Losing Weight after Baby/Getting back in H&F mode...

[lauren170]

I just posted this on MM by accident...oops.

I'm up about 10-15lbs more than I'd like to be and still have 7 weeks to go - but this is not so terrible given my background. I started cooking and freezing so I'll have healthy meals when the baby gets here, but would feel better with a plan to get me back on track.

So, some questions to help me get in the right mind set...

How soon after the birth did you start walking for exercise? Where did you walk if it was winter?

How hungry were you after the birth if breast feeding? How did you control cravings for junk?

Did you drink protein shakes while breastfeeding?

Any other tips you can think of? I used to spend hours at the gym each week, but am going to need to be more strategic with a baby.

[gummybear]

How soon after the birth did you start walking for exercise? Where did you walk if it was winter? I had a c/s both times. I can speak to that but not natural birth. For a c/s, even though it is excruciating, the more active you are (within reason) early, the better you will feel. I began walking as exercise when I was cleared, at about 6 or 8 weeks pp. Prior to that though I was walking around as much as my body allowed me. Once I was cleared, I began walking/jogging on a gravel path near my older daughter's preschool, or on a paved path near my house, or on sidewalks in my neighborhood. If it was cold, I bundled her up (I should have mentioned I always had the stroller with me).

How hungry were you after the birth if breast feeding? How did you control cravings for junk? Both times, after birth, I was NOT hungry, for days. Food felt like cement in my mouth. This is the only time in my life I have not been hungry. I did not regain an appetite until I was home. As for breast feeding, I am always hungry, so the extreme hunger of breast feeding was really not that much worse than normal for me. I did not crave junk really, more random foods. Like shepherds pie. Weird. Mostly I drank a ton of water. The other thing was, the second time, my daughter had a suspected dairy and soy intolerance. Which eliminates about 95% of packaged food. It was really easy to lose weight sticking to dairy and soy free.

Did you drink protein shakes while breastfeeding? Once she outgrew her intolerance, yes.

Any other tips you can think of? I used to spend hours at the gym each week, but am going to need to be more strategic with a baby. If you like to walk, get a GOOD stroller. I got a BOB Revolution with my second and it is one of the best things I have ever bought for myself. Worth every penny 10-fold. Get the baby used to walks in the stroller as soon as the ped. says they can go in it. If your gym has a daycare, get them used to that too. I took my kids as soon as they were able to come. And they LOVED it. And don't feel guilty about exercising. Chances are, it won't hurt your supply. Working out and leaving the kid in the gym daycare does not make you a selfish, vain mom. You are not putting your kid second because you like to work out. People will say these things in a roundabout way. Don't let it bother you!

[kams]

Dec 3, 2013 21:42:41 GMT -5 gummybear said:

This is so true. 

ETA: I meant to quote the part where gummybear said people will infer you are not as dedicated of a mom because you like to work out.

[kams]

How soon after the birth did you start walking for exercise? Where did you walk if it was winter? With DD I had PPD and did not exercise at all until she turned 1 (which was when I realized what was going on and that I needed to get back to caring for myself, too). This time around it will begin as soon as possible. Even walking the stroller around the mall when it's really cold would be a fine option.

How hungry were you after the birth if breast feeding? How did you control cravings for junk? Again, this is sort of skewed for me because of PPD. I had no problem dropping weight for the first 6 months of breastfeeding. It was the between 6 months and 1 year when I ate more/worse and gained weight. I breastfed until 16 months, and never really noticed intense cravings - mine was all emotional.

Did you drink protein shakes while breastfeeding? No

Any other tips you can think of? I used to spend hours at the gym each week, but am going to need to be more strategic with a baby.
I found I became a lot more efficient. Do what you can with what you've got. You'll get into a groove

[breezy8407]

I started walking almost right away. I had a vaginal birth and recovery went pretty well for me. I waited for the 6 week clear to run, but wasn't ready to start much before that anyway. It was spring, so I wa lucky with weather. I know other moms have said mall walking works in winter. 

