alright.. that's it.

mmckee10

i did great my first few weeks on MFP... lost 9lbs in two weeks eating 1200 cals. great right?

that's what i thought too. and now.. my weight is fluctuating and i'm getting headaches. i feel like i'm always starving.. help! plus i'm BF 10month old (i don't always count my EBF) CW is 212 ( i was 209 a few days ago) =/ losing motivation and finding it harder and harder to stay under 1200

UrbanRunner81

You definitely should add calories for breastfeeding. You need it! You will feel better and you will continue to lose weight.

mmckee10

i wasn't counting them before because my son breastfeeds a different number of times every day =/ he's eating solid food as well, so i wasn't sure how to count it..

Willbenchforcupcakes

You definitely need to add in some bfing calories - I know there are options for older children in the database.

When I started, I was 212, and prior to being on here I was consuming about 1800 calories a day, and bouncing between 212-214, for months. Starting here, I bumped up my intake to 2300, and am consistently losing weight, at just over 2 pounds a week.

Eta - I know there is at least on option based on # of ounces - you could consider each feeding to be between 2-4 ounces (depending on how long he's nursing for), and just log every feeding seperatly.

dancin2011

I highly recommend increasing your intake as well.

mmckee10

2300 cals? really? maybe i should try that.. are you exercising as well?

DBlythe50

With a little one it is sometimes hard to get those mini meals in (snacks) but I found having my water bottle handy and eating every 2.5 hrs with a schedule helped with the hunger pains. Don't work out or walk if your hungry your body needs fuel and it will zap you and give you a headache. I stated by choosing all my supper meals out of the Better Homes and Gardens Dieter's Cookbook and they were not only delicious but healthy and the family loved them. Keep up the hard work.....you can do it :flowerforyou:

Willbenchforcupcakes

Yes, I do exercise a fair bit, but 2300 is my base, including breastfeeding calories. I do try and eat most of my exercise calories, getting better about eating at least half. (I am 5'7" btw)

mmckee10

Yes, I do exercise a fair bit, but 2300 is my base, including breastfeeding calories. I do try and eat most of my exercise calories, getting better about eating at least half. (I am 5'7" btw)

i'm only 5'1". i've been trying to work out every day. sometimes twice a day and i bought a fitbit. i'll try moving my intake up to around 2300. maybe after a few days things will level out again. thanks so much to everyone that is giving advice! i really appreciate it :flowerforyou:

tnrunningnurse

I did a google search on how many calories I should be eating and 1200 was not enough. I think you will find that 1200 is too low considering you are BF. The Calories needed calculator will ask your age, your weight and activity level and give you calorie needs based on that.

mmckee10

With a little one it is sometimes hard to get those mini meals in (snacks) but I found having my water bottle handy and eating every 2.5 hrs with a schedule helped with the hunger pains. Don't work out or walk if your hungry your body needs fuel and it will zap you and give you a headache. I stated by choosing all my supper meals out of the Better Homes and Gardens Dieter's Cookbook and they were not only delicious but healthy and the family loved them. Keep up the hard work.....you can do it :flowerforyou:

snacks are almost impossible. plus on top of being a full time mommy i'm a full time college student as well. i'll try keeping a water bottle within reach and an eating schedule instead of just "when i squeeze it in". thanks so much!

mmckee10

I did a google search on how many calories I should be eating and 1200 was not enough. I think you will find that 1200 is too low considering you are BF. The Calories needed calculator will ask your age, your weight and activity level and give you calorie needs based on that.

how do i change my required calories on here? just change the activity level ?

mmckee10

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/breastfeeding_calorie_calculator.htm

i just googled it as well and it said i needed 2500 calories a day XD but i also want to lose weight. is this an accurate calculation?

Willbenchforcupcakes

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/breastfeeding_calorie_calculator.htm

i just googled it as well and it said i needed 2500 calories a day XD but i also want to lose weight. is this an accurate calculation?

