"Plus-Size" Mom to be struggling with weight gain

dssmolsky · May 2009

I know they say the average size girl out there is a size 14 but I really don't feel in the majority

I've always struggled with my weight and thyroid problems. I'm 7 weeks pregnant and feel at a loss of how to avoid gaining more than the recommended 11-20 pounds for "obese" pregnant women without dieting. Has anyone heard of a book or website that help women like me learn ways to maintain or keep baby weight down?

SaranJonathan · May 2009

I've heard 15-20 pounds for overweight. Really you should eat when you are hungry and not eat just to eat. Stay away from the junk, its not healthy for you and not doing anything for the baby. Snack on low cal stuff like fruits and vegetables. Eat plenty of fiber!

And steer clear of calorie filled beverages (with the exception of skim milk)

punkfiction · May 2009

i gained 15lbs with my last pregnancy - i worked out and ate correctly. that was it. try to at least walk 4-5x a week and that alone will help. otherwise, maybe you could see if your insurance will pay for an nutritionist?

Walleska · May 2009

I'm a plus sized mother to be as well . . . . so far, I'm a little over 11 weeks and I have fluctuated from gaining to losing. I've just been trying to increase my water intake, and reduce the amount of sweets I take in, no soda and eat more protein and salad. But nothing too crazy bc the doc doesn't want me to diet per se during pregnancy. Just be conscious.

Good luck!

userdeleted · May 2009

There is a website called babyfit.com, that can help you with nutrition, exercise, meal planning, etc. They have some message boards too

SaranJonathan · May 2009

and oh 300 extra calories a day from your diet should be from your recommended calorie level. So depending on how much you ate before you may not increase. And if you do 300 could be about 1/2 a sandwich and a string cheese for example.

and ditto pp about walking a lot!

easjer05 · May 2009

Talk to your doc about nutritional guides, and find out what they recommend. Try to stick to lean proteins, fruits and veggies and whole grains and limit your intake of refined sugars and unhealthy fats. A Weight Watchers approach to pregnancy (NOT saying do WW while pregnant) - just the points sort of mentality about meal planning and substitution and making certain you eat enough fruits and veggies in a day, etc is a good approach.

Exercise does wonders as well, and learning to listen to your body's cues as to when you are really hungry and when you might be eating emotionally (one of my big problems) is important as well. Walking and swimming are great exercises for pregnant women and easy to get into and very healthful overall.

And honestly, focus on good nutrition and portion sizes and not the actual scale. If you focus overly much on the numbers you do yourself a disservice, and so long as you are eating well and exercising you are doing the best you can. You can't diet while pregnant and you can't starve yourself without doing your body harm. So focus on the things you can control, like balanced, healthy meals, and not on what you can't control, like the scale.

getnmarried910 · May 2009

I'm overweight and didn't worry about it pregnant. I gained 45lbs in 36 weeks with my first, and lost it in four months. I gain 39lbs in 38 weeks the second time. I didn't lose it all, but I didn't work as hard either. Eat what you can handle right now, eat when you're hungry. Just try to eat healthy (I can't till second tri because healthy stuff makes me want to vomit) and try to exercise, even if it's just a 20-30 minute walk a day. My doctor was never once concerned about my weight while pregnant.

mrsnicolew · May 2009

Ditto what the 1st reply was.

Also, walking is not only going to help keep your weight gain down but it is going to help get you in shape for that ultimate marathon you are going to run called labor! It's the best form of excersize you can get while pg. Just make sure that you take it slow when going up hills and such....don't let that heart rate get too high!

nowmrsbinkc · May 2009

I'm overweight and the nurse at my appt. on Tuesday said that Weight Watchers is fine to do throughout pregnancy because it isn't a diet, it is just a healthy way to eat. I thought about looking into it some because I had just lost 11 lbs. when I found out I was pregnant and had done so doing some new programs my body isn't used to, so I had to drop the programs and I'm terrified of how much I'm going to gain. I am going to try to walk and/or swim everyday this summer (I'm a teacher, so have the time) and hopefully that will help me get in a habit I keep once school starts back up. I also immediately put a treadmill on my wish list for bday/Xmas so I can walk whenever I can find the time once baby is here.

bannedmonkey · May 2009

I have two quick recommendations, beware of weight posts on here. They can end up making you feel like crap. I usually don't bother to open them because I get so upset. I'm up 12lbs in 14lbs which is NOT part of any recommended chart, but it is what it is.