I don't remember being insanely hungry during bfing/pumping, but did crave sweets. I remember having a huge bag of dark chocolate acai bluberries from Costco and ate the whole thing in a wek myself. Yikes. I just sort of went with it and tried my best to pick healthy options when I could. 

No protein shakes but I am sure I could have. My two didn't have any allergies or intolerances. I pumped until 15 weeks and mine had to have formula supplements from the beginning fwiw. 

I totally agree with what gummybear said about people judging you or making comments about working out. It's who I was before kids so I wanted to hang on to that part of me plus be a good example for them. 

Go easy on yourself. I was on bed rest for 4 weeks and it was really hard to do nothing. It helped me to remember that at that time, my body was not mine and I had the rest of my life to get back into shape. I think the early months are the same. You will be more tired than you ever thought. Emotions will be crazy. I used to not understand how anyone even moms didn't have time to workout because how could you be that tired or not have the? Yeah, joke was on me. 

I got back to my pre pregnancy weight this past August, so 16 months post partum. Granted, I didn't work super hard on it, but that wAs after a few months of being back to my exercise routine. I am fortunate to have a free gym membership via work and have said gym across the street. Lunch time workouts have been the key to my sanity. I also will run after my kids go to bed at home. Getting up early doesn't work still because my son still has issues waking up before 5 and its not predictable. 

Sorry for any typos I am on my iPad 

[skwcm80]

Dec 3, 2013 21:59:58 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Dec 3, 2013 21:42:41 GMT -5 gummybear said:

And don't feel guilty about exercising. Chances are, it won't hurt your supply. Working out and leaving the kid in the gym daycare does not make you a selfish, vain mom. You are not putting your kid second because you like to work out. People will say these things in a roundabout way. Don't let it bother you!

Definitely all of this! DS is still nursing (as I type this even) at 19 months old and I started working out at 9 weeks pp.

[runblondie26]

Well, I'm exactly 3 weeks out now after having DS, so this is how it's been going so far. I feel like it is going better than the first time around with DD, but it's still quite early, lol.

The biggest key to bouncing back IMO, is being in great shape before getting pregnant. You're already starting off in a good place lauren170 so remember that!

I've been taking neighborhood walks with the stroller and running around with DD outside since 10 days pp (had a c-section, but was feeling ok by then). Fall/winters are pretty mild here in Atlanta. I plan to keep going outside.

I'm 5 pounds below my pre-BFP weight, but I put on about 10 lbs last winter while TTC. I have another 5 until I'm at goal weight. Running until 20 weeks and them being consistent worth working out 5-6x per week until the end really helped. It took me almost TEN MONTHS after having DD to get to where I am 3 weeks after DS.

My appetite was down the first couple weeks until breastfeeding really ramped up. Having a baby attached to me for hours a day is a workout I am pretty hungry now, but honestly it's no different than when I'm training for a race. Just eat the way you normally would pre-preg.

In the years since DD was born, we have built up a home gym with just about everything I need (treadmill, elliptical, spin bike, weights), With my full time work schedule and DH's travel schedule, the logistics of getting to the gym with a baby were difficult, Having everything available at home 24/7, removes a big obstacle to consistent workouts. I plan to start using the elliptical and bike within the next week.

Don't feel the least bit guilty about using gym daycare, but have some home options as well on days that are really busy or the baby is not cooperating.

Good luck, it's almost time to meet your little one! Don't be too hard on yourself. You have established good habits. You'll find a way to have it all fall into place again.

[cinco]

How soon after the birth did you start walking for exercise? Where did you walk if it was winter?
Right away. My third was my only winter baby, and we had such a mild winter that year. On the colder days I kept her in a baby carrier and wore DH's jacket over it. She was nice and snug.

How hungry were you after the birth if breast feeding? How did you control cravings for junk?
After my first I wasn't hungry at all. I lost ton of weight quickly, but also had horrible supply issues. With my second and third, I was prepared to force myself to eat, but my appetite was fine. The only time I was really hungry was marathon training and exclusive breast feeding. I was not able to eat enough to get rid of the starving feeling. Even then, it wasn't so much junk food b/c I knew that wouldn't fill me up.

Did you drink protein shakes while breastfeeding?
Sometimes.

