Postpartum Weightloss - success story in progress
happysquidmuffin
Posts: 651 Member
First photo: 205 lb, 1 week before bebe. Gratuitous bebe photo. Then 3 weeks after, 181 lb. Lastly, 6 weeks postpartum (today), 176. That’s 29 lb down. Mini-goal: 165. Ultimate goal: less than 150. (Which, stupidly, is still overweight according to BMI. But like koalas in the rain, I don’t give a *kitten*. Bonus points if you get the zefrank reference.)
Hope the loss isn’t too aggresive, but it hasn’t hurt my breastfeeding so far.
I will continue to post updates for my own motivation. Yay.
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Replies
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Great job! Can you share what all you have been doing? I am 3 months postpartum and have about 50 pounds to lose 🤘1
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And that it didn’t hurt your breastfeeding is what I am in love with 😍2
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Mostly I attribute it to slightly over-estimating my logged calories, and eating a flexitarian diet - which means mostly vegetarian and vegan meals, with meat on occasion. I usually eat between 1900-2300 calories per day, sometimes going over. My diet is far from ideal still... but I’ve just been a lot more intentional about what I eat. My diary is open if you’d like to check it out.
I had a better reply written out, thought I’d posted it but it disappeared!2 -
Here is my abbreviated story, I lost weight and continued breastfeeding through the whole thing. I love zefrank.
I started my weight loss when my youngest was 6 months. I decided to start when he was 5 months but the gym childcare had a 6 month minimum age limit. He'll be 2 in a couple of weeks, to give you a perspective on time.
For the first 6 months, I actively lost weight (meaning I ate a deficit and persued quick-ish weight loss). The first two months I just worked out and then I started logging my food. I did not restrict calories significantly because I was breastfeeding. I started at 2400 calories and reduced my calories when my weight loss would slow, to 2100 then to 1950. I'm 5'0". By his first birthday, I'd lost 30 of the 35lbs I wanted to lose and I started trying to find maintenance. I lost another 5lbs my first month of attempted maintenance (increased activity level). So by September of 2018 I'd lost 35lbs. From October 2018 to now I've switched between true maintenance (winter 2018) to slow loss (spring 2019) back to true maintenance (summer 2019) for a total loss of ~42lbs.
I weight train primarily. I'm still breastfeeding, I breastfed my first until 4 and my second until 3, I will take this one to at least 3 I hope.10 -
@ExistingFish Thank you for sharing! My son is 3.5 months old and I really want my breastfeeding journey to not be negatively impacted at all. I have not started logging/watching my food intake yet but I have started walking everyday from two weeks. Also some deadlifts (just to start making my rigid body flexible and to see how far I can go). I would like to lose 50 lbs to be at what I think would be ideal. Will keep sharing my progress here.3
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Yay thanks for sharing your perspectives. So to add a little more of mine, this is my 2nd baby. I have a 21 month old and a 6 week old. I gained 40 lb with this pregnancy, but was overweight to begin with. I think my weight was around 140-150 in college, but my weight kept creeping up, with temporary losses, over the past 10 years. I tend to want to snack a bunch in the evenings after dinner, so one of my strategies is to have eaten less than 1K calories by dinner time, and try to save 200 to 500 calories for after dinner. Today, so far so good.2
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Hi all, I am three months postpartum. Reading your stories is very encouraging. I have been trying to get back in shape, but am very worried that it will effect the milk quantity. I have gained 40 lbs during this pregnancy(my third) and want to lose them all. What I have noticed is that I feel hungry all the time, especially after breastfeeding. Did anyone experience this, and what did you do?1
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Hi! I’m 3 months and 7 days postpartum. I’m 5’2”
I got to 201 lbs when I stepped on the scale right before giving birth.
177 lbs when I got home with the baby
I’ve made a diet plan with a nutritionist and am training with my husband. My husband is a former pro athlete.
