STMs + .....getting body back post baby

Lild09 · February 2014

Honestly how long did it take for you to loose the baby weight/ post partum uterus look?

Went to my friends meet the baby shower...she delivered Jan 20th and no joke this girl is totally back to normal outside of maybe a few extra pounds on her and extra boobs! It got me thinking that this can not be the norm...right? I'm super happy for her but I know for a fact she didn't work out before or during her pregnancy so I'm thinking she's just a very lucky duck!

All you ladies out there who've had a baby...what was your experience like?

Xath · February 2014

Hasn't happened yet. Each time I've gotten back to 10lbs heavier than I was before DS1 and then get pregnant again. But even when the weight goes down, my body is still a very different entity than it was in 2010. I'm pretty sure at this point that I will never be able to go "back" to what I had before.

dakota01 · February 2014

It usually takes awhile, some ppl have better genes so I think they get a better start. I've read it takes like 3years or something for your body to readjust etc. it does take about 6mo to a year to get back to pre pregnancy body but ya gotta work at it. I've never had the whole bf and the weight just falls off joy. But, everyone is different.

amroke · February 2014

I assume you haven't seen your friend naked since she had the baby? I'll bet she doesn't look "totally normal" yet. By the way, not saying she uses them, but spanx do wonders.

Chellbell20 · February 2014

I was still working on getting back when I got pg and the kids will be 3 years apart. I was back in regular pants after 2 months but I had extra weight I carried long after which I didn't get rid of until I worked at it.

Junebug060609 · February 2014

My weight was back in four months courtesy of bf'ing. My shape has never been the same. Things got fluffier.

artroyer · February 2014

Me? Never did because I was pregnant again when she was 7 months old haha. And I lost 30 of the 38lbs i gained, within the first 3 weeks. But unfortunately I gained 7 back over the following months.

I really want to try this time to lose it all as we don't plan on having a third soon after. Remember though that if you plan to breast feed some women actually hang on to weight instead of lose it, in order for their body to produce milk.

My close friend... ugh. In 2 weeks she was back in pre-pregnancy jeans. No working out. Just lucky lucky lucky.

knash87 · February 2014

I gained over 40 lbs when pregnant with my LO. I think some of that was water retention, but either way, that's what I ended up at. I think the week after I delivered I was down 20 lbs. I fit comfortably into pre pregnancy jeans at maybe 5 weeks PP. Between that and the 2 month mark I would say that to other people I looked like I was back to normal. I knew what clothes to wear to hide any extra whatever was still there. I would say that I felt back to my NEW normal at around 3 or 4 months. New normal to me meant carrying my weight in a different place. I have always had a slim waist, which I got back, but my stomach was much, much softer, and instead of feeling like any extra weight was in my thighs, I now had some nice little love handles. We don't have a scale in our home, so I cannot tell you at exactly what point all of the baby weight was gone, but I can say that when I finally got around a scale at about 6 months PP, I was 5 lbs less that my pre pregnancy weight. Though I weighed less, I still had those little love handles and mushy stomach!

So somewhere in-between giving birth and 6 months PP, I dropped more weight than I had gained. I literally gave it no effort, which I am not proud of. My diet was a bit healthier, because I wanted my baby to be healthy, but I probably made it a point to excercise maybe 2 times....

Oh, the thing that bothered me the most during the time after I had my baby was that I felt like the skin on every part of my body was loose! If a ran, jumped, danced, I felt like every piece of my skin was jiggling! I thought that was never going to go away, but it did. I can't remember when, but it did!

I wanted to make a similar post to see what differences mom's of multiples saw in the after baby body process with their first compared to their second. If anyone reads this, maybe they could touch on that as well?

Allibob · February 2014

I felt back to normal somewhere between 6-9 months, although according to the scale I was back at my pre-oregnancy weight much sooner. I wasn't able to exercise as much as I wanted to towards the end of my pregnancy due to horrible hip/symphysis pubis pain, so I noticed I had lost a lot of muscle mass when the swelling & weight went down. By a year I was under my pre-pregnancy size from breast feeding, and had gained back some of the muscle tone I lost. Everyone is different and there are so many variables in the equation (pregnancy weight gain, breastfeeding & how your body reacts to that, exercise, etc). Obviously it's possible to do it quicker, because you see the celebrity coverage of post baby bouncebacks. Not all of us have the time, money & energy for that though.

labooshki · February 2014

With the first one, I have to admit, I bounced back immediately. But I only gained about 20 lbs total. Second one, it was a lot harder and took a few months to be a happy weight, but I still wasn't toned. I'm curious to see what happens with number 3. I have a feeling this child will be the end all. Meaning, I'll never get my body back!

tjkdlhb · February 2014

I haven't felt normal since... but I breastfed until I got pregnant this time...

