Anyone else gain a CRAZY amount of weight with pregnancy? Did you lose it? Need support...

[Anonymous]

Gained 65 pounds both times--once eating everything in sight, the second by eating lots of lean protein, veggies and fruit. Both times I lost it all and then some by 1) I was able to breastfeed, which for me, helped to lose weight (this is not true of everyone), 2) I run, at least 5 days a week, 3) I joined a fitness program called TNT, run through various gyms in the area--the weight lifting really helps, 4) I intermittently diet--and by that I mean I cut out bread, pasta, beer--your major food groups for weight gain. Exercise is key, in my opinion, and not eating total junk. I eat alot, though, but it's mostly proteins, yogurt/cheese, fruit, veggies.

You will lose the weight. Don't be discouraged so early--the women who have lost it all by 6 weeks are genetically gifted, in my opinion and so lucky. Oh, and when your baby starts walking, you will lose at least 10 pounds, just from the chase.....

[Anonymous]

Two words: weight watchers. I lost 25 pounds after the "easy" weight came off during the first 6 weeks. I found that I was eating way too much because I wasn't eating the right things. I needed more food because I was breasteeding, but I was making poor choices. It's taken 5 months to take the 25 pounds off, but I feel really good. When I plateau'd I started finding ways to get at least 30 minutes of vigorous walking in per day.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you all so much for the motivation. It exactly what I need. DH so doesn't get it--he keeps telling me I look great the way I am,
which is nice but not true and not helpful. I would love to find regular walk buddies, what a great suggestion. Anyone on Capitol hill?

[Anonymous]

One other word of encouragement - it took your body 9 months of pregnancy to get to where it is. So there is nothing wrong with it taking around the same amount of time to get back to where it was.

I don't know what your financial situation is, but can you afford some personal training sessions? I did that, and it made exercise fun again for me. I'm still significantly fatter than I was before baby, but now my ab muscles are stronger than they were, and I have defined arms instead of flab like I used to, so I feel ok with that.

[Anonymous]

Hijacking thread here, but when do you find time to work out? I used to work out 4/5 days a week, now I'm lucky if its twice, often its less. I am up at 6 to get kids ready, out the door by 8, pick up 5:30, and busy with kids until in bed at 8 pm....DH, who has a demanding job, is usuallly home by then. then its dinner, pumping, washing, finishing work and bed at 11 pm. I can't work out during the day because I'm already spending 45 min or so a day pumping and there's no gym near me. I've tried going a few times at 8 pm, which means getting to the gym around 8:20, and I'm usually so tired my workout is pathetic. Working out on weekends isn't enough. help!

[Anonymous]

i second jillian michaels - 20 mins so much easier to fit in.

[Anonymous]

Another mega-vote for good old fashioned walking! (Either that, or move to Paris...)

I gained 60 lbs during my pregnancy (looked like a beached whale on my 5'4" frame - people kept asking if I was having quintuplets). We moved to Paris when DC was 6 months old, and I was really nervous about taking it off with loads of gorgeous breads, chocolates and cheeses around. But we walked so much, I wound up weighing less than before pregnancy.

After moving back here (=more sedentary existance), I'm up 10 lbs., but have started to exercise it back off again.

[Anonymous]

I am going to try the 400 calorie fix. It is really the same old plan, eat less, exercise more. The book is supposed to have tons of 400 calorie meals, and you eat 3-4 400 calorie meals per day. I tried WW, but seriously I don't have the time to attend the meetings and count the points. For exercise, I'm going to try Denise Austin's 12 minute per day workouts for starters. Let's wish us all good luck with this.

[Anonymous]

I also didn't start losing weight til I weaned, and even then it took serious calorie cutting more than exercise. I was so frustrated with myself around 8 months post-partum, and looked into Diets to Go (pre-packaged, fresh food). The sales rep suggested that I do the 1200 calorie-a-day plan, which really shook up my idea of what I could eat. Instead of buying their food, I just tried to stay within 1200 calories, which meant mostly veggies & lean protein, no carbs (except fruit), no sugar, no desserts, rarely eating out and if I did, only salads or things I could estimate calories. It was hard, and took me 14 months, but the weight finally came off. SLOWLY. Don't be too hard on yourself to lose the weight fast. Just look for the trend of slowly losing, and you will get there. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP, my main advice is to set REASONABLE goals and realize that slow is steady is going to win the race on this. I lost the first 25 lbs of pregnancy weight so darned quickly that I was elated and happy and then...uh oh, no movement. It took concerted effort and over a year to rest. I was tempted to do some crash diets and such but knew that would ultimately cause more harm than good. Just be kind to yourself and be reasonable.