Breastfeeding, exercising, tracking, not losing weight.

ClosetBayesian
ClosetBayesian Posts: 836 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I had my third child six months ago. I weight within two pounds of what I did five months ago. I'm at 182 as of this morning, and would like to weigh 150 (I'm 5'7"; 150 is on the high end of acceptable for my height). I do karate at least twice a week, and have for the past four months. I have just added circuit training as of three days ago. I do not eat back any calories MFP claims I "earn" through exercise, because if I do, I gain weight. I religiously track what I eat. I measure everything (although apparently I should weight it, not measure, from what I've gathered from reading some other posts, yes?). I do not snack, other than what is allowed as far as my daily calories are concerned. My macronutrients tend to hover around 40% carbohydrates /30% protein / 30% fat. I do not drink soda or juice; when I have coffee, I do not add anything to it; I occasionally have a beer on weekends if I have the calories for it. I still breastfeed my 6-month-old, but I'm desperate enough at this point that I've given serious thought to stopping and taking up diet pills. I don't know what else to do. I had my thyroid tested two months ago, and my levels came back normal. I started adding circuit training three days ago. Per MFP at a rate of .5 lbs lost per week, I eat no more than 1640 calories per day; if I go much over 1700, I gain weight; there is no way on God's green earth I'd be able to eat the 300-500 calories per day that I'm theoretically burning by breastfeeding and be anything other than a blimp. I've tried. I gained weight. So, the hell with that. Honestly, the only reason I'm eating so much now is because I'm still breastfeeding; prior to having this baby, I could not eat more than 1300 calories a day without gaining weight.

I am disgusted with how I look, and I hate the fact that nothing I've done so far has made a bit of a difference. I am on Ritalin for ADHD; my doctor suggested that the Ritalin may help with my weight loss. It has not.

Anyone have any ideas?

Replies

  • startingoveragain2020
    startingoveragain2020 Posts: 42 Member
    I never lost any weight until I stopped breastfeeding at 10months. I tracked all food and walked miles every day and never dropped a lb until I stopped. It's SLOWLY shifting now. Sorry no advice just to say I was the same.
  • rebbylicious
    rebbylicious Posts: 621 Member
    edited July 2015
    you are not eating enough. You may think that you are going to gain weight if you eat more than 1300 but that is at the first few weeks as your body adjusts to the proper level. Workout calories burned tend to get over calculated by map. And food tends to be off when not using a food scale. Drink more water and make sure you are giving your body rest and sleep. And get some more cardio in (running, walking, zumba, anything) Look up what your body needs to take in for maintaining weight. Follow it weather you agree with the number given or not. Wait a few weeks for it to adjust and then once you find balance for a few weeks start cutting back your calories.

    I know it's difficult to hear this, but your body just made a human being. Your body is still nurturing your baby with the milk it is producing. You had the baby only a few months ago. Your body suffered huge trauma during childbirth (either way) Stop being disgusted with your body. Your body did what it is created to do... make a baby. As a mother of 4 myself who breastfed all of mine I understand how hard we can be on ourselves. But remember that the time with your little one will not last long, don't allow yourself to be too distracted with your body. <3
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I'm afraid that I didn't have much luck losing weight while breastfeeding either. I chose to work on fitness instead. The pounds slowly crept off, but not all of them.
  • Homemaker57
    Homemaker57 Posts: 106 Member
    No advice since I'm just now beginning to try and lose again. My little guy is 9 months and mostly just breastfeeding along with some foods. I'm also 5'7, starting goal of 150! Can I add you as a friend?

    I was 172 prepregnancy, 202 highest pregnant. Got to 182, now back to 195. Meanwhile my husband was without a job for several months (major stress!), we moved (stress), and the baby is still up three times a night (I haven't been well rested in over a year). I made some pretty unfortunate food choices! I'm in a much better place now emotionally thanks in part to some essential oils, and hubby has a great job, and I'm ready to make good choices again. :)

    I've heard from SO many women that as soon as they quit nursing, they dropped 10-15 lbs. I don't know if nursing hormones cause women to want to eat a little extra to maintain a higher fat reserve, or what, but it's super common for women to hold weight while breastfeeding. I'd encourage you to just hang in there and continue eating well while feeding your baby well! I mean if you want to stop nursing there's nothing wrong with that, but breastfeeding is no joke so I feel like if you made it this far it must be important to you. I feel like even if a woman has extra trouble losing weight while nursing, it's just a few months and it has so many benefits to both mom and baby. If it's just nursing that's holding you up, then when you're ready to wean it should happen quickly hopefully.

    Anyway. I know none of that was probably very helpful, but I hope you find a way to achieve all your goals at once. I just got a digital scale for $15 from Walmart and I love it! Maybe weighing will help you?
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Ldcota wrote: »
    I had my third child six months ago. I weight within two pounds of what I did five months ago. I'm at 182 as of this morning, and would like to weigh 150 (I'm 5'7"; 150 is on the high end of acceptable for my height). I do karate at least twice a week, and have for the past four months. I have just added circuit training as of three days ago. I do not eat back any calories MFP claims I "earn" through exercise, because if I do, I gain weight. I religiously track what I eat. I measure everything (although apparently I should weight it, not measure, from what I've gathered from reading some other posts, yes?). I do not snack, other than what is allowed as far as my daily calories are concerned. My macronutrients tend to hover around 40% carbohydrates /30% protein / 30% fat. I do not drink soda or juice; when I have coffee, I do not add anything to it; I occasionally have a beer on weekends if I have the calories for it. I still breastfeed my 6-month-old, but I'm desperate enough at this point that I've given serious thought to stopping and taking up diet pills. I don't know what else to do. I had my thyroid tested two months ago, and my levels came back normal. I started adding circuit training three days ago. Per MFP at a rate of .5 lbs lost per week, I eat no more than 1640 calories per day; if I go much over 1700, I gain weight; there is no way on God's green earth I'd be able to eat the 300-500 calories per day that I'm theoretically burning by breastfeeding and be anything other than a blimp. I've tried. I gained weight. So, the hell with that. Honestly, the only reason I'm eating so much now is because I'm still breastfeeding; prior to having this baby, I could not eat more than 1300 calories a day without gaining weight.

    I am disgusted with how I look, and I hate the fact that nothing I've done so far has made a bit of a difference. I am on Ritalin for ADHD; my doctor suggested that the Ritalin may help with my weight loss. It has not.

    Anyone have any ideas?

    Answered your own question.

    Also, ditch the idea of diet pills. Seriously. No OTC pills work and the ones that are prescribed are like speed.

    Another thing to note about your "gaining" weight when you increase calories, it's a temporary increase due to glycogen replenishment.

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