Losing Weight

abharrel

My husband and I have talked about babies, but I have voiced I want to lose weight before we have kids. I am 5'5" and 190 lbs. I know some bigger woman can have kids and they are completely healthy, and I don't think losing weight is an absolute requirement (though something I would like just in general). I would like to be around the 130-140 mark. I'm not asking 'Oh what should I do?' but I guess what is your take on this? Should I go ahead and lose the weight, or just not worry about it too much?

lifeonthehill

I would start working out and TTC. It could take you months to actually get pregnant and you could lose weight while you TTC. If you get pregnant right away it will be good to have a healthy routine.

H and I talked about this a few months back. I think it will be harder to get into a gym habit after I am pregnant or with a newborn so I decided to start working on it now. If I lose weight then great but it is more about getting into a healthy habit.

bmo88

A healthy mom means a healthy pregnancy and healthier baby. Perhaps focus on living a healthy lifestyle as your motivator (diet, exercise, self-care habits). People are more likely to maintain life style changes than maintaining the the weight loss as a result from dieting alone. 

abharrel

Thank you both for the input. I didn't want to take too long losing weight so I wanted to focus on losing weight first and then focus more on overall health and well being in the long run. And I just can't seem to wait for baby lol but I suppose I can try waiting a little longer till I am in good health.

skiingstark

On the TTC board we have just stearted a getting healthy group, you should join

Pam973

I'm working on the same issue right now. I'm trying to get into my healthy bmi range before we start ttc, but we can't start until January so it helps with my choice to do so. For my first pregnancy I was over weight to start and my body had a hard time dealing with the weight at the end, and I want to do better this time. I would suggest imagine adding 35 lbs to how much you weigh now, if your body is strong and you feel comfortable with that go for it otherwise take time to loose some weight first and then take on the challenge of growing a baby

abharrel

I might have to check out the group thank you!

And thank you for the insight. I have heard a bunch of people say "Oh yeah I dropped the pregnancy weight light that!" But I didnt want to take that chance, especially with the fact that I am considered extremely overweight right now.

mrsmzimmerman

I'm in the same boat! I'm giving my self a couple months to lose weight before I start ttc, every time I don't feel like going to the gym I think to myself 'it's for my kids' even though I haven't even started trying for the first one yet, it gives me the motivation I need

abharrel

Exactly! It probably sounds weird but I like going to Babies R Us to look at the baby stuff, and when I went I saw all of the baby clothes, and furniture, and it kinda reminded me who I was doing this for.

VesperLove

One thing to note is that you cannot (or aren't advised to) start working out any more than you previously were once you get pregnant. So, you should have a routine started prior to getting pregnant that you can then keep up while you are preggo. That's not to say you shouldn't start TTC if you're ready. You can start eating healthy and working out while you TTC and then keep it up through pregnancy.

However, if you feel the need to be healthier prior to TTC then go for it. I am 5'4" and was 212lbs at my heaviest. I couldn't even consider pregnancy at that weight because I was already so uncomfortable. I recently lost a bunch of weight and am down to 160lbs. I still have about 20 more I'd love to lose but we're now TTC because I feel like my body is ready for it and I can always work to get that extra 20 off either during TTC or after pregnancy.

MrsPrice519

I am the same height, but I weigh a little more than you.  When I got pregnant, I was very concerned about my weight, but I changed a few simple things... more water, more fresh fruits and veggies and my weight during my entire pregnancy was controlled and fine!  I had no issues.  I am now almost 10 months pp and I am almost 20 lbs lighter than I was before I got pregnant. 

My honest advice is to just focus on small changes and I wish the best of luck to you! 

LibraryM

Hey,

I am working on getting healthy now. I find that thinking about getting healthy for my future baby really motivating when I work out  

I wish you well on your journey

MWoodside

I have a very strict rule about this with myself. I require that I'm both healthy and strong to consider ttc. I require that I lose my pregnancy weight between babies and heal my core (I've gotten Diastasis Recti both times) before I consider ttc.

I have these rules for a couple reasons. First and foremost we only each get one body and it's very important to take care of it. I like to set a strong example for my kids with regard to healthy food choices and keeping my bday strong by doing regular exercise.

Second, pregnancy and birth are a lot to ask of a body! It's hard work to grow a person and birth. I want my body to be strong and ready for this!

Third, being overweight can contribute to pregnancy complications. That's not to say thin people can't have complications, of course they can! But I want to give myself the best short to have a smooth, uncomplicated pregnancy.

Fourth, I remember my dr saying once that the women who don't lose the weight after every pregnancy just keep getting larger and larger and encountering more health issues in general.

heatherbunn24

I am in the same boat as you! I am calling it operation "Body before Baby" Good luck to you!