I need some help here. Little dude is four weeks old today and I'm still up 15 pounds over my pre-preg weight. By this time after the birth of my older son, I was within 3-5 pounds of fighting weight.

I am seriously hating myself right now for gaining 40-45 pounds; what was I thinking? I'm breastfeeding but not really getting much exercise. Hoping that will change once the baby has a decent schedule and I can sneak off at night to the gym.

What did you do to lose the postpartum pudge?

Emily - I gained 60, and a year later - I still have 8-9 to go.

The biggest weight loss for me has always been through running. That's always been a sure thing for me. Clearly healthy choices with food too, but exercise really does it for me.

I didn't have time for WW this go round either, but I lost 40 pounds of nonbaby weight through WW + running before. It works because it isn't a diet but more of a method for learning how to eat healthy and manage portions. So if you watch those two things - and basically sub in fruit for snacks - you should drop weight. However, I had a hard time losing weight very fast. And I dropped the most weight after I stopped breastfeeding/pumping.

I hated myself for gaining so much weight too. It was craziness. I was on call with a surgery resident who is pregnant last night. It was ridiculous. Pregnant, I would've looked like I had some sort of systemic illness next to her.

I gained about 50 with my first two pregnancies. It took me a year to lose it all. I didn't exercise due to fatigue and general business, but I'm sure it would have helped. I agree that I didn't lose the last bit until I was breastfeeding very little. It's the one time in my life where I was ok with being overweight, so I'm sticking to that philosophy and plan to lose it in a year or less.

Gained 57 w/#1, lost all but 10, then got pg again and gained 36 on top of the 10 I didn't lose the first time. Breastfed 14 mos w/each of them, and now 16 mos postpartum, STILL had 17 lbs to lose to get to the BMI of 22 I used to be. Hated myself. And *hated* having to buy a new "fat suit" for residency interviews.

"It takes a year to melt off" definitely was not my case. It takes hard work! So I joined Weight Watchers online 2 weeks ago, and lost 7 lbs so far. Cost $65 for 3 mos, and it's the best money I've spent in recent memory. I can't believe I'm still losing weight even in the minefield of pre-interview dinners.

Good luck!

Asunshine - I'm so glad WW is working for you! It really was amazing for me the first time I did their program. Maybe I need to try it again and work harder with it!

geez you lost it all in 1 month last time?! I gained 29 lb the first time and took a solid year to lose it all (granted I wasn't particularly trying).

I gained 34 lb this time but now I don't even know what I weigh bc our bathroom scale went missing when we moved last year. I am just about squeezing into my most forgiving prepreg pants, which is I think about where I was at this point last time.

The gut isn't as bad as last time, I think since I was more religious about the belly binding this time. My rear is still enormous though - stupid pelvic spread.

@southern, running, yes. Trying to get back to it. So far, I've gone on a total of four runs. Seems like the planets just don't align frequently enough (baby just nursed, older son playing happily, husband at home). Hopefully this will get simpler over time!

@asunshine, seven pounds in two weeks?? No wonder everyone rave about WW.

@tr_, I only gained 25# last time; much easier to lose. Re: pelvic spread, I bought this, but haven't been very consistent about wearing it.

I gained about 30 lbs last time, and I was 15 lbs plus when I got pregnant again. I was still breastfeeding when I got pregnant when my son was 15 months old. So don't feel like you aren't losing weight because you gained too much. I didn't gain that much, and look where it got me.

I agree that exercise is key. I just don't have the time to exercise as long as I am used to before kids.

I feel very large right now, and I am still in my second trimester. Yikes. I have so far refused to buy any new clothes since my previous pregnancy other than maternity clothes, one sweater, and one pair of jeans in hopes that I will one day fit into my pre baby clothes. As I look at my x small and size 0 clothes, I wonder if I should burn them all, urr, I mean give them all away, and start over. I guess I will see after weaning this little guy. With my supply issue, diet was out of the question last time, so I don't plan on dieting while I breastfeed this time.

I miss being thin

Question about belly binding: I have heard mixed opinions on it (the nay-sayers say it cuts off circulation, I think, and somehow that makes it harder to lose the tummy? Not sure). In any case, next one is a few years off but just curious if it's worth doing next time around.

