Pregnancy

I found this post a couple days ago and thought it was helpful

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10176233/gaining-weight-during-pregnancy-and-losing-it-post-partum

Make sure you bring your concerns up with your ob so they can guide you!

Probably the easiest way to get back to prepregnancy weight is to stay within the guidelines for pregnancy weight gain in the first place (usually 25-35 lbs; talk to your doc/mw about a goal and rate of gain that is right for you).

I give this advice, but did not follow it myself, lol. I've had 4 kids, gained 50 lbs with each pregnancy, and lost it between times. Since you aren't new to this, you probably already have some healthy habits in place. Eat for nutrition (treats are okay, just don't let them crowd out the stuff your body and your baby actually need). It's okay to continue tracking calories, just set your goal to gain (general rule of thumb is to gain a total of 3-5 lbs in the first trimester, about 1/2 - 1 lb per week in the second trimester, and 1 -1.5 lb per week in the third, but there can be lots of variation on this - with my last baby I gained most of the weight in the second trimester, and less in the third). Stay active - my last pregnancy was my easiest and most comfortable (even though I was nearly 35 at the time and was running around after three older kids) most likely because I stayed active and did some cardio and strength exercises at least 5 days a week (again, talk to your doc/mw about what is safe for you). If you are planning to breastfeed, wait until it is well established (6-8 weeks) and you have been cleared by your doc to try cutting back on calories and exercising. Even though I gained "too much" each time, it was all off by 18 mos at the latest, and this last time I was back to prepregnancy weight by seven months (this time I had learned what works for me and what doesn't and it paid off).

I don't know how much difference mode of delivery makes (all mine were "natural" deliveries, no c-sections). I would guess that since recovery from surgery takes longer (usually), your activity might be restricted longer, should a c-section be needed, so it might put you a couple weeks behind. That said, a difficult vaginal delivery can take just as long to recover from. And really, it's a crap shoot anyway. If you want a vaginal delivery and you get one, great, but if a c-section is needed, it's needed for either your health or the health of your baby, or both! Don't worry about the impact on weight loss when making this decision! You will be given some guidance on postpartum exercises to do regardless of method of delivery - do them! It really does help you regain strength, especially in your pelvic floor and core.

Congrats and good luck!

I gained 40 something lbs with first kid and 50 with second not watching what I was eating and indulging in my pregnancy cravings. I was able to bounce back after with….calorie counting and exercise. I actually used WW after both pregnancies, but that is just another form of calorie counting. I prefer mfp now. Don't stress about it too much right now. Enjoy your pregnancy, eat healthy food to feed your baby, do some exercise if you feel like it. Remember you need to eat a few hundred calories more while you are pregnant and after birth if you are nursing. Talk with your doctor about how many calories.

I'm working on losing my 3rd baby weight. I was in the process of losing when i found out (was 126#) and am already at 128#, my baby is 3 months old. I was mindful what I ate while pregnant, but didn't count calories. I also stayed very active, but I had been before. Started restricting again after birth, but I'm not breast feeding.

My baby is 6 weeks old. Had a natural birth with just morphine. I was back to pre pregnancy weight within 2 weeks. I'm not bf so went on a 1200 calorie diet to Kickstart weight loss about a week after birth. At 2 weeks pp I started walking and at 4 weeks i started working out. My body is stronger now than it was from bodyweight strength training and my stomach is getting flatter. I do have loose skin but honestly I'm done trying to be perfect and am taking it slow and realize that I just had a baby, it took 9 months to stretch out so it will take time to go back to normal.

I know a women who had 3 kids naturally ( no section) and 6 years after her last she finally started working out and her stomach is now flat and u couldn't tell she had kids...let alone 3!

I ate like a pig my first 3 months and tons of spaghetti, pizza and muffins. I was so hungry lol I gained 10 pounds in my first trimester. But once I realized that I started counting calories and eating 1800-2000 a day and walking 30 mins everyday as long as I felt good enough. I gained a healthy 30 pounds until my last week of pregnancy and gained 10 in just fluid (gotta love end of pregnancy lol).

It's good to plan ahead and watch your food and weight now, it'll make for a healthier pregnancy (as long as u r eating enough and gaining appropriate weight). And once u have the baby working out won't be on your mind for a while...sleep will be when u have time lol.

I'm glad I got a hold of my weight when I did because I feel it helped me bounce back quickly.

Congrats on ur pregnancy and enjoy it!