I refuse to gain more than 25 lbs

Iristhewild

During my last two pregnancies I gained over 40 lbs. It was terrible on my body, and self esteem. It took forever to lose the weight and each time I did I became pregnant again (two years give or take between my girls and then this pregnancy, too).

Does anyone have meal plans they use or anything? I'll admit that I need help in this aspect. Moving around isn't a problem (except being on bedrest for months at a time during my last pregnancy), but I'm terrible at not giving in to cravings or stress eating.

Sarcasm101

Iristhewild said:

During my last two pregnancies I gained over 40 lbs. It was terrible on my body, and self esteem. It took forever to lose the weight and each time I did I became pregnant again (two years give or take between my girls and then this pregnancy, too). Does anyone have meal plans they use or anything? I'll admit that I need help in this aspect. Moving around isn't a problem (except being on bedrest for months at a time during my last pregnancy), but I'm terrible at not giving in to cravings or stress eating.

I would not set a hard limit on the amount of weight you are going to gain. You are setting yourself up for failure.

Just try to stay active and eat healthy, portion controlled meals. Your body will gain as much as it needs to.

Can you talk to a therapist about tips for emotional eating?

bbiutmcph

Perhaps speak to your doctor and ask for a referral to a dietician or specialist. Weigh gain is normal and sometimes that means more than 25. A specialist can help you on all aspects of this

WinterPumpkin

While I can't offer useful advice, I understand how it feels: two pregnancies each to the tune of 40/45 pounds right here... I know this is bad and consider myself lucky to have shed those pounds (I have three years between the two so that helped).

Holding myself to a target weight would definitely be impossible for me, like PP said I just try my best... I hope it works out for you, I'm sure some ladies will have better advice

PrimRoseMama

I hope you realize that weight gain is really beyond your control, right? I have a vegan/vegetarian friend that exercised every single day throughout her four pregnancies. She gained 50 lbs each time. My other dear friend that eats whatever and rarely exercises only gained 20.

By all means, eat well (cleanly and healthfully) and definitely exercise as you please. Its good for you. However, if you gain your average amount of weight its not a personal failure.

WinterPumpkin

@PrimRoseMama Can you please tell that my doctor? I had the easiest worry free first pregnancy back in the US, I must have gained close to 45 pounds but my glucose tests were okay and no one complained.

Fast forward second pregnancy, moved to a different country and I swear they are weight obsessed here. My doctor referred me to a dietician because I gained weight during the first trimester. I'm not talking about major weight, I think 3 pounds? Apparently you are not supposed to...

I tried to explain to him that my eating habits remained exactly the same, yet I kept gaining weight - therefore I assumed my body was just doing its thing and I was comfortable with it. He must have tested my blood sugar levels, fasting, 1 hour, 3 hour all of it maybe three different times - and made me feel horrible throughout the whole pregnancy.

Sorry @Iristhewild I totally highjacked your thread but man it feels good to get that out. Please don't beat yourself up, no nutritionist prescribed diet changed the amount of weight I gained...

PrimRoseMama

Where are you located? I would switch OBs if that was the case.

cmerribury

OP, I would just focus on eating as healthy as possible and moving as much as you can. You will gain weight. I went into my second, third, and this pregnancy with the plan to only gain 35 pounds (I gained 60 with my first) and it backfired really quickly for me. I'm usually an extremely healthy eater, but constant nausea meant that I wasn't able to keep anything but carbs down. I gained 15 pounds in my first trimester of each pregnancy (and lost the 2nd and 3rd, which led to more weight gain). 

Just eat healthy things; whole grains, lean protein, tons of vegetables and fruits, and little to no processed foods and added sugars and you'll be fine. Your body will do what it needs to in order to maintain a healthy pregnancy. 

Good luck.

PugsandKisses

PrimRoseMama said:

Where are you located? I would switch OBs if that was the case.

I know that many French Dr's are like this.

Iristhewild

Sorry I vanished. I had to drop LO #1 at school and run errands.

I'm aware I'm going to gain weight, but 40 lbs isn't healthy when I'm already slightly overweight to begin with. There isn't any reason I should gain that much. It just comes down to completely failing on the healthy eating front.

PrimRoseMama

Iristhewild said:

Sorry I vanished. I had to drop LO #1 at school and run errands. I'm aware I'm going to gain weight, but 40 lbs isn't healthy when I'm already slightly overweight to begin with. There isn't any reason I should gain that much. It just comes down to completely failing on the healthy eating front.