Any other tips you can think of? I used to spend hours at the gym each week, but am going to need to be more strategic with a baby.
I agree with the others that you get more efficient with your work outs. Getting back into exercise quicker with my third really helped me with the baby blues. Even if it is just walking, moving around and getting some vitamin D was key to me. Also, everyones experiences with pp weight loss are different. Don't compare or have expectations. I've had 3 kids and my bounce back and weight loss was different with each one. It took longest to lose the weight with my 3rd (even though I was exercising, running the most...maybe b/c of that? The hunger was intense, like I mentioned earlier), but in the long run I lost it eventually. Don't be too hard on yourself!

[hannahb]

I had a c section and was walking the dog by 4 weeks and started running and light lifting at 6 weeks after I was cleared for exercise. I felt like I could have started earlier but decided to be a good patient!
I initially wasn't hungry after giving birth and essentially force fed myself because of breastfeeding. I had some complications with a spinal headache which I feel played into effect. After that wore off I was starving. I've lost all but 5 pounds and am 8 weeks out. I have a feeling I will need to watch my diet to lose those last 5 pounds. I'm still trying to breastfeed but we've had issues with that (low supply and food allergies).
As far as exercising, I have a treadmill and bike at home. I belong to a gym and yoga center but trips there have been infrequent. My mom is close and will watch him while I go for a run but as someone who doesn't exercise will make snide comments if I'm gone longer than an hour. I try and work out when he's sleeping but quite a few workouts have been cut short. I need to start being more flexible with this. Once I go back to work I fully plan on taking advantage of daycare to go to the gym. I'm paying a crap ton of money for it and an hour to keep my sanity is worth it.
While it may look like from the outside that I'm doing great (most of the weight gone, exercising again), I will say it has been a struggle physically and emotionally. I've had my good and bad days which I think is completely normal.

[hannahb]

Oh and I know every baby is different but mine loves the ergo. Strap him in there for walking the dog and he is toasty! Helps that he also passes out in the ergo. It has done wonders in freeing up my hands and getting housework done

[Christina]

Hi. I'm glad you posted this. I like to read how others are doing it.
Ok as for me. I'm 4 months pp. I'm still up about 5 more pounds than I'd like to be but it is all in my belly and chest. I'm a 36d right now and was a 34 b pre baby.
I'm absolutely starving all the time with bf and I don't make great choices. I am working out a few times a week. My advice would be to take it slow and keep bf a priority. I wasn't able to with my first and am thankful to with my second. Make good eating choices for the both of you and like others have said don't feel guilty about making time to work out. Both my little ones go to the gym daycare and love it.

[shauni27]

Not a mom, but I cannot believe you only have 7 weeks left?! That went FAST!

And kams, did I read your response of "this time around" to mean that you are pregnant again and I completely missed an announcement?!?!?!?!?!?

[katinthehat]

My opinion, don't do anything for six weeks, no goals, no meal planning, no thinking about H&F, just six weeks of sitting on the couch and nursing that baby and sleeping when you can. If you feel like going for a walk, do it! If you feel like having a salad, do it! If you feel like have a McDonalds #6, go for it! But try not to have any hard and concrete plans or expectations of yourself except keeping you and baby alive. Post partum is so, so, so rough; everyone responds to it differently and you just never know how you're going to feel. I had all these goals and plans with Marion and when it didn't happen, I felt even worse and it was this big depressive spiral. With Eliza, I had two goals: nursing and keeping her alive (not in that order.) If I got in a walk with her, bonus! If I didn't gnaw my own arm off in hunger, bonus! It's good to have ideas and motivation and inspiration but I think setting by six weeks goals or under BFP weight by leaving the hospital, things like that, can be detrimental to a new mom's mental health.

[shauni27]

katinthehat again, not sure if you made an official announcement and I missed it, but based on your ticker and announcement on the blog, CONGRATS! I am so happy for you

[kams]

Dec 4, 2013 8:04:42 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Not a mom, but I cannot believe you only have 7 weeks left?! That went FAST!

And kams, did I read your response of "this time around" to mean that you are pregnant again and I completely missed an announcement?!?!?!?!?!?

