post-pregnancy weight loss

JJ1973 · August 2010

I'm 11 days post-pregnancy. During the first week, my weight came off super quickly. I really have nothing to complain about, as I lost all but 7 pounds (I had gained about 28 in total). But, it seems like the weight loss has completely halted this past week. I'm wondering what others have experienced (recognizing everyone is different): does it keep coming off, but more slowly? Or, am I destined to be carrying around an extra few pounds for a while? I was pretty thin prior to pregnancy, so I'm wondering if my body might be retaining a bit for the purpose of breastfeeding.

animalcrckr · August 2010

At 11 days I would not even weigh myself. It takes 9 months to grow a baby and you should give your body at least that much time to recover.

And yes, breastfeeding does cause your body to hold onto a little extra fat to keep up the milk production. You do not want to loose to much too soon. Baby, placenta, water retention, extra blood volume are all responsible for the initial weight loss. You do not want your body to start breaking down fat, as it accumulates toxins (mercury) and if your body starts to break down fatty tissues these toxins will show up in your breast milk and then on to your LO.

I would not recommend weighing yourself until you go in for your 6 week pp appointment.

jewelbride07 · August 2010

you should expect to lose about a pound a week for those last 7 lbs. those will be the "real pounds" you gained - the rest was all either baby, extra blood, placenta, etc. it'll come off - you just have to try as opposed to the intial "easy pounds".

[Deleted User] · August 2010

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IndieMum · August 2010

It's been 5 weeks and my weight is back to normal, but I'm still waiting to fit into my jeans more comfortably. My stomach is still a bit poufy... I guess it might just take a while to get a body shape of some sort back Stick out tongue

Don't stress over it! I'm sure you're doing perfectly fine

allyandpat2010 · August 2010

I lost all my weight in two weeks but my hips were still wider. I started with a trainer 2 weeks ago and down another 4 lbs but still have the hips!

jgurtin · August 2010

It's comes off SO quick in the beginning, as the previous posters explained. Then after that, it's like losing weight any other time. It's all about diet, exercise, and drinking water. Don't do any crazy diets, just load up on good whole foods. You're working so hard right now, you'll lose it in no time.

I recommend "wearing" your baby, I've burned bonus calories from wearing my baby during 3 mile walks every day. I figure it's kind of like on "Biggest Loser" when they wear weight vests, haha. I gained 45 pounds, and have 5 left to lose at 9 weeks PP.

miss.jess · August 2010

I have been halted with 20 lbs to lose since week 1 (I gained 40 because I just love food too much) but it was the same way with DD1. By 4 months I had 10 pounds to go and then after that I stopped worrying. By a year I look fabulous and was back in my old clothes... and then I got pregnant again.

pom-mom · August 2010

I lost my pregnancy weight really quickly, but had another 10lbs to lose that I had put on during a prepregnancy vacation where I ate like a piggy. Something I have found is that those last lbs really are tough to lose, just as normal weight loss is difficult.

Seeing as you are breastfeeding, make sure you aren't restricting your caloric intake. Not only can it affect your milk supply, it (at least for me) seems to make it more difficult to lose weight. I find if I exercise and eat what I want (within reason) the weight comes off about 1lb per week. If I try and "diet", I don't lose any weight at all per week.

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