I was about 5-10 lbs heavier than my pre-pregnancy weight, but my hips and belly just feel bigger.

I feel like I should care more, but I really don't.

Maybe after I'm completely done having children I'll work on it harder... but maybe not.

spinsoffresonance · February 2014

I gained over 50lbs with DD. I had a csection and weighted as much when I left the hospital than when I went in, Even though I had an 8lbs baby. The first 20lbs came off maybe after 3 weeks. Then it took me until 9m PP to get back to my pre pregnancy weight. I never found the time to work out and didn't diet because I was breastfeeding but I made sure to eat healthy. Although I was back at my original weight, I still looked fairly pregnant. This time I'm gonna try to make time for the gym so I can try to get my stomach back in shape.

MissLadyTay · February 2014

I looked very pregnant for probably a month. I had a c section and my uterus took a long time to shrink. It took almost a year of eating well and working out to get back to where I felt like my body was "normal" again.

runningyogimama · February 2014

I had lost all but 5-6 lbs by the time I got pregnant again at 6 months post baby, but my hips were still wider, so I was up a jeans size. I felt back in shape and more confident about myself around 3 months. I gained 55 lbs and started running/working out again 4 weeks postpartum (and walked daily before that).

neems1982 · February 2014

I gained 75lbs during my first pregnancy and it took 9 months for me to lose all they weight. Breastfeeding alone doesn't do it, I had to change my diet and exercise more often. My son was breastfed until he was 20 months old, after that my boobs remained big, but became saggy and deflated like. After DS2 is done breastfeeding i'll be looking into a boob lift and reduction.

MrsT2008 · February 2014

This varies so greatly from one woman to another.

I gained 55lbs with DD. I was down almost 15lbs when I came home from the hospital (DD was just shy of 8lbs) and down about 30lbs total by the time she was 1 month old (though still flabby as all get out and my hips were still wider than usual). Another 15ish lbs came off slowly over the first year. I was still 7-10lbs heavier than my pre-preg weight when I got pregnant this time (DD was 21 months old when I got pregnant). I'd say by the time she was 1, I was feeling like my body was back to where it was before I got pregnant with her (with the exception of the 7-10 extra pounds). I didn't exercise much, nor was I paying much attention to how I was eating (not that I was loading up on junk, but I didn't go out of my way to be super healthy either).

danabsd · February 2014

I could button my jeans about 3 weeks PP, I didn't try before them. But my body never compley went back. Things were just in different places.

It's one of those everyone is different things.

JKTTC1 · February 2014

Besides my boobs and the fact I felt differently since I was a "mom" now, I lost my weight really quickly due to breast feeding and within 2 weeks I was back in my regular blue jeans and 7-8 later during summer I was in a bikini.

ksyknelvr73 · February 2014

The brutal honest truth....I gained 53 lbs with DS. I lost 21 lbs in the first two weeks. Then I stalled. My stomach went down pretty quickly, but I also wore a belly bandit to help. By 6 weeks PP, my stomach was mostly flat again but I still had a lot of weight to lose ( I gained a lot in my arms, face and thighs). At 5 months PP, I had lost 33 lbs. I stayed there needing to lose the last 20 until DS was a year old, then I lost 20 lbs in 3 months b/c I got totally fed up with myself. So all in all, it took a year.

busterbeagle · February 2014

I felt comfortable in my body by 5 months PP, but it wasn't back to normal. I was maybe 5-10 lbs over my pre-pg weight and a pants size bigger because my hips grew. I ended up gaining a little bit back a few months after that. I BFed until 15m, and after that I was finally able to start losing again, and then I got KU. I plan on working a little harder this time (at least starting around 10 months PP, which is when I started gaining last time) since I'm pretty sure we are done having kids and I don't have the "going to get pregnant again anyway" excuse.

whitehousem · February 2014

I gained 38lbs with DD, first 20 fell off by 4 weeks pp, another 10-15 was off by 4mo pp. Then I kinda stalled. I stopped BFing at 4mo but my boobs stayed huge, so none of my clothes fit the same. At about 9mo pp I had lost all but maybe 5 lbs. I had been working out a few times a week (or less) and trying to watch what I ate. I joined a fitness challenge around this time and lost another 8lbs. I was working out 5-6 days a week and was on a serious no grain, no dairy, no sugar diet (with a cheat meal or two a week). I kept it up for about 6 months and was 12lbs under my pre prego weight and prob in the best shape of my life when I got prego this time. I felt great and am hoping to get back to that somehow (twins this time, so we will see!).

mirdamae03 · February 2014

I gained 24 lbs with DS1, and lost it all by 3 weeks PP. I was a little overweight starting out though. I was pretty smooshy for a while. Probably 5 or 6 months before I could wear my regular clothes. I started weight watchers a year and a half ago and lost 35 additional pounds and was running and felt great. I've already gained 26 pounds so far, which I sort of expected after going off WW. Hopefully the weight loss will help me this go round.

