Pregnancy Weight

D.
When I read your entry I thought it was something I wrote because my situation is very similar. I gained about 70lbs with my son who was also born in July. I too lost a significant amount of wieght immediately after the birth but have much more to lose. I began weight watchers a week after Jacob was born and have lost an additional 10lbs. I found that originally I was not eating enough food to support a nursing mother. Since I began to eat more and better the weight lose has improved. I really enjoy weight watchers and the accountability it provides.
Hope this helps
B. H.

1 mom found this helpful

D.,

Congratulations on your new family! I'm glad to read that you and your husband are enjoying your precious baby boy. You are also to be congratulated for having such a caring and considerate husband. Obviously how we mothers view our bodies and how our husbands actually see us are two totally diffferent things.

My husband liked to tell me after our daughter was born that I looked wonderful. Of course, I felt like the Goodyear blimp, had a veritable highway system of strech marks, and was sporting a 6 inch scar from my c-section. All I can say is that like everyting else in life loosing the weight and getting in shape will take time. How much time depends on the persons age, motivation, exercise level, and attention to healthy eating. Right now the health of you and your son is the most important thing you can focus on.

My doctor was adimate that I not cut to much fat out of my diet as long as I was breast feeding. Fat is essential to a baby's brain development the first year. So I did not pay that much attention to loosing weight seriously until I stopped nursing her at age one. I gained 65 pounds with my pregnancy and dropped the first 20-30 while I was breast feeding. That was without much exercise and only making sure I tried to make healthy eating decisions.

Once I stopped nursing I went back to Weight Watchers to lose the last 35 pounds. FYI - I was a Weight Watchers lifetime member for 7 years at my goal weight before I got pregnant. Watching the scale go up at the OBs office was absolute torture for me. Anyway, my daughter is now 22 months and I am just now down to the last ten pounds. I'm hoping to be back at my goal weight before my daughter turns three in the spring.

I'm an older mother so I'm fighting age and metabolism issuses that an younger woman might not have. I have also discovered that the time I used to have to exercise by myself has been taken over by my daughter. 30 mile long bike rides with my husband and yoga have turned into walks with my daughter and family time on the play ground. It is exercise, but it is less strenious.

OK, to wrap things up I would just tell you that just as your family changed when you had your baby boy your body has changed as well. It is going to take time to get used to it and feel like it is yours again. The good news is that with diet and exercise you can get back into great shape. Take your time with whatever weight loss program you choose. The longer it take to loose the weight the less likely you will put it back on later. Good Luck! There are a lot of us out here with the same problem!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi! I know how the pregnancy weight feels...I had a little girl in April and I gained 60lbs! (plus, I was a overweight by about 20lbs when I got pregnant) I, like you, lost the first 25lbs in the first week and lost another 25 lbs over the next two months...then nothing. I held onto that last 10 lbs for 2 months, then I started losing again. I waver between 1 and 3 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight right now (my baby is 5 1/2 months old now). I am wondering if you are nursing? If so, dieting isn't a good idea; if not, you might need some dieting to kick-start your weight loss. Ask your doctor what kind of dieting is best for you...it's a lot of work taking care of a new little one and you don't want to run down your reserves of energy. Try walking and some weight bearing exercises too...this makes you feel so much healtier and helps you burn fat, even at rest!
Best of luck!

Well, I guess everybody's told you what I was going to also. You can't expect to lose the weight within only 2 months. There may be a select few who have, but for most people, it takes between 6 to 8 months to get the weight off. I lost my first 20 pounds also within the first week, but then I was at a stand still for pretty much the next 4 months after that. Then finally, over that next 2 months, I lost the rest of the 15 pounds. But...it is different for everyone. You just have to wait it out. If you're eating healthy and exercising here and there, it should come off OVER TIME. I found it helps to take walks with your child. Not only is it good for them because they get out and get to experience and learn more, but its good exercise for you too.

