I know that people say that you are pregnant for 9 months so you should give the weight 9 months to come off. My problem is that I am 18 weeks out and I have not lost a pound since I left the hospital. I gained about 35 pounds during my pregnancy and I lost about 12-15 in the hospital. I was not overweight before I got pregnant and I worked out when I was pregnant. I am breastfeeding, I don't eat poorly, and I have been trying to work out lately. I do want to continue to breastfeed and don't want to lose my milk. Does anybody have any suggestions?
Hey T.,
I know you want a concrete answer other than "give it time". I just went through the same thing. After I had my son my husband and I did the P90X video series. I'm not big on trying to lose weight... I want things tight and toned. I have to say I looked great in about 7 months. I am pregnant again right now and will most definitely do it again after this one is born. Hope it helps!
were you underweight prebaby? does your body want to keep that extra 20 lbs around to be at a healthier weight? this happened to me after my first boy.
Hi T.,
I'm no expert on this subject, but I think breastfeeding actually keeps weight on you. When we went to breastfeeding class before my son was born (he's 6 months old now), the instructor, who is also an RN and lactation consultant, said that while it does help burn the calories you're currently taking in and helping to shrink your uterus size back down, it also can encourage your body to hang on to about 10 pounds of pregnancy weight. She said many people assume it keeps weight off, but not true in all cases.
In reading the books as to where all those pounds come from besides the baby, they count about 10 of those pounds as "maternal fat reserves" to ensure your milk supply is plentiful whether you eat enough or not. So it does make sense what she said. You're nursing body may be telling itself to hang on to the extra pounds for your baby's nutrition.
I personally gained almost 35 pounds during my pregnancy. A few days after I got home from the hospital, I had lost about 18 lbs of it. I only got to breastfeed for about 3 1/2 weeks for other reasons, but in the next 3 - 4 weeks after I stopped, I was only about 5 pounds away from my pre pregnancy weight, and I now weigh a little less. I also have a friend who had 4 kids, and the only one she didn't breastfeed with is when she lost weight the fastest.
Of course I'm not suggesting you stop breastfeeding. I was sad that I had to stop. Just know that if you're eating as reasonably as before you were pregnant and nothing is coming off, it could be that when you do decide to stop, it could melt away as quickly as it did on us.
I may be wrong, but I do think that's what happened with me. If not, don't worry, I'm sure you'll be back to your old self before you know it. Congrats on your new baby!
I am 5 months out still trying to lose the weight. I gained 50 pounds and have 20 more pounds to lose. It takes some time; however, with my first I started getting back into my pre pregancy clothes around 9 months. Just in time to find out that I was pregnant again! BF until 6 months with the first; 4 1/2 with the second. Good luck!
KEEP on breastfeeding!! It burns lots of extra calories per day. Sounds like you're already skinny, your body may just be leveling out to what it wants to be at. Continue to eat, exercise, and breastfeed and then BE happy with the results! Enjoy life! =)
Nutrisystems after you stop breastfeeding. Easiest way.
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Until then, I agree, don't worry about it as long as you are eating healthy and portion wise. Baby needs lots of that fat that you are not liking and as baby grows and it will come from you and you will slim down - it dies take time.
Good for you for breastfeeding!
Happy Holidays! C.
First, I can recommend Stroller Strides as a great place you can go for a "group personal training" feel. The instructors are trained in postnatal fitness and can give you a lot of suggestions.
Second, Stroller Strides can surround you with other moms who may be in the same situation, creating an essential support group. You are able to exchange suggestions, etc.
There are two groups in FW depending on where you are, and one in Arlington. Check out www.strollerstrides.com.
Keep doing what you're doing and don't sweat it. It will slowly start to come off and if you try too hard it will mess with your milk supply. Those first few pounds come off easily and then the rest seems to stall for a while (at least with me). It will come - just give it time!! Good luck!
T., I just had a baby in September and I have lost all of my baby weight with exercise (eliptical for 45 min/5 x week and strength exercises from the Wii game system/2 x wk) and weight watchers. I did the point system on weight watchers and was really able to eat a lot and lose weight at the same time. The good thing about weight watchers is that you don't starve yourself and therefore you don't have to worry about your breastmilk supply (I am also breastfeeding exclusively). I signed up for the 3 month online program and I lost all the weight in less than two months. Make sure to check the box (currently breastfeeding) so that you are allowed more points and don't jeopardize your milk supply. I gained 42 lbs with my pregnancy.
Hope this helps.
A. H.
I sooooooooooooooooo understand. I gained 50lbs during my pregnancy and was a size 4 or 6 before. And now 3 months later I am stuck with a size 10 body.
honestly, time helps... after 3 months my body already looks less disgusting and less like i need a tummy tuck... even though i still have a few pant sizes to get back into until i am back to normal.
i hired a personal trainer and i TRY to work out but there are some weeks i dont even get to go. i honestly just think patience is the key here.. and i know its sooooooooooo hard. so hard.
I'd advise throwing out the scale. ;) Just continue what you're doing and it will come off. I breastfed, ate whatever I wanted and I don't think I lost weight until closer to 6 months. I all seemed to melt off between 6 and 12 months. I think it helped that my son started walking around 9 months. I gained about 60-70 lbs with the pregnancy. I'm not convinced that strict dieting would have helped because that would have messed with my supply perhaps and my metabolism.
It just takes time for it to burn off. My advice is to throw out your scale, eat sensibly and not worry just yet. You're not that far from your goal so I think you'll be fine. Enjoy the baby and the time nursing your little one since it just won't last.
Don't worry about the weight. It will come off. The baby needs you more than you need to get back to your before baby weight. I breastfed for 1 year. I gained 45lbs during pregnancy. It took me about 4 to 6 months to loss the weight I gained, but then I got down to below my baby weight about the 9th month. I just made sure I drank plenty of water, ate healthy for me & my son, and walked him in the stroller all the time (inside the mall when weather was bad). Worry makes you and the baby stress. Stress makes you gain weight! Don't Worry and the weight will come right OFF! God bless you and your baby.
I just started going to a personal trainer and this is what he told me. When you are pregnant you lose muscle mass. It is your body's way of preparing for the baby and giving it what it needs. The biggest thing (and pretty much the only thing that you can change) that uses calories in your body is muscle. So what has happend is that you have less muscle which means you burn less calories and it's harder to lose weight. I suggest that you try some resistance training in your workout to increase muscle mass. Even simple exercises, like squats, can build your large muscles and, in turn, make you burn more calories.
Good luck to you!!
After c-section and infection in my wound, I was unable to have workouts yet I had to lose my pp weight. I gained 35 pounds approx with my baby and all I dropped with the help of an organic weight loss supplement Mummy magic tea.
