extra weight postpartum - having a hard time

queenieM · September 2014

so, first and foremost, I am absolutely in love with my little squishie SO much, like I had no idea I could possibly love him so much!! But.. what I am not loving so much is the extra weight that's hanging around. I gained about 45 lbs in pregnancy and only 15 lbs dropped after I gave birth. It's now been 2 months and every time I go on the scale since the first time after giving birth, the scale has been going up!!

( It's gone up 6 lbs in 9 weeks. WTF?? I am fairly active and have been walking lots since I've been feeling better, and I eat pretty healthy too. I have been having a few treats here and there (maybe too many?) but jeez the stupid scale shouldn't be going up like it is.

What makes this more difficult for me is that I had lost 75 lbs, which took a few years, and had finally gotten to a point where I was no longer losing, but maintaining a good weight for me and was exercising a lot and really loving it. These weeks have been difficult for me emotionally as I come to the realization that I am now overweight again, and am 30 lbs over where I was last year. I worked so damn hard to get where I was and now it's gone. I find myself looking at old photos of myself, and throwing myself a pity party :-(

Being someone who was overweight and obese most of my life, my body gains weight very easily and I am worried that I won't be able to lose it again. I just want the damn scale to stop increasing!! I have started PiYo, a new Beachbody program that is good for new moms, as the videos are pretty short and it is low impact, but still intense. Am hoping to see changes from this.

Anyway, sorry for my emotional rant, but it has been building up inside so much, and I am hoping I am not the only one feeling crappy. I want to enjoy my LO as much as I possibly can, but feel this gets in the way sometimes.

queenieM · September 2014

oh, and I always seem to be comparing myself to friends who have had babies and have bounced back in shape. I am not breastfeeding and am worried that I'm going to have a harder time losing weight because of that. A friend of mine gained about the same as me in pregnancy, and 4 months postpartum she had dropped all the weight and then some, just from breastfeeding and walking. I know, I KNOW comparing myself to others is stupid, but I can't help it. aaarrggh...

mcvgal · September 2014

Try not to be too hard on yourself. Having a baby changes so many things about our bodies. Have you tried other forms of keeping track, for example tracking inches vs ponds lost? Remember it took roughly 9 months to put on the weight. It is ok to take a while for it to come off

earichar23 · September 2014

I feel you! I gained over 50 lbs in my 9 months. Lost 15 immediately and another 10 after 3 weeks and then nada. We eat pretty healthy but I haven't been working out much so I know where I can make improvements once I have the energy (rather sleep deprived here). Like PP said, it took 9 months to put it on... Give it time.

lamarei · September 2014

I lost 100 pounds 7 years ago and have stressed and worked so hard to keep it off. I am struggling too to lose the weight, it's like my body doesn't want to let it go.
I agree with the idea it took me 9 months to put it on, I'll give it 9 months to take it off. Then I'll stress

marsalisails · September 2014

Ditto towhat everyone is saying. Also, Have you tracked the things that you're eating for a few days to see what the "calories in" actually are? Once I was honest about portion sizes, I realized that I was eating a lot more than I thought.

I say this, but you've been successful before, so you probably have a good idea...what abo it quality of calories?

shortstack930 · September 2014

I know how you feel. I had to buy a dress for a party I'm going to tomorrow because none of my old ones fit and it was hard for me to accept that I am three sizes bigger than I was. It's so hard to fit in exercise other than taking the baby for walks, and it's hard to eat healthy when you have minimal time to eat and just need to grab something quick.

Hang in there! Like pp said, it took nine months to put on so you can't expect it to come off super quick. Be kind to yourself and set small goals first instead of big ones. And remember, you are not alone!

LenaLove · September 2014

I feel you! I lost 83 lbs and had been maintaining for 10 months pre pregnancy. I gained 40lbs, lost 10 at birth, and have probably put it all back on. I'm rejoining weight watchers tonight and getting back on track. I know for me I have to write down everything I eat to be truly honest with myself, and really watch portion sizes!

It takes time! Don't be too hard on yourself!

