Overweight and Pregnant

MollyK0222 · July 2014

I'm new to the group and pregnant with #3. I spent some time on the boards a few years back, but it's been awhile.

Anyway, during both of my previous pregnancies, I started out about 25-30lbs overweight and gained 45-40lbs with each. I didn't have any weight related problems during the pregnancies, nor did I develop gestational diabetes. I didn't have too much trouble losing the weight, but I'll be honest, I wasn't very good at saying no to french fries or a second piece of cake. I just hated feeling so huge and out of control (not that I really did a great job of controlling it).

This time around, I'm starting about 35lbs overweight and I would LOVE to not gain so much weight this time. Any other mamas out there in similar situations?

firstbaby2013 · July 2014

I still have about 20 pounds of weight on from the last pregnancy, but I don't have any advise! I plan on staying active during this pregnancy.

CoozieInMyPurse · July 2014

Chunkymonkeylvr's tips. I'm already drinking all the water. I can't wait for my energy to come back so I can get moving again. Also for it to not be a million degrees and humid here so I actually want to go outside.

kare00bear · July 2014

I've started each pregnancy at my highest weight, about 20 lbs above the last pregnancy weight each time thanks to weight I gained nursing. With my first pregnancy I only gained 20 lbs and with the last only 3 lbs. I've found that being pregnant I put more effort into being active, making healthier food choices and drinking more water and less sugar/caffeine. I'm hoping for similar gains this time and that nursing doesn't add it on as much this time around.

cafecreme · July 2014

I'm about 15-20lbs more than what I started with DD, pretty much at my heaviest weight I've been. With her I gained 19lbs- and it pretty much stuck with me since then. Calorie counting, and healthy eating is the best advice I can give you. Don't start adding on the extra calories until the last tri. My Dr. said this time around my weight gain should be around 15-25, but in all honesty I don't think it's healthy, and i'm doing my best to stay the same weight.

Cut out the sugary stuff- and if you really need a fix, buy something low calorie like fat free, sugar free ice cream, or the 100 calorie packs of cookies. Try limiting yourself to carbs, or if you do eat carbs, more healthier ones like oatmeal, quinoa and brown rice. Having spaghetti 1x a week isn't going to kill you either. Cut out soda. Even the smallest amount of exercise will help (take a long walk, yoga/strengthening exercises, walking through the mall, etc.).

I know it's hard to start, but once you get into the mindset and lifestyle, it gets so much easier. I did the above things for my wedding and ended up going down from 210 to 170 in a matter of 6 months.

cafecreme · July 2014

The site I use is caloriecount.about.com. First, find a calculator on how much calories you should be eating, and try to stay within the limit. Put your info into the caloriecount site, and then you can add what you eat everyday, your exercise, etc. Then you can actually see how much your eating, what your eating, and adjust it.

merc5411 · July 2014

I'm in the same boat. I'm probably 25-30 lbs overweight, as I was the last pregnancy. I gained 60 lbs with my son. Although I never had blood pressure and GD problems, and I lost it all by 4 mo pp, my hips and knees really hurt by the end. I'm gonna try to keep my weight gain around 30-35 lbs this time. Water all the time, not eating key lime pie every night, and watching how much I'm really eating are my goals. Plus, with a 1 yr old to watch I don't have the luxury of laying on the couch eating, like I did the last time. Lol!

Kaylalaa · July 2014

I have always used my fitness pal. It's been great! I am still about 35 over also and I stick with whole real foods. It freaks me right out when stuff has been made with a chemical array of ingredients. My plan is to only gain up to the 15lb mark. But we will see how things go as the months unfold.

jkcheatwood · July 2014

I'm worried about the same thing, but I talked to my sister about it and she actually lost weight with her third just by walking on the treadmill everyday and tried not to eat horribly. Baby was perfect!

okayestmom12 · July 2014

I'm a plus sized mama (size 24/26). My first preg was really perfect - I gained a total of 9 lbs and my DD was 9 lbs 5 oz. No GD, no high BP, no other issues. I watched what I ate but no more than I usually do and I do cut out soda while pregnant.

Keep your chin up and focus on growing a healthy little baby. This isn't the time to diet/ loose weight. Make healthy choices and enjoy your pregnancy

MollyK0222 · July 2014

Thanks everyone! So glad to hear that others are in the same boat and have had success at gaining less weight. So far (one week in... ha!) I feel like I'm on track. The "not eating for two" mantra is an important one for me!

msigman86 · July 2014

I have been overweight for most of my life, not that I haven't tried to change that, but my pregnancies usually agree with me. I am pregnant with #3 and I'm expecting this one to go like my other two. My first daughter I gained 13 lbs and then lost 28 when she was born. With me second daughter I gained 3 lbs and lost about the the same. This pregnancy I'm actually starting at a lower weight then the other two.

