Fit Before Pregnancy

maebeme · January 2014

Hi everyone

My husband and I want to start TTC, but recently I've been thinking a lot about my fitness level. I'm overweight (5'6" 206 lbs), but I've started working out 4-5 days a week for an hour at a time the last few weeks. Other than that I am in excellent health. My husband already notices a difference and that is really encouraging! I know that the healthier you are, generally, the better your pregnancy will be.

I've been considering putting off TTC until I reach my fitness goal. I'm not trying to be a stick (I never could be with these hips! haha) I just want to be healthy and happier with my appearance. I know if I got pregnant right now I would still be ecstatic, but I'm nervous about regretting the timing.

Did any of you face a similar dilemma and if so what did you end up doing?

Helenahhandbasket · January 2014

Yes. I was about 20 lbs overweight before I got pregnant. I didn't lose the weight and wound up gaining an additional 60 pounds while pregnant. It was a sight.

I do wish I was closer to my ideal weight when I got pregnant, because it took me up until just recently to lose the baby weight (note ticker-- DD is 2). I have not lost those extra 20, but I am working on that now so that if there is a next time, I won't be at such a high starting point.

It sounds like you are on the right track though. I would just keep doing what you are doing, and to keep up your healthy eating and physical activity so that it's more of a habit than a chore if you were to become pregnant before hitting your "goal" weight.

Good luck!

NCbeachgirl2452 · January 2014

I lost about 25 lbs before I got pregnant. I was not near my "ideal" weight but am happy that I got pregnant when I did. It definitely helps to be more active and eat healthier before getting pregnant IMO! Take it a month at a time is my advice. I also saved all my "fat" clothes and am able to wear those which helps in not having to buy maternity clothes as early.

PB&J714 · January 2014

It sounds like you're on the right track! I do think it will help tremendously through pregnancy if you drop to a weight where you feel fit and comfortable beforehand. And you'll be so much more likely to stay active and exercise during pregnancy as well which will keep you to a point where once you have your LO, losing the baby weight will not seem like as much of a chore.

It's such a personal decision, but I think it would benefit you (and your body) to keep up the good work and TTC when you get to a point where you think you'll be healthiest.

Charmedseed · January 2014

I'm in the same boat! I was up to about 140 at 5'2" at the end of last year and didn't much like it - nor did I like none of my clothes fitting. =p We started TTC in January and I started exercising at least 15 minutes a day at the same time. I'm a weenie and have noooo stamina, boo, so that's really the hardest part for me. =D Let's go, girls!

lifeonthehill · January 2014

We are hopping to start TTC next year and I have been trying to get to work on getting to a healthier weight. I think it will just help me have a better pregnancy if I am not dragging 10+ pounds I don't need to begin with. Also I am hoping that by being in good habits to start I will be able to stay active during and after pregnancy without a huge hassle.

Decide what is best for you! Good luck!

Ducktale · January 2014

@Nicb13 congrats!!! I didn't see you got your BFP, that's awesome!

Jags8 · January 2014

Ducktale said:

@Nicb13 congrats!!! I didn't see you got your BFP, that's awesome!

Whoa I didn't notice either! Congrats! You should make a little announcement here

maebeme · January 2014

Thanks for the responses, ladies!

kcisthebombdotcom · January 2014

I lost 25lbs to get my bmi in the healthy range before ttc. it wasn't the sole factor in waiting--we had some personal and financial goals as well. i definitely don't think you necessarily need to get to a set number but being in good physical shape--lots of exercise and healthy eating made pregnancy and beyond easier.

TheTrunchbull · January 2014

I've started making changes for the better and I've found that the thought of TTC has been a better motivator than anything else I've tried.

TikiTurtle · January 2014

TheTrunchbull said:
I've started making changes for the better and I've found that the thought of TTC has been a better motivator than anything else I've tried.