I gained 45 lbs with my 1st baby and I lost 20 lbs after 2 weeks.I was looking a little thicker than what I was used to but I looked at that baby and didn't care nearly as much.I also didn't want to put in the effort of working out(or eating right for that matter) so I just sat back and enjoyed my little girl.Before I knew she was a yr old and I was back down to my normal weight.I was really happy to be back but I think if I would had worked out it would had went away faster.My opinion is by july of next year you will have bounced back and wonder where the time went:)It goes by so fast.I'm sure if you do some exercises every day then you can get it off even sooner.If you happen to find an exercise that helps get rid of it quick please let me know.I just had my 2nd and she is almost 6 months and I still have 30 lbs left from her out of 50 lbs.So I'm not losing it as quick this time.Good luck

I would say at least a year. If you are breastfeeding it is even worse because your boobs never go down till you quit breast feeding. The scientists say that for youe body to be totally back to where it was before you where pregnant it takes seven years. After about 6 months I started to see a bigger change and after a year was able to wear all my old clothes except a few jeans that I have given up on. LOL Just be patient and don't do anything drastic to try and loose the weight. Since it is cooled down some go for walks or do exercises with your baby. And be careful not to get bored and eat for that reason. Also try and stick to the no food after 7.

D. -

I agree with the Body for Life suggestion. When I followed it closely several years ago, I was in the best shape ever...I actually had ab muscles (which is rare for my body type). That being said, I'm not "practicing what I preach". We have a six month old and I am just now in most of my clothes. I, like you, gained a lot of water weight. I gained 64 lbs and lost almost 40 in three weeks. The remaining (plus extra 6 lbs) has come off with breastfeeding (and packing/moving, and running up a couple flights of stairs for every diaper change). However, my body is no where near as toned as it was. I read that your body also holds onto fat while nursing as a "supply for the baby". So, in a few months when I try to stop, maybe that will help lose a few. That being said, I think breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day, so I'll definitely have to watch what I eat more often. In response to your stretch marks...they will fade. It's only been a couple of months for you (at that point with me, the stretch marks were the worst ever...MUCH better now, but will most likely never be gone). If you're nursing, do not take diet pills! Most bottles will say not to take them if nursing. There is a Weight Watchers for Nursing Mothers program that I hear is pretty good. Weight Watchers and Body for Life both follow very reasonable, easy-to-follow meals that are healthy long-term. I wouldn't suggest Slim Fast because once you stop eating their shakes/bars, it's hard to keep to the program. It's really about a life change and eating right. Once you start, it's quite fun to see results on a regular basis (Body for Life). Also something I did/do is try to hold my son in a cradle position and tighten my abs and rock him side to side in the air. Then, I'll also walk down the hall and do a few lunges. Then, I lift him in the air at least 30 times a day (3 sets of 10). You CAN get back to where you want to be, but it won't be a quick, diet pill for long-term results. Lastly (sorry this got so long, but this is a HUGE concern of mine too, so it hits close to home for me), I just found out that the YMCA in O'Fallon has "Mommy/Baby" exercise classes. I am checking into details so if you're interested, send me a personal email and I'll share my research...could be fun to take with other Moms (not sure of $$$, though). Good luck...just know, the fact that you are making a concerted effort to be concerned about your weight means that you will work to get back where you want to be. Afterall, does it really matter if you get back in those clothes? You've got your first child! This will be the ONLY time in your life to enjoy your first child, so please try to have fun!!! :)

You can't be so hard on yourself. I have an 11 month old daughter. I still have pregnancy weight to lose. It takes time. First of all, I haven't been disciplined to workout like I should- I have dieted some, walked occasionally, and taken diet pills for a few weeks(although too many days in a row on those pills and I can't sleep). I gained 60 lbs during my pregnancy and have lost 35 so far. More than just the weight though, I would say it took 6 months for my body to go back to normal. Even though I am still heavier now than I used to be, my stomach isn't as flabby and thick as it was 6 months ago. I feel much more attractive now. I felt repulsive the first few months after I had her. Hollywood stars all have tummy tucks after delivery. Without that, you just have to give your body time to recover. Workout when you can, BUT ENJOY YOUR PRECIOUS BABY- THIS TIME IS PRICELESS. YOUR CHILD WILL GROW UP AND YOUR WEIGHT RIGHT NOW IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS QUALITY TIME WITH THAT PRECIOUS BABY!! Just my opinion.

