For those of you who worked out/stayed fit throughout your pregnancy...

MrsR912 · October 2013

How was your recovery afterward? My mom told me she stayed in shape and ate healthy foods for all three pregnancies and was back in her regular clothes within a month and felt great. She did only gain the recommended 20-25lbs (her OBs recommendation at the time). Did anyone else have this kind of experience or was she an anomaly?

Thanks!!

whynotwhynot · October 2013

I wish! I ran for an hour ~3x a week throughout my entire pregnancy, breastfeed, and began running again six weeks out. A month out I still looked pregnant, three months out I was two sizes bigger than normal. It took a full six months to get back to my normal size, but my month nine I was 5 pounds lighter than I was in high school. I gained 34 pounds.

whynotwhynot · October 2013

Also the may clinic recommends 25-35 pounds.

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-weight-gain/PR00111

Luv2Run1st · October 2013

Great recovery both times but because I was even fitter second pregnancy running 4 miles the day before I had my baby at 40 weeks...I found myself over doing it a lot postpartum because my definition of not doing anything was too much leading to longer postpartum bleeding than I had with the first. My body has bounced back even quicker with number 2 and I attribute that to working out harder. I gained 28lbs and could do up pre pregnancy jeans at 1 week postpartum and now at 7 weeks, I fit in almost all my clothes but still up 10lbs.

I did postpartum belly binding too which I highly recommend. Belly bandit and shrinkx hips at home and squeem out of the house. Really helps with diastasis recti to reduce the belly pooch and support you with moving around so you don't worsen the muscle separation. I did the belly binding 24 hrs a day except showering for 1 week then dropped down to only during the day for the next 5 weeks.

MrsR912 · October 2013

Thank you for your replies! And no worries, my OB also recommends the 25-35lbs. This was back in the 80s when my mom's OB gave her the other rec!

saturnjac · October 2013

I am 5 weeks pp and just read the most depressing post about all of these women dipping weight right away, I can't it into any of my jeans yet and am crying about it everyday. I did excercidethe whole pregnancy and starting walking at 2 weeks pp, just starting to jog again and haven't dropped any more in a few weeks.

RockyR12 · October 2013

saturnjac said:

I am 5 weeks pp and just read the most depressing post about all of these women dipping weight right away, I can't it into any of my jeans yet and am crying about it everyday. I did excercidethe whole pregnancy and starting walking at 2 weeks pp, just starting to jog again and haven't dropped any more in a few weeks.

I'm in the same boat but I'm 8w PP. I had a C section and my OB said it's normal to retain weight for a while, even while breastfeeding. I'm trying to be patient and focus on being healthy rather than my weight. But I hear you, it sucks.

IBackBevo · October 2013

Honestly, I think sometimes people's memories are either exaggerated or fade overtime. I would give the major side eye to anyone who claims to be back in their old clothes within a month. It takes longer than that for your uterus to go back down to size. My MIL claims my DH was 6 weeks early and weighed 8 pounds. Not likely. And my stepfather claims his first wife weighed less when she left the hospital then before she was pregnant with all 4 of her kids.

blu-eyedwife · October 2013

So I stayed really active throughout my pregnancy. I gained 20lbs by the time I went to the hospital for my induction.

By the end of the first week, I had lost 19 of those 20lbs. And I lost about a lb a week after that.

But even I wasn't back in my regular clothes that early! I don't think I was back in regular clothes for at least a couple of months.

I do think that being in shape helped with my recovery. I don't think it had anything to do with me losing the baby weight. I credit that to breastfeeding and training for a half marathon starting at 6 weeks postpartum.

Msdpgp · October 2013

Ran through my pregnancy and only gained about 22 lbs and breast fed immediately. Was five pounds under my preprego weight at my 2 week pp checkup.

Lindsaym5! · October 2013

I worked out consistently throughout my entire pregnancy and I feel it helped tremendously. I gained 25 lbs and fit into my old clothes after just a couple of weeks even though I'm still up 5 lbs from where I started. That being said, they don't fit exactly how they used to. Also my workouts feel incredibly difficult now for some reason. I'm just being patient and taking it slow. It takes time for everything to go back to normal no matter what you do.

trudibell · October 2013

whynotwhynot said:

I wish! I ran for an hour ~3x a week throughout my entire pregnancy, breastfeed, and began running again six weeks out. A month out I still looked pregnant, three months out I was two sizes bigger than normal. It took a full six months to get back to my normal size, but my month nine I was 5 pounds lighter than I was in high school. I gained 34 pounds.