Usually the body gains what it needs to support the fetus. So, this is necessarily true. That said, I understand your concern, but setting hard-lined goals about things like this during pregnancy is a great way to set yourself up for failure and feeling like you are letting yourself down. A lot of what you gain during pregnancy is water, blood and other fluids. In first trimester focus on healthy proteins, grains and fruit. If you have morning sickness-- eat what you can keep down. Losing weight drastically isn't good for you either.

I completely understand your worry. If I get lucky this cycle I will be starting out heavier than both of my other pregnancies. I've been losing weight, but unfortunately gained some back. Its a constant struggle. So I feel for you on this. I just think that you are being somewhat unreasonable at this time.

Sarcasm101

Iristhewild said:

Sorry I vanished. I had to drop LO #1 at school and run errands. I'm aware I'm going to gain weight, but 40 lbs isn't healthy when I'm already slightly overweight to begin with. There isn't any reason I should gain that much. It just comes down to completely failing on the healthy eating front.

Is the bolded your opinion or a doctors?

PrimRoseMama

Also, I feel that it is a good reminder: your worth as a human is not at all relative to the number on a scale.

goldie987

Sarcasm101 said:

Iristhewild said:

Sorry I vanished. I had to drop LO #1 at school and run errands.

I'm aware I'm going to gain weight, but 40 lbs isn't healthy when I'm already slightly overweight to begin with. There isn't any reason I should gain that much. It just comes down to completely failing on the healthy eating front.

Is the bolded your opinion or a doctors?


I don't know about OP but if you're overweight to start doctors generally recommend 15-20 lbs of weight gain compared to the 20-30 recommended for average weight women which would put 40 lbs at too much, assuming there are no other factors at play.

PhoebeJune1984

During my 1st pregnancy, I ate clean, worked out every day, watched my sodium intake, etc....and still gained 75 pounds. It was hard to come to terms with, but I had to remind myself that I was already doing everything right, and that it was most likely water weight. Sure enough, I delivered my kiddo and lost 60 pounds in the first 4 weeks after she was born, without even trying. The thing that was the hardest for me, were actually the comments from other people on how much weight I had gained, how I was looking huge, how I was "starting to grow out sideways instead of just your stomach..." It was really hard, and was like a punch in the gut each time some a-hole made a comment like that.....even after I had the baby. 

I would love to say that I only gained the "correct" amount of weight for this pregnancy, but that is not realistic. The only thing I can do is eat right, make sure I get my fluids, and make sure to exercise...and hope for the best. And then I have to constantly remind myself that although I may look and feel like crap because of the weight, it is only temporary. Its how I choose to deal with the pregnancy weight AFTER, that matters. I can sit around and stew in the fact that my kid is 6 months old and lost nothing, or I can start working towards goals after I get the all clear from my doctor....and get the remaining weight off. 

If you need to put your stress eating into perspective, try creating an account on My Fitness Pal (they have a website and an app), and document what you are eating, and see if you can stay within a healthy range. 

Sarcasm101

Sgoldberg247 said:

Iristhewild said:

Sorry I vanished. I had to drop LO #1 at school and run errands. I'm aware I'm going to gain weight, but 40 lbs isn't healthy when I'm already slightly overweight to begin with. There isn't any reason I should gain that much. It just comes down to completely failing on the healthy eating front.

Is the bolded your opinion or a doctors?

I don't know about OP but if you're overweight to start doctors generally recommend 15-20 lbs of weight gain compared to the 20-30 recommended for average weight women which would put 40 lbs at too much, assuming there are no other factors at play.

I understand that. But I feel that the OP is setting these rigid guidelines for herself. And I am wondering if she is doing this to herself or if her doctor was actually concerned about her weight gain. It seems like the OP is obsessing about this "25 or less" when there is so much more to being healthy than a number on a scale.

DressageDarling

I understand how you are feeling. My OB says ideally I should only gain up to 20 lbs during my pregnancy due to being overweight. Since finding out, I haven't try to eat less or diet. I've just been switching foods out. If I'm hungry and want a snack, I've been eating veggies or fruits verus bad snack foods. Have you talked to your OB about your concerns in regards to weight gain?

PugsandKisses

DressageDarling said:

I understand how you are feeling. My OB says ideally I should only gain up to 20 lbs during my pregnancy due to being overweight. Since finding out, I haven't try to eat less or diet. I've just been switching foods out. If I'm hungry and want a snack, I've been eating veggies or fruits verus bad snack foods. Have you talked to your OB about your concerns in regards to weight gain?

