Weight/Exercise and TTC/Pregnancy

lizziemoore513 · June 2014

So my husband and I have baby fever and want to quit the birth control ASAP. I have been consistently eating healthy and exercising for a while now and am 10 lbs down so far, I but still have about 10-15 more to go before I would really be where I want to. It IS a reasonable weight,I assure you I am not trying to big stick thin. Is this something I shouldn't compromise on? Can you still lose fat while pregnant? Obviously I will gain weight (duh), I just don't want to put myself in a bad position health wise. Is it unreasonable to think that I could still make a little progress physically (build some muscle, lose some fat) while growing a little human? Any advice, anecdotes etc...please!

jnnfrrose6 · June 2014

I started working out a few months before I got pregnant with DS. I gained almost 40 lbs while pregnant and continued to work out through the pregnancy (including the day before I went into labor). You are going to gain weight while pregnant unless your doctor has advised against it for medical reasons. Your focus should be on your's and your baby's health, not the number on the scale.

iloveu4ever · June 2014

If you're ttc, you really shouldn't try to lose weight.

loisloan1118 · June 2014

Just keep doing what you're doing now - eating right & being active. Remember to increase your calories when you get pg and talk w/ your OB about your nutrition. You'll gain weight while pg, that's a fact. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle will be a great thing for you & LO. Good luck!

ashiscute · June 2014

Ali_P7 said:

Just keep doing what you're doing now - eating right & being active. Remember to increase your calories when you get pg and talk w/ your OB about your nutrition. You'll gain weight while pg, that's a fact. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle will be a great thing for you & LO. Good luck!

This. Try to concentrate on how you feel and not the numbers.

DenaMaree · June 2014

I always had the impression that if you go into a pregnancy healthy and fit and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle then you will bounce back faster and more successful after you deliver your bundle of joy! I am concentrating more on yoga and pilate's as I believe it will also assist in delivering the baby and concentrating on cardio going into and through a pregnancy will help if you have a longer labor.

lizziemoore513 · June 2014

Thanks for everyone's input. To clarify, I am not "dieting", I am simply eating appropriate portions and less processed foods. And like I said, I realize I will gain weight during pregnancy. That doesn't bother me. I just want to be as healthy as possible without putting my body and my (hopefully) soon-to-be baby under any unnecessary stress. I think I am going to schedule an appt with the OB/GYN and ask their opinion on my weight and overall health. Thanks everyone!

jnnfrrose6 · June 2014

lizziemoore513 said:

Thanks for everyone's input. To clarify, I am not "dieting", I am simply eating appropriate portions and less processed foods. And like I said, I realize I will gain weight during pregnancy. That doesn't bother me. I just want to be as healthy as possible without putting my body and my (hopefully) soon-to-be baby under any unnecessary stress. I think I am going to schedule an appt with the OB/GYN and ask their opinion on my weight and overall health. Thanks everyone!

There is no reason to schedule an appointment only to discuss your weight and overall health with your OB/GYN. If you happen to have your wellness check scheduled, fine, discuss, but absolutely no reason to have a separate appointment just for that conversation. Focus on being healthy (which it sounds like you've got covered) and if/when you get your BFP or your annual comes up then you can discuss it.

DenaMaree · June 2014

I completely agree with jnnfrrose6! The OB at the office I work at would completely role her eyes at me if I made a specific appointment with her to ask if she would recommend I eat more vegetables, fruit and protein and less junk along with upping my excercise routine prior and leading into getting pregnant. Seems like common sense!

lizziemoore513 · June 2014

Y'all are awesome! I did schedule an appt, but it's not just for a "preconception checkup". I'm going to a new Dr and would like to meet her and check out the facility etc etc. thanks so much everyone! I look forward to this journey!

FJM85 · June 2014

Hi!

I am in the same boat. After an op in May, I need to wait until Aug to start ttc. I am using this time to focus on my health. I'm not following a strict diet, but I am focusing on more nutritious food and portion control. I am back to my normal training, which is quite hard, but will definitely cut back when I get a BFP.

Sounds like you are doing things the healthy way - keep up the good work!

plutoisaplanet · July 2014

I think if you have healthy habits now, you're on a good path. When you get pregnant, it's about maintaining healthy habits and not making choices you wouldn't make if you were not pregnant. And I concur: banish the scale as soon as you get the BFP (if not sooner). You will gain what you gain.

lgsdesigner · July 2014

As an avid weight lifter who watches every calorie I ingest, it is not recommended to focus on weight loss while pregnant.

If you are already overweight, you just try to not gain as much during your pregnancy. It is perfectly healthy to only gain 10-15lbs total while pregnant if you are obese or overweight. If you are normal weight, you can gain between 25-35lbs. The pregnant woman only needs to eat an extra 300 calories a day while pregnant. So—you probably will only gain baby weight and nothing extra if you stick to a strict diet and still eat your extra 300 cals.

Also—I plan to still weight lift and workout while pg. Sure…not as hard or heavy as I do now, but you bet I will still be in the gym 4 days a week.