Kageer · February 2014

I gained 50 with my first and 40 with my second. I was prob within 10-15 pounds of my pp weight by 2 months with both of them and lost it all by 6 months. But like many others said things were still a bit smushy. It prob took me a good 1.5 years to get my muscle tone back. I didn't try very hard to get back in shape after my second cause I knew we were going to have one last baby.

kalette · February 2014

The first time it was super easy. I didn't work out or anything.. I just BF and everything seemed to go back to the way it was pre pregnancy within a few weeks, except my boobs. I BF for 16 months and then got my BFP the next month, so I haven't really had a chance at normal boobs yet. I am seriously hoping that everything goes back again like it did last time, this time.

ho11yday · February 2014

My hair is only beginning to look normal after it thinned after childbirth (2 years later). My bodyshape is the same but I didn't start off thin or with no stretch marks. However, I didn't lose all my weight until a year after I stopped breastfeeding (which is when I got pregnant).

Brandyjean30 · February 2014

I feel like my weight during my pregnancy affected my crazy results. I was 5'7" and 175lbs when I got pregnant (overweight according to the BMI). I lost down to 155lbs from morning sickness and the day I had her (38 weeks) I was 188. By 2 weeks I was able to wear my pre-baby jeans (they were just uncomfortable against my c/s incision). By 1 months PP I was back down to 170lbs. With the help of weight watchers and exercise I was down to 154 at DD's first birthday.

Like PPs have said, I did change shape and my jeans didn't look as good as before. I've had to find a different style that fits my wider hips. I'm fully prepared for this to happen again but I'm not excited to be "starting over" if that makes sense.

Lild09 · February 2014

Thanks ladies I love hearing your stories! I've told myself I should give myself about 6-9 months to get back into crazy shape like I was prior to baby. I know my body will change here and there but I want to get back into the fitness level I was and hubby has already told me he will make sure I have support so I can get my workouts in almost daily. I'm a home workout fanatic so I'm hoping to do t25 then p90x 3 both programs are 30 min a day once I feel better. I'll probsvky start off with walking and specific post partum DVDs to help me too!

bumpuser9353653 · February 2014

I gained 35lb with DD. I was down 20 by the time I got home from the hospital (4 days PPdue to c/s). I lost all but a couple lbs by about 3 months PP but my shape has never been the same. My stomach stretched so much that my skin never was able to retract back. It sucks when you're back to pre-baby weight but still have a saggy mid-section.

As people have said, though, it's different for everyone. Just eat right, exercise, and pray for good genes!

rcbuko · February 2014

I typically lose the weight in about 4 months with not much effort besides breastfeeding and not eating like a total pig. That said, I am not down to where I was when I got pregnant with my first. I was 15 pounds heavier when I got pregnant with this baby as I gained weight outside of pregnancy and recovery from pregnancy. I imagine I won't have too much of a problem getting back down to the base weight again but will have to work at that extra 15 pounds. This is our last baby so I really want to get those last pounds off this time.

My best advice is to drink lots of water and not much else so you don't take in extra calories through drinking. Since all of our babies are due in warm weather, take advantage of it and walk when you are able. Go to the park, botanical gardens, trails, etc and work up a little bit of a sweat. Eat lots of small meals. If you breastfeed, you will need to do this anyway as hunger sometimes creeps up quickly. Breastfeeding truly does help.

bumpuser9353653 · February 2014

kitchencolors said:

RugbyMamma said:

Just eat right, exercise, and pray for good genes!

Yup. That's really all you can do. And realize that sometimes it's a choice between BFing and losing the last of the baby weight. Not everyone can lose it all while BFing, no matter how much exercise/good eating.

yep. I thought BFing would be the magical answer, but I BF'd for 14 months then got pregnant about a month later, so no chance to make up any slack in between. It helped me to lose the weight since my metabolism was through the roof (and it was great for DD), but pre-baby weight and pre-baby body aren't necessarily the same thing.

sthomas1222 · February 2014

I had a great experience that I can oy hope & pray repeats itself. I only gained 15.5lbs with DD. By the time I was pregnant again 8 months later I was down that plus another 45lbs (60lbs total). Unfortunate I've gained about 25lbs so far this time

I'm fortunate that nursing really seemed to help me as I did nothing but eat moderately healthy & nurse, no gym time.

shaunamw · February 2014

I think I gainged almost 30 pounds with DS. I could put my preprego jeans back on by week three I think but things didn't quite fit like they used it. By the time I went back to work at 6 months, I had lost all the weight plus some. I BF and tried to watch what I ate but I think the key for me was being active, I did some form of excerise everyday and really loved stroller strides, its a moms group that works out with their babies. I'm guessing it wont be as easy this time as I'm assuming it probably gets harder each time plus I feel like I'm going to gain more this time. I really need to stop my chocolate covered fruit cravings.