DragonflyDreaming · July 2014

For those of you that only gained a few pounds (like 10-15 or less), did you initially lose a lot of weight in first and second trimester then gain it back your third tri?

cafecreme · July 2014

@dragonflydreaming not sure if your referring about my case, but I lost 6 lbs 1st tri last time bc of m/s. This time around I really don't have any aversions or extreme m/s...at least not yet.

DragonflyDreaming · July 2014

Thanks @cafecreme‌ ! It was more of a generalized question that fits here (rather than starting a new thread).

Some people only gain 3 lbs or 5lbs, etc. I think I should only be gaining 10-15 over the course of my pregnancy. I'm mostly trying to see if the weight stays the same/goes down in the first trimester or two, then the gain comes with the third trimester? Or was it just slowly over the course of the entire pregnancy that you gain the weight? Does that make sense?

Especially for people that gained such few pounds. Is that based on losing it then gaining it back plus the couple of extra?

cafecreme · July 2014

I gained that 6lbs back, plus maybe a lb or two up until 7 months, and then it just started coming on quickly. Might of had to do with the baby growing a lot faster, or me just not caring the last few months.

eta: When I mean 19, I also mean the 6lbs I lost, and then gained back.

okayestmom12 · July 2014

DragonflyDreaming said:

For those of you that only gained a few pounds (like 10-15 or less), did you initially lose a lot of weight in first and second trimester then gain it back your third tri?

I didn't loose any significant weight - I was up and down +/- a pound or two here or there through the first and second tri. I remember gaining 5 lbs over the course of a month in my last tri and freaking - it obviously wasn't the end of the world

My OB's goal for me was to maintain and I basically did that.

jordanbohr · July 2014

I'm in a similar boat. I actually was on weight watchers before I found out I was pregnant, trying to get healthy before we started our family. The plan was to start trying to conceive next April...apparently there is a bigger plan out there!! I had just lost a total of 60lbs, but I still am not where I wanted to be when I got pregnant. I'm trying to focus on eating healthy foods and exercising. The last few weeks have been rough because I've had a lot of queasiness (never actually throwing up - just constant nausea) so when I was hungry I ate what I wanted and exercise made me feel horrible!

Yesterday was the first day I got to do yoga and I'm hoping to work walking in as well. There's only so much you can control with your cravings (or aversions), I'm focused on eating well when it's realistic, but making sure that I'm moving and doing something!

cafecreme · July 2014

MauiBliss said:

cafecreme said:

The site I use is caloriecount.about.com. First, find a calculator on how much calories you should be eating, and try to stay within the limit. Put your info into the caloriecount site, and then you can add what you eat everyday, your exercise, etc. Then you can actually see how much your eating, what your eating, and adjust it.

CC is an awesome site. I used it to lose 40 pounds 3 years ago and have kept it off. Really nice site and good forums with some awesome tools. Sorry to hijack, just wanted to give another thumbs up for that site!

Yup, same here. I lost 40 lbs 3 years ago (for my wedding). Can't believe it's been that long. lol

cafecreme · July 2014

Would anyone be up for a plus size accountability thread every week? We can check in, see what other women are eating/doing to maintain weight, maybe even start a small exercise challenge?

I'd probably call it Plus Size Check-In, and do it every Friday?

DragonflyDreaming · July 2014

I'd love this but prefer a monday? Maybe start the week strong? I already have the fitness Friday thread and would be almost double posting!

(But Friday would still work, just think it would also be nice to have a different accountability on another day!

)

PS: Yes, I love this idea!

kare00bear · July 2014

DragonflyDreaming said:

For those of you that only gained a few pounds (like 10-15 or less), did you initially lose a lot of weight in first and second trimester then gain it back your third tri?

With the second pregnancy when I only gained 3 lbs, I was only +/- a lb until the very end. I knew I was starting about 20 lbs heavier than the previous pregnancy and wanted to make sure it didn't get out of control. I just made more of an effort to be active (usually walks with the kids), ate healthier and gave up most sugary/caffeinated drinks for water. I made the same changes to a lesser degree in my first pregnancy and only gained 20 lbs during it (started a bit overweight then too).

bumpuser10258960 · July 2014

I'm with you all. I am about 30-40 lbs more than I wanted to be at the time of conception (but I could easily afford to lose 50-60). I have been more active in the last 6 months than I have in the last 6 years, so my plan is to continue to stay active throughout the pregnancy and make sure to maintain that I am not eating for two. I want to continue to make healthier choices. That's all we really can do!

lifewrite · July 2014

DragonflyDreaming said:
For those of you that only gained a few pounds (like 10-15 or less), did you initially lose a lot of weight in first and second trimester then gain it back your third tri?

