it. Now that I have cut those things out, I am not craving them. Don't get me wrong though, I still indulge - but I am NOT exceeding my point values for the week (sometimes I do exceed for any given day, but you have a pool of extra points for each week that allow you to do that). On Monday night, I took a kick boxing class and I was seriously hungry yesterday, so I ate a couple of extra snacks. I buy these 100 calorie packs that are nutter butter flavor and orea flavor that I love. Each bar is 3 points. I usually have 1 a week and yesterday, I definitley had one. In addition though, I also ate a pack of almonds which were also 3 points. That's one more snack than I usually eat.

Please don't be too hard on yourself. Honestly, I think when a baby turns 1 is about the right time for you to start dealing with weight/etc. (I waited 2 more years and I am paying for it now). Just do it slowly and healthy. Don't go cold turkey though, on sweets, because you will over indulge!

Good luck!
L.

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Mom on the go said it! I just want to share, that I recently replaced my bread with some 45 calorie bread. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal, but for me, its made a huge difference! I am nursing a 3 month old right now also. Finally I am under pre pregnancy weight! I still have quite a ways to go, but making small changes can make a BIG difference. Good luck!!

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I really enjoyed a 6-week Boot Camp style workout last summer and it helped me see some results. Boot Camps are very popular right now. I did mine with Custom Muscle in Frisco.

Also, I have found that if you eat protein with every meal and every snack, it helps to keep my blood sugar level.

Also, if you don't buy the treats and have them in your house, you can't eat them. Load up your fruit bowl. Raisins also help me with my sweet tooth.

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HI L., just wanted to offer a bit of encouragement here. Losing weight is about gaining more control over things. I think you will enjoy WW because it puts the power in your hands, by giving you the information to make good choices. I would also suggest you do the sessions at the WW meeting place/building instead of doing the online option. I found it nice to take time for myself and be around others who were struggling (but making progress) like me. I fed off of their stories. My co worker lost 120 pounds with WW and has kept it off. BTW, I'm trying to get down to 140, so to me, you are perfect! But I understand the need to get back where you were. Take care.

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Hey L....you are not alone! I am currently breastfeeding with four months to go and I do not supplement formula and since September I have gained 10 lbs! I too was eating a lot...my appetite was HUGE!! I have nursed two other babies and I never ate this much with them. All of my girl friends lose weight while nursing so I can't figure it out! I have joined a gym and am eating better things, but I still feel like I'm not losing...I've never really had weight issues before so that makes it worse! I totally understand where you are coming from and if I had any tips I would sure share them, but I just wanted to let you know you are not alone :) good luck to you and weight watchers is a great program my friend is on that now and is seeing great results!

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I, too, have had trouble losing weight while breastfeeding. My baby is almost 4 months, and I lost the initial 20 lbs after delivery but then nothing for months after that. It's so frustrating, because everyone tells you how easy it is while nursing. More recently I've gotten all the junk out of the house, except chocolate (we NEED chocolate), and have started doing 20 minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week, and finally the scale is moving - slowly, but it's moving. Don't be too hard on yourself, this time in your life is relatively brief and not everyone can get right back like they were right away. All you can do is keep at it, and remember, when youre feeling hungry, what you decide to eat is either a win or a loss in the battle of losing weight... You won't win them all, but keeping that in mind can help.

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Hi L.! I seriously thought I was the only person to ever gain weight while breast feeding :) I've always been jealous of those stick-thin moms who say "I'm breast feeding and the pounds just keep melting off!" Gag.
I BF all of my kids and have always ended up 10 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight once I was done. I always lost my pregnancy weight within two months of them being born, but then started packing the pounds back on, so that when I weaned at 12-14 months, I felt like a fatty. I also had an insane sweet tooth while BFing (when my twins were tiny, I would bake a cake and finish it off every 2-3 days!!) Just know that your appetite will decrease when you're finished and you can really start to work those extra pounds off. Don't be discouraged. BTW, few people will believe you when you say that BFing doesn't always make you lose weight...just know that there is one other mom out there who belielves you because it happened to her three times :)

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You aren't the only one to not be able to lose your baby weight while nursing - you really aren't. Weight Watchers is a good idea because you can EAT on the diet. But, you have to eat the right way. Can you go to meetings? I found that to be very helpful. Do yourself a big favor and exercise while you diet. You really need that. - I can't stress that enough. And I'm one of those people who hate working out. If you don't, you'll end up needing lipo and a tummy tuck.

Learn how to cook the staple items WW shows - the stuff that has "no points" that you can put in your mouth when you are hungry (soup is one that comes to mind). ONLY eat that when you are "craving" putting something in your mouth.

You will need to decide how much you want to continue to breastfeed if you are still nursing A LOT, as you say. Can you still nurse, but cut down? Talk to your ped about what your child really needs. It's certainly up to you, but if your child doesn't need so much breast milk, you could ease up and it would help you. You are fighting a "mothering desire" right now that translates into you eating too much and putting on more and more weight. If you want to continue along the same nursing lines that you have been doing til now, you'll have to stop eating what you're eating in order to lose any weight. You can't do both.