I totally agree, I'm more motivated now in prep for TTC then I was for my wedding or trip to Hawaii. I guess bc this time it's not just about looking good, it also affects the health of the baby/pregnancy. Plus, I hope to be able to get back into shape relatively quick and easy afterwards, and that can be greatly influenced by what shape I'm in before and during the pregnancy.

ForeignServiceWife · February 2014

I think waiting a few months to drop some pounds would be a great idea, but keep in mind that BMI is a pretty useless tool. It was invented by life insurance companies in order to predict who should have higher premiums. I am 5'10" and about 160. So right now, my BMI is 23, which I am okay with. I could definitely drop 10 pounds to hit 150 and a BMI of 21.5, but if I go any lower than that (which I haven't been able to do without starvation in about 5 years), it's really unhealthy for me - I get rail thin and lose muscle mass, but according to BMI, I am still at a healthy weight. That's because I have a larger frame, so a lot of my weight comes from bone and minimum muscle weight. I'm not one of those super tall girls with a super small frame - I'm tall with a bit larger frame and a tendency to carry a little extra fat on my hips and butt. For me, that's healthy and it will come in handy when I breastfeed (DHA, one of the most important fats in breastmilk, is stored preferentially in the hips and thighs). On the flip side, my husband is 5'8" and about 220. He is definitely overweight, but according to BMI he is obese. I do not think he is obese. He could lose an easy 40 pounds and be a lot healthier for it, but he is never going to weigh 165, which is what he would need to be to hit the "healthy weight" BMI. If he exercises to lose 40 lbs of fat, he is going to gain a significant amount of muscle, so his net weight loss might only be 25 lbs.

All of that to say, don't rely on BMI as an indicator of health. Body fat percentages and waist and thigh measurements are MUCH better indicators of healthy weight. I have lost muscle weight and put on fat weight to see a net LOSS of weight, but a GAIN in waist measurements. Here is a good chart to help you estimate body fat percentage: https://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages

IMHO, women who are trying to conceive should strive for 20-30% body fat. I think 30% is pushing it a bit, since being overweight can really mess with some women's cycles and it's a huge risk factor for PCOS, but being below 20%, and especially below 15%, is also risky as many women stop ovulating or menstruating at that level because there is just not enough extra energy in the body to do so - menstruation is a very energetic process, as we all know! And of course, pregnancy and breastfeeding are HUGE energy suckers since you are literally growing an entire human being and serving as its sole food source for upwards of six months...so a little extra cushion in the hips and thighs can be a good thing for that, but belly fat is usually indicative of a more unhealthy lifestyle. Different foods are stored in different places in the body, and good foods and fats tend to get stored in the butt and legs, while unhealthy foods are stored in the belly and upper body (apple vs pear shape). Of course, genetics and exercise play a big role in this too. I won't say any more about it except that if you are interested in it you can do a google search to get TONS of information, or you can message me. Also, keep in mind that I am not a professional, so take everything I say with that particular grain of salt. I am just someone who is interested in maximizing my own health and helping anyone else by sharing information that I find.

So should you wait to try to conceive? Obviously, that is a personal choice, but if I were you I would wait until I was around 27-29% body fat, and it sounds like you are already doing a great job of getting there! I think even if you have regular cycles, you will find it easier to get pregnant at that point, and your risk of miscarriage will likely decrease as well, along with a host of other possible pregnancy complications. Best of luck to you and your husband!

kuriboshoe · February 2014

Maebeme, I'm in your boat. I'm also 5'6'' and I'm at 193 lbs. I'd like to at least get out of the "obese" category before TTC later this year. I had a preconception appt and asked my midwife "How much do I honestly need to lose?" She recommended at least getting down to 180.