I lost 15 lbs in my first tri last time. Gained 20 lbs between 2nd and 3rd tri. So I was only 5 lbs over my start weight. I lost that weight quickly after DD was born but have put it back on this past year. I was doing weight watchers before I got my bfp this time so I'm going to try to continue the good eating habits I started. That's not going that well right now though lol.

cafecreme · July 2014

DragonflyDreaming said:

I'd love this but prefer a monday? Maybe start the week strong? I already have the fitness Friday thread and would be almost double posting! (But Friday would still work, just think it would also be nice to have a different accountability on another day! ) PS: Yes, I love this idea!

Sounds good. I'll post it on Monday. Until then ladies, be strong! Don't give into temptation! lol

maisonduchoco2 · July 2014

I'm about 35lbs heavier than I want to be, and almost to the max weight when I was pg with DS :-(

I am trying to focus on avoiding my favorite treats that really packed on pounds for me, like ice cream. At the moment, I am just trying to eat since most foods make me want to puke. Alas, that means lots of pastas and carbs in general. I will also stick with smaller meals.

We can do this ladies!

DragonflyDreaming · July 2014

Bad day yesterday with two desserts. I'd been eating so well, then I went through a mint chocolate tart and a cookie sandwich. I did manage to get in a 4.5 mile walk and did water aerobics, but that doesn't excuse the bad eating behavior! So far, so good today. Going to do a burrito bowl for lunch from freebirds! (I hope). Got my walk in this morning, and feeling good!

Yoga tonight will be great for stretching out.

smccall3838 · July 2014

DragonflyDreaming said:
For those of you that only gained a few pounds (like 10-15 or less), did you initially lose a lot of weight in first and second trimester then gain it back your third tri?

I was 200 lbs my first pregnancy and only gained 15 lbs the entire term. I put on most of my weight by mid pregnancy. Because I'm overweight I knew I couldn't allow myself to get much bigger, but I did indulge. This time I'm staying out at 185 lbs and not feeling as motivated, but I know a chocolate chip cookie won't give me the energy apple slices can.

cheyenne89 · July 2014

Plus sized mama here as well. Im 5'7 and 270lbs. I am really concerned about my weight this pregnancy because this is the heaviest I've ever been. I had lost about 50 lbs last year and gained most of it all back in the last semester of nursing school. I am really trying to not gain a lot of weight this time around. So far I've cut out pop and have really increased my water intake. Any of you weight watching mamas have any more tips for me?

okayestmom12 · July 2014

My biggest tip is to not stress. Honestly. I didn't calorie count or diet wilhile pregnant. I ate what I would have eaten, pregnant or not, but just made some better choices - ie: cut out soda.

Don't let the number on the scale scare you while your pregnant. All you can do is make good food choices and enjoy your pregnancy.

saucymonkeygirl · July 2014

I'm about twenty pounds over what I should be but I'm not too concerned. I'm not getting any pictures taken so I don't have to worry about looking good.

In all seriousness, eat healthy and stay active. It will make losing weight, pregnancy or otherwise, easier after birth.

cafecreme · July 2014

tunnel said:

cafecreme said:

I'd probably call it Plus Size Check-In, and do it every Friday?

I would rename it to something more universal if you want more participation, since you can be 20lbs overweight but not be plus size.

Good idea. Does anyone have any suggestions? How about just Monday Accountability Check-In? Or Motivation Monday?

saucymonkeygirl · July 2014

cafecreme said:

tunnel said:

cafecreme said:

I'd probably call it Plus Size Check-In, and do it every Friday?

I would rename it to something more universal if you want more participation, since you can be 20lbs overweight but not be plus size.

Good idea. Does anyone have any suggestions? How about just Monday Accountability Check-In? Or Motivation Monday?

I like Accountability Check-In

kjahkdbouabf · July 2014

I'm totally with all of you ladies. My son is 10 months old, and with him I only gained 25 pounds and lost it all two months pp. But even with exclusively breastfeeding, I gained all that weight back and have just been coasting. Doctor wanted to put me on thyroid medication, but I wanted to hold out... We wanted another baby and being on
Medication while pregnant freaks me out. At this pound, I'm about 5 pounds over where I should be.

I really haven't counted calories or anything, although I've had a lot of success with weight watchers jn the past, but I've been just trying to eat healthy whenever I'm hungry and staying away from sweets. Also instead of any intensive cardio, I've been trying to focus on toning!!! I'm down 5 pounds, so I'm hoping to gain as little as possible this pregnancy too!! We should definitely keep each other accountable!!!

anniehearts · July 2014

This is exactly what my pregnancy was like & here I am again. Plus size & pregnant!! Hopefully I can do as well this time!!!!

mrsIgoe · July 2014

Did we have a Monday check in today and I missed it. I hate being mobile blah!!!

Want a personalized experience?

Overweight and Pregnant

Re: Overweight and Pregnant

Choose Another Board

Search Boards