This gives me hope.

trudibell · October 2013

saturnjac said:

I am 5 weeks pp and just read the most depressing post about all of these women dipping weight right away, I can't it into any of my jeans yet and am crying about it everyday. I did excercidethe whole pregnancy and starting walking at 2 weeks pp, just starting to jog again and haven't dropped any more in a few weeks.

I'm four months PP and can't fit into any of my jeans yet and cry about it all the time lol

trudibell · October 2013

I kept a food journal, ate healthfully, and exercised 5 days a week (mostly elliptical trainer and walking) while pregnant. I gained 37 pounds (2 pounds over that 25-35 limit). I'm four months PP. I lost 23 pounds in the beginning. I tried breastfeeding, it did not "melt away the pounds" for me the way it did for others, but my supply was compromised from the beginning. I started running the day the doctor gave me the green light and have been running since every other day and have only lost 5 more pounds. So that means I'm 9 pounds up from where I was when I got pregnant, four months out. Still keeping a food journal, still eating healthy, still exercising, restricting calories, upping the workouts and I've completely stalled out. I'm scared I'm not going to lose anymore and it makes me very depressed, I was a size 2 when I got pregnant and now size 8 jeans feel snug by the end of the day

ncbelle · October 2013

I gained 28 the first time and 30 the second time (went an extra week and a half though!). I don't remember exactly when I was back to pre-pregnancy weight but within 2 months. It took maybe 6 weeks for my jeans to fit again as my hips had spread (so actually they didn't fit as soon as I'd lost the weight). I worked out until I delivered and felt I had very easy recoveries. Was back to light walking within a week. I BF and ate a ton. I also think I have genetics to thank though!

NatesCupcake47 · October 2013

I gained 30 and am down 20 at 5 weeks postpartum. I stopped running at 33 weeks ane just walked. Had DD at 37w2d. I am in my pre-preggo jeans now, however they are snug and I still have love handles. I started running at 4 weeks postpartum. I had stopped bleeding and felt up to it. I go slow and walk as needed and have kept my mileage low.

KateVA · October 2013

I gained around 30lbs both times. When you lose the weight and when you fit back into your clothes are two different things. DS1 - lost the weight at 2 mos pp, fit into my jeans a 3 mos pp. DS2 - fit into my jeans at 2 mos pp, lost the weight at 4 mos pp. Regardless, it will happen!

Runnergirl2242 · October 2013

Oh boy. Still working at it. My little guy is two. I ran a half marathon when he was a year and still about ten pounds heavier. I am still breastfeeding so I wonder if my body won't let it go until I am done.

vrj0522 · October 2013

I gained 40 lbs during pregnancy. I had lost about 12 lbs a couple of months before getting pregnant because of my wedding so had clothes in a bigger size and clothes in a smaller size that I was wearing at the time I got pregnant.

Anyway, after having DS, I fit into my bigger clothes within about 4-5 weeks and was back into my smaller sized-clothes within about 4 months. Then by 7 months pp, I was -8 from my starting weight, which I hadn't been in years. BF'ing really did wonders for me, plus I think that working out through pregnancy really did too. My delivery was easy and the recovery from the delivery was extremely speedy too which I have heard can also be benefits of working out while pregnant (although they don't always happen).

VPGIRL06 · October 2013

I did Crossfit throughout my entire pregnancy. gained 40 lbs. lost 30-32 lbs of it by 2 months PP and stayed there. At around 6 months, I dropped 7 of those lbs, hovering at 1-2 lbs above my pre pregnant weight. no ideas why/how the weight dropped off, except i ran maybe 6-7 miles more a week.

I could button up some of my old pants within 2 weeks (even with a C section) BUT...they didn't fit correctly, i would have to wear super flowy tops with them. I didn't BF either. went straight to the Crossfit gym 6 weeks post partum.

Reddvl · October 2013

I just read the very informative book, Exercising Through Your Pregnancy by James Clapp, M.D. (highly recommended). One of the really interesting things about his research is that he found all sorts of positive effects of exercising for mothers and babies, BUT, there is no correlation between exercising through pregnancy and faster weight loss postpartum.

Benefits that the studies do show are less overall weight gain by exercising mothers (avg 6 lbs less), leaner babies (same length, head circumference, but less girth), earlier birth (by 5-6 days, no indication that there's more preterm births by exercising mothers), less fat gain overall, and (my personal favorite) increased VO2 max by 5-10% seen at 6 months to a year postpartum. However, most of these benefits are only seen by women who exercise through their entire pregnancy, which was kind of odd that stopping half way through negates the benefits of exercise.

Its a pretty scientific book and I don't have a great science background, but he summarizes nicely and its a pretty easy read otherwise. Very interesting stuff.