Congrats on your workout plan! That sounds like hard work and is awesome. I'm exercising but have no set schedule at the moment, but I'm tracking what I eat.

cmp6310 · March 2014

Agreed, Im in the same boat

GoonieGal85 · March 2014

I am '5''4 and 230. I was down to 200 back in 2012-2013, gearing up for my wedding which was March 2013. Then I gained the 30lbs "happy weight", and haven't been able to get it off. I eat rather healthy (I'll admit I like my sweet tea, 1 glass a day, but I'm a southern girl). But I hit the gym 4-5x a week. I run 1-3miles, lift weights. I also train with a personal trainer 1x a week for an hour. I have for about 5 years now. My BMI is high, yes. But my BP is normal or low, and all my other lab results are WNL. I went to see my baby dr, back in November, and he told me about 5x that I needed to lose some weight. I seriously wanted to punch him. I have lost over 100lbs since 2006. I work out, and I eat healthy. I'm not ever going to be small. I wasn't when I was born, or as a kid. But I'm healthy. Now, I have some other health stuff that may interfere w/ my TTC (I am a TBI survivor, have epilepsy). I've been trying since November officially.

I think as long as you are healthy and happy, and take care of yourself when pregnant, you'll be just fine. Your size shouldn't be an issue

lilhenry89 · March 2014

Don't be discouraged! And keep in mind that if you are weight training and building muscle it weighs more than fat. In the case of building muscle you want to check your improvement by measuring inches lost not weight lost. You will lose inches and still giant weight simply because muscle weighs that much more than fat. I hope that makes sense!

SpartanChick88 · March 2014

Remember that weight is not a complete picture or indication of health and fitness. I am 5'2" and 140 something with a little baby pudge still hanging on (DD is 3!) but you can see my abs and I'm scheduled to run my second Spartan Race in three weeks. I used to be 120 something but obstacle racing NEVER would have been an option despite my regular workouts. Work towards fitness more than weight. Inches are a better indication than pounds. Don't be too hard on yourself because you really will be your worst critic. Good luck!

SmileyJay · March 2014

I agree with others - fitness is so much more important than weight. I am a healthy weight (5'5'', 140 lbs) but got lazy over the holidays and am now trying to get back in good shape. I am working out 6 days a week again and feel so much better. I want to increase strength in my core and pelvic floor to help with pregnancy pains. I usually feel my best around 130-135 lbs but more muscle than I currently have. I am trying to reestablish a diet that will work well during pregnancy. Small, frequent, nutrient dense diet helps lose weight, feel better, but also is great for pregnancy to keep energy up and nausea at bay (apparently - I have never been pg). The holidays derail our normal diet so much. I'm thankful my husband is a bit fitness-crazed so he keeps me on track when I start to stray.

Good luck and kudos on trying to get healthy for you and your future baby!

Don't be too hard on yourself or feel overwhelmed, small changes can go a really long way.

PuppyLove84 · March 2014

I agree with everyone who says that weight doesn't matter as much as fitness... I'm similar in that I'm not overweight but right now I'm just in bad shape. I generally eat fairly healthy but I have been eating a few too many Girl Scout cookies lately! So my goal is to try and get back to good eating habits and to start exercising to get in better shape for pregnancy. I have heard that strengthening your "core" is good before you get pregnant. And I recently hauled my friend's baby's car seat around for a few minutes and that sucker was SO HEAVY! So I have started lifting some weights, too! I don't want to be the mom that is too weak to carry her kid inside from the car! haha

maebeme · March 2014

Thanks for the responses everyone! We decided that we are just going to keep trying and whatever happens, happens.

GoonieGal85 · March 2014

Well, I get my work out w/ strength at work too. I am an Occupational Therapist at a hospital. I lift patients 200-400lbs on a daily basis!

thejucheidea · March 2014

I'm 5'8", 220 pounds. I stay active and eat well, and because my labs and vitals are awesome, my gynecologist wasn't concerned about me losing weight prior to TTC. I'm actually losing weight so that my scrubs are loose to give me growing room so I can avoid telling coworkers for as long as possible, lol.

GoonieGal85 · March 2014

Oh the dreaded scrubs. I wear them daily too. But good point, they make for good hiding

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