angelita11 · February 2014

I had gestational diabetes so I lost most of the weight I gained at the beginning of the pregnancy in those last three months. It still took me some to really feel normal again. I had a hard time balancing being a mom and working full time so I gained some back when I went back to work. I think every woman is so individual that you never know what will work best for you. I'm more active this pregnancy than I was with my last so I hope to get back in shape sooner.

bumpuser10194737 · February 2014

It took me 13 months with my first (I had gained 49 pounds) and six months with my second (after gaining 37 pounds). I worked a lot harder to lose it with the second. My Fitness Pal to track calories (added extra for nursing), running, spinning, and Pilates. And even though the pounds were gone PLUS an extra 14 more, I still wasn't back. Clothes fit differently. At my lowest weight after baby I still wore a size bigger than I had when I had weighed the same amount in my early 20s. There are stretch marks galore, and I stayed one bra size bigger as well, and a half shoe size bigger.

I've just learned to accept my new self and stay as healthy and fit as I can.

Kageer · February 2014

I forgot about feet getting bigger! Mine are a solid size bigger after two kids. I made myself promise I wouldn't buy any shoes durng this pregnancy for fear they wouldn't fit when I wasn't pregnant any more. The good news-I am no longer a super popular size so shoes don't sell out in my size as quickly:).

JAM85 · February 2014

Did any STMs have heavy lifting as part of their pp routine? I have always been into lifting since it was part of my swim program- and ideally I would make it back to my 5 day body part split by 8-12 weeks working up to it before and obviously the weight will be low at first. I still lift now but only full body 2-3x a week and obviously not that heavy- I ask because from anecdotal experience it seems the squishiness should begin to be significantly reduced if weights rather than cardio are the focus even as you eat maintenance if BFing as you are building back lean mass. Of course I'm also studying to be a personal trainer and a little fitness focused so my mind tends to drift that way. I am also concerned about making sure nothing effects my breast milk.

Mikki62 · February 2014

I was back to the same weight at 5 months pp, but didn't quite fit in the same pants. Then I got pregnant again and gained about 15 lbs when I lost him at 16 weeks. It took a while to get motivated to do anything after that but when I got pregnant again with this baby 7 months later I was actually 5lbs lighter than before DD.

bumpuser9353653 · February 2014

JAM85 said:
Did any STMs have heavy lifting as part of their pp routine? I have always been into lifting since it was part of my swim program- and ideally I would make it back to my 5 day body part split by 8-12 weeks working up to it before and obviously the weight will be low at first. I still lift now but only full body 2-3x a week and obviously not that heavy- I ask because from anecdotal experience it seems the squishiness should begin to be significantly reduced if weights rather than cardio are the focus even as you eat maintenance if BFing as you are building back lean mass. Of course I'm also studying to be a personal trainer and a little fitness focused so my mind tends to drift that way. I am also concerned about making sure nothing effects my breast milk.

I would ask your OB at your PP visit. Hopefully you won't need a c/s but if you do, heavy weight lifting isn't recommended (at least not by my OB) as it can affect how your incision heals. Also, a lot of doctors won't clear you to exercise until 4-6 weeks PP, so definitely something you'll want to discuss with your doc. I lived on 10-minute trainer to get back down to weight (but I'm not a gym rat either) but agree weights are always a good idea to help with toning.

JAM85 · February 2014

@rugbymamma definitely if I have to have a c/s, which is a last resort for me personally and also my docs since I have a blood clotting antibody, that will change when I can get back into it but I have heard from 6 weeks on in general post baby for a natural both you can start exercising so id be taking the weight up slow and before then workin on balance and core at home likely using peanut when she is strapped to me to help start toning gently. I definitely won't be doing anything with my doc giving me the green light!

ABColeslaw · February 2014

I never got my body back. I'll be honest, I didn't try to hard. I will try this time, but I'm giving myself however long it takes. I don't plan to do anything crazy, but I will do yoga again and just make healthy choices.

bumpuser10194737 · February 2014

JAM85 said:

Did any STMs have heavy lifting as part of their pp routine? I have always been into lifting since it was part of my swim program- and ideally I would make it back to my 5 day body part split by 8-12 weeks working up to it before and obviously the weight will be low at first. I still lift now but only full body 2-3x a week and obviously not that heavy- I ask because from anecdotal experience it seems the squishiness should begin to be significantly reduced if weights rather than cardio are the focus even as you eat maintenance if BFing as you are building back lean mass. Of course I'm also studying to be a personal trainer and a little fitness focused so my mind tends to drift that way. I am also concerned about making sure nothing effects my breast milk.

I did do some heavy lifting as well, after I lost most of the weight, so about six months PP. I think that and Pilates were big helps with toning.

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