Maintaining a healthy weight

JNCPro3130 · December 2014

I know... I know! We get a million weight posts, but I'm currently a little bummed out. I had an appointment yesterday with my OB. He said he had to fuss at me a little over my weight. He said I gained too much this month and to be careful not to gain as much again. I'm up 17 pounds and he said I should be around 14 pounds. I haven't been working out like I should or walking, and now I don't know if it's even safe for the baby to begin a workout program (my last crossfit mom workout was Nov. 7th). I walked 2 miles 2 days last week and so far I've walked 2 days this week. I plan on upping my walks each week, so I hope that will help. I'm going to try to be stricter about my eating (we eat high protein and low carb, but I ate quite a bit of ice cream last week). My question for you is how you're maintaining your weight. I'm hungry a lot which leads to over eating and then eating junk, which in turn caused me to gain weight this month. Any pointers? I'm not going to diet, but I also don't want to keep getting further away from my doctor's recommendation. Thanks for any thoughts you have about this!

goofygoff · December 2014

TikTak said:

And I really don't think 3 lbs is anything to worry about. You could gain that with breakfast and water intake.

This.

My weight fluctuates 3-4 pounds daily, even when I'm not pregnant. Sounds like your doctor is being an ass.

Bostonchelle · December 2014

17 pounds total doesn't sound like a lot either! Even if you gain 3lbs a month for the rest of your pregnancy that's only 26 lbs... I don't see the problem.

JNCPro3130 · December 2014

I really didn't think about my weight before my doctor brought it up. I do a weekly weigh in for myself, but just to have a general idea of where my weight has been. I'm a FTM and want to be careful, but I don't want to feel guilty if I want a "cheat" snack. My husband has mentioned that I haven't been as active and then my doctor fussed about my weight, so now I feel like I'm being unhealthy.

Bostonchelle · December 2014

My husband has mentioned that I haven't been as active and then my doctor fussed about my weight, so now I feel like I'm being unhealthy.

Tell them both to shut it!

sunset30 · December 2014

Agree with everyone else that being 3 pounds above his recommendation doesn't seem like cause for alarm and you're still on track for the "recommended" weight gain for a normal weight person of 25-35 pounds even if you gain a pound a week for the rest of your pregnancy. This time of year is always hard with the unhealthy treats at the holidays and the dark days / cold weather making it harder to be active outside to stay healthy. The added hunger of pregnancy makes it even more challenging.

The best tricks for me are:

1. Always have healthier foods around the house and bring things to work for snacks (fruits, veggies, hummus, string cheese, yogurt, etc). that is lower in calories, higher in nutrition and filling

2. Don't stock many treats around the house. I find if I'm craving something unhealthy and its there I'll eat it but if not I'm too lazy to go to the store to buy something

3. Plan meals ahead and buy groceries ahead of time so you are less tempted to get take out or something unhealthy for dinner

ngolimento · December 2014

You can start walking at any time, even if you haven't been religious about it. That's how I've been staying in shape(ish).

drudolph11 · December 2014

Yea i got it from my doctor at my last visit too and i just rolled my eyes at him, not that i roll my eyes at my doctor often, but he said that i "was a bit overweight" because i gained 6 pounds in a month when i should only be gaining 4. The reason for the eye roll was because this is the ONLY damn weight i have gained in 24 weeks. I tried pointing that out and he said "im not looking at the past im looking at now" wtf? I'm pretty sure pregnancy weight gain takes in to account your WHOLE pregnancy, not just the last month lol and as pps have said my weight can fluctuate between 5 pounds depending on the day. Not much advice to offer just wanted to say that i think he was just being a little bit of a butt and that you are right on track!

JNCPro3130 · December 2014

@sunset30, thanks for the tips! I'm going to pack more healthy snacks for myself. We typically don't keep junk food in the house and I'm definitely too lazy to go to the store to get sweets. I bought sweet stuff for Thanksgiving, but I typically don't buy it. I'm a teacher and treats are ALWAYS around! Lol I need to learn better self control!

