Obese pregnancy?! Is it ok to diet and workout?

mercedes3106

Has anyone on here been pregnant and obese? Did u try to lose weight? Is it safe to lose weight? I cut carbs out of my diet (pasta, rice, bread, any fried food and also coke) and I'm exercising. I'm not starving I eat my 5 meals a day w most of them being chicken and veggies. I don't feel sick I'm just concerned. Has anyone actually been in my shoes? Also I don't do extreme exercise just walk 2 miles 5 day out of the week and 5lbs weights and occasionally bike ride. It's not extreme but for someone who weighs 240 at 5ft it will burn calories.

DeguelloTex

You should ask your doctor and follow her advice!

malibu927

Speak to your OB about this, as you still need to make sure the baby is getting enough nutrients

juggernaut1974

Ditto the above two posters

krithsai

You're probably fine - most overweight women can safely lose weight while pregnant. Do check with your doctor though.

Liftng4Lis

Yep, talk to your OBGYN.

Jennloella

generally you're safe, baby takes from what you have stored, they don't really "eat what you eat". Check with your Dr and make sure your blood pressure, etc looks good and follow her advice on calories.

jgnatca

My sister kept to a reasonable diet plan and maintained her weight through pregnancy, so came out skinnier when she was all done.

zoeysasha37

Definitely speak to a doctor.

This is way too important to take advice from strangers online. I'd also mention to your doctor that your doing low carb and see how she feels about that .

mercedes3106

I did ask and he said not to overthink it and stick to light exercise. I'm just worried cuZ it's my first pregnancy. The doctor was basically like " your not the only fat girl you'll b fine". I was just wondering if anyone else felt like me... I'm down 20lbs in this diet in 2 months and then I got peegnant which is the reason I was trying to lose weight. So I'm happy im just scared of complications I hear when ur overweight. If anyone felt like me please speak up what thoughts did u have?

Ninkyou

I wasn't Obese, but I was overweight (after losing weight from Obese before pregnancy). In a nutshell, no, you should not actively try to lose weight without your doctor's okay. And even then you should be closely monitored by him/her and/or a dietician. Light exercise is fine. It's great actually. I HIGHLY recommend a prenatal swim class. It does wonders for things like sciatica. And I swear up and down it helps with labor too.

Eat reasonably. Log your food. Get some exercise.

Losing weight can come after baby.

jemhh

mercedes3106 wrote: »

I did ask and he said not to overthink it and stick to light exercise. I'm just worried cuZ it's my first pregnancy. The doctor was basically like " your not the only fat girl you'll b fine". I was just wondering if anyone else felt like me... I'm down 20lbs in this diet in 2 months and then I got peegnant which is the reason I was trying to lose weight. So I'm happy im just scared of complications I hear when ur overweight. If anyone felt like me please speak up what thoughts did u have?

In what context did he say the part in bold? Did you directly ask "Can I eat in a caloric deficit during my pregnancy?" or did you just ask "Can I workout during my pregnancy?" or something entirely different?

If the conversation went like this:

You: Hey Doctor, is it safe for me to workout and try to lose weight while I'm pregnant?
Him: You're not the only fat girl. You'll be fine.

I'd get a new doctor.

gramarye

I started my pregnancy (back in 2009) at 269, and weighed 289 when I gave birth.

There was no problem with the pregnancy or the baby.

As long as you're taking care of yourself and keeping up on your prenatal visits, you'll be fine. If anything starts to go south, your doctor will notice.

WeighToGoJudy

I was going to suggest speaking with your doctor as well, but since you already have, and your mind was not put at ease I'll offer my 2 cents. My situation with my second pregnancy was very similar to yours. (The baby is about to turn 34 years old). I was very overweight and in the process of losing when I got pregnant. I continued eating healthy, but didn't count calories or attempt to lose. I stayed away from junk food and sweets, and walked everywhere.
I feel like your doctor should be a little more concerned with possible health problems such as high blood pressure or high blood sugar.

WalkingAlong

I was close to obese when I got pregnant. I lost 10 lbs. the first trimester due to nausea curbing my appetite and probably also eating more healthily overall. I wasn't an exerciser then but I know group fitness instructors who do fairly intense workouts until well into their third trimester. Go with what feels good. Walking and light weights won't hurt you, for sure. Those will help you. I don't know if you should focus on scale numbers, just focus on eating healthy foods in sane portions and being active as much as is comfortable.

Good job on losing 20 already and good luck!

Liftng4Lis

mercedes3106 wrote: »

I did ask and he said not to overthink it and stick to light exercise. I'm just worried cuZ it's my first pregnancy. The doctor was basically like " your not the only fat girl you'll b fine". I was just wondering if anyone else felt like me... I'm down 20lbs in this diet in 2 months and then I got peegnant which is the reason I was trying to lose weight. So I'm happy im just scared of complications I hear when ur overweight. If anyone felt like me please speak up what thoughts did u have?

I don't like your doctor.

sarahlifts

thorsmom01 wrote: »

Definitely speak to a doctor.

This is way too important to take advice from strangers online. I'd also mention to your doctor that your doing low carb and see how she feels about that .

