Weight Gain...meh

MeaganG11

So, I got gently scolded at the doctor last week (18 wk appointment) for having gained 15 lbs so far. She reminded me that the recommended weight gain for pregnancy was 25 lbs. I silently slumped in my chair. haha.

Anyway, since then, I've tried to eat better, more fruits and veggies, no fast food, I drink a soda maybe once a week, etc. Clocking around 2000 calories a day (I usually hit about 1800 pre-pregnancy). And it feels like I'm still gaining weight at the same rate! So, now I'm frustrated, because I feel like I'm going to hit the 25 mark in the next like, 2 weeks. I'm on my feet walking all day at work, so I know that helps a little, but it also makes me too tired to do any extra exercising when I get home. 

Any suggestions on diet modification? Any ideas on good workouts I could get into without getting too crazy with the uterus jostling?  Any words of comfort?

minervacullen

I thought that in a normal pregnancy the weight rec was 25-40lbs. In an over weight up to 30 and obese 15 or so. Don't limit what you eat, eat well, but don't scold yourself, and if you are hungry eat. I gained 76 with DS, I had zero complications from it and my OB never said a word. This time I weigh a little more so I am trying to eat healthier. As long as you and baby are healthy, and you are eating well, I wouldn't worry about it. I know SOOO many women that just gain a ton weight while preg. They don't do anything to make it so, it just is how their body does it.

MinaE01

Try weight training. Cardio alone never helped me lose weight (pre-preg) but lifting weights did. I've been doing a few prenatal videos that incorporate safe lifting exercises. A really good one is Summer Sanders's Prenatal Workout. It works all major muscle groups. There's a 40 min workout and an express workout (20-25 min. I think). Anyway, give it a whirl see if it helps.

Try not to get too down on yourself. You're growing a baby! For once in your adult life, it's ok to gain weight!

Litgirl77

I had a BMI of 29 when I started this pregnancy, and I've gained 15 pounds so far as well. My doctor hasn't said a thing. I was even a little worried yesterday at my appointment, but it was needless.

It sounds like you're being careful, and are fairly active, so I wouldn't worry too much. I do agree with PP that weight training can really help. I've been starting a combo yoga/pilates class that does stretching and toning exercises without weights, so it's really great for pregnancy.

And remember that things fluctuate so much day to day that all you can do is look at the overall trend of your weight. So don't beat yourself up or stress too much!

BeccaLandes

i am not even looking at the scale when i go- i don't want to know. they haven't said anything to me yet, but i expect it at every visit.

i kind of think that to some extent it is just beyond our control. in my last pregnancy, there were points at which i gained 0 lbs over the course of several weeks, and then in the final 3 weeks i packed on weight like nobody's business. this pregnancy i have continued to eat normally and put on weight steadily. what more can i do?

i am doing what you're doing- just trying to eat healthy and make good choices.  last pregnancy i gained probably 45 lbs (really not bad for twins) and lost it all plus 10 in the following 7-8 months. 

magnoliablossom00

I gained 50 with my first. Most people gain too much with their first. My doc said it really isn't a big deal as long as your heart is still getting some cardio. She also said it's mostly just a pain after birth and very rarely causes any complications. I wouldn't stress too much. Try to eat healthy and walk. Definitely don't restrict yourself if you're hungry. I have started eating a lot of spinach salads and dried fruit. Also, it might help your portion control if you buy individually wrapped snacks so that you don't get too carried away.

jquirke9881

I gained 45 last time and my doctor wasn't concerned.  I wouldn't stress yourself out over it.

ShellShockedMama

With my son, I gained about 15-20 ish by this time. I gained almost 50 total and had no issue losing it all. My MW told me to expect to gain around 30 pounds, so 15 half way through isn't awful. 

I know it's hard but as long as you're eating healthy options, occasional treats, I don't know there's a lot you can do. I wouldn't restrict my calories. Maybe eat more filling foods but it sounds like you're eating pretty healthy already.

Dont let your doctor brow beat you. You're not unhealthy, not at all.  

RissKay

I'm 21 weeks and have gained 15 lbs. My goal was to gain 15 or less in each half, thus giving me the 30 overall "healthy" weight gain, with an extra 5orso pounds in case I happened to need it. My starting BMI was 31, and my Dr didn't bring up the weight gain until I said something about it at this appointment. 

My goal, til the next appointment, is to gain 2 lbs or less.

Just be active. Watch the carb intake, and be as active as you can stand. I do water aerobics several times a week,  sometimes at the local community center, sometimes here at home in the apartment pool. You can do it! Just stop stressing.. I'm surprised your doctor said something this soon.  

Rei Dunn

Yuuuck. I'm sorry you felt guilt-tripped by your doctor. Not good. 

 Do you feel healthy/good about yourself? I mean, people gain weight at different rates in this process. And from what I heard, people tend to gain faster in their second or third pregnancies.

I walk two miles a day just from being at work, and I swim for about 30 minutes after work, just paddling around to cool off and whatnot. I've gained about 10 and didn't think anything of it. I mean, we're halfway there, right?