Skrittens · December 2014

I would not worry about it. I have gained north of 30lbs so far - and my dr isn't super concerned. He thinks a majority of it could be water weight. Like @jennypm, I don't really have the energy to work out and manage my food as I did before. Being pregnant is stressful enough - at least to me - so I am chosing not to worry about my weight until my doctor tells me its dangerous. A comment that it is too much isn't going to motivate me without reason at this point.

Whitfry · December 2014

I was told to gain 0-10 pounds for my entire pregnancy, since I started out overweight. So far I'm within my limit at 27 weeks. But like I said, I started this overweight. And not by an insignificant amount.

Most women have to increase caloric consumption by approx 300 calories daily to adequately provide for the baby. I was told not to increase my caloric intake at all.

I try to eat healthy. I try to graze on healthy snacks. But tbh every time I see the doctor I'm spilling keytones. She doesn't seem concerned, but the nurses always seem a little panicked.

It sounds like you eat clean and remain somewhat active. I recommend walking, but mostly because that helps with labor. Our bodies will do what they're going to do, and I think that as long as you are making mostly healthy choices (nobody will make healthy choices 100% of the time. Especially when pregnant) and being reasonably active, you don't need to worry. Stressing out about it will not help anything, that's certain. I think your doctor should be paying more attention to the nutritional choices you are making and then decide if you really need a "talking to" or not.

ruemorgan · December 2014

I have gained 35 lbs so far, so Im dreading my next weigh in and getting the talk again. I started preparing snacks for myself around 100 calories each so I can graze all day while keeping tally. Im constantly hungry, too, I feel your pain! Im trying to maintain but if it doesnt happen, atleast i know i tried (because seriously, I had to of been eating 3 or 4,000 cals a day. It was out of control.)

JNCPro3130 · December 2014

Thank you for your tips and thoughts! I really don't want to stress over weight. I am going to make a few adjustments, but I thought getting fussed at over being up 3 pounds less than a week after Thanksgiving was a bit much too. I'm going to prepare snacks to grab and go as well as walk more because, as @Whitfry‌ said, I have heard it helps with delivery. I think hormones were getting to me today because I was going back and forth between being pissed that my OB would point out 3 pounds, to wanting to cry because I'm already up 3 with 3 months still to go. Anyway, thanks!

Joon+ · December 2014

Just as another snack idea - I've been devouring popcorn in the evenings. There's this great brand called Boom Chicka Pop that makes a lightly sea-salted and a salty-sweet variety, both found in the health foods section of my grocery store. Low calorie but curbs the junk food cravings. I'm in Canada though, so I'm not sure if the same brand is available down there.

JNCPro3130 · December 2014

@milk2481‌ , yes I have gained 17 total.

gardinet · December 2014

I'm up 17 lbs as well. I can't seem to stay away from the treats! I know I need to do better though. With my son, I started 8 lbs lighter, worked out pretty religiously through 8 months and still gained 38 though. I would love to keep this one to the recommended 25-35 though so I know I need to do better. Holidays are a killer! People bring in sweets almost daily. Best of luck to us both on staying strong, lol!

PS - Almost had a hormonal bitch moment to a stranger on FB yesterday. A girl I know (who is teeny tiny, model status) and is 15 weeks pregnant wrote something about having to do Wendy's instead of Chick Fil A like she wanted, and a lady commented something about Is that really what you are going to give your baby, and went on a tangent about healthy foods and eat a salad and fruit first. Logically, I know that makes sense, but it really irked me!

massiejs09 · December 2014

Like PPs have said, everyone is going to gain differently. I didn't gain any weight from months 1-3 and then gained 10 lbs in month 4, 10 lbs in month 5, and 3 lbs in month 6.

My eating and exercise have been pretty consistent throughout and my doctor said that you have to factor in many things when talking about weight gain and pregnancy. The gain isn't just because you had ice cream 2 days last week (or whatever).

