A woman’s body changes so much during pregnancy and postpartum. Here are my Thoughts on Losing the Baby Weight.
I contemplated writing about losing baby weight for the mere fact that I have yet to try to lose any weight since Annabelle was born. How could I write about something I haven’t done? It is a topic that has been on my mind for a few weeks now though. I think about it every time I run past the mirror when I am jumping in the shower or getting dressed for the day.
I bought a scale after I felt the pounds coming off during my third week postpartum. My pajama pants were fitting better. All I was doing was breastfeeding and eating everything but items found on the “Fussy Foods” list and the weight was falling off. I thought, “Let me make sure I don’t lose too much!!” I stepped on the scale and was amazed that I’d already fallen back to my pre-pregnancy weight after one month postpartum. My husband kept telling me the scale was wrong after he weighed in – but I refused to believe him. I was so excited that my baby weight was gone!
Then I went to the doctors yesterday for my postpartum checkup. Momma found out that she has 10lbs to lose before she hits her pre-pregnancy weight. Apparently my scale WAS off by about as much as my little Annabelle weighs. I was pretty upset. The fact that I can only fit in one of 15 pairs of pants in my closet should have rang some bells that I was still carrying baby weight.
Of course my doctor kicked me out of my pity party and back into reality when she said that most women don’t lose the last 5-10 lbs until their baby is around 6 months old – and that’s usually when Momma is breastfeeding. I am breastfeeding – but I am also abusing the whole eat 500 extra calories thing. My 500 calories have been found in pancakes, rice krispie treats, and cookies. It’s no wonder my pants don’t fit! I know weight is just a number – but it is a number that matters to me.
Another reason I didn’t want to write about losing weight baby weight is because I know that every woman is going to have a different story.
Just like our baby bumps, our body is going to change at its own rate. I know some girls who were in their pre-pregnancy jeans just a week after giving birth. I know other girls who are still trying to fit into them a year after giving birth.
Every woman is different, so who am I to complain or give advice. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa. My plan (as of yesterday) is to cut down on the sweets and to start incorporating some exercise into my daily routine.
I am not ready to bring Annabelle to the nursery at the gym, so for now, my workouts will consist of things I can do in my living room or walking with the stroller outside.
My goal is to fit into my favorite pair of green pants by St. Patrick’s Day. Is this goal attainable? Probably not – those pants are from a few months before I got pregnant when I was at my smallest.
I have to be realistic about losing the baby weight. It can’t happen overnight.
I have to be realistic. A more practical goal is to get to a point where I feel comfortable in my own skin. Right now, everything is soft and flabby. I think I have extra cushion on my behind and a nice pouch on my belly – but my husband tells me I look great. Of course he helps, but I need to feel good on my own terms.
Read more about POSTPARTUM BODY IMAGE here.
We are going to the beach on Memorial Day weekend and I can’t imagine wearing a two-piece. I’m sure it can happen if I pick up a pair of weights, take a walk, and eat healthy. With a little effort, I know I can learn to love my post-baby body. After all, I had an incredible little girl because of it.
I want to know what you’re doing to feel good about yourself! Are you exercising or dieting after having a baby? If so, do you have any tips or tricks for this Momma?
Im a month out and only one pair of my pre maternity jeans fit and when I say fit they basically squeeze my tummy 🙁 I haven’t done much to feel good about myself. The only real time Ive gotten dressed is to take Jack to his appointments. Every time I try to get active I bleed again so I feel like Im always trying to take it easy. Its been frustrating but Jack is totally worth the extra pounds…for now.
I’ve always heard to allow your body 9 months to recover. It took you 9 months to gain the weight and have your body change and to allow it 9 months to return back. Thats how I paced myself the first time around (both for weight loss and firming back up). Once I started doing weights, is really when I saw the difference in my body. I had lost the weight but still had the loose skin and the weight lifting really helped. But I’ll be honest — my body has never been what it was before. I still always felt a little poofy — compared to before my first time pregnant. This go around… I’ve lost the weight more easily.. but I feel like without excercise I’m going to be a stand still. I still have 8 pounds to go for pre-pregnancy weight. You are doing a great job!!! I would recommend my fitness pal!
good luck! sounds like you have a good plan and are planning on doing things in a healthy way, which is the most important thing!
You’re so right when you say that everyone is different. I lost my ‘baby weight’ but I had plenty more to lose on top of that. My only tip for you is to always always always drink water and listen to your body! Good luck mama!
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I wasn’t as lucky. I’m 13 months postpartum and still 25 lbs from pre-pregnancy baby weight. I was physically unable to breastfeed my daughter which really sent me into a dark place. I focused all my energy on her and my job and not taking care of myself because I wasn’t able to do the one thing I thought I could. My goal for 2014 is to take care of myself. If I don’t take care of myself how can I take care of my child? I started working out a lot and turned to paleo for meals. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It takes a lot of time. It’s a slow process. I feel like baby weight sticks to you more. I also had an issue that my joints didn’t go back to where they were before. My knee caps and hips never returned to the original place pre-baby. Do what feels best for you and know you have a good support system!
I hear ya! 🙂 I am down below my pre-pregnancy weight and things are definitely still “soft”. Here’s hoping you hit your goals! 🙂
I had to accept that after 14 months this is no longer baby weight and is instead mama never tried to lose the dang baby weight. So now I’m trying to work out more and cut WAY back on the processed foods and sweets. It feels good to see some of that softness tighten up and to fit into a good chunk of those pants. 🙂 I have a ways to go but it’s happening slowly and surely!
