Breastfeeding, exercise and losing weight

britgirl82

Hi all

I'm a mum of a 3m old baby who's exclusively breastfed. I'm trying hard to lose the last 10 pounds or so to get me back to where I was pre-pregnancy, but I'm really struggling.

I exercise every day - I do an hour on the elliptical (pretty high intensity similar to what I was doing pre-pregnancy) and walk everywhere during the day. I log all these calories in MFP, and I also log my breastfeeding calories.

I was very fit before getting pregnant, and remained active during pregnancy, so it's not like my body's shocked into this level of exercise.

I've gone up 4 cup sizes so I appreciate that some of the weight is breast tissue, and I've also read that your body holds onto the last few pounds whilst you're breastfeeding, so I guess that explains some...

MFP suggests that I should be eating around 2500cal a day to compensate for breastfeeding and all my exercise but I'm struggling - normally only manage about 2000cal.

Any advice? Am I not eating enough? Should I just give up until I stop nursing?

Thanks

xx

AngieBil

That's a tough one! I have a 11 month old that I breastfeed exclusively until he was 7 months. I waited until after I was done breastfeeding to push that extra little bit. I had more to loose than you, but I still didn't want to push myself too hard while breastfeeding. My #1 priority was to make sure my supply was more than enough, so I ate the full amount of calories and walked and walked and walked. Once I was done with the bf, then I upped my workouts and lowered my calories. The lbs have consistently been coming off since then.

And you're right, if you went up 4 cup sizes, most of your 10lbs are probably breast tissue and milk.

I'm not much help... but I think what you are doing is plenty for now and the rest will come off in no time, just focus on baby for now

britgirl82

That's a tough one! I have a 11 month old that I breastfeed exclusively until he was 7 months. I waited until after I was done breastfeeding to push that extra little bit. I had more to loose than you, but I still didn't want to push myself too hard while breastfeeding. My #1 priority was to make sure my supply was more than enough, so I ate the full amount of calories and walked and walked and walked. Once I was done with the bf, then I upped my workouts and lowered my calories. The lbs have consistently been coming off since then.

And you're right, if you went up 4 cup sizes, most of your 10lbs are probably breast tissue and milk.

I'm not much help... but I think what you are doing is plenty for now and the rest will come off in no time, just focus on baby for now

Thank you. You were of help!

xx

dhayter28

I am also nursing and pumping while at work. My weight really didn't start to come off until about 4 months into breastfeeding and I worked out pretty hard and everyday about 2 weeks after the baby was born, swollen ankles and all! Just make sure to eat healthy foods and take your pre-natal vitamins. Don't give up, it will melt away before you know it

Danielle

theresnoeggs

I am currently still nursing my 13 month old daughter. I would just focus on making sure you are eating every two-three hours, lots of nutritious foods, especially oatmeal (real oatmeal, not the little packets) as the oatmeal will keep your supply up.

I can be done, but it will be a slow, gradual process.