This is my first pregnancy so I'm just kind of shrugging along with things that my non-pregnant self might be like, 'WTF?' about.

Don't beat yourself up over it. 17 lbs overall seems really normal to me. As long as everything else also seems healthy than I would say you're on the right track.

LBeez13 · December 2014

I don't understand these doctors and the weight issue. Were you starting the pregnancy overweight or was weight a health issue before?? I only ask this because my doctor has never mentioned it and I gained a full 40 with my first and have already gained 25 with this one. My dr has never seem concerned or worried. He always just says eat healthy and do whatever work outs you can. He is also very reassuring that the weight will come off after baby arrives. The first time around I thought I would never lose the weight but this time around I know that I can lose the weight if I just am dedicated after the baby arrives. I am not as concerned. Don't be too hard on yourself, 17 pounds is not that much.

@katydid2014 You just described my weight gain. I was about 130 and have gained a solid 25 pounds already.

almeyer2013 · December 2014

Something I want to try, and thought I would suggest it, is food prepping for a week. A lot of fitness people do this to keep portions low and they have clean and ready meals for the week.

A girlfriend of mine did this when she was getting ready for a body building competition and I always thought it would be nice to do this.

I am in no means trying to lose weight, but I do better with smaller portions and always feel better when I eat clean Ie. Proteins and veggies.

Ardmhs83 · December 2014

Sorry you are struggling with this, but half of why you are is your doctor saying that. That doesn't seem like much to me. I'm up 18lbs and I'll be 24 weeks tomorrow. Just had an appointment last week and my OB didn't say anything about my weight...said I was perfectly fine. I gained 40lbs with my son and I assume it will be about the same with this pregnancy too. Don't worry too much about it. As long as you are eating mostly healthy options, getting some exercise in...your body is going to do what it is going to do. I lost all 40lbs that I gained with my son, so this isn't forever.

erniebernie1 · December 2014

I hear you, I've gained 14 pounds so far at 27 weeks and my doctor warned me against gaining a total of 20 lbs for the whole pregnancy bc I'm only 4'11. I'm stressed about only gaining 6 lbs over the next 3 months.

JNCPro3130 · December 2014

@LBeez13, no, I didn't start off overweight. I had a healthy BMI and worked out 3-4 times a week. I was pretty strict with my diet. I wanted to continue working out during my pregnancy, but fatigue got the better of me during first trimester. I don't want to spend my pregnancy stressing over eating or how much/little I work out. I wouldn't have thought twice unless my doctor said something. Overall, I could eat a little better and I should walk more so I am going to do those things, but in no way am I going to diet or stress too much about it.

JNCPro3130 · December 2014

@Ardmhs83, you're right! I would not have thought one thing about my weight being high (I track it myself) unless my doctor brought it up. What still pisses me off at times is that he said I gained 8 pounds this month and that I can't do that every month; however, at my last appointment, I knew I had not eaten well, so I asked about my total weight gain and he said I was up 12 pounds. So between 20 weeks and 24 weeks, I went from 12 total pounds gained to 17 total pounds. That equals 5 pounds in my world and not the 8 he said. I don't know. Anyway, I am going to change a few things, but I'm not going to go crazy.

almeyer2013 · December 2014

jennypm said:

almeyer2013 said:

Something I want to try, and thought I would suggest it, is food prepping for a week. A lot of fitness people do this to keep portions low and they have clean and ready meals for the week.

A girlfriend of mine did this when she was getting ready for a body building competition and I always thought it would be nice to do this.

I am in no means trying to lose weight, but I do better with smaller portions and always feel better when I eat clean Ie. Proteins and veggies.

I basically did this before I got pregnant and was counting my macros, as well. I was the type of person who could eat the same thing, day in and day out. As soon as I got pregnant, that all changed. Now, I never know what I want to eat and meal planning is pretty much out the window for now. I'm really hoping, once I deliver, I'll be able to somewhat go back to my old eating habits, count my macros and get back into my routine.

