Nervous about pregnancy weight gain

i have 2 girls and during their pregnancies i walked and tried to eat right. i only gained 20 lbs! when you are pregnant weight begins to be a bad way to judge how healthy you are being. If you can at least eat healthy then it doesn't matter how much weight you gain in your pregnancy. hope that helps!

Even while you're pregnant you can do light cardio and walking. As long as you have no health issues you should be fine. Newborns love being rocked and bounced..so when the time comes invest in a good stroller and take them on walks and jogs. I worked out at night when baby was sleeping and now that he's older (18 months) he enjoys watching me and even climbs on me when I do floor workouts. Love the resistance! It can be done and you can work it out even with your new hectic schedule. If you're focused...nothing will stop you.

Hi,

I just wanted to put in my 2 cents.

I was pretty unhealthy and overweight when I got pregnant with my (now 2 year old) son. I was seeing a trainer but that was only once a week and my eating habits were pretty bad. When I found out I was pregnant, I started eating properly, tracking my foods to make sure I was getting enough (which was a challenge during the first trimester) and I actually started losing weight. This was not a bad thing as it was extra weight that I needed to lose in the first place (not recommending anyone try to lose weight during pregnancy). This was just a by-product of giving myself and the baby the best I could (not to say that I didn't give in to my not so healthy urges once in a while). I did gain about 20-25 lbs of baby (that's just the placenta, water etc.) but within a couple of weeks of giving birth I weighed less than I did before the baby.

My point is, as long as you think about the nutrition you need to grow a healthy baby you'll be fine. Just don't stress it.

ETA: I gained back some of the weight after I had my son when I stopped breastfeeding because I just stopped being as aware of what I was eating. I would not blame that on him at all though.

FYI...I was 220lbs before I got pregnant.....208lbs after I had my son and 219 when I joined MFP. I'm now 181 with about 20-30lbs left to lose.

Always check with your doctor to see what is safe to do while you're pregnant.

I never worked out before pregnancy so I couldn't do anything new. Generally things like walking and low impact workouts are definitely ok. If you were a runner before, then running while pregnant is typically ok. But ever pregnancy is different.

Feel free to add me.

You can see my baby in the picture, she's 10 months now. I've lost all of my baby weight and then some.

I HIGHLY recommend breastfeeding, it will burn the calories for you even if you do nothing.

Drink a lot of water, eat right, and you will be fine. Make sure you make good choices while you're pregnant.

Doing this and staying in shape will also help/prevent stretch marks and will also make labor easier for you.

Good luck! Don't let your physical concerns scare you from getting pregnant!

It all depends on where you're at now. Most definitely stay active during any pregnancy - unless doctor recommended otherwise. Staying active during pregnancy does help during the birth as well as helping you get back to pp weight after the baby. Breastfeeding does consume more calories than growing the baby (500 vs. 300 extra per day) BUT be careful! I personally was not prepared for how ravenous while breastfeeding; it was while nursing that I gained about 30 - 35 lbs! I could eat an entire Carl's Jr. meal and still be hungry for dessert/more after . . . I had NEVER experienced that before.

This.

I WAS NOT ready for how starved I would feel when I breastfed...Gained 20 lbs post pregnancy. Oops! But with the help of MFP it'll be better and easier to keep track of.

+1

The reason I gained after I stopped breastfeeding was that I was still eating like I was breastfeeding :blushing:

TOOOOTTALLLLYYY understand. . . i lost 100 pounds THEN got pregnant and gained 32 pounds back. . . i lost 10 pounds in teh first year after having my daughter. . . shes now 2 and a half and im 10 pounds shy of my origional weight. . it has been harder to work it off ( i dont go to a gym, work full time and am a single mom). . . i was told by my doctor that the next time i want to have a child (whenever that will be).. to continue exercising while pregnant (walking, stretching, etc) will help to keep my body in shape after the baby arrives as well as helps labor and the msucles. . . even though your bummed about gaining weight the baby does need it, whether you have some left over frmo another child or not. . . remember to stay hydrated and eat!

I think everyone who plans on getting pregnant is concerned about this. I just had a baby in Feb. I gained 33lbs and lost it all by the time she was 4.5 months. I gained 32 with my son *8 yrs ago and lost that shortly after too. I think about a month later.

The difference this time was I ate better, and exercised more the second time around. It definately helps to eat the right food, that way the weight you do gain will come off easy. If you eat nothing but junk it's going to be hard to lose it. I have found that finding time to exercise is harder now, but I have managed to get in close to an hour walk 5 x a week. Now that baby is a little older and on a good schedule I plan to start doing another workout after her bedtime and my son usually works out with me just for fun.

Most doctors will tell you to continue doing what you normally do or are used to. As long as your body allows you to, you will be able to keep working out. I know a girl who ran a 10 minute mile everyday up until 2 days before she delivered.


* I lost the weight with my son way faster, usually don't take as long as it did w/ my daughter, but I had a few complications, so I wasn't real concerned about even trying to lose weight in the beginning.

I have never gained more than 25 pounds while pregnant ( I gained ZERO during my last pregnancy because I started out overweight and decided to eat healthier for my baby. Then I ended up with gestational diabetes and had to eat even MORE healthily.) On TOP of that, I am on pelvic rest AND am required to take it easy due to cervical incompetence... Just realize that you are NOT eating for two

My humble opinion...

Put weight loss out of mind during this time. The health of your child for his entire LIFE will depend on your actions during pregnancy. There are a host of problems that can occur with eating too little during pregnancy ranging from minor to major such as not being born with a spine or brain! (Get that folic acid!)

The health of your child is WORTH shelving weight loss goals for 9 months.