BShreeve · October 2013

Reddvl said:
I just read the very informative book, Exercising Through Your Pregnancy by James Clapp, M.D. (highly recommended). One of the really interesting things about his research is that he found all sorts of positive effects of exercising for mothers and babies, BUT, there is no correlation between exercising through pregnancy and faster weight loss postpartum.

Benefits that the studies do show are less overall weight gain by exercising mothers (avg 6 lbs less), leaner babies (same length, head circumference, but less girth), earlier birth (by 5-6 days, no indication that there's more preterm births by exercising mothers), less fat gain overall, and (my personal favorite) increased VO2 max by 5-10% seen at 6 months to a year postpartum. However, most of these benefits are only seen by women who exercise through their entire pregnancy, which was kind of odd that stopping half way through negates the benefits of exercise.

Its a pretty scientific book and I don't have a great science background, but he summarizes nicely and its a pretty easy read otherwise. Very interesting stuff.

Fascinating! I will have to check that book out.

BShreeve · October 2013

VPGIRL06 said:
I did Crossfit throughout my entire pregnancy. gained 40 lbs. lost 30-32 lbs of it by 2 months PP and stayed there. At around 6 months, I dropped 7 of those lbs, hovering at 1-2 lbs above my pre pregnant weight. no ideas why/how the weight dropped off, except i ran maybe 6-7 miles more a week.

I could button up some of my old pants within 2 weeks (even with a C section) BUT...they didn't fit correctly, i would have to wear super flowy tops with them. I didn't BF either. went straight to the Crossfit gym 6 weeks post partum.

I've done Crossfit during pregnancy too and I am so happy I did. I look and feel great! I am almost 7 months along, any advice for my last two months??

blushingbride_08 · November 2013

I had a fit pregnancy. I did zumba until 9 months. My last month was rocky. I ate fast food for lunch and dinner every.single.day. Not good but I was healthy most of the other months. I did indulge but worked out as normal. I gained 45 lbs total but gain 20 of those lbs my last month. Thanks to the fast food. I lost 20 lbs the 1st week after giving birth and slowly lost a few lbs each month. I also breastfeeding which helped a lot. I'm now 7lbs from my pp weight and my lo is 19 months old. I know I can lose these last lbs but I like eating cookies for dessert every night. I still workout though. Gl!

cs1007 · November 2013

Same here-I exercised 5x a week up until the very end with both of my pregnancies, mostly super long walks at the end (5-7 miles) but did kickboxing and light weights throughout. I only gained 23 lbs with the first and 25 with the second. I was back to my regular weight ( plus 2-4 lbs, but I think that was mostly my boobs!) within a month:) I must add that I ate super healthy too, though:)

Nancy1250 · November 2013

@cs1007 can you give us more details on workouts per trimester and what you ate? All I hear is do what you can and eat what you crave. Need inspiration (as I sit here and pedal on stationary bike)

lwatkins12 · November 2013

My twins will be 6 weeks Monday. I gained 27lbs and have now lost 36. I'm BF but don't still don't quite fit into my PP jeans. I've had a very complicated recovery from my C section and still have an open area in my incision so I haven't been able to do much more than walk 2 or 3 times. This past 6 weeks has been a nightmare and I'm ready to feel active again. My twins are colicky & I need some stress relief! Btw, I was about 15-20lb overweight when I got pregnant.

argonne · December 2013

I stayed fit through my whole pregnancy with DS. I ran 20-30mpw, swam and rode my bike on the trainer. I was running again at 3 weeks pp. I was also back in my normal clothes about 1-2 weeks pp and weighing less than my pre-pg weight. Having said that, I had GD, so I was forced onto a fairly restricted, healthy diet for the last 13 weeks of my pregnancy so I only gained 19 lbs total. DS was also 8lbs8oz. That,I think, was the major reason I regained my body so quickly. I am assuming I will have GD again with this one, so I'm already being cautious with my carbs.

kelli&dave · December 2013

i like to think i stayed pretty fit during my pregnancy. i went to the gym a whole lot more than before i was pregnant actually :0/ I also had a semi physical job. i waited tables up until about a week before i delivered, spending 6-8 hours walking continuously at least 4 times a week. i think this helped me keep my energy levels high to the very end.

