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Health & Exercise
Nervous about weight gain in pregnancy after weight loss
I realize that you are going to gain weight in pregnancy, duh, I've accepted that.
In the past two years I've managed to drop just over 80lbs and I'm super nervous about putting it all back on. Has anyone else had success with weight loss and been able to keep the weight gain in pregnancy to a regular amount?
My Mom and Grandma gained small amounts in pregnancies, if that matters at all.
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Re: Nervous about weight gain in pregnancy after weight loss
I did WW to lose about 70 pounds and kept it off for over 2 years before getting pregnant.
I am 41 weeks exactly today. I have gained 37 pounds - I was at a healthy weight range before getting pregnant, so that means I passed the 25-35 recommended amount range.
It's been difficult to keep the weight in check, but I kept a food journal, and followed a lot of the same principles WW teaches - going for unprocessed fruits and vegetables first, watching portion control, and limiting junk foods. I also walk and do the elliptical trainer 6 days a week. A lot of women won't recommend this, but I also weighed myself everyday. You'll find that dealing with food pushers (as well meaning as they are!) is particularly difficult while pregnant because the social stigma is for us to eat, eat and eat.
What I kept in mind is that I'm not "eating for two" I'm "eating for 1+0.1" at most. So that means you'll need an extra 300-500 calories daily which equates to a small meal. I added in healthy snacks and more protein wherever I could. Egg whites are great and pack a powerful punch, so do garbanzo beans and black beans. Also, adding avocado to sandwiches and other things is a great, healthy way to boost calories and healthy fat that you and baby need without overdoing it.
Be sensible, but don't beat yourself up. When I passed the 35 mark I was kind of depressed, but maybe my body just needed a little extra. Yours might too.
I lost about 30 lbs over the 2 years before getting pregnant. I was at a normal weight prior to getting pregnant. So far I'm 24 weeks and have gained back 8 lbs of it, which is perfectly appropriate for how far along I am! I am trying to keep my weight gain at the lower end of the 25-35 lb recommendation.
While you don't want to diet while pregnant, there is nothing wrong with eating healthy foods, continuing to exercise as the pregnancy allows, and weighing yourself at home to make sure that you're not getting off track in between doctor's visits.
I was hoping to be able to continue exercising. I walk my dogs usually 2x a day for at least 40 minutes and I don't think that will ever change, they have the biggest personalities and will drive me bonkers until I take them so that will help a lot. Right now I'm a big fan of cardio kickboxing which I will have to lower the intensity on, and see how that goes, I also run, which I hear is hit or miss with doctors on whether that's allowed.
I've been able to stay in the 145-155 range now for about a year so hopefully I'll be okay. It sort of a catch 22, I want to be able to enjoy being pregnant but gaining to much will for sure make me sad, but obsessing about gaining to much is going to stress me out an so on.
Going to be hard to find a balance I think.
I lost 70lbs in two years prior to getting pregnant. I gained 30lbs with my DS. I instantly dropped 20 of it after birth. So I was stoked, however .... I developed a disorder after giving birth where my body was unable to fall asleep for 15 days straight and because I was bFing I couldn't take meds. After 15days I was able to sleep for just 90minutes a night. My body was starved for energy therefore I was starving all the time and I thought it was because I was bFing. I also went on antidepressants six weeks after giving birth. Between that and the no sleep I gained 25lbs in four months. My metabolism is still screwed 14 months later and I have only managed to lose 9lbs of the 25 + 10. Sometimes things aren't in your control. It's the pits.
Jeeze, that sounds terrible. Sorry you had to go through that! Hugs!
The important things to focus on during PG are 1) That you're maintaining a healthy diet. and 2) That you're remaining physically active to the extent that your body will allow (some points more others less during PG)... Instead of focusing on pounds while you're PG, focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
You may even be better off to NOT find out how much you're gaining/losing during the course of your PG. Do the weigh-ins, but do not allow them to give you any numbers.