My results from that site are 2790, with the option of exercise everyday. It seems like that would be my maintainence number, plus all my exercise calories. So maybe for you, at a pound a week, should have 2000? I'm going to send you a friend request.

divamimi09

maybe try protein shakes? I use carnation instant breakfast (no sugar added) with skim milk and a scoop of non-flavored protein powder.....(GNC). Shakes fill you up, have good fiber/protein and helps the metabolism.

Good Luck...

cmriverside

I did a google search on how many calories I should be eating and 1200 was not enough. I think you will find that 1200 is too low considering you are BF. The Calories needed calculator will ask your age, your weight and activity level and give you calorie needs based on that.

how do i change my required calories on here? just change the activity level ?

You can either change your daily allotment by going to MY HOME> Goals> Change goals> Custom

OR,

Just add "Breastfeeding" in the Food Diary.....there are multiple choices for breastfeeding in the food database ( it actually gives you a negative number when you enter it.)

JanieJack

that's tough. when I BF everyone said you naturally lose weight but I didn't. I pretty much just had to eat and then worry about the weight after I weaned my son (1 year). Not dooming you to waiting that long before losing weight, just saying everyone's body is different. If you're not feeling well (headaches) your body's trying to tell you something.

I really hated sitting with the super thin military moms in the nursing mothers room (as we pumped) hearing how they could eat anything including ice cream and still lost all their weight naturally due to breastfeeding. I would get so angry, sometimes jealous, as I tried hard to only eat the bare minimum so I wouldn't feel dizzy or headachey.

I now wish I'd have let it go... the extra stress wasn't worth it, cuz momma's stress impacts the whole family (kids and hubby). Once I stopped nursing, and did a reasonable workout plan the weight came off (well, all but 5 pounds of it, but I was back into my pre-preggers clothes).

now... if only my post-divorce weight would come off that easily, lol!

mmckee10

that's tough. when I BF everyone said you naturally lose weight but I didn't. I pretty much just had to eat and then worry about the weight after I weaned my son (1 year). Not dooming you to waiting that long before losing weight, just saying everyone's body is different. If you're not feeling well (headaches) your body's trying to tell you something.

I really hated sitting with the super thin military moms in the nursing mothers room (as we pumped) hearing how they could eat anything including ice cream and still lost all their weight naturally due to breastfeeding. I would get so angry, sometimes jealous, as I tried hard to only eat the bare minimum so I wouldn't feel dizzy or headachey.

I now wish I'd have let it go... the extra stress wasn't worth it, cuz momma's stress impacts the whole family (kids and hubby). Once I stopped nursing, and did a reasonable workout plan the weight came off (well, all but 5 pounds of it, but I was back into my pre-preggers clothes).

now... if only my post-divorce weight would come off that easily, lol!

i hear you! i haven't lost ANYTHING from breastfeeding. =/ one of my friends wore her pre-pregnancy jeans home from the hospital! (.... and i was stuck with the 25lbs & sweatpants. haha). I can't wait to get this weight off.

and it will! you seem pretty dedicated =] i wish i had half your energy to work out! :happy:

JanieJack

one of my friends wore her pre-pregnancy jeans home from the hospital! (.... and i was stuck with the 25lbs & sweatpants.

oooh don't get me started! I went *IN* to the hospital at 206 lbs. Birthed a 6 lb baby (what? I was shocked he was so small!) and also a 6lb placenta (why they had to tell me that, I don't know).... but went home at 209 lbs!!!! WHAT???

I now know it was inflammation, water retention, etc. But my weight stayed at 209 for like the first month. I felt really bad about myself.

prettygirlhoward

bump

ninerbuff

i did great my first few weeks on MFP... lost 9lbs in two weeks eating 1200 cals. great right?

that's what i thought too. and now.. my weight is fluctuating and i'm getting headaches. i feel like i'm always starving.. help! plus i'm BF 10month old (i don't always count my EBF) CW is 212 ( i was 209 a few days ago) =/ losing motivation and finding it harder and harder to stay under 1200

You're NOT supposed to be dieting while BF. I wouldn't even have you under 1800 calories a day.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

antijen

When I was nursing more (down to once a day, if that) I just upped my activity level setting. This gave me roughly 300 more cals a day, which is what is recommended for nursing.