Now I’m 155 lbs. Not very happy with how slow this whole thing is going.
Since I’m 5’2” ideal goal weight is 110 lbs.
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I’m two months postpartum and really struggling not to feel famished at the end of the day. I wasn’t really sure where to set my calorie goal so this helps.0
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Hi all, I am three months postpartum. Reading your stories is very encouraging. I have been trying to get back in shape, but am very worried that it will effect the milk quantity. I have gained 40 lbs during this pregnancy(my third) and want to lose them all. What I have noticed is that I feel hungry all the time, especially after breastfeeding. Did anyone experience this, and what did you do?
This is what I am experiencing to. This is also my fifth child and I find it harder to lose the extra weigh this time :-/2 -
I forgot to mention my height - I’m 5’3”. I try to have certain foods ready for when I get really hungry or just snacky. My husband makes a batch of rice on Sundays now, so I have that ready to add things to. One easy meal: 1/2 to 1 cup white rice, 1/3 or 2/3 cup frozen edamame, and 2 tbsp Panda Express red chili sauce. We’ll also steam a bunch of broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots so that there’s leftovers. Mushrooms are way low in calories, so if you like them, sauté up a whole bunch in a small amount of butter or olive oil, with some roasted garlic boullion or minced garlic, and whatever seasonings you feel like. I just discovered oyster mushrooms and they are very tasty.3
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EmilyGray345 wrote: »Hi! I’m 3 months and 7 days postpartum. I’m 5’2”
I got to 201 lbs when I stepped on the scale right before giving birth.
177 lbs when I got home with the baby
I’ve made a diet plan with a nutritionist and am training with my husband. My husband is a former pro athlete.
Now I’m 155 lbs. Not very happy with how slow this whole thing is going.
Since I’m 5’2” ideal goal weight is 110 lbs.
You've lost 22lbs in 7 days and you aren't happy? Am I reading this wrong? are you 7 weeks PP?
It is normal to drop the pregnancy weight quickly, but...3 -
myfitnesspal04122014 wrote: »@ExistingFish Thank you for sharing! My son is 3.5 months old and I really want my breastfeeding journey to not be negatively impacted at all. I have not started logging/watching my food intake yet but I have started walking everyday from two weeks. Also some deadlifts (just to start making my rigid body flexible and to see how far I can go). I would like to lose 50 lbs to be at what I think would be ideal. Will keep sharing my progress here.Easternsky4 wrote: »I’m two months postpartum and really struggling not to feel famished at the end of the day. I wasn’t really sure where to set my calorie goal so this helps.
I personally wouldn't restrict at all before your baby starts solids, but that is just me. I'd allow yourself at least 800 (extra) calories as long as you are EBF, and probably 500-600 until your baby is 1. I'd continue to add 250-350 once your baby is eating solids. I still add 300 calories a day, and my child is almost 2.
If you are feeling famished, eat something balanced. Protein and fat, not just carbs. Don't let yourself feel famished. You are the source of nutrition for a rapidly growing child.
People think that pregnancy is hard on a woman's body, growing a baby from a tiny cell to a 7lb baby. Breastfeeding is even more taxing, IMO, as far as calories are concerned. You are healing your own body, and growing a 7lb baby to a 15lb baby just on the milk you produce. Even after you introduce solids, breastmilk is usually still the primary source of calories and nutrition for at least the first few months.8 -
ExistingFish wrote: »EmilyGray345 wrote: »Hi! I’m 3 months and 7 days postpartum. I’m 5’2”
I got to 201 lbs when I stepped on the scale right before giving birth.
177 lbs when I got home with the baby
I’ve made a diet plan with a nutritionist and am training with my husband. My husband is a former pro athlete.
Now I’m 155 lbs. Not very happy with how slow this whole thing is going.
Since I’m 5’2” ideal goal weight is 110 lbs.
You've lost 22lbs in 7 days and you aren't happy? Am I reading this wrong? are you 7 weeks PP?
