Should I try to lose more weight or should I just try to get pregnant now?

[Anonymous]

I am about a size 12. I am fit, exercise a couple of days a week, have been this weight for about two years since my last child. I could really hustle, try to lose the weight, but part of me is not really wanting to wait. I DO not want to break the 200 lb mark, but it COULD happen with this pregnancy. If it takes me long to lose the weight (which good weight loss DOES take a while), my children will be more than three years apart.

I need to add that even though I am a little overweight, I am mostly happy with my curvy figure and don't sweat it too much.

Any thoughts?

TIA!

[Anonymous]

why is it an either or and not both?

You do not know how long it will take you to get pregnant so you might as well start working on losing the weight. If it takes you 3 months and you are 5 pounds lighter - great.

[Anonymous]

Weight by itself is not an indicator of health or childbearing risk. Consult with your doctor, get your Body Mass Index, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc testing done and then decide.
By the way, in order to lose fat but keep muscle (which is the only way to lose weight healthfully), you have to eat "clean": less fat and sugar, more lean protein and fiber. This is actually more important than exercising. I recommend Tosca Reno's book "Eating Clean". Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I was carrying some extra weight before getting pregnant with my second. In the end, I gained less overall, and even had a final total weight a few pounds less, than I had with pregnancy number 1. I didn't do anything different to keep the weight down, but having a toddler probably helped.

So even though you start out heavier, it doesn't mean you have to end up heavier. If you keep going with your exercise program and try to eat well (although I wasn't perfect about that) you should be fine.

[Anonymous]

Just get pregnant now, if that's what you want, and work hard to not hit the 200 pound mark. At some point - 6 months or so post partum, engage a personal trainer for about 3 months and get yourself working towards your goal weight.

I have lost all of the baby weight and then some and after two babies in three years, am fitter now than I was in my twenties.

good luck!

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you are probably healthy now (good idea to check blood pressure and cholosterol, etc..) so there's no need to wait. If it does take you a while TTC you can continue to work at your weight. 200lbs is not some horrific ceiling...is just a silly number. You will (fingers crossed) have to kiddos to chase around so you can get back to your pre-baby weight then. Good luck! Don't forget the breastfeeding is an excellent way to shave off those extra baby pounds!

[Anonymous]

Why not do both at the same time: TTC while you are working on loosing weight!

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks guys. I have had my bloodwork all done and I am totally healthy, but those ideas were good.

I know it sounds like a copout, but I am a really strong, muscly kind of lady (not gross, but you get my meaning), and so for me to lose 20 or 30 lbs like I should will require some maybe restriction in the food area.

But I am going to look into the clean eating thing...