 Now I'm worried too.... aii! 

bgf1

It sounds like you are on the right track.  The only additional suggestions I have are to make sure you eat every couple of hours.  When I get too hungry I am more likely to overindulge or make poor food choices.  I also find eating enough protein (greek yogurt, tuna, peanut butter make good snacks) does seem to satisfy the me more and help me to take in fewer calories overall.   

Keep your focus on being active and healthy eating.  I had a major freak out when I gained 4 lbs last week.  I am 20 weeks and up 10 lbs.  But then I pulled out my prenatal record from last time and noticed I was up 13lbs at this point last time and still only gained 25lbs.  Weight gain does not alway happen in an even fashion.  I really leveled off in my 3rd trimester last time.  There was just so much baby and so little room in my stomach that the amount I ate just seemed to be less and less. 

DemonSeedling90

I gained 78 pounds with my first pregnancy and I was about 20 pounds heavier this time around before getting preggers, and I have only gained 3 pounds. Don't let your doctor make you feel bad. Even though I just got down to a size 16 before the pregnancy, and haven't gone up to 18 again yet, I am still considered "morbidly obese" to my doctors charts. I disagree with that. Expecially being 5'10"

 And who knows, you might not gain any more weight. I lost 8 pounds in two weeks between the morning sickness and the heat. 

Try to get rid of the soda completely. It will help your calories stay down, but it will also help keep the baby healthier. Or so they say. i ate junk food like crazy the last time I was pregnant and that baby came out healthier then I was -___- 

Meli B

I gained a lot of weight after my miscarriage in december and sofar I have gained an additional 20lbs with thi pregnancy so that has depressed me. I spoke with the doctor and he was very encouraging. I spent the entire 1st trimester in bed so thatswhy i have gained so much. Now that I have my energy back I will be more active and eat well. I drink a lot of water and the only other beverage I have i peach juice for breakfast about 3x a week. I also wantto incorporate an exercise routine that I can be comfortable with.

If you are already walking a lot and are trying toeat as best as you can for you and baby then you are doing yourbest and shouldn't feel bad. Good luck

blue1981

I have gained about 15 pounds at 18 weeks as well and I totally relate to what you are saying, I don't feel that I am eating enough to gain as quickly as I have but I think we both just have to accept it and focus on just making good choices. I personally have had body image issues in the past and was slightly underweight prior to becoming pregnant. Eating 2000 calories a day means that there is really no way you are actually gaining fat weight and you may just be retaining a lot of water. I don't think you need to make any changes and 25-35 pounds is a recommended weight range for average weight women but a little more won't hurt you. Very few people gain only 25 pounds and your body is very intelligent and if it feels like you need to gain a little more don't fight it. You aren't going to gain 10 pounds that quickly at 2000 calories a day. 

Akorn3

With my first I gained 60lbs. My doctor made a few comments about it and for a while I was completely consumed by my weight gain. I cried and was depressed and put so much focus on the size of my thighs that I forgot what was really important- don't make the same mistake I did.

 This is a very special time in your life-focus on the happy:) I'm not saying become a couch potato eating fast food every day but if you want an occasional milkshake and cheesebuger-enjoy it! Go for walks in the evenings or mornings and try to work in just a few extra activities every week. I took a weight training class geared towards pregnant woman and it was fabulous! It was just on Saturday mornings for a couple hours. Also, in the evenings when I sit down to watch tv (and I know this may seem silly to some) but when commercials come on I head to the kitchen and do lunges and push ups off the countertop:) I figure even a little extra circulation helps.

With this one, I don't even look at the scale. Ask your nurse if you can get on the scale backwards and only be told if there is a problem. I know once baby is born I can work out and focus on getting in shape but for now I am just focusing on growing a healthy baby:) Good luck to you!!

burgergirl13

I had the same problem, since I've been watching my intake I have lost weight... I have an egg sandwich in the morning, it holds me over for awhile... Lunch I have a sanwich with a salad, fruit or veggies... Dinner I have whatever I want, pretty much watch the calorie intake... If I feel like snacking I only snack on fruits or veggies... Same thing with midnight cravings... Only fruits or veggies... Good luck

velazquezk1

I live with the food commander. His ex wife gained like 100 lbs each pregnancy and he is worried I'll do the same. Sorry babe, different body types!

I strictly drink water. That's helped me A LOT I think. If I need flavor I throw in a crystal light packet. I try to walk 2x a week and now that I have energy and my step daughters will be here in a week, I told my husband I'm putting them in their wagon and we're going to make it a habit to walk every day. 

I've gained 12 lbs so far - and 5 of it was in like 2 weeks and I was devastated and cried. But I haven't, as far as I can tell, gained much more. I go back August 10th. 

I read in one of my books they want you to gain  0-5 lb in your first tri, 12-14 lb your second tri and then your 3rd they want you to gain something like 1 lb a week.

I gained 7 in my first, and the 5 in my second like the first week! LOL!

Don't stress yourself out about it and just try to supplement with water when you want something to drink. If I want something salty I keep dry roasted almonds, something sweet I try to have a fiber one bar with chocolate or a nutri grain bar. I am the least healthy eater probably on here - I love pizza, pasta, and everything bad for you!