Baby weight

dirtybadgermtb

My wife and I recently had a baby and, as you'd expect, she has been working to get her pre-pregnancy figure back. Likewise, I put on about 10 lbs as well and am struggling to shed it, too.

From my heaviest a few years ago, I've lost about 40 pounds so I have a lot of experience with dieting, logging food and exercise and successfully shedding weight. The baby is sleeping pretty well now and I am able to focus again and have lost 6 of the 10 pounds by getting back to what works but it has been a lot harder than before.

But for my wife, it has been a lot harder for several reasons. For starters, the pregnancy took it's toll. So did the birth. The healing has taken over 2 months and one example is a really pronounced is the loss of ab strength. My wife had the best L-sit in the box with a 1 minute hold. Yesterday, 11 weeks after the baby, she couldn't hold her legs out for 1 second. Crazy! The second part of her struggle is that she was always fit and lean and never needed any sort of diet to maintain her incredible figure. Now, eating what she always ate, the weight isn't coming off and, as her husband, I am not really the ideal person to try to help with her diet.

In my opinion, she looks great all things considered and is back on track. But what I'd love to hear from other CrossFit moms and dads is your experience with similar issues. What changes did you need to make? How, as a husband, can I be helpful? How long did it take you to get your pre-pregnancy figure back or did ever come back? Or, did it get even better? (I've seen it happen)

MUALaurenClark

man, that's a tough one.

was this her first pregnancy? Is she still breastfeeding?

A woman's body during and in the months after pregnancy is a mysterious thing. Hormones go bananas and everything is skewed. It's not surprising to me that she's eating the same stuff and not seeing results, just because her body is still in funk mode.

For me, things really started becoming more normal around and after 3 months post birth (i've had 3 babies). My figure now is definitely better than it was before any of the pregnancies, but that's because I wasn't working out and eating right then

I would think for her, she'll see some changes here pretty soon.

dirtybadgermtb

was this her first pregnancy? Is she still breastfeeding?

Yes and yes. Thanks for the input!

momof2osaurus

1) Do not think that she looks great "all things considered." Don't qualify that she looks great, she just does. Even if you don't SAY that, I can guarantee that she knows you think it.

2) Has she looked into whether she has diastasis recti? It's extremely common and would mess with her core strength. Also, if she had a c-section, she shouldn't underestimate that her ab muscles were CUT through.

3) If she's breastfeeding, I would assume that she's handling whatever night feeds your kiddo does? Even if they're less than they used to be, lack of sleep makes it hard to function. Newborn hell (basically the first 6 months) is horrrrrible.

GiddyupTim

How can you help as a husband? Are you kidding me? You haven't a chance! Just get out of the way . . . RUN . . . NOW
(Teasing aside: Take over as much as you can. Let her get away for an hour, or two or three. I am not specifically referring to workouts, obviously, and you won't be able to tell that it helps, but it does. They've gone through the physical ordeal of childbirth, and now someone is milking them for all they are worth and demanding every second of their attention, even in the middle of the night. So, you gotta get them a break every chance you can. Then they'll feel a little stronger and better, and they'll look less tired and feel more like being active, and . . .)

bostonwolf

Totally agree. Schedule a time 3 times a week and tell her "the next 90 minutes are yours. Go"

momof2osaurus

Totally agree. Schedule a time 3 times a week and tell her "the next 90 minutes are yours. Go"

Whoa. I...don't even know what I would do with 90 mins to myself 3x a week.

fakeittomakeit

I've had 4 kids and at 11 weeks it is WAY too soon to be worrying about the weight, imho. Give it time. After my fourth it took me 9 mos. ( I nursed for a year) to get back to my pre-mommy weight. I cannot eat at all the way I used to and keep my weight in check, of course that probably has more to do with my age. I don't think that focusing a lot of energy on losing the weight is very helpful either. Enjoy your first baby, there's nothing more wonderful! Oh, and congratulations!!!!

cjcolorado

2) Has she looked into whether she has diastasis recti? It's extremely common and would mess with her core strength. Also, if she had a c-section, she shouldn't underestimate that her ab muscles were CUT through.

3) If she's breastfeeding, I would assume that she's handling whatever night feeds your kiddo does? Even if they're less than they used to be, lack of sleep makes it hard to function. Newborn hell (basically the first 6 months) is horrrrrible.

These are spot on, as well as the fact that her body is likely to hold on to some excess fat during breastfeeding. Lack of consistent sleep also makes it more difficult to metabolize. And also, 11 weeks is still very, very early! I had a singleton and then twins almost two years later. I couldn't wrap my head around consistent exercise until closer to 6 months PP. Give her the support she needs to get proper rest, proper food, and realize that results will come with time.