I gained 50 lbs with #1. I didn't weigh myself really so hard to say, but I think I lost the bulk of it by 3 months, all of it by 1 year (BF for 14 mos). I'm at prepregnancy weight, but still have a little belly - it's just so loose! If I lay down it's flat, but when I sit up it squishes over. Ew. Wish I could firm it up again. I jog, but I don't do ab exercises or anything - I suppose that would help. Hubby says I'm too hard on myself but I wouldn't really want to wear a bikini these days.

Yeah! It's seriously like boot camp, though. You have to be ready to be hardcore. They do have plans for breastfeeding women, too.

Okay, seriously guys, is there *any* scientific evidence behind belly/pelvic binding? Inquiring minds want to know.

I've never even heard of this pelvic binding. Where have I been? This is something I might be interested in when I am finally post partum/ post BFing again.

Re: weight gain - I only gained about 30 with my son, lost most by the time he was about 3 months but had a pesky 5-10 until he stopped BFing (ok- until I stopped pumping but same thing I guess). Nothing is the same though! Wider hips, little loose belly... I too miss being thin! I was ok with wearing a bikini last summer by the time he was 18 months but now I'm pregnant again and already feel HUGE!!! How do you get so big so fast the second time? People at work are already able to tell and I'm barely 11 weeks. So much for keeping it quiet until the end of the first trimester, haha.

Even when I ran before I stopped BFing I found it impossible to lose that last bit of weight. I was eating a lot because I was always so starving, but I thought I made up for it burning those calories with BFing. I don't know...

Anecdotally, I have noticed that women who start out thin or average seem to hang on to some baby weight until they wean, whereas women who started out somewhat overweight are more likely to say they easily dropped all their pg weight while breastfeeding. I think your body needs a little nutritional cushion to support lactation, you know?

15 mo is not that long postpartum IMO. Like I said it took me a year (without dieting or exercise) to lose all my pregnancy weight (plus two bonus pounds), and then another six months for all my parts to look mostly normal again.




Honestly I have not done much 'exercise' for many years. Certainly not since I had my first kid. I have never really noticed that exercise changes my weight either - I am certainly stronger and more toned when I exercise but it doesn't change my weight at all. I weighed the exact same (123 lb) for years and years, whether I was running 20 miles a week, playing Ultimate and eating healthy (preclinical years!), or doing no formal exercise and living off doughnuts (research years).




I wouldn't, unless they are so out of style you wouldn't want to wear them again. At 1.5 years postpartum all of my measurements were back to how they were before, and I fit in all of my prepregnancy clothes. (The only permanent changes were a very mild boob sag and a somewhat wider bellybutton.) I actually went on a celebratory shopping spree, and then ended up getting pregnant a month later so I didn't get much wear out of the new clothes, sigh.

Re belly binding: As far as I know there is no controlled research on this, just lots and lots of anecdotes and 'traditional wisdom'. Like I said, my anecdote is that my gut went down faster the second time than the first, and I don't know what else I would attribute it to other than the more religious belly binding.

I don't see why it would restrict circulation though - surgery seems to give these binders to many patients post certain abdominal procedures, you would think (hope?) if there were a circulation issue that wouldn't be done?

I haven't seen the hip binders, that's interesting. I would guess the mechanism would be really different though - supporting stretched-out abdominal muscles vs squeezing the pelvic diameter while the ligaments retighten?

I guess I am in a better boat b/c I was never super thin to begin with . I was a size 6/8 pre my first child. Never had a bikini body. After 8 years of pregnancy/breastfeeding/pregnancy/breastfeeding, I ended up after #4 at 6 weeks PP with about 30 extra pounds from where I had started pre #1.

I am still nursing and am on a great diet exercise program called Mama Wants her Body Back. There is a trainer at my gym who is running the program. I have done weight watchers on and off for 20 years (that was how I got down to a 6/8 in the first place) but have learned how to cheat the system too easily. I have tried Atkins (lost weight but hated it b/c I felt very unhealthy, hair started falling out, bad skin), South Beach, and various other diets. This is the first one that combines a way of eating with a specific exercise program and boy am I seeing results. I have lost 11 pounds in 5 weeks which for me is amazing. My body fat percentage has dropped 6 1/2 % and I feel very strong. Prior to this I had lost about 6 on my own. So I still have to lose about 12 pounds to get to my ultimate pre preg weight and then another 15 or so to be where I want to be.