Everyone's given you good advice, so I have only one thing to add ... You earned those stretch marks! It took me a long time to accept that, but it's absolutely true. With time, they fade, they shrink, but they don't completely go away - embrace them as your personal trophy for bearing your beautiful son!

Wish I had some magic advice for you. I lost all my baby weight plus extra each time by working out and cutting calories. That has been with 3 pregnancies. I gained 60+ with my 1st and 45 with my 2nd. Probably 30-40 with the 3rd.

But I can tell you this. Each time I tried I was never able to loose more than that initial 20 lbs or so until after my baby was 3 months old. So give yourself a break for another month or so and then give it another try.

I was never an exerciser before either but once I had kids I needed a break and the gym was a great place and a great excuse to get a break from the kids.

Good Luck!

I totally feel your pain. I gained 50 pounds with my son and 60 pounds with my daughter. It's hard to get out there and exercise when you're exhausted from being up three times a night with round-the-clock feedings. And when you're really tired, you just want to grab something quick...even if it's not so healthy. I am glad to say that I am now 14 pounds lighter than I was when I got pregnant with my now-11 month old daughter. But it took a lot of hard work and dedication. I would just encourage you to take it easy and work on one thing at a time. Set yourself up for success - don't keep "goodies" in the house, cut up fresh fruits and veggies and snack on those. If your breastfeeding, that will help a lot too. Focus on lean protiens and good complex carbs. Get outside and push that baby in a stroller . . . even if it's just for 15 minutes a day. YOu can build up to more.
Take it easy on yourself. You've done an incredible thing in the past year...you grew and nourished a baby and gave birth. Remember it took 9 months to put the wieght on, give yourself nine months to take it off. Good luck! L.

D.,

Like most other people have already told you, there is no answer for how long it will take you to loose that weight. However, there are many ways to work on looseing the weight. DO NOT TAKE DIET PILLS!!! Those are just a quick answer to an ongoing issue. You don't need to diet either. All you neeed to do is have a healthy eatig lifestyle. It is much easier than it sounds. Impliment whole grains, and lean meats into your diet. Make sure you eat breakfast. Cut out pop and coffee. WATER WATER WATER.... Also try to stay aways from processed foods and caned veggies, most of the time there is a ton of added salt and sugar. Fresh is your best bet, but frozen takes a close second. These changes will not only help you, but it is good for your husband and your child. As you know child obesity is on the rise and you should teach your child healthy choices at an early age so he doesn't have to make them later. You don't even need a very disciplined workout. Any activity burns calories, cleaning, playing with your son, take him out to the park or for a walk. When you go to the store don't look for the closest parking space, uses the stairs instead of the elevator.
for the Stretch marks, those will fad in time, but you can always use vit e. I have also found that Mary Kays timewise bar, and visble lift lotion has helped me all but get rid of mine.
I am sure this all may seem hard and if you are a busy mom, it seems harder. I am a single mom with 4 kids and we are SUPER busy all the time. What I do, is cook ahead on Sunday, then I can just warm dinner up during the week. That releives any temptation of take out.
Anyway, good luck
T.

Think about it this way... it took nine months for your body to grow and develope a baby... it will take some time to get yourself back to your pre-pregnancy time. Dont stress about it. :)

In the meantime, your husband still loves you and is not bothered at all... think of your new figure as your baby trophy for carrying that baby for nine months and going through labor and delivery!

Congratulations!!!

D.,
One of the biggest favors you could do your body is to go buy the book "Body for Life" by Bill Phillips and follow it. This program is not hard (the cardio is only 20 minutes) and it makes eating right easy to understand. This program gives the best results I've every seen.
Best of luck,
M.