Also, Drink a TON of water. It's very common to mistake thirst for hunger.

colacrock · May 2009

Last time I checked ... size 14 is not obese. I thought obese women wore sizes 18 and up? I certainly don't consider myself obese and I wear between a size 12 and 14. Maybe I'm just in denial Stick out tongue

Married2MrWright · May 2009

I am right there with you. I am a 18/20 and only 4 weeks pg. My doc doesn't want me to gain more than 20 lbs. Luckily, when we decided to TTC after the New Year I dieted and dropped 22 lbs. That said, I don't want to blow it.

I hear you about not feeling "normal" even though the average American woman is 5'4" and a size 14. Seems like all the pics of pg women I see are under 30, over 5'7" and under a size 6. It's depressing, really. I did find a group at BabyCenter.com called Plus Sized and Pregnant and they post bump pics and that was encouraging to see. I actually cried.

There's a book called "Your Plus Size Pregnancy" that I want to buy from Amazon.com.

For now, I am sticking to 5-6 minimeals (200-300 cal each) filled with lean proteins/dairy, fresh fruits and veggies, nuts (flaxseed, walnuts, and almonds) and high fiber carbs. No processed foods, added salt, sugar or oil.

Lots of water too (3 liters/day) since thirst can be masked as hunger. I am also making sure to fit in a daily walk...at least 1 mile/30 min/day and stretching/toning with resistance bands. Somedays I do closer to an hour walk/3 miles.

Hang in there and try not to worry. As long as your doctor is okay with your weight, you can ease up on yourself. Plenty of bigger gals have healthy babies every day. We can do it!

twh2006 · May 2009

My doc said 10lbs is all he wanted me to gain and as long as the baby is growing it's not a problem if I don't gain that. I just changed up what I ate, lots of veggies and fruit.

annibes · May 2009

Just be mindful about what you eat. Lots of veggies, lean meat, fruit, whole grains, fiber. You don't have to go on a diet, really, just eat healthier. It's good for your baby.?

Also remember- a lot of women make the mistake of "eating for two" and thinking that the second person is full-sized. In reality, moms don't need any extra calories in the 1st trimester- baby needs the nutrients, not the calories.

Alex17 · May 2009

cola.crockett:
Last time I checked ... size 14 is not obese. I thought obese women wore sizes 18 and up? I certainly don't consider myself obese and I wear between a size 12 and 14. Maybe I'm just in denial

It's not about what size you wear. It's about your height/weight ratio. Google BMI.

Rosieoutlook · May 2009

I think the whole weight thing is stressful for everyone. I have a BMI of 22.5, wear a size 6/8 and at 10 weeks had gained 1/2 a pound. My doctor told me that they thought 20 pounds would be a reasonable weight gain for me. That is really stressful for me because I feel it's pretty restrictive.

For what it's worth, I eat a very healthy diet normally and have for years. I eat whole grains, very lean protein, little sugar and flour and lots of fruits and veggies and beans.

This doctor does not know that I lost over 50 pounds 4 years ago and have kept it off through exercise and a reasonable diet. Angry

cinnamonbuns28 · May 2009

i to am having this problem. i broke down today b/c my body is changing so rapidly and i am trying to do my best healthy eating that i can stomach. i have pcos, and hypothroid and i have been struggling for the past 2 years to just maintain around or under 200. i have been used to being about 196-198 for the last few months and now i am already up to 203. in three weeks. my sister is also a smaller weight struggler and is also hypothyroid and she gained 57 lbs while pg. she said she gained so much fluid, that when heer water broke in the hospital the floor was actually flooded and standing! i am scared the same thing is going to happen with me. i am neurotic about my weight and how i look. i look so fat. i had hopes that with pcos my body would act right and lose some weight and i'd have a belly. no i have everything else. i have just struggled so so so hard the past three years with my weight that this is a nightmare. i know when i go to the dr they are gonna think i have been eating like a fat little piggy. and be fussing at me. i have decided that i am going to write down everything i eat and only eat if i feel like im gonna puke. i guess i will have to diet to keep from being morbidly obese, as i am already considered obese. so much for that fun carefree pregnancy.

good luck to you. btw, i was a 14 in high school, i would die to be a 14 now. honey, i don't know who told you that you are plus or obese, but sweety they lied to you!

ckbride2005 · May 2009

I would get a second opinion on this...I'm not a DR but it seems really low and unhealthy!

