dieting/maintaining weight while pregnant

People will tell you not to lose weight. But, it depends on your weight, I've still got a bmi of over 40 so my OB is letting me lose weight this pregnancy and I basically have free range of how much. I lost 90 pounds last year but gained 13 of it back. I am supposed to eat 2000 calories a day and walk for 30 minutes or more at least 3x a week. I hope to lose 30-50 pounds (I am 279 right now) before I have the baby at the end of June (I am 14 weeks, 3 days today) and then continue to lose. So really it just depends where you are starting and just eat healthy at least 2000 calories a day and lots of water. My OB is always in a hurry it seems but I ask questions even when he's trying to run out the door so I get my questions answered lol I like him and he's a good doctor so I won't complain at all.

Also my BMR is 2300 or so, but my OB knows this and still says it's perfectly fine and even good for me to lose weight.

First and foremost.. take a deep breath, and relax. this is an exciting and happy time!

I only gained about 15 lbs for most of my pregnancy.. it shot up to 22 lbs towards the end, as my baby grew.
I am not a small person to begin with, I was already plus size/trying to lose weight, making life changes, and trying to lose weight before I got pregnant... by making healthy choices, using MFP to track my calories (to make sure I was eating enough for baby), eating less processed foods, and walking every day.. I kept my body healthy. It was a very easy, uneventful pregnancy. I didn't even experience morning sickness (which I attribute to walking, and drinking a little tea each morning) And I really avoided all swelling, also, as a result. (again it just came down to the last week or so.. at 41.5 weeks, my body was 'done' being pregnant. so those things can start happening)

You can totally have a safe, healthy pregnancy... just take it easy. Don't push yourself to run a 5k, if you haven't been at that level of fitness prior to pregnancy. Walking for distance, not speed is helpful.. any chance you get to squeeze in a little walk, as it is comfortable for you, will be helpful..

And don't deprive yourself. If you are eating healthy 95% of the time-- you certainly can indulge in a reasonable amount of a craving or comfort food. For me, it was soft serve, frozen yogurt. when i really wanted it, i would allow myself 1 cup (portioned), and I would make sure that my calories balanced out. the calcium was a benefit.

Depending on how you were eating before, based on your size, you need about 300 extra calories per day, when pregnant.
Doctors seem too rushed these days, without offering much in the way of help-- they just tell you the result they want to see, and leave it at that.

if you are very unsure, i would recommend consulting with a nutritionist. My dr's office happens to have one on staff..and that was very helpful to me, also

When I got pregnant I was very over weight (278lbs), I focused on very good nutrician - whole foods and lost about 10lbs in my fist trimester mostly due to morning sickness and then only gained 8 of than 10lbs back over the rest of the pregnancy - most of it in the last trimester. I had an excellenve midwife tell me "if you want to have a treat (brownie or icecream) you should eat a lean protein, a fruit and a veggie first and then you can have a treat - one serving ... and if you want another treat you first eat a lean protein. fruit and a veggie... repeat... as you will find out the space for your stomach will lesson and I actually found it much easier to eat well and the right (small portions) than I do not pregnant.

I was also told( and it worked well for me and my baby as both were very healthy during and after pregnancy), that if you are heavy when you get pregnant - you don't have to gain any weight or increase your calories.

I would learn how many additional calories you need. In early pregnancy, it's none. Later I think it's 200? Find that out and then count calories. Also DO NOT STOP EXERCISING. Do running and aerobics until you get uncomfortable doing them. Let you body tell you when to stop.

This!

Calorie requirements can be calculated here: http://www.freedieting.com/tools/pregnancy_calorie_calculator.htm

If the cardio gets too intense, you could switch to just walking and pre-natal yoga (excellent videos with the modifications needed are readily available online).

Congratulations!

I guess we each carry a bit differently. I found it hard to understand how people gained so much weight while pregnant because after about the 4th month, there was no room for food; I was filled to the max! I actually lost weight the second half of each of my pregnancies while doing my best to maintain a good healthy diet.

So who knows; weight gain might not be an issue for you.

You've already got a lot of great advice. My only suggestion would be that you might want to consult with a nutrionist just to make sure you're getting all the nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy AND a healthy you. I think any pregnant person should do this, but particularly pregnant people that are trying to balance growing a healthy baby and not putting on too much additional baby weight. I personally was breastfeeding while pregnant, so I saw a nutrionist and learned my diet was lacking in vitamin D and choline so I changed things up to make sure I got more of both.

Hi. I am new to the Message Boards but have been tracking my weight loss on myfitnesspal for a few months now. I am 13 weeks pregnant now and generally interested in feedback about nutrition and fitness while pregnant. Fortunately, I was only a few pounds away from my goal weight of 145 lbs when I found out I was pregnant around Thanksgiving. I weighed 152 lbs the day I found out, and have actually lost 2 lbs over the course of the last few months.

My doctor has encouraged me to keep working out, although to track my heart rate when I run or do heavy aerobics. I just have a hard time keeping motivated given that I am EXTREMELY exhausted all the time. I know that might go away soon (cross your fingers).

Anyway, I was following a pretty strict goal of 1500 calories a day. I still have only been eating around 1600, which is below what my body needs to maintain my current weight. As long as I am getting enough protein, fats, carbs, calcium, and folic acid, is there anything wrong with keeping my lower calorie diet? Any thoughts?

Eat a healthy balanced diet and try not to worry about the scale. I gained 25lbs with my son (he is 3 mos old) and didn't once log into MFP (I lost around 13lbs prior to getting pregnant) I just ate what I wanted but all within reason. The 25lbs I gained was gone within 3-4 weeks after he was born and since then I've lost an additional 17lbs. Enjoy you're pregnancy and don't worry about weightloss until after your baby is born. Btw Congratulations!

I am also 13 weeks and wondering the same thing about calories. My guess was 1800 per day. (??)

Hi. I am new to the Message Boards but have been tracking my weight loss on myfitnesspal for a few months now. I am 13 weeks pregnant now and generally interested in feedback about nutrition and fitness while pregnant. Fortunately, I was only a few pounds away from my goal weight of 145 lbs when I found out I was pregnant around Thanksgiving. I weighed 152 lbs the day I found out, and have actually lost 2 lbs over the course of the last few months.

My doctor has encouraged me to keep working out, although to track my heart rate when I run or do heavy aerobics. I just have a hard time keeping motivated given that I am EXTREMELY exhausted all the time. I know that might go away soon (cross your fingers).

Anyway, I was following a pretty strict goal of 1500 calories a day. I still have only been eating around 1600, which is below what my body needs to maintain my current weight. As long as I am getting enough protein, fats, carbs, calcium, and folic acid, is there anything wrong with keeping my lower calorie diet? Any thoughts?