So you mind explaining macros to me? This is a new concept to me.

jhefley · December 2014

I have gained about 30 lbs so far and I am at the end of 27 weeks. I asked my doctor about it because I am just sad when I see it.
She asked if I was eating healthy and working out and I told her I walk 4-5 miles 4-5 times a week and do yoga once a week. I told her I walked a half marathon on Thanksgiving too! My meals are healthy and not crazy either. She said she isn't worried at all.

Ardmhs83 · December 2014

JNCPro3130 said:

@Ardmhs83, you're right! I would not have thought one thing about my weight being high (I track it myself) unless my doctor brought it up. What still pisses me off at times is that he said I gained 8 pounds this month and that I can't do that every month; however, at my last appointment, I knew I had not eaten well, so I asked about my total weight gain and he said I was up 12 pounds. So between 20 weeks and 24 weeks, I went from 12 total pounds gained to 17 total pounds. That equals 5 pounds in my world and not the 8 he said. I don't know. Anyway, I am going to change a few things, but I'm not going to go crazy.

Totally understandable, I'd be pissed too. Don't worry about it, make the changes that you feel you need to and roll with it. Good luck!

lewispm · December 2014

3 pounds is nothing. I wouldn't fret about it. I gained 40 with my first pregnancy and lost it all pretty easily. I stressed about gaining it too. This time around, I know there is no point in stressing as long as I am being relatively healthy and feeling ok. Baby will come, I will focus on baby and BFing and everything else, and then when I am ready, I will do what I need to do to lose the weight. Remember, pregnancy is temporary and so is the weight gain!

colleen4019 · December 2014

erniebernie1 said:
I hear you, I've gained 14 pounds so far at 27 weeks and my doctor warned me against gaining a total of 20 lbs for the whole pregnancy bc I'm only 4'11. I'm stressed about only gaining 6 lbs over the next 3 months.

I'm 4"11 as well I'm 26 weeks and just hit 20lbs. My midwife comments every time I go in, but she hasn't given me a more strict limit. That's pretty annoying.

Eta- I just got weighed yesterday afternoon, yay for going up like 8 lbs in one month.

almeyer2013 · December 2014

@jennypm‌ thank you so much! I did google it but it still seemed a little hard to understsnd.

I didn't really follow a specific guideline, but I watched a few YouTube videos and found this catering company who will actually make food for you. I got a lot of meal ideas from their ig account and made my own weeks worth of food for H and I. I spent about $90 on food and made 28 meals.

I kept with a simple concept of a lean meat, a starch, and veggies.

So I made two types of pork loin (what we had in our freezer) and served that with either a sweet or red potato, and either cauliflower or broccoli.

Tilapia, couscous, and broccoli

Shrimp, brown rice and peppers with onion. Like a stir fry.

Then a ground lamb and mushroom marinara sauce served over rigatoni. (Again, the ground lamb is what I had in the freezer).

***Side note, my fil likes to give weird things of meat. For instance, we have antelope, Lamb, bison Buffalo, and bear in our freezer. Oh and a whole bass. I told H that I no longer want him to give us anymore meat products for a long time.

Anyway, I am really happy with the turnout of food, and hope I start feeling better from eating better.

BrandiLynn83 · December 2014

I'm 25 weeks and I've gained 23 lbs. I don't exercise except daily stuff like going up and down the steep stairs to my office, carrying laundry up stairs, vacuuming, etc. no one has said anything to me.

mommyofkaylin · December 2014

I've gained twenty lbs and my midwife said I'm right on track. I know I'm a few lbs over the recommended gain at this point, but I don't care that much. As long as I stay active and eat healthy for the most part I'm going to eat when and what I want to eat. With my dd I gained a little over thirty five lbs. I lost all that, and more, after just two months from bfing, mostly, so I'm not really concerned.

Want a personalized experience?

Maintaining a healthy weight

Re: Maintaining a healthy weight

Choose Another Board

Search Boards