Hi, D.,

Keep your head up! I was always the "skinny" person, then I had my son. All my friends kept saying the weight will be gone in no time. One friend said the proverbial "nine months on, nine months off". Guess what?! My son is now 15 months old and I am just now back to pre-pregnancy weight. The weight will come off it just takes longer for some than for others. Are you breastfeeding? If so, you definitely don't want to do any weight-loss programs. It has only been about 2 months, right? Just be patient. Fifteen months seemed like an eternity to me (and I'm sure you are wondering if you can make it at this point), but now I am back there. One thing that I think really helped me (since breastfeeding didn't): when my son started eating regular food (not the jar stuff) I started eating healthier too. I want him to eat good, so I eat good by default. I don't want him to see me eating potato chips, because he will want them...so I eat fruit and veggies. Just hang in there, eat right and it will come off. :)

I know the feeling. I've been trying to lose weight myself. It's a challenge but u just have to commit to working out. Go for a walk with your lil one around the block. It's exercise and make sure you eat healthy. That's what I'm trying to do.

Ha!! :)

My son is 7 and I am still dealing with this. My advice, yeah I know practice what you preach lady, is to start counting your calories, cut down on pop or switch to diet if you drink it and exercise: this can be anything from playing in the back yard with your children to walking or bike riding. All of these exercises include you don't have to find extra time which is sometimes hard to do. Sit ups are something that you can do when you get up in the morning and before bed at night and don't take much time at all.

I'm right there with ya. But the reality of it is the only good way to get it off and keep it off is to excercise. My problem was I didn't stop eating like a pregnant lady after I was done being pregnant. Then I used breastfeeding as and excuse (you know the 500 extra calories you need..lol) But when I was done and I had no more excuses I took a look in the mirror and was disgusted!!! I'm still about 25 # over weight, but I have lost 12 pounds and 2 pant sizes. I know it's hard to make yourself work out, espically if you aren't really into any sports or anything like that. What worked for me: Pay for a 6 month gym membership at a place with a good daycare. I go to Aspen and for my husband and I and daycare for both our children it was $485. Now that is alot of money for us, but I promise you we have been there at least 4 days a week since we paid for it. In the beginning I was motivated by the fact that I spent my vacation $ on a gym membership and that is why I went, but after a couple of weeks my clothes fit better and I had more energy and I WANTED to go to the gym.

But if realistically it just isn't gonna happen then the easiest thing you can do, and it will help, is start eating your meals off of saucers. You really don't need more food than that I promise (I'm pre-med focused on family nutrition) Now if you are still breastfeeding then you might need the extra 500 cal. But you can get that from an apple and 2 tbsp of peanut butter. I LOVE FOOD!!! and this has been what is keeping it up for me. think of your plate as a pie chart: 1/2 should be veggies/fruit 1/4 should be carbs (pasta, rice, potato) and the other 1/2 should be your protein. I hope this helped and I hope I didn't sound too abnoxious. :)

I have to start by saying what everyone else is going to tell you, it has only been two months. It took you 9 months to put the weight on it is going to take at least 9 months to take it off. And, once you take the weight things still won't look the way they did before. I don't know if you are nursing, but if you are do not diet. Your body needs the extra calories. If you aren't nursing then you could cut calories, but I think that it is most important to eat a healthy balanced diet, so that you are healthy for your baby and just give yourself some time.

D., unfortunately there is no concrete answer to how your body will deal with pregnancy weight. Everyone can tell you their stories about how much they gained and lost, but the fact is each person is difference and each pregnancy is unique. Genetics and age play a big factor in how your body responds to pregnancy and what happens after.

I actually gain 8 lbs after he was born and have only now started to see the weight come down. And I’ve been working out 5 times a week since he was 8 weeks old (he’s now 6 months). I was so depressed about my weight that I decided to go to the doctor for some help. He suggested weight loss pills, but I didn’t want them. I’ve heard too many cases of people that have taken these types of diet aids. And yes they loose the weight, but once they stop taking the pills the weight comes back, plus a few pounds and I simply didn’t want to be in that position.

The truth is, your body just performed the most amazing miracle and it will take some time for it to remember how to do normal things again. My advice is to eat healthy, exercise regularly and eventually your metabolism will remember what to do.