It is normal to drop the pregnancy weight quickly, but...
EmilyGray345 would be about 14 weeks postpartum, not 7. I’d guess maybe 10 lb out of the 22 would be continued water/fluid loss in the first 4 weeks-ish, leaving 12 lb lost over the next 10 weeks. But yeah, with the timeline clarified, I wouldn’t be too discouraged - 12 lb in 10 weeks isn’t bad
I agree with ExistingFish, if you are straight up hungry then just eat! You do need extra calories while breastfeeding, so don’t starve yourself. But I personally think it’s fine to make sure you continue to lose weight, while breastfeeding, as long as you’re still producing milk at desired levels for your baby (taking into account if you’re EBF or also supplementing with formula). And getting enough nutrition for your own body’s needs.
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ExistingFish wrote: »EmilyGray345 wrote: »Hi! I’m 3 months and 7 days postpartum. I’m 5’2”
I got to 201 lbs when I stepped on the scale right before giving birth.
177 lbs when I got home with the baby
I’ve made a diet plan with a nutritionist and am training with my husband. My husband is a former pro athlete.
Now I’m 155 lbs. Not very happy with how slow this whole thing is going.
Since I’m 5’2” ideal goal weight is 110 lbs.
You've lost 22lbs in 7 days and you aren't happy? Am I reading this wrong? are you 7 weeks PP?
It is normal to drop the pregnancy weight quickly, but...
3month and 7 days.1 -
What a cute baby. Keep up the great work! It's VERY difficult taking care of yourself and an infant. Been there twice.1
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EmilyGray345 wrote: »ExistingFish wrote: »EmilyGray345 wrote: »Hi! I’m 3 months and 7 days postpartum. I’m 5’2”
I got to 201 lbs when I stepped on the scale right before giving birth.
177 lbs when I got home with the baby
I’ve made a diet plan with a nutritionist and am training with my husband. My husband is a former pro athlete.
Now I’m 155 lbs. Not very happy with how slow this whole thing is going.
Since I’m 5’2” ideal goal weight is 110 lbs.
You've lost 22lbs in 7 days and you aren't happy? Am I reading this wrong? are you 7 weeks PP?
It is normal to drop the pregnancy weight quickly, but...
3month and 7 days.
*facepalm*
Need to pay more attention! Still, 22lbs in 3 months is over 7lbs a month. That is an outrageously fast loss rate and is frankly unsustainable for someone who is not extremely obese. Granted, women tend to lose a good amount during the first 3 months due to the body recovering from being pregnant, but it is still a very fast loss rate.
110lbs for a 5'2" person is a healthy weight and a fine goal, but it is also quite thin so as you get closer to that number it will become harder and harder. I'm 113lbs and 2" shorter than you, and it has taken a long time to get here from 125lbs. Like, a year.2 -
Checking in at 8 weeks, 2 more lb down for a weight of 174. Just 9 more lb for pre baby weight! And 8 more weeks of maternity leave (I’m super fortunate, getting that long in the USA). I think 9 lb in 8 weeks is do-able.
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11 weeks today! I now weigh 170.5, another new low. That’s 34.5 lb of loss down from 205, just 5.5 lb away from pre-baby weight. Yaaaaay I’m pumped! Have started going back to the gym.6
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14 weeks: 166 lb! - one pound away from my first goal of getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight! Accountability does wonders for me. That’s 39 lb lost. Next goal is 150, but I’ve decided to try to keep going after that. I’m not even at the top of the healthy BMI range until 141 at 5’3”, and I’m definitely not the muscular type. ONWARD!
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Edited to put photo in previous post.
Going to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s today!2 -
@happysquidmuffin well done, you’ve done a fantastic job 👏 Very inspiring 🤗 Definitely keep us updated with your progress.