Of course... this doesn't mean I recommend devouring bags of Doritos and Bon Bons!

Yes, the only time I tracked my calories when pregnant was when I had morning sickness and was losing weight, I started tracking to make sure I forced enough food down. After that I didn't worry about how many calories I consumed, just that I ate (mostly) healthy foods and not all junk.

In Ye Olden Days (my kids are in their 20's) we were only allowed to gain 20 lbs, of which I still kept 5 lbs from each pregnancy. These days, the weight gain is much higher and it seems to me that, with a newborn, it must be pretty hard to lose it.

A child is much more meaningful than 5 lbs of fat, however. And if you eat right and exercise during the pregnancy, you will be in good shape and hopefully good health.

Don't overeat and you will be fine....

I have a six year old and an 11 month old.

With both my preganancies I gained almost 80lbs. Went from 120's to 200. I ate alot though. Boredom being on bedrest. With 1st I was back to pre-pregnancy weight in about 9 months.

This last baby I am 15 pounds away from goal weight and she will be 1 next month. But also with two kids I had less time for myself (homework, afterschool activities, etc...) so it has taken a few extra months. but its all up to you. Raising kids is no walk in the park, but it's not hard either if you enjoy that lifestyle. I workout with a 6 year old shooting cap guns at me and a lil baby climbing on my back while I'm doing push ups. IT IS WHAT IT IS.. I go to the gym when I can. And if we get a family day at the gym the hubby and me switch off and go do laps in the pool.

Eat right and you will lose the weight. Don't make exercise a chore and you will stick with it. Having babies is so fun. Weight loss/gain is a non-issue to me in the grand scheme of things.

Before I got pregnant with my first (now 3.5 yrs old), I was one of those skinny people who could eat basically whatever they wanted and I didn't have to exercise. (I know - hate me now). But I had no skills regarding how to control my diet or limit gain. I never ate large portions, so that's probably what kept my weight from going up, but even if I gained a few, I could always lose it again pretty easily.

When I got pregnant, I kept up the status quo. I ate when I was hungry, I didn't exercise. I gained 40 pounds. I kept telling myself, "I'll breastfeed and the weight will melt off." So I breastfed - and I was starving all the time. I was afraid not to eat when I was hungry because I didn't want it to affect my milk. I thought I was one of the unlucky ones who wouldn't lose the weight until after I finished nursing. At this point I was holding onto about 15 pounds (those pounds I gained over 25). After I stopped nursing, I didn't really gain, but I didn't lose like I expected either. I was baffled - I lost weight so easily before, what was my problem?

It took me two years to get it through my thick skull that my old ways just weren't going to work this time. I had managed to lose about 5 pounds on my own but then stalled. I found MFP and started logging meals and exercising. By this time I was wanting another baby and I was bound and determined that I wasn't going to start another pregnancy heavier than I started my first. It took me 2-3 months to lose those last 10 pounds.

Once I got back down to my starting weight, I got pregnant again. The difference this time was that I had the skills in place to know how to watch what I ate, and to eat a healthy number of calories. You really don't have to eat much more than maintenance levels while you're pregnant - only 100 to 300 calories a day during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. I was in better shape this time, and I was determined to keep exercising. Unfortunately I had some crippling morning sickness and other complications during my first trimester and I was put on pelvic rest.

Even with my limitations on exercise, I gained 30 pounds with my second pregnancy, compared to the 40 pounds I gained the first time. I looked and felt better during my third trimester. Afterwards, when I was nursing, I was able to keep in mind what a healthy diet is and not gorge myself. I had the skills to do everything more healthily than the first time around. And I lost the weight much faster, in large part I believe because I was in better shape to start with. My younger daughter is not yet 6 months old. Unfortunately I had to quit nursing when she was 4 months old. I had reached my pre-pregnancy weight, but having to quit nursing and then going on vacation caused me to gain about 8 pounds. A lot of that is because I wasn't able to eat dairy while I was nursing so I let myself go a little bit, knowing that I would gain and need to buckle down when I got back.

Anyway, my point is that you'll be starting your first pregnancy where I was before my second. You have the knowledge you need to be able to gain less and exercise during pregnancy, and you'll be in good shape to start with so you'll have an easier time on the tail end.

Now I have a 3 yr old and a 5 month old and I'm doing Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. I don't have a lot of time in my day to exercise, but you can and will find time to fit in what you can. I'm doing the 30DS to get the biggest bang for my buck, so to speak.

I've heard swimming is good exercise while pregnant, since it's low impact and easy to do while carrying the extra weight of the baby. Do they make maternity one pieces??

I'm 30/31 weeks along, gained 22lbs so far. I do aqua aerobics 2-4 times a week and walk at least 30 min every day. I have a maternity suit, but its a two piece. It's comfortable and super cute!

Otherwise, one can definitely exercise while pregnant, as long as doctor gives the ok. Most say if you were doing it before you were pregnant, by all means continue! Although, this didn't obviously apply to my ice hockey, bummer. Don't restrict food and get good nutrients, but keep exercising - its the way to keep the weight gain under control, in my opinion.

I have 3 boys (8,6,& 14 mo) and I am currently trying for #4. I am worried about gaining the weight back too, but a healthy baby is what the ultimate goal is. I gained 50+ pounds with all three of my kids and I had a hard time getting the weight off until now. I have lost 32 pounds so far. I tell myself and all I need to do is keep eating right and get as much exercise as I can without harming the baby and things will be just fine. Obviously, some women will gain a lot of weight regardless of their exercise and eating habits, so you don't really know how your body will react. I hope that I can maintain the weightloss afterwards, but we will see. I am now at a healthy weight for myself and am ready to embrace being a mommy for the 4th time!!