GL!

maybebaby3 · July 2014

I weighed less the day I gave birth to my daughter than when I got pregnant with her. A couple of pounds could be attributed to morning sickness but my healthier eating habits definitely paid off. I drank nothing but water, & ate a diet rich in lean proteins, veggies, and fruits. This was dramatically different from my pre-pregnancy fare and my body responded accordingly. My OB monitored me closely and was my biggest cheerleader! I walked 3-4 times a week (until I got too uncomfortable) also. I believe this helped my c-section recovery also! My focus was not to lose weight but to nourish my baby and myself. Weight loss was the added bonus! Make sure you talk to your doctor and get his/her input before deciding to do anything.

michelehoney13 · July 2014

Thanks for asking this question-- because I wondered about exercise, specifically strength training! I recently started an intense athletic training program and I love it and wasn't sure if it was something I was going to have to quit if I got pregnant. One thing I noticed after 3 months of this regime (4x-5x a week)... the anxiety I struggled with has almost completely disappeared. I feel like anything that makes mom healthy and happy is also good for baby. As long as it's reasonable and guided by an professional trainer because there are always modifications.

I told DH that a TredClimber is a non-negotiable purchase if we get pregnant too LOL

pibsquared · July 2014

lgsdesigner
maybebaby3

Thank you for your insight. Currently I am labeled obese by BMI standards although I do not feel obese and people who I tell that to are shocked. But I am definitely overweight but I really want to TTC soon. I understand the not loosing weight during pregnancy but I want to stay healthy and get healthier during my pregnancy and I wasn't sure if that was possible. So just maintain eating healthy, keep up with the exercise and keep the weight gain decent, esp not over the normal amount (try and stay around 25lbs or less). Of course don't starve diet if you are over but just cut the saturated fat type stuff. Make sure OBGyn knows and is supportive. Am I getting that right?
I will try although I hear about those craving problems, maybe I will crave salads. I had a friend who craved salads with her boys and sweet n' salty stuff with her girl.

But for the calorie counting. I am currently doing that with myfitnesspal and I am trying to net between 1.2k-1.8k per day. You have to eat 300 extra while pregnant so does that just make my range 1.5k-2.1k or are you suppose to eat as close to 2.1k (or greater than 1.8k)?

lgsdesigner · July 2014

@pibsquared - Yes. Once pg, your range will go up an extra 300 cals to 1.5k-2.1k. HTH!

pibsquared · July 2014

Awesome! Thanks for the advice!

anthonyfiddy2 · July 2014

lizziemoore513 · July 2014

lgsdesignermaybebaby3

urbancountrymommy · July 2014

michelewilson1013 said:
Thanks for asking this question-- because I wondered about exercise, specifically strength training! I recently started an intense athletic training program and I love it and wasn't sure if it was something I was going to have to quit if I got pregnant. One thing I noticed after 3 months of this regime (4x-5x a week)... the anxiety I struggled with has almost completely disappeared. I feel like anything that makes mom healthy and happy is also good for baby. As long as it's reasonable and guided by an professional trainer because there are always modifications.
I told DH that a TredClimber is a non-negotiable purchase if we get pregnant too LOL

@michelewilson1013‌ @lizziemoore513‌
I too struggle with stress/anxiety, but I've noticed that when I exercise regularly and eat right (and cut out tons of coffee and soda) I feel so much better! Stress isn't good for TTC, the baby or us.

Also, I've already found a pre-natal studio close by with a variety of mommy-to-be classes. I'll start with the regular ones, then switch to pre-natal one I get my BFP. Everything I've researched says that you want to "train" for pregnancy. It's a mini marathon as it can last many hours, and you'll use muscles you never knew you had! The better shape you're in, the better!

I agree, I wouldn't focus to much on weight before hand because one, the scale is just not a good predictor if fitness (I can gain weight when I lost fat/build muscle : muscle weighs more than fat) and it does put some level of stress on your body and can affect fertility or ovulation or something (I forget which). Being healthier now will make your pregnancy easier and recovery smoother. Also, I've read that the longer you're able to breast feed, the quicker post baby weight comes off.

Good luck!!!!

pibsquared · July 2014

Yeah my dietitian didn't want me below 1200 because that is malnutrition region. No worries really averaging 1500-1600 net. Really I am just trying not to eat empty calories, low saturated fats, and exercise. If I got pregnant I probably try to eat in the 1800-2000 calorie region.

BadgerTwins+1 · July 2014

I would have to agree that you are on the right track and eating a more plant based diet with Whole wheat and lean protein will serve you and your LO well. My OB has always told me that I am OK to continue what I was doing before my BFP's as long as I was not physically uncomfortable. Best of luck and congrats on your BFP!

DawnLilly · July 2014

I despise scales. I saw you got your BFP and it's good to track healthy consistent weight gain during pregnancy, but if you had not I would have suggested you throw it out. Measurements, the way clothes fit and pictures are a far better way to track progress.

Congratulations to you. Keep researching and making healthy choices.

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