Keeping Weight Gain to a Minimum

Hi A.,
I had a similar weight gain and years later found that I had an undiagnosed health problem. So if you gained that much weight and weren't eating way too much, make sure you get checked out for any underlying problems.
Being a working mother with a toddler, you will have to do some planning to eat right and exercise. Never skip breakfast and make sure you always have plenty of healthy snacks available and bring a healthful lunch to work.
Taking the right supplements is also important. I am a
Shaklee distributor and a certified personal trainer and wellness educator. I would be happy to help you in that area if you like.
Good luck and take care.
V.

stay active and eat a healthy diet - your body will gain what it needs if you do this. Watch your carbohydrate intake - don't eat "empty" calories.

Most women realize what caused them to gain too much weight the first time around (thinking they have a free pass to eat for 2!!) and they don't repeat it the second time.

Your current weight seems healthy - so don't focus on weight - focus on having a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby! If you have poor eating habits - perhaps see a nutritionist - but if you eat well and stay active - unless you have other problems - you should be fine.

My point is - don't let weight be your focus - let health be your focus for you and your growing baby!

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recently changed their position on weight gain during pregnancy.

They used to say that a 20-35 lb weight gain was appropriate, and in the past few years, they shifted to selecting an appropriate weight gain based upon where the mother started.

I'd ask your OB/GYN. My sister was so preoccupied about her own weight during pregnancy, she had a early delivery with a small child (5lbs 8 oz). She was working out over an hour every day at almost full term. I was so upset as I'd just had a baby a few months earlier and focused more on my baby's health than my vanity (I gained 20 lbs with my daughter).

Usually, the recommendation is to have an extra 300-350 calories/day to have enough energy to support your own metabolic needs and those of your developing baby.

A lot of people use pregnancy as an excuse to eat poorly during your pregnancy (ice cream and brownies every night). I'd continue to eat balanced foods and stay away from things that might not be healthy for your child (typical pregnancy warnings for foods high in mercury, deli meats because of listeria risk, uncooked foods for e coli/salmonella risk).

Well, I CAN tell you that half a box of Nilla Wafers and 1/2 gallon of milk/day Won't work for you... ROFL. Neither will daily trips for a DQ dipped cone... (both of which I did... and gained a TON of weight)

But I wish you the best of luck and a healthy/happy baby.
;-)

T.

breastfeed! Perfect for the baby and makes the weight fall right off! You've gotten plenty of good advice about what to do during your pregnancy so just thought I'd throw that in :)congratulations! enjoy it...it goes so fast.

Hi here,
First Congrats!
My first pregnancy I was only 19 and gained 50 pounds. Of course,the extra weight came right off at that age! My second pregnancy I was 34. I was already fighting gaining a little weight since I hit 30. I also tried for 4 years to have this little baby so I was gonna do everything I could to have a helthy pregnancy. My biggest deal was NO caffeine,so no soda at all.I was also craving water ALL the time so I m sure that helped.I did not pig out on sweets like I usually do! And I really just ate healthy. It was easier for me to ask myself,Is this healthy for the baby?? I only gained 22 pounds. I wish I had the discipline now that I had then! Good Luck!
Juju

My OB's nurse advised me to avoid "Italian, Chinese, and Mexican restaurants" -- bascially avoid simple carbs -- to keep the weight gain to a minimum. The white pasta, white rice, and flour tortillas in those foods are simple carbs (not to mention the cheeses and other yummy things that add calories and fat!).

I cooked at home a lot and used whole wheat pasta and brown or wild rice for complex carbs. Mexican food is my favorite, and I have no willpower when presented with a stack of warm flour tortillas, so I avoided it as much as possible. Anyway, it wasn't as much fun without a margarita or a cold Dos Equis!

Drink a lot of water. It's good for the fluid levels in the womb, and it's also a good way to fill up without calories.

I also walked a lot every day of my pregnancy. My walks got shorter and slower as I went along, but it really helped keep some weight off, and my OB said it would help make the delivery easier, too. I also did a pregnancy yoga DVD a few times a week. It helped stretch out my back and legs. Do whatever kind of workout you can do -- exercise is a good appetite suppressant, and it helps circulate oxygen to the baby.

Good luck, and congratulations on the new baby!

talk to your doctor and get them about referring you to a nutritionist. The nutritionist can sit down with you and help you formulate a healthy eating plan to help you maintain your wait while pregnant.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. After sitting down with a nutritionist I learned HOW to eat properly to maintain my blood sugars. The end result was that I actually weight 30 lbs lighter at delivery than I did when I got pregnant!

Talk to your doctor.

Everyone has given you great advice. I definitely cut out simple carbs and steered clear of DQ and never pigged out on junk food after dinner. Pregnancy isn't a free pass to pig out or 'eat for two'. In fact, it's actually a time to eat smarter and healthier to ensure your baby is getting the most out of what you eat. Since what you eat gets passed onto your baby, why would people eat a sundae when a healthy snack would actually pass good stuff to the baby?

Exercise is a huge component too, but in moderation and according to what your doctor says. The healthier you go into delivery, the healthier you come out of it. I had to give up my contact sports but substituted for other activities and got back into my contact sports as soon as I could.

I started at 125 and gained 25 pounds with my pregnancy. I now weigh 120, so it's definitely possible to start and continue healthy eating habits during and after pregnancy.

Good luck and congrats!!!