No!!! I meant the next time! Oops!

[shauni27]

Dec 4, 2013 9:51:50 GMT -5 kams said:

Dec 4, 2013 8:04:42 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Not a mom, but I cannot believe you only have 7 weeks left?! That went FAST!

And kams, did I read your response of "this time around" to mean that you are pregnant again and I completely missed an announcement?!?!?!?!?!?

No!!! I meant the next time! Oops!

Hahahahahahha, I was like "man, I am going crazy!  I need to get back over here more often!"

[osulori]

Dec 3, 2013 21:15:02 GMT -5 lauren170 said:

I just posted this on MM by accident...oops.

I'm up about 10-15lbs more than I'd like to be and still have 7 weeks to go - but this is not so terrible given my background. I started cooking and freezing so I'll have healthy meals when the baby gets here, but would feel better with a plan to get me back on track.

So, some questions to help me get in the right mind set...

How soon after the birth did you start walking for exercise? Where did you walk if it was winter?  I didn't, really.  I started "running" again (running=intervals of very slow running with walk breaks) at 4 weeks PP per OB recommendations, which were basically to give it a shot once I was pain free and no longer bleeding.  I had a summer baby so I'm no help on the winter part.

How hungry were you after the birth if breast feeding? How did you control cravings for junk? Very.  I was hungry.all.the.time.  Shoot, I still am.  I'm bad about controlling cravings for junk...if it's there, I eat it.

Did you drink protein shakes while breastfeeding? No, because that involves effort and I'm lazy.  Plus my protein powder has espresso in it and while AJ doesn't react to my 2-3 diet pops/day I don't want to rock the boat in that regard.

Any other tips you can think of? I used to spend hours at the gym each week, but am going to need to be more strategic with a baby.  Ditto gummybear about feeling guilty-don't.  I have found that working out (when I do it) doesn't affect my supply now, but I do have to take care to drink even more water than usual and still eat enough calories to make up most of what I lost from running otherwise I see a supply dip. I've resigned myself to the fact that as long as I'm breastfeeding running is not about me losing weight but more about me keeping my sanity...mostly because my workouts are shorter and less frequent that I'd like.  For now that is the way it has to be and I'm okay with that.

[arch01]

I was walking around the hospital about 12 hours after my c/s, they make you get up basically as soon as you have complete feeling back in your legs. The more you do it, the better off you will be.

We were walking the neighborhood the day after we got home, my goal was 1mi/day. DS was having feeding issues, I had supply issues, so this was my one time to get out of the house and relax a bit. Get a GOOD stroller. I adore our BOB Revolution. DS is a December baby, so we just bundled him up according to the weather (rule of thumb is an extra layer than what you'd wear). We were walking 4-5 miles within 2 weeks of him being born, primarily because if he was outside and moving, he was quiet

I was STARVING. I would eat anything I could. Honestly, I didn't really care what it was-it's survival mode time. I would be mindful of what I'd eat over the course of the day, but not overly strict on it. If I was hungry, I'd eat. I also drank a TON of water.

I don't drink protein shakes, so can't answer that. I wouldn't be opposed to them though.

Tips: you'll learn your own way of doing things. I dropped DS off the day he turned 6 weeks old at the gym daycare so I could go swim laps before I taught some swim lessons (I still do that PT). I'm not the poster child for following doctor's orders, I wasn't officially cleared for exercise until 4 weeks, but was told both while in the hospital recovering and also at my last doctor's appointment prior to having DS that I needed to listen to my body and when I felt up to it, go for it... primarily because I kept working out until the day I went into labor. The only absolute restrictions were no ab workouts and no sex until 6 weeks. I started running again at 3w and had no issues, but probably not something I should've done. 

Don't feel bad about working out-for me, working out helps my sanity. It's a necessity. You'll get into a groove. Also remember that there are very few things that HAVE to be done-feed the baby, diaper the baby, get the baby to sleep, feed yourself, get yourself to sleep. Other than that, everything becomes a matter of priorities. A clean house fell down a bit on the priority list in order for me to take care of myself.