breastfeeding and weight loss

Mountaingirl33

Hi,
I exclusively breastfeed my five month old and have been successful with losing 1-2 lbs a week weighing and measuring for the last month or two while doing my second round of Shaun T's Focus T25 workouts. I have to eat very low-fat for my gallbladder but otherwise am seeking some advice on how to use mfp's guided settings while dealing with variables that go with breastfeeding (growth spurt, etc). I don't want to 1. Lose my milk supply or 2. Get so hungry that I binge. I started the beta workout cycle this week (weights) and am constantly famished. My diary is public. Many thanks for insight.

emmavagg

Hello and congrats on your little one, I am breastfeeding my 16 week old and I add 500 calories a day as per the NHS. I try to eat around 1700 a day but I do tend to go over if I am really hungry. I have lost 24lbs since having her and just have 15 more to go. Sorry I can't be of more help and feel free to friend me

Mountaingirl33

Thanks! I feel like I have been successful with weight loss at 1700 but this week am so hungry. I think I will increase water intake and see if that helps

Melbo89

Mountaingirl33 wrote: »

Thanks! I feel like I have been successful with weight loss at 1700 but this week am so hungry. I think I will increase water intake and see if that helps

Water definitely helps, but if you need something more satisfying try tea. I go though cups and cups of chamomile, vanilla, cinnamon, etc. Zero calories and 100% flavor.

alaynavee

This is a great question! I would definitely listen to your body, and if you are feeling famished, you may need to add more calories - 200-300 high quality protein and carbs may be all it takes. Especially if you've added to your workout routine this week, you may just need a little more energy.

AbsoluteTara79

Kellymom.com recommends that EBF women stay above 1800. I don't know your stats, but you could likely bump up and still lose nicely.

Ninkyou

If you are EBFing, you should be eating more. LLL recommends 1800 calories, minimum.
http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/lv/lvoctnov97p115.html

Without your stats, it's hard to say how much you should be eating.

I'm 5'2 and have a 10 week old. I'm eating 2000 calories and not doing a whole lot of exercise. I'm slowly losing weight. I gained a little over 24 lbs with pregnancy and as of this morning I have 4.4 lbs left to get to pre-pregnancy.

Mountaingirl33

I am 5'6" CW 140 GW 125.

Mountaingirl33

Melbo89 wrote: »

Mountaingirl33 wrote: »

Thanks! I feel like I have been successful with weight loss at 1700 but this week am so hungry. I think I will increase water intake and see if that helps

Water definitely helps, but if you need something more satisfying try tea. I go though cups and cups of chamomile, vanilla, cinnamon, etc. Zero calories and 100% flavor.

I can try that. Thanks!

Mountaingirl33

avalters wrote: »

This is a great question! I would definitely listen to your body, and if you are feeling famished, you may need to add more calories - 200-300 high quality protein and carbs may be all it takes. Especially if you've added to your workout routine this week, you may just need a little more energy.

Thanks for this. I've been limiting fatty protein for medical reasons but need to be more thoughtful about diet.

Mountaingirl33

AbsoluteTara79 wrote: »

Kellymom.com recommends that EBF women stay above 1800. I don't know your stats, but you could likely bump up and still lose nicely.

I will try that and see if it helps, thanks!

Jockimom

Most babies go through growth spurts, especially on the "3s" and "6s", so your little one might be ramping up for the 6-month growth spurt. Your recent hunger might be due to the increased milk supply and may pass in a few weeks, so by all means, eat to your hunger level. Besides, you'll burn a gazillion calories once that little one is mobile Congratulations!