Weight after having kids - any hope?

[Anonymous]

I am still breastfeeding but have managed to lose about 45ish pounds. I would like to lose another 15-20lbs to get back to what I weighed when I got married 9 years ago. That would put me at 5'7" and 125lbs. I have had 3 kids though and am obviously older. Is there any hope that I can do this? I try and workout 5 days a week in the mornings (run or peloton) but am not dieting right now due to breastfeeding. I am hoping when I wean that I can do IF or some sort of hardcore diet to lose the last 15lbs. Did you return to your regular weight after having kids? I gain a ton of weight when I am pregnant (60lbs) but have been usually able to lose it after each kid but its gotten harder and harder after each kid!

[Anonymous]

How old are you? The answer is going to be different depending on whether you are 25, 35, or 45.

Breastfeeding makes your body hang on to fat, too.

[Anonymous]

Yes!! This is totally within reach for you. 15-20 lbs is nothing. How old is your baby? I found about the 9 month mark baby wasn't requiring as much milk, eating more solids, and I could cut calories more.

Being totally down with breastfeeding will make it much easier for you to cut down your calories and not be ravenous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are you? The answer is going to be different depending on whether you are 25, 35, or 45.

Breastfeeding makes your body hang on to fat, too.

I am 36 - OP here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes!! This is totally within reach for you. 15-20 lbs is nothing. How old is your baby? I found about the 9 month mark baby wasn't requiring as much milk, eating more solids, and I could cut calories more.

Being totally down with breastfeeding will make it much easier for you to cut down your calories and not be ravenous.

Baby is 7 months old.

[Anonymous]

Right there with you OP! 35 and 7 mo pp. I lost it so easily last time around but these extra 15 lbs are sticking around. I hope that when breastfeeding winds down I can lose it.

[Anonymous]

I wasn’t able to lose the baby weight until I weaned each of my kids. Same as you OP- lost the vast majority right away and then 10-15 lbs just stays on, stubbornly.

[Anonymous]

I think you should be realistic about whether it is reasonable to get back to your weight from your mid-20s at this point, especially after 3 kids. Especially being on the tall side. I would expect you to drop another 10 pounds as your baby weans and you continue to recover from pregnancy, but your body is just different now and it might be time to let go of that image of yourself. I'm not trying to be harsh -- I think you are doing great! But I also think it sometimes we think as our weight in our 20s as our "normal" weight and that body really isn't normal/typical for a woman in her late 30s with three kids. It would make you an extreme outlier and possibly induce unhealthy eating/exercise habits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you should be realistic about whether it is reasonable to get back to your weight from your mid-20s at this point, especially after 3 kids. Especially being on the tall side. I would expect you to drop another 10 pounds as your baby weans and you continue to recover from pregnancy, but your body is just different now and it might be time to let go of that image of yourself. I'm not trying to be harsh -- I think you are doing great! But I also think it sometimes we think as our weight in our 20s as our "normal" weight and that body really isn't normal/typical for a woman in her late 30s with three kids. It would make you an extreme outlier and possibly induce unhealthy eating/exercise habits.

+1. I will say that I hung onto 15 or so pounds until I weaned, then it came off quickly without any effort once my hormones went back to normal. That said, 125 at 5'7" is very thin. Have you heard the saying that as you age you have to choose between your face or your ass? The older you get, the more fat you lose on your face naturally, so holding onto a few extra pounds (i.e., a size 4 or 6 versus a 2) helps keep your face looking fuller and more youthful. Just food for thought if you find your body really wants to hang onto a few of those pounds after you wean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should be realistic about whether it is reasonable to get back to your weight from your mid-20s at this point, especially after 3 kids. Especially being on the tall side. I would expect you to drop another 10 pounds as your baby weans and you continue to recover from pregnancy, but your body is just different now and it might be time to let go of that image of yourself. I'm not trying to be harsh -- I think you are doing great! But I also think it sometimes we think as our weight in our 20s as our "normal" weight and that body really isn't normal/typical for a woman in her late 30s with three kids. It would make you an extreme outlier and possibly induce unhealthy eating/exercise habits.

+1. I will say that I hung onto 15 or so pounds until I weaned, then it came off quickly without any effort once my hormones went back to normal. That said, 125 at 5'7" is very thin. Have you heard the saying that as you age you have to choose between your face or your ass? The older you get, the more fat you lose on your face naturally, so holding onto a few extra pounds (i.e., a size 4 or 6 versus a 2) helps keep your face looking fuller and more youthful. Just food for thought if you find your body really wants to hang onto a few of those pounds after you wean.

Well my face is never "thin" as I am Asian and have a very round face. I was 125 at my wedding and thought I looked amazing - but I am doubtful I will ever get back there! Op here

[Anonymous]

I was actually in my prime when bfing and with the subsequent kids underfoot. I was always on the-go, chasing them at the playground, playing outside, burning calories with nursing, etc.

And you can still "diet" while bfing. No, don't go below a certain caloric or fat threshold, but chances are you are eating way way above that anyway. So, skipping dessert for a few weeks will help your weight, but not affect your supply. You get the picture.

[Anonymous]

Of course it's possible. What a silly question..

Calories in calories out and IF to manage hunger. It's math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was actually in my prime when bfing and with the subsequent kids underfoot. I was always on the-go, chasing them at the playground, playing outside, burning calories with nursing, etc.

And you can still "diet" while bfing. No, don't go below a certain caloric or fat threshold, but chances are you are eating way way above that anyway. So, skipping dessert for a few weeks will help your weight, but not affect your supply. You get the picture.

PP is probably right. Breastfeeding made me insanely hungry

[Anonymous]

I lost another 5 pounds after I weaned off breastfeeding. The last 10 will need some focus on your part- eating well and some HIIT type of workouts a few times a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should be realistic about whether it is reasonable to get back to your weight from your mid-20s at this point, especially after 3 kids. Especially being on the tall side. I would expect you to drop another 10 pounds as your baby weans and you continue to recover from pregnancy, but your body is just different now and it might be time to let go of that image of yourself. I'm not trying to be harsh -- I think you are doing great! But I also think it sometimes we think as our weight in our 20s as our "normal" weight and that body really isn't normal/typical for a woman in her late 30s with three kids. It would make you an extreme outlier and possibly induce unhealthy eating/exercise habits.

+1. I will say that I hung onto 15 or so pounds until I weaned, then it came off quickly without any effort once my hormones went back to normal. That said, 125 at 5'7" is very thin. Have you heard the saying that as you age you have to choose between your face or your ass? The older you get, the more fat you lose on your face naturally, so holding onto a few extra pounds (i.e., a size 4 or 6 versus a 2) helps keep your face looking fuller and more youthful. Just food for thought if you find your body really wants to hang onto a few of those pounds after you wean.

Well my face is never "thin" as I am Asian and have a very round face. I was 125 at my wedding and thought I looked amazing - but I am doubtful I will ever get back there! Op here

Definitely possible to get back to your 20’s weight. I found IF did not work for me (made me grumpy), but exercising (strength and aerobic) helped a lot. I don’t have to starve myself, have desserts, but mostly eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and unprocessed foods. Exercising relieves a lot of stress too, whereas counting calories and seemed too restrictive.