My CNM said 20 pounds today. I looked at her and said 'sure. Gotcha'. She responded 'I have to say that, just try to he healthy and sensible '.

MamaRoni

Each pregnancy is different. ... just try and eat food that nourishes your body rather than just sits on your body. I'm technically overweight and advanced age... 25 weeks preg and have gained 7 pounds.... I do eat but lots of fruits and veggies and protein... well and I do eat carbs some too....
I gained 32 with my first pregnancy. ... 23 with my twins (and literally had to eat every 2-3 hours just to gain that)... and about 25 withy last baby. I'd like to keep this one under 20 pounds but who knows what these last 13 or so weeks will do!
Good luck and keep your eyes on the prize!

missshanab

I've noticed that even doctors focus on number of pounds. Try to focus on nutrition. Eat fruit, whole grains, and veggies ALL THE TIME. This will keep you full, and give you the nutrition you need. If you go over the 25 lbs it was done the right way, the healthy way. Activity is key too everyday break a sweat.

Iristhewild

I've been trying to respond since yesterday, but the app is giving me issues.

Yes, my OB and I have spoken about my weight gain. I'll ask her about a referral to a dietitian tomorrow thank you for that suggestion.

I don't feel as if I'm being unreasonable, however, my post title is a bit dramatic. I was just really overwhelmed at the thought of gaining so much weight again. Of course I'll be okay if I gain more as long as I put forth the effort this time to nourish my body and not just gorge myself with everything in sight.

1faceinacrowd

Everyone's body handles pregnancy differently. I'll give you advice on what I did, but if you're a stress eater (or someone who eats even when not hungry) then you may need to see a therapist about getting through this. 

Anyway, I gained 23 pounds with my first pregnancy and lost it all by my 6 week postpartum checkup. I did this by practicing prenatal yoga throughout the pregnancy, buying my food at the grocery store (rather than eating out all the time) and buying foods to prepare healthy snacks and meals. Also, I'm all about eating small meals throughout the day rather than big ones. Here are some meal and snack ideas that are my go-to's!
-Apples
-Bananas
-Cuties (mini oranges)
-Whole Wheat Crackers with Peanut Butter or cheese (remember to stick to the serving size though!)
-Hard boiled eggs
-Instant Low Sugar Oatmeal
-Flatbread pizza (buy whole grain flatbreads - like for flatbread sandwiches, fresh veggies, pizza sauce & cheese, pile the ingredients onto the flatbread, microwave for 30 seconds or so and voila - healthy mini pizza!)
-Homemade fries (buy potatoes or sweet potatoes and seasoning, bake in the oven, sooo good and healthier than fast food)
-Morning Star Spicy Black Bean Veggie Burgers
-Whole Wheat toast with PB & honey
-Whole grain pasta with Vegetable Marinara
-Tyson frozen chicken (way easier to store and prepare than the uncooked stuff, though it is more pricey)


I guess the most important thing to remember when thinking about weight gain in pregnancy is that your body needs around 300 extra calories per day, as compared to normal. To put that into perspective, 300 calories = 5 crackers with cheese, or 2 hard boiled eggs, or two pieces of low calorie bread with a thin layer of peanut butter. You don't need to eat a ton more when you're preggo, and exercise/walking is still super important!

fourtsixand2

Pregnancy isn't the time to be dieting.  As others have said, your body will gain what it needs to sustain the precious baby you're growing. It's really all beyond your control, unfortunately.
You're not alone though. I think many of us can say vouch what you're saying in not wanting to gain, but just know it's pretty much out of your control.  That being said, there is nothing wrong with speaking to your Doctor about ways to try and combat weight gain.
Good luck!  

jilligirl16

@Iristhewild I'm with you in this. I gained 45lbs my first pregnancy and my dr was always giving me flack for it. I was miserable. All I thought about was my weight and I think that made it harder for me to eat healthfully. My cravings for junk went through the roof.

I'm still 15lbs over my pre-preg weight. And now I'm 5 weeks pregnant. I was initially worried about gaining. But lately I'm trying to convince myself that this pregnancy will be different... I'm putting it out into the universe. I believe that it'll really be different.

PM me if you ever want to talk or buddy up somehow!

LoganLacey

I contacted a prenatal nutrition specialist but she was too expensive. She wanted $1350 for 3 months of services!!!! Give me that much $ and ill research and write a book on it myself thank you.

I like the canned Amys organic black bean chili especially since im soo tired and want something healthy without alot of work. Its full of protein and 100% daily fiber