So, don't sweat it, it will come off. I also lose some when I stop nursing, and the 'girls' deflate. But my body shape is definitely different than pre preg.

Don't know about the belly binding but all of my Brazilian and Latina patients do it.

Even back at my ultimate "college" weight, I have never recovered my shape. My rib cage is wider, my hips are wider. They had to expand for the kiddos, and I guess they see no purpose in returning to narrow. I had 4 kids in just over 6 years, and ended up, when I finally stopped breastfeeding the youngest, at 35 pounds over college weight. To be fair, though, I was only 5 pounds over pre-baby #1 weight, I gained most of the pounds in the 1st year of med school. I used an online calorie calculator and religious exercise to lose it all, which took about 9 months. I have since moved, changed jobs, and gained about 15 pounds again (sigh). I am having limited motivation, honestly, because I can work my tail off and not eat anything fun, and have a BMI of 23, or I can exercise and only moderately watch my diet and have a BMI of 25. Hard to see the benefit, there.

I would stick with the BMI of 25 and enjoy life!! You look great!! I'm shooting for BMI of 25....I want to eat, at least sometimes

I am very happy to find this thread. The amount of "real weight" gained is probably about 30 pounds, but I put on about 20 more in the weeks leading up to delivery thanks to pre-E. I haven't been on the scale since checking in before delivery, and probably won't until my next OB appt in a week. But I feel like I've gotten rid of that extra fluid and then about 10-15 lbs of weight from baby and junk.

My maternity clothes are getting big on me again, but my regular clothes are too tight. So I still have a ways to go. Plus, I'd still like to lose about 40 lbs of pre-pregnancy weight. I can't wait to be cleared to start exercising again (stupid BP), but I will probably turn to running and lifting again.

I have to say though that if the first week after giving birth is any indicator, I will lose weight from not having time to eat. It's a lot more work than I thought it would be.

Totally! It drives me nuts when people (all w/o kids obviously) are like, oh we should get together since you'll have lots of free time while on maternity leave. Say what?! >:P

But you are on the pumping hamster wheel right? That is a *lot* more work than 'just' having a baby to take care of. Hope you get past that part soon, and get your son home asap.

SOOOO much work! Plus having a LO in the NICU an hour away. Ugh.

Yup, on the pump band wagon. I'm not pumping a whole lot thanks to a previous breast reduction, but I am getting enough to constitute about 1/3 to 1/2 of his feedings, which makes me feel better from an immunological point of view. Funny, I never thought I would really care about it, but now that I am able to do it, I'm dedicated.

I'm excited to see my OB on Monday and to find out when I can start an official exercise program, even if it's just walking. My high BPs put the hold on anything formal until further notice.

I'm beginning to not like seeing myself in pics with my son thanks to the post-pregnancy effects

Don't look at it that way, Megboo. I also was completely repulsed seeing myself in those pics with my son after he was just born. I gained so much weight! But you know what, life waxes and wanes us through stages and scenes in the "big picture." You being a source of life for your baby was one of those stages. You will regain who you feel you are with weight in time, but as you are now, you successfully managed to deliver your son. This is part of life. I hate the expectations society puts on women. I am not perfect at this yet, but I am trying to view imperfections such as weight as part of moving through the stages of life. This sounds so philosophical, but eventually we will get to a healthier place. This is just the place we are at when we deliver our babies.

The heavier pictures we have represent the fact that we carried a baby through some tough stuff in pregnancies. We did it! That's over, and in time, we will recover.

I'm still not there yet, but it'll happen. Every day I'm going to continue to make healthy choices. And I have a beautiful reminder of how I got heavy in the first place! Those tiny little baby cuddle pictures are also worth having! Take plenty and be proud of the fact that you got that baby here!

Encouragement for the day!

megboo, I missed your delivery and LO story... Sounds likee you're dong well-- I mean, "NICU an hour away" and still pumping nd still wondering about your weight loss actually sounds like youLve got things under control. How is LO doing? How are you and DH?

and FWIW, I,ve got 10# to go. Which is really 15 but I dob't want to write that. He's 3 months old...

Thanks guys. I think the hard part is looking at how puffy and bloated I was thanks to the pre-E. I ventured on the scale today and I'm 20# less than I was a week and a half ago. So I guess it's getting better.

My feet and ankles are still swollen like crazy, so I probably still have 5-10# of fluid hanging on.