Jalynn06 · May 2009

I too am a Plus Sized mom and I am actually loosing weight with out trying. My Dr says that sometimes overweight women who are Pregnant will loose weight first before gaining. I gained 40lbs with my 1st, but I was a teenager & smaller. I gained 15 lbs with #2 & only 9lbs with # 3. I weighed 250 on the first day of my last period (3/16) and yesterday I weighed in at 233, & only had nausea, not actual M/S vomiting over the last few weeks. My friend who is plus sized too just had her baby & she only gained 8lbs & it was her first. She's smaller now than when she got pregnant. So don't worry all that much, let your Dr guide you if he needs to.

Married2MrWright · May 2009

Alex17:
cola.crockett:
Last time I checked ... size 14 is not obese. I thought obese women wore sizes 18 and up? I certainly don't consider myself obese and I wear between a size 12 and 14. Maybe I'm just in denial

It's not about what size you wear. It's about your height/weight ratio. Google BMI.

This. Size 18 on a nearly 6 foot tall woman is WAY different than a size 18 on someone who's 5'2". Same with a 14.

It saddens me that although the majority of women in our country are size 14+ you wouldn't know it from our media/culture nor from shopping. In some stores (like Macy's) the Women's section is usually on a completely other floor than the Missy/Juniors and then it's tucked away somewhere. When it comes to specialty wear (like bridal or maternity) our choices are so limited it's ridiculous. Like bigger girls couldn't possibly fall in love, get married or have sex and get pregnant? Puhleez!

When you do find things, they are generally not made well/lacking in quality. Unless you want to spend a ton of money on designer things. BOO!

kmtfu · May 2009

Size 14 is not obese unless you're a midget.

BlairWaldorf · May 2009

I'm a size 14, 5'11", and teeter on the edge of overweight & obese according to BMI. I carry weight very well, so that surprises most people. So it's not about the number in the back of your jeans.

But I will say that I've only gained about 8 lbs so far & I'm over half-way done with the pregnancy. I eat when I'm hungry, & keep it to smart foods. I eat a lot of protein & take a diabetic's approach to diet -- I never eat a carb without a protein. I pump myself with water. We take the pup on walks & I take stairs at work...just little things to stay active.

It's daunting at first when you see those numbers, but honestly, I'm a firm believer that if you stay smart, your body will do what it needs to do.

I don't worry about my weight & neither does my doctor -- in fact, she told me at my 18 week appt that if I didn't put on a pound or two before my next appt (on Wednesday), we'd have to chat. But if you are nervous about it, talk to your doctor about tips & guidelines s/he has for your pregnancy.

Married2MrWright · May 2009

BlairWaldorf:

I'm a size 14, 5'11", and teeter on the edge of overweight & obese according to BMI. I carry weight very well, so that surprises most people. So it's not about the number in the back of your jeans.

But I will say that I've only gained about 8 lbs so far & I'm over half-way done with the pregnancy. I eat when I'm hungry, & keep it to smart foods. I eat a lot of protein & take a diabetic's approach to diet -- I never eat a carb without a protein. I pump myself with water. We take the pup on walks & I take stairs at work...just little things to stay active.

It's daunting at first when you see those numbers, but honestly, I'm a firm believer that if you stay smart, your body will do what it needs to do.

I don't worry about my weight & neither does my doctor -- in fact, she told me at my 18 week appt that if I didn't put on a pound or two before my next appt (on Wednesday), we'd have to chat. But if you are nervous about it, talk to your doctor about tips & guidelines s/he has for your pregnancy.

Smart and sensible! You look fantastic!

BlairWaldorf · May 2009

Married2MrWright:

Smart and sensible! You look fantastic!

thank you, m'dear!!!

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