[Deleted User] · September 2014

I second measuring yourself instead of just going by the scale. Both times I dropped all my pregnancy weight immediately, but within a few weeks I start gaining, even if I'm eating well and exercising. I may just be one of those unlucky woman who doesn't benefit from BFing and instead holds onto my weight until I wean (when I weaned DS I lost 10 pounds in a month). I'm planning to start WW anyway just to keep myself accountable and hope I can at the very least not gain MORE this year (but ideally I'd like to lose).

*hugs* Do remember that we're still not very far out from delivery. It will take time.

JustGoWithIt · September 2014

First, *hugs*.

Second, give yourself time & just keep on the healthy eating track. With such a LO, with such inconsistent schedules (at least over here), and sleep deprivation, it's near impossible to consistently workout as much as needed, so focus on what you are putting in your body and just exercise when you are able. It will come off with time.

I've never been very overweight, but it takes a LONG time for me to loose the baby weight. My body gains in the hip/thigh area. With DS#1 it was MONTHS before my regular jeans would fit. I returned to work last week & had to go buy new work appropriate pants because nothing fit.

so, I feel your frustration.

With DS#1 I could never get rid of the last 5 pounds (even 3 yrs later). Even if I added 5 more pounds for DS#2 I STILL have 15 pounds to loose & I'm 2 months PP.

I feel your frustration. Take baby steps. Give yourself time. Know you are not alone!

kenziebug22 · September 2014

I can relate to this. Ive struggled with body image issues for years now and gained 40 lbs throughout my pregnancy, I've lost some but have been stuck at the same weight for weeks now and the past few days I've been gaining.ugh!

I know it's hard not beat yourself up but know you're not alone, and on a bad day just look at your LO and know nothing can be better, extra weight or not.

ashleymarie1027 · September 2014

Matthew930 said:
Ditto towhat everyone is saying. Also, Have you tracked the things that you're eating for a few days to see what the "calories in" actually are? Once I was honest about portion sizes, I realized that I was eating a lot more than I thought.

I say this, but you've been successful before, so you probably have a good idea...what abo it quality of calories?

This. I've used the "my fitness pal" app a few times to calibrate myself, and what I always find out is: 1) appropriate portion sizes are smaller than I think and 2) I eat way too much sugar. It reminds me to focus on healthy foods, and if I'm hungry for a snack during the day - I'll get water first, then a snack if I'm still hungry in 15 minutes or so.

Hang in there. Also keep in mind that "healthy" is a state, not a size

queenieM · September 2014

you guys!! I am overwhelmed by all the kind words and support! I know I just need to give it time and focus on being healthy. Like @ashleymarie1027 said, I also eat way too much sugar. :-( that is gonna be hard to cut back on, but I think it will help immensely. I just started tracking my measurements, and will check back in about a month.

Just watching my precious LO bounce around in his little vibrating bouncy chair, smiling up at me (when he should be sleeping!), it just melts my heart! One proud mama over here :-)

Artistmom30 · September 2014

I feel ya girl. I gained 40 during pregnancy. Have lost about 25 but can not lose that last 15 to save my life. I'm petite, so an extra 15 really shows. I lost my weight pretty quickly with my last babe, so I expected it to be the same this time. It's hard not to beat yourself up and feel down about your weight. Please try to give yourself a little grace. It took you a while to gain it. Give yourself some time to lose it.

mrscurlygurl · October 2014

This thread is old, but I'm just seeing it and just wanted to say that I feel ya girl, @queenieM‌. I have a hard time losing weight post pregnancy. I EBF and my scale goes up instead of down! And I don't eat that terribly. Our bodies just made humans...we should cut them some slack

[Deleted User] · October 2014

mrscurlygurl said:

This thread is old, but I'm just seeing it and just wanted to say that I feel ya girl, @queenieM‌. I have a hard time losing weight post pregnancy. I EBF and my scale goes up instead of down! And I don't eat that terribly. Our bodies just made humans...we should cut them some slack

Ugh, me too. I just started WW and I get about an extra 14 pts a day for EBFing. I'm hoping to lose a bit but if I manage to not gain any I'll be happy and then focus on losing after I wean. I gained about 15 lbs while BFing DS1 and I don't want to do that again.

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