Ohiomom- Viktor is doing great. He's gaining weight everyday, and is now back to his birth weight after losing an initial 10oz. Our major hurdle continues to be nippling entire feedings - he just gets so tired.

It turned out to be a blessing for DH to be laid off and decide to stay home until school starts for him in January. He's been a big help with my PP recovery and is a doting father.

LOL southernmd, quick zapping!

Update:

1. Despite the dairy free holiday (which drastically limited my consumption of baked goods), my weight hasn't budged.
2. I just joined Weight Watchers.

LOL, welcome! I was miserable the first week (hello, carb detox!), but it got easier once I started taking advantage of the free fruits and veggies. Apparently they're good for you?

(ps- lost 12 pounds so far but may have gained 2 this week d/t Christmas goodies. Looking in to a used treadmill to use during my January vacation month....)

Wait, why are you dairy free Emily? Baby needs you to be? That sounds painful over the holidays .

And asunshine, if you're looking to buy a treadmill and can't find a good deal on a used one, I'd recommend checking them out on amazon.com. We bought ours there and it was surprisingly cheap but has lasted just fine. Plus, free shipping!

I am once again gestational diabetic, and the best thing about it is that I have to make an effort to eat enough calories. Them proteins make you feel full! Not to mention everything that taste good has carbs. I guess no dairy would be bad too. Hmmm, it's close, but I think I prefer carbs over dairy.

We'll see if this OB yells at me about not gaining enough weight during the 3rd trimester. My last OB did after I became GDM, and my baby ended up being plenty big (8lb 3oz a week early) anyways.

Like I said, didn't matter that I didn't gain that much weight as I was still 15lbs over when I got pregnant again.

I have about 5 lbs to go or so until pre-baby weight.

The hard part is that I was so sedentary for so long that a lot of my muscle definition is gone. And I'm definitely not as strong as I once was.

Oh well, back to the old standard New Year's resolution for working out!

Update #2:

I am starving. How o HOW does anyone do this with even fewer points? I have like a million extra points due to the breastfeeding. And I am still starving. I think I had four or five pieces of fruit yesterday in an attempt to quell the starving. Today looks to be similar.

@Lyn, yes, dairy-free for the babe. Apparently he has milk protein intolerance that results in bloody green diarrhea when I eat dairy. Poor him, poor me.

I fear I may get shouted down for this, but.... is it maybe possible that your busily-breast-feeding body just isn't quite ok with being down any further yet? You're only not even quite 3mo out, right?? What if you just waited?

*sigh*

Amma, that's probably where this is headed. I'm fatter than I've ever been and it's driving me nuts, though.

I haven't done WW while nursing, and I've often wondered this, too. The amount women produce varies so much...I think if my milk supply went down and/or I was starving all the time, I'd raise my points. About a month after I stopped nursing #2, I had the realization one day that I was so much less hungry and had so much more energy--I didn't realize how much of a calorie-crunching machine I had been!

Anyways, @Emily-have you had a weigh-in yet? Success?

Lately my diet has been a ton of air-popped popcorn, light string cheese, veggies, and (1 point!) chocolates. And interview dinners. Oops.

Doing much better ... no longer starving. Milk supply appears fine. Down two pounds in ~10 days. Huzzah!

ETA: make that three pounds.

Yay!

Breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed....and do it some more. They don't recommend exercising to lose weight for quite some time. It should come down if you continue to exclusively breastfeed and you just don't overeat.

Unless you put on 60 lbs, and you were a tiny shrimp beforehand. AKA me. I am still about 20 lbs up, but I am working on it. I even ran a half marathon, and I am still 20 lbs up, and I breastfed/pumped for 10 months (with 12 weeks in deep freeze store when I ran out of a supply). I.e. a lot of milk left these boobs.

Some people just gain. Or they craved pie (or maybe both). LOL.

1) i was told that you don't lose the weight until you stop breastfeeding and that was true for me. I sadly bought all of these big pants and eventually (after stopped breast feeding) was back in my old clothes (twin delivery) so you can do it
2) the inpatient lifestyle is very conducive to weight loss: the elevators are too slow so use the stairs, you don't get time for lunch, etc etc. walking from one hospital to another also gets a lot. just stay away from the nurses snack caches...

Hey asunshine I would also like to lose weight and would be pleased to know which Weight Watchers program worked well for you because i also want to join the program . Thanks