Am Pregnant Needs some Diet (not weightloss) and Excersize h

madzfulcher
madzfulcher Posts: 11
edited September 26 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi MFP Friends. I am 6 weeks pregnant and need some tips. I have consulted baby books and others about this and thought I'd get your opinions. I was doing a 1200 cal eating plan before I got pregnant now I am at 1500 (you only need to consume 300 extra calories a day when your preggo). The problems I am having are this;

1) Most of the time I am not hungry at all! Not one bit! But I do need to consume something...best foods for days when I am nauseated or not hungry?

2)My energy level has plummeted. I can't wait to get into bed at 6PM. Ideas for small work outs? I do zumba 2 times a week and try to hike a little and do elliptical.

3) Morale. I am a larger lady 5'9 200 lbs. and I'm afraid I'm going to get HUGE. I know I will gain wait in the 2nd and 3rd trimester and that its healthy. But I have such small friends I already feel super large next to them. Any ideas or mantras?

Thanks guys! :)

Replies

  • feliciapeters
    feliciapeters Posts: 525
    I think ALL these questions are best answered by your Doctor.
  • j_fattler
    j_fattler Posts: 94 Member
    Hi there!!

    FIRST OF ALL....CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

    I am a mother of 2 kidders, born 21 months apart & I know what you mean about being "not hungry" & "having no energy" at all during pregnancy!

    My biggest & best recommendation - eat fresh fruit!! Citrus, especially. I SWEAR BY IT when it comes to nausea. It may take some "choking down" but an orange or pineapple always helped me!

    The energy thing, that's a tough one, but it usually gets better as soon as you're out of the first trimester. Really, you will start to feel better!

    As far as already feeling like the "big girl" in the group - you will gain weight while you are pregnant, but try to remember that you are carrying a life inside you & YOUR BABY will never once gaze into your eyes and look away with disdain because of your weight!! You seem to have a good outlook on this, as far as not "eating for two" so keep going...do what you can & enjoy this time. Before long, you will be feeling your darling child kicking your insides out & it will be the most incredible feeling you can imagine!!
  • milowen
    milowen Posts: 40 Member
    I agree w/ PP, your OBGYN is your best source of info. That being said, you should keep an eye on your health while pregnant. 1500 calories is not accurate. Your Dr. can refer you to a nutrionist if necessary. I know when pregnant I needed about 2500 calories and was a little smaller than you.
    My best advice is to stay active (walking and swimming are great options) and eat things you know are healthy for both you and your baby. Make sure you're taking a prenatal vitamin with a good amount of folic acid in it. Studies are showing that if you are obese it's ok to watch your weight while pregnant so that you don't gain too much (about 15 lbs is recommended).
    Do what is best for you and your baby. Concentrate on your overall health, not the number on the scale. If you're that concerned about your appearance or comparing yourself to friends, seeking out a qualified counselor may be an option to help boost your self esteem and self image.
    Congrats on your pregnancy and good luck!
  • monkeybelle83
    monkeybelle83 Posts: 141 Member
    When I was really sick from my gallbladder failing I ate a lot of strawberries, blueberries, etc. While I wasn't hungry, and was super nauseated I could eat them.
  • __flexylexi
    __flexylexi Posts: 154 Member
    1. Calorie wise? speak to your doctor. 1200 is YOUR minimum for YOU to lose weight, so weighing 200 lbs, 1500 total is still a deficit. I started at around 160lbs and my maintenance is about 1900, so I just made sure I went up to 2000 since first trimester really from what i was advised, I needed about 90 more cals, then 2nd trimester about 250, 3rd is about 400 (averages to 300 your whole pregnancy) IMO, you need to set your calories to maintenance to keep the weight you are on, but DEF speak to your doc.

    My goals pre preg was 1200, but when I found out I was pregnant I wanted to make sure my body wasn't having a deficit, so I changed to 1900 to maintain.. Now it is set to "gain 1/2 lb a week" which totals to 2240 and so far my weight gain has been on point.

    2. You are in the 6th week, so at that point I was tired as well, its normal. Try to find a balance and not push yourself too much. If you are tired, rest, but keep whatever you are used to doing, don't just stop. Continue your pre-pregnancy fitness routine through your first tri. My energy came back around the 10/11 week, but I also wasn't the hyperemesis kinda pregnant chick.

    3. With you starting off at 200lbs, you need to discuss with doc what an appropriate weight gain is for you. Also remember that in the first tri, you are holding a LOT of water, so that can also be it. I went all the way to 178 my 8th week, but right now I am at 174 on my 18th week. I started at 168 (gained a few during holidays before I got pregnant) so I have gained a total of 6 lbs... Which is fine with my doc.

    We have a little support group for pregnant ladies here on MFP, feel free to join us!
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/198947-fit-fabulous-and-pregnant
  • dragonairis
    dragonairis Posts: 75 Member
    You won't be able to get away with 1500 calories a day. If you were losing on 1200, you can't just add 300 calories to that number. You'll need to set your goals to 'maintain' and THEN add the 300. I know that sets the calorie goal even higher, but try to get in 'good fat' foods like edamame and avocado, which are higher in calories, but have good things your body needs.
  • BrandNewMia
    BrandNewMia Posts: 461
    The only thing I can comment on is the energy - you are only 6 weeks pregnant, and during the first trimester we typically feel really tired all the time. 6pm bedtime was just about where I was! And I would sleep ALL NIGHT and still be tired the next day. When I reached weeks 12-14, my energy came back and I felt normal again. So just rest and give this one some time.

    Regarding diet and exercise - you really do need to talk to your OB/GYN. Given your weight, a calorie restricted diet might be OK (I was the same weight when I became pregnant), but only your doctor can tell you what is right for your specific situation. I couldn't eat in the first trimester with my first pregnancy, and lost 8 pounds that first month. I ate a lot of saltines (you can get them in whole grain!) and anything with natural ginger in it to curb the nausea.

    Congrats!
  • madzfulcher
    madzfulcher Posts: 11
    Thanks for all the advice! I did change my diet to maintain weight. I guess what I meant is that I can only get down 1500 worth of calories. I was doing 1200 then went up to 1500 trying to get myself to consume more. I have my first appointment with my OBGYN on the 25th so I am just kinda stuck waiting and reading up and educating myself in the meantime.

    Thanks so much for your insight I have a list of questions that I'm going to ask her, and reading your guys post made me add a couple more! :)
  • jrbb0309
    jrbb0309 Posts: 55
    When I was in my first trimester I was nauseous 24/7. I never actually got sick, I just felt ill all the time. The only thing that made me feel better was milk. I went to my doctor in a panic and she told me I didn't have to worry, the baby would take care of itself essentially. That as long as I was taking my prenatal vitamin and getting enough water so I wasn't getting dehydrated, and especially if I was good with drinking the milk, all would be good. And she was right. My weight when I got pregnant was 194 and I dropped to 172 by the end of the first trimester and it only slowly crept back up, ending up at 198 on the day I had my kidlet. She was a healthy 8 lbs. 4 oz. and other than that first trimester, I had a great pregnancy. I ate what I felt like eating (what my body was telling me to) and found I *couldn't* overeat so I just ate bits of whatever my body said it wanted at the time and I went through different cravings. At one point, I couldn't stand meat. At another, I hated broccoli (my favourite veg). Check in with your doc and just relax. Do lots of walking and whatever exercise your doc tells you to do and if you don't feel like eating, give yourself a break.
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