I understand that you want to be more exact about it, but I haven't found that level of precision necessary. If he nurses way less one day, cut down 100 cals or so. It doesn't have to be a second job to work.

Drink a crap ton of water and continue taking your prenatal vitamins.

Exercise. You get to eat more and those nutrients will improve your milk quality.

The most important thing is to enjoy your little one. Get a jogging stroller and soak up some beautiful spring weather together. You'll look and feel great and your kiddo will benefit too. There are too many wins here to list.

Good luck. It's natural to get discouraged sometimes, but really you have no choice but to move forward. We all do. No giving up allowed! Hang in there.

ETA: I would like to make a note that I lost every ounce of my weight while nursing (which I was never able to do before with my other 3) and I did it without a dramatic cut in calorie intake and without compromising the health of my little guy. I have only MFP and stubbornness to thank. You can do this and be healthy and well.

taso42

I think you're undereating. One day you netted ~1100 and wrote in the comment box, "cheat day". Huh??? That's not a cheat day. That's a snack.

antijen

i did great my first few weeks on MFP... lost 9lbs in two weeks eating 1200 cals. great right?

that's what i thought too. and now.. my weight is fluctuating and i'm getting headaches. i feel like i'm always starving.. help! plus i'm BF 10month old (i don't always count my EBF) CW is 212 ( i was 209 a few days ago) =/ losing motivation and finding it harder and harder to stay under 1200

You're NOT supposed to be dieting while BF. I wouldn't even have you under 1800 calories a day.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

QFT

Contrarian

You aren't supposed to be under 1200 calories, even without breastfeeding. Eat, woman!

Jennyisbusy

Hello! I joined a group this month with a bunch of ladies and we are all looking for that sweet spot between fueling our bodies efficiently and losing fat. What I do is try to determine how many calories I burn a day and then eat at a deficit based on that.

I am a stay at home Mom and was severely underestimating how many calories I burn in a day - no wonder my body was GRUMPY!

I use the calculator and spreadsheet from here:
http://www.health-calc.com/diet/energy-expenditure-advanced
I also set MFP at sedentary and added back all daily activities for awhile and my nets from both sites were VERY close.

The group is here if you want to check it out:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/17-women-eating-2-000-calories-per-day

Good luck!!

mmckee10

one of my friends wore her pre-pregnancy jeans home from the hospital! (.... and i was stuck with the 25lbs & sweatpants.

oooh don't get me started! I went *IN* to the hospital at 206 lbs. Birthed a 6 lb baby (what? I was shocked he was so small!) and also a 6lb placenta (why they had to tell me that, I don't know).... but went home at 209 lbs!!!! WHAT???

I now know it was inflammation, water retention, etc. But my weight stayed at 209 for like the first month. I felt really bad about myself.

i was 232 (yeah i know lol) when i delivered my son. he was almost 8 1/2 lbs.(my doctor said he was going to be 5lbs if i was lucky) haha. but i wasn't really worried about my weight in the beginning.. until about a month ago when someone congratulated me on another little one (what?!?!?! not yet lol). i was 218 and joined MFP that day! i'm hoping to lose 11lbs before his first birthday (20total loss)

mmckee10

i did great my first few weeks on MFP... lost 9lbs in two weeks eating 1200 cals. great right?

that's what i thought too. and now.. my weight is fluctuating and i'm getting headaches. i feel like i'm always starving.. help! plus i'm BF 10month old (i don't always count my EBF) CW is 212 ( i was 209 a few days ago) =/ losing motivation and finding it harder and harder to stay under 1200

You're NOT supposed to be dieting while BF. I wouldn't even have you under 1800 calories a day.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

=/ my doctor has been on me for months to lose this weight =/ i've bumped up to 1500cals/day. milk supply has definitely NOT suffered. he's still nursing like 9 times a day. thank you for the input. =]

mmckee10

You aren't supposed to be under 1200 calories, even without breastfeeding. Eat, woman!

lol i am now! upped to 1500cals

Siannah

Definitely eat more. And don't forget liquids either. I always used to have a pint glass of water besides me during the feeding.