I was just talking to my BFF about this yesterday. My pre pregnancy “fat” jeans don’t fit and that totally depresses me. I go back to work next week and I am going to have to wear my smaller maternity clothes that just isn’t right!! My incision still hasn’t healed so I’m not cleared to work out yet which makes it harder!! I lost half my weight in the first two weeks… I haven’t lost a pound since!! For me my weight isn’t the hardest part it’s the soft jiggle that I wasn’t prepared for!! In time we will all find out new normal for our bodies and no matter what that is out babes are so worth every pound, every jiggle and every stretch mark!!
You are SO right! Everything we went through was and is worth it for our babies!
Ah cutting back processed foods sounds like such a good idea – but I am limited to what I can eat because of her and my belly as it is, so I can’t do it!
Thank you! Hope you can firm up =0)
I have heard that our joints can be funky after the baby. I had problems with my tailbone and heels during pregnancy and I am worried once I start exercising they are going to return! Thanks for sharing your journey.
Thank you! I am adding DRINK MORE WATER to my plan!
Thank you! Health is definitely important since I am the one providing the food for my baby to grow. I know if I don’t eat right or enough than neither will she!
I like what you said – 9 months is much easier to fathom than 6!
Thank you for sharing! That sucks that every time you get active you start bleeding again. I don’t know what will happen once I really start – I have a lot of aches and pains when I am on my feet too much and its already been almost 2 months!
I had the same thing after my first and this one. Hannah will be 11 weeks old this Thursday and I’m still having issues down there. But, with my first one, it took longer than I thought to be normal down there. Give it time! I can relate to your frustration though! http://www.themuffintopmommy.blogspot.com
I completely understand where you’re at right now… I am 14 weeks pp and am bfing… and oh my.. the sweets.. they are all I crave. Like, worse even then when I was pregnant. I feel like I am eating way more than when I was pregnant, but it’s because bf has me starving all the time. And I use to work out all the time but I find it hard to do with a little baby. oh.. #newmomproblems.
In my experience, which like you said every woman is different, I was able to eat healthy while breastfeeding and that has helped with the weight but I still feel that mushyness around my hips, butt and a little on my belly but I haven’t done any exercises and she’s 6 months old! I lucked out that my per pregnancy pants fit after the first month but I also was on a low sugar abd carb diet while pregnant due to GD. Anyways, good luck on getting back into shape and don’t be too hard on yourself! You look beautiful and if you are breastfeeding it’s hard to diet and workout but healthy snacks like string cheese, low far graham crackers and fruit help you feel full and don’t have too much sugar 🙂
I love this post because its a struggle all mommas go through! I am 8 weeks pp and breastfeeding. I have found that I am craving sweets more than usual and TRY to make healthy choices. When I was pregnant, what momma wanted momma got. lol Now I am trying to be sensible because just like you, I have to fit in a bikini come Spring break and this flabby tummy, untoned legs and butt need to get in shape! (My arms are getting plenty toned just from carrying around this 11lbs 8 oz of love ha!). I recently just found out that my daughter is possibly allergic to cows milk protein (whey and casein) so this has affected what I’ve been putting in my body dramatically. I truthfully don’t own a scale and I think the best indicator is being happy and comfortable in your own skin like you said. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that I was back at my pre-pregnancy weight at my post 6 week check up. However, I know that I lost a lot of muscle from not working out so i think a lot of weight “lost” was from that. I so have the pouch and my butt has gotten sooo flat but I just think that we have to embrace our new bodies as mothers and love every dimple lol. I get to the gym whenever my husband or family can watch the babe (which as been rare) and I try to do DVDs at home and love taking walks with with the stroller for cardio. My favorite DVD is put out by the Tone it Up ladies. They have 2 great DVDs that helped me get wedding ready and I just absolutely love their whole line. I really enjoyed this post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It really helps us Mommys! 🙂
I know the road after pregnancy can be difficult but I think you have an amazing mindset! The very best thing you can do for your little one and yourself is to feel good about yourself! Being happy and healthy is a top priority as a mom! Way to go!!
Hey we had the same due date! But my LO came early, on Dec. 3, so I’m two months out. I have a LOT of weight to lose still. Slow and steady. I’m back on Weight Watchers and doing great so well. It’s hard knowing that it’s going to take a while, but really no big deal in the long run! Good luck and be easy on yourself — goes for my fellow commenters as well!
I am currently 23 weeks pregnant and I am on the AdvoCare Pregnant & Nursing Moms challenge! I feel awesome! I have helped a few friends on it and they lost the weight and then some they were looking to loose all while nursing! I know I will be doing it also while I nurse! If it is something you would be interested in I would love to talk to you about it. lemme know!
You are tiny and will get back to your norm in no time!!
I gained 25 with Nolan and had lost 54 by the time I got pregnant with P (Nolan was 16 months when I got pregnant) so trust me, it comes off! I’m pretty bad at watching what I eat too but I also only eat when I’m not moving so I’m lucky to eat at all sometimes!
I’m saving this post for myself for the next few months! I’ve gained 24 lbs so far (@ 37 weeks), and because this baby weight seems to be all belly & boobs, I’m afraid I probably have unrealistic expectations for this weight coming off. I tried on a bathing suit I bought for this summer a few weeks ago – whoooooa, big mistake!!! – but I know I will definitely have to do some toning up! Husbands are so sweet in telling us we look great, but feeling like it is a whole other story!
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