Will power is so hard - boy, don't I know it!

Good luck!
D.

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I did exactly this and have struggled with it since my son's birth. He is almost two now. I noticed that when I go to the gym and watch every calorie then I seem to drop weight very quickly, but then if I let loose at all then I jump back up more quickly than ever.

I have to drink the daily recommended amount of water daily or I feel like I am starving all day. My mom is a nutrionist and has explained that the body really doesn't know the difference between being thirsty and hungry. She also said that most mom's snack when preparing food and snacks for their children and tend to finish some or all of what is left on their plates. The longer you breast feed the more efficient your body becomes in producing so you burn less calories. I am sure you are familiar as a runner - I am and that is how she related it for me. I had gotten away from eating until I not hungry instead of eating until I felt full. ( it was a struggle I felt hungry ALL the time) The sweets cravings I took stole a lot of weight watchers ideas instead of ice cream light graham crackers with light whipped cream frozen and frozen fruit during the summer a hit with the kids and my sweet tooth. Weight watchers has tons of good sweet tooth options it will help.

I look forward to the responses. I only put on 21 pounds pregnant lost all except a couple of pounds quickly then started inching back up and I have 4-7 pounds left that is a constant fight. It is frustrating - hope you get some good advice so I can piggy back on them too. Wish I had something profound that would give you the answer I we have both been looking for, but I think you made me realize I should consider joining weight watchers to for more positive alternative food ideas. Good luck!!

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I didn't lose any weight breastfeeding my first son and chose to bottle feed my second son. I know how scary and discouraging it can be to feel out of control with your eating habits. I used to be a size 9 to 12, exercised plenty, and ate right, but now I am about a size 16 after having my sons. It hasn't been until recently that I have begun to take back that control. I felt so helpless, but than someone reminded me that each day is a new day, so if you mess up start fresh and new the next day. Determine not to dwell on the past or stay parked there, but instead face today and do what you know you can do.

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I feel your pain. I too did not lose weight while I was breastfeeding. Sugar is addictive. It gives us quick energy and the "Sugar High", but then it is gone just as quickly and we are needing that fix again. With sugar you have to go cold turkey. Some things you can slowly delete from your diet, but sugar is not one of those things. Also adding exercise to your daily life will make a huge difference as well. I am a coach with Team Beachbody and I would love to help you with your health and fitness goals. I can help you with a personalized diet plan as well. I recently lost 13 lbs in 60 days and would love to share with you how I did that. Email me if you would like to know more.

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Not an expert on eating-for-breastfeeding, but very experienced in being hungry (<grin>). I think your craving for sweets and chocolate is the answer: the more carbs in your diet, the hungrier you stay. It's a rebound effect. If you cut the carbs and up your protein, you'll be less hungry.

I knew that was true from counting carbs years ago (and losing 55 lbs by doing so), but ignored my own advice and let my carb-eating creep back up. Even "good carbs" like lots of fruit cause your insulin to go up, and with it, hunger a bit later. I retuned my eating last week and lowered carbs while adding protein. I was amazed by the third day how much LESS hungry I was than usual.

Hope that helps!

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Well, I lost weight while breastfeeding but the weight did come back. I recommend examine what you are eating. Eat foods that are going to stick with you full of whole grains...stay away from the white stuff and sugar. Hopefully you are excercising which will tighten your body and replace fat with lean muscle. Eating 5 meals a day is a good habit for anyone. It is about WHAT you are eating, how much you are eating, excercising and genes.

Another thing to consider is removing foods with high frutcose corn syrup and processed foods.

I hope this helps.

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I've had two children, breastfed both, and for both, I didn't lose any weight from about a week post-delivery until after I stopped breastfeeding (ages 8 months and 12 months, respectively). In both cases, about a couple weeks to a month after weaning, the pounds just started melting away, one or two pounds a week, until I was back to pre-baby weight. I didn't make a big decision / effort to lose, it just happened. I probably did eat less and probably did chase after my kids more, but I really think it was largely hormonal. I think that when I was breastfeeding, my body was just set to on 'save-calories mode' and that I went back to normal after breastfeeding was done. I have a few other friends with similar stories ... they lost weight only after stopping breastfeeding. Hopefully, the same is true for you. Good luck!

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I have lost weight, but i don't chalk it up to just Breastfeeding.
I think that only helped the first week or so after having my baby.
Weight watchers = good idea. I haven't personally used it, but i've only heard great things about it.
I've always had problems feeling hungry. Knowing what you can snack on is a must. Want sweets? Eat some dried fruit & nuts...

But the BEST thing is to get moving. After both my pregnancies I turned my babies into exercise equipment!
With my last one i gained about 50lbs! So i was 5'7ish and about 210lbs!
Well now it's been 4 months and i'm down to about 166-170lbs.

Go to www.sparkpeople.com Check out their vids section. Sit in front of your computer and do the exercises with them! That's what I do. I have 2 babies, so no time for the gym, so i turn my house into one. Also, if you can, go for long walks with the kids. Any cardio or exercises will help.
If you want more exercise ideas please send me a msg :)