I gained 35 lbs (138-173). i was down to 162 when i left the hospital and 7 weeks later, i weigh 147. my clothing is beginning to fit, but some of my jeans are a little tight and i've still got quite a large pouch of belly fat. lol. i have not been dieting and at this point am pretty much just sitting around all day with the baby, being as lazy as i can before going to work next week. hoping to lose those last 9 lbs (and maybe 5 or 10 more :0) ) in the next couple of months. bottomline is, it doesn't happen overnight. but i'm sure having a fit/healthy pregnancy helps. i'd say that with some motivation, getting into your old clothes in a month is probably realistic.

cs1007 · December 2013

Nancy1250, I will be honest, I was very fit before (mostly running 5 days a week for 3 miles but did kickboxing and light weights too...) I was determined to stay as active as possible for as long as possible. I had a fear that weight was just going to pile on, so I wanted to try to maintain what I could, not knowing whet to expect.... I ran up until 20 weeks, at that point I felt front heavy and I felt like the heavy foot-pounding was not good for my body anymore. I did a lot of 29-30 minute DVDs like Jill michaels usually 5 days a week. If there was any movements that had too much weight or jumping I would just modify to low impact. As far as diet I ate healthy most of the time, but definitely had ice cream (measured portions) and chocolate at night. I would eat cereal or oatmeal for breakfast, banana for snack, egg sand which for lunch, popcorn, granola bars, apples for snacks with a glass of milk for calcium:) . Dinner was chicken, pasta, salads, and salmon once a week only....hope this wasn't too much detail, but I hope it was helpful!!! I know some of it is genes, but I think healthy eating and diet really contributed to a quick bounce back- AND it is good for your baby!

marathonmom823 · December 2013

I ran 6 days/week, avg 35-40 miles/week all through my first pregnancy right up to and on the day I delivered at 37w4d. I also taught group fitness classes and strength trained about 2xs a week. I ate like a horse and gained 17#.
I started walking again 4 days post-partum, and running at 10 days PP. I ran 3 days a week for a couple of weeks, then added in a fourth day the following week, fifth day the week after that, and 6th day around 2 months. I was 5# lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight at my 6 week check up.
Running pp felt HARD! It took me much longer to build my long run back up than I anticipated. I started to feel some pelvic pain anytime I ran over 8-9 miles, so I decided to not rush things and just slowly build back as my body allowed. I ran my 5th marathon when my son was 18 months old and felt
Great!
You can get back to your previous fitness levels, and even surpass them!

Ardmhs83 · December 2013

That was true for me. I exercised and ate great throughout my pregnancy. I was underweight when I got pregnant, so I gained almost 40lbs. I honestly think I lost my weight from breastfeeding and diet after my DS was born. I didn't limit my food by any means, I was nursing. However, I naturally eat very clean so this helped a lot. Everybody is different though, so it is really hard to compare yourself to others.

This is a true statement, I saw where someone said they would side-eye anyone who said this, but I'm being honest.

Nancy1250 · December 2013

I am 13w2d and have been doing 20 mins cardio/40 mins weights 2x per week. I'm starting to see my thighs, my arms and my face fatten up.

I need some encouragement from you guys to increase activity. Will I look better pregnant? My gym is 30 mins away. Tell me I should push myself to go more. How many times per week? I had gained 7.5 pounds at 12w. I think I'm up a few more.

I need you! I keep telling myself I'm doing more than the average pregnant woman. But that's not enough. Running has been too difficult, I feel pressure on my vagina and it hurts!

Thanks!

crossfitkiwi · December 2013

@Nancy1250 stick with it girl, especially the weights! Maintaining lean muscle will help with bouncing back faster after delivery. If running hurts you could try rowing or a stationary bike?

A lot of strength training can be low impact, so I feel like it's ideal for pregnant women (as long as you are doing it safely).
I crossfit 3-4 times a week which involves a bit of heavy lifting. At almost 17 weeks I have gained ~5 pounds and feel like I have so far maintained my muscle mass. I've decreased my weights a bit and have cut out some of the more high impact stuff like box jumps and jumping rope as that's started to hurt my belly. But overall I'm feeling fit and strong. As long as I keep listening to my body and modifying what I do I know I've got a good chance of staying active all the way thru till delivery.

You can do it !! There is nothing like that feeling of achievement after getting off your butt and working out

Nancy1250 · December 2013

Woo hooo! Off to the gym!

huntjul · December 2013

I had a very fit pregnancy, and despite eating well, I gained less than recommended (about 15 lbs). My body just didn't seem to want to gain. I had an easy labor, quick delivery (6 hours total labor time, baby was born within 2 hrs of when I arrived at the hospital), and felt good after. I left the hospital with a tiny belly that most would consider looked not pregnant. At 1 week PP I was at pre-pregnancy weight and felt like I looked pretty good, incl no noticeable belly. I was back in pre-pregnancy clothes by 2 weeks PP. I'm not bragging but just saying it s possible, especially if you have good genetics and a lower pregnancy weight gain.

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