This^^^

vivmom2014

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

I don't like your doctor.

+1

amberlyda1

I was going to say talk with Doctor and not to listen to anyone on here...but you already talked to him sooo;

Always listen to health care professionals over anyone on here. They have your stats, blood pressure, glucose etc. Run everything by them, and if they are too busy ask his nurse or send an e-mail.

As a mom talking to a new Mom (congrats by the way). All I can give you is my experience being pregnant and its been like 8 years.

you should be fine. Even at a normal weight you only need (I think...its been a while since ive been pregnant) about 200 extra calories a day for Baby. I worked out with my second two pregnancies and I felt much better than not working out with my first. Nothing extreme, walking, light weights stationary bike. Less joint pain, less muscle spasms, labor was better because I was in shape, less sciatic pain etc.

The baby will take what he/she needs. I was always REALLY nauseous the first 4 months. I couldn't eat without getting dizzy. I think I lost about 20+pounds with each kid that first trimester, and I was not overweight. But the baby was thriving and my appetite came back with a vengeance when I felt better.

I wouldn't think of it as loosing weight; just eating healthy. It sounds like you have made healthy eating options when you got pregnant, so just continue that. Listen to your body

sherbear702

Exercise during pregnancy is definately a good thing. It sounds like what you're doing is perfect. I walked 2-5miles almost every single day when I was pregnant up until the day I went into labor. I never hurts to have stamina built up before labor because labor is hard work.

I wouldn't "diet" during pregnancy but you may inadvertently lose weight by making healthier choices. Conversely, gaining too much can be harmful. Especially since you're already overweight. Pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, per term labor...like everyone else said work it out with your doctor. Everything will be great. Good luck

Emily3907

Definitely discuss with your OB! Only they can look at your current stats and give you an assessment. I will say that my OB is okay with me losing weight and exercising while pregnant, but I have about 100+ pounds to lose. Each person is different, so all of the non-doctors on here really can't give you a healthy answer.

Edited to add.....I am an RPL'er (Recurrent Pregnancy Loss) and I am in the TTC stages, but I have met with my OB's in office dietitian and actually had lengthy conversations about calorie goals and macro goals.

ragenhay1

I just had my baby 2.5 months ago. I lost 20lbs before getting pregnant. I stopped my diet because it was very low calorie. I gained a lot because half way through I was put on rest due to complications. I stayed at 190 and finished at 240. I'm now at 213. Keep up the exercise and eat healthy. This is the best way to come out of a pregnancy with out having too much of a gain. I went from 240 to 220 without doing anything. It was mostly water, baby etc. I'm now working at getting the rest off through diet, exercise and breastfeeding. It is possible to lose weight while pregnant but is usually only recommended for those who are at an very unhealthy weight and must be done with a doctors supervision. That saidsome women do come out of pregnancy having lost weight because they change their diet to include much healthier choices.

MostlyWater

It's definitely a question for your dr.

It's OK for anyone to cut out cake and candy and junk food, though. But carbs? Definitely speak to your dr!

queenliz99

Eat in moderation, lose weight after the baby arrives.

mercedes3106

Thank you all for ur thoughts in this. I'm Not strict on this diet. Let me rephrase on the low carb. I still eat carbs, I've just stopped eating greasy fats and pasta and rice. I substitute zucchini noddles for pasta and its really yummy. I'm not counting calories I kinda went on this "diet" as a lifestyle change. I feel good eating clean and I feel satisfied. The weight just started coming off. i try to cook as much at home so that I kno what is going in my body but I'm not perfect. So in other words I want to keep this new lifestyle but I was just scared f I keep losing weight. I am in no way trying to harm the baby, I just want to help ease the pregnancy and have fewer or zero complications.

zoeysasha37

mercedes3106 wrote: »

Thank you all for ur thoughts in this. I'm Not strict on this diet. Let me rephrase on the low carb. I still eat carbs, I've just stopped eating greasy fats and pasta and rice. I substitute zucchini noddles for pasta and its really yummy. I'm not counting calories I kinda went on this "diet" as a lifestyle change. I feel good eating clean and I feel satisfied. The weight just started coming off. i try to cook as much at home so that I kno what is going in my body but I'm not perfect. So in other words I want to keep this new lifestyle but I was just scared f I keep losing weight. I am in no way trying to harm the baby, I just want to help ease the pregnancy and have fewer or zero complications.

I'm glad to hear your not being strict on this diet while pregnant. Its a good thing to make good choices and eat a well balanced diet . I actually even enjoy things like cake and candy, but instead of a whole package - I just limit myself to one serving along side of a healthy well balanced diet. ( there's nothing wrong with treats in moderation)
You'll have plenty of time after the baby is born to worry about counting calories, low carb ( if you like that type of thing) and all that. Right now, keep focusing on having a healthy baby
If you ever feel like you aren't getting clear answers from your obgyn, please get another one. ( I'm not saying yours is bad. Just making a point that there's some bad doctors, just like there's some good ones too ) being as comfortable and educated as possible will make this process a lot easier.
Best of luck to you !