I hope you don’t mind me sharing my story too. I had my baby almost 10 months ago and in February this year, 3 months postpartum, I weighed 184lbs. I felt so disgusted with myself. My belly was still huge, my thighs rubbed together, my fingers had gotten huge and my face was so chubby. The list goes on. It was in February that I decided to do something about it. Over the past 7 months I’ve managed to lose around 45lbs and I have another 11 lbs to go until I reach my GW. I feel so much healthier, fitter and confident.
First pic: 37 weeks pregnant - my baby was born 3 hours after this pic was taken ☺️
Second pic: (Left) 3 months postpartum (Right) Current Weight
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Thank you for sharing your story and photos! Truly inspiring! I will continue posting updates for sure. Hopefully some other moms out there will take heart that it can be done as long as you want it bad enough and are willing to put in the effort. It’s a long journey, but it’s also a lifestyle change.
And it’s worth it!!!6 -
Hi,
My baby is 11 weeks old.
I gained around 50 pounds during this pregnancy.
Went in to give birth at 190, end of June.
I am really watching what I'm eating and limiting calorie intake, even though I'm EB. My baby is thank G-d still gaining and happy (most of the time!).
I now weigh 171. I'm trying to get back to 140. I'll be happy if i weigh 150 when baby is 8 months old... that's what I weighed with previous baby.
I need to try to fit exercise into my schedule... I work part time, and when I'm not working, baby and 2 year old are home with me. I only have a single stroller, which means that when I walk, it's at the speed of a 2 year old... S-l-o-w...
I've been okay with my limited caloric intake so far. What should I be concerned about? I'm asking sincerely.
(With my other babies, I didn't watch my diet so much, but then again, I hadn't gained so much. And I wasn't working. I want to have nice clothes for work and look put-together... without buying too many at this weight.)1 -
Hi,
My baby is 11 weeks old.
I gained around 50 pounds during this pregnancy.
Went in to give birth at 190, end of June.
I am really watching what I'm eating and limiting calorie intake, even though I'm EB. My baby is thank G-d still gaining and happy (most of the time!).
I now weigh 171. I'm trying to get back to 140. I'll be happy if i weigh 150 when baby is 8 months old... that's what I weighed with previous baby.
I need to try to fit exercise into my schedule... I work part time, and when I'm not working, baby and 2 year old are home with me. I only have a single stroller, which means that when I walk, it's at the speed of a 2 year old... S-l-o-w...
I've been okay with my limited caloric intake so far. What should I be concerned about? I'm asking sincerely.
(With my other babies, I didn't watch my diet so much, but then again, I hadn't gained so much. And I wasn't working. I want to have nice clothes for work and look put-together... without buying too many at this weight.)
It is so hard working with two babies, isn’t it? And add breastfeeding and trying to lose weight on top of that... you’re doing great I’m sure! I am sorry nobody responded to you sooner.
How are things going for you now? For me, I continued to take a multivitamin now and then, and made sure I was still eating enough variety to get good nutrition to keep my milk production going. Unfortunately, when I went back to work fulltime (just over 4 weeks ago) I kept missing pump times almost every day and within 2 weeks my production was shot. About the same time, my wee one decided to stop nursing. Now I’m basically dried up, just pumping once a day or every other day.
Saturday the 26th was 20 weeks postpartum for me. I wanted to nurse for 6 months (made it to 4.5)... oh well 😔 At least I did it for as long as I did!
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Well here’s an update on my weight loss! As I just posted, unfortunately nursing and pumping are done for me. But I have now lost 45.5 lb total, and finally broke out of the 160’s today! 159.5 baby!
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It’s been a while... but here’s an update!
I am now down to about 155/156 at 7.5 months postpartum. He’s a happy lil chubber and his big sister’s doing well too. Today I am wearing a black suit jacket which 3 months ago I couldn’t button... today I am wearing it buttoned.
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Thank you for comtinuing to update! You look amazing 🌹2
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8.5 months... 54 lb lost... new low: 151 lb! 😃
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