Obese and Pregnant

msmitch
msmitch Posts: 21
edited December 21 in Health and Weight Loss
So, I just got a BFP this morning. Mixed emotions. Excited to be having a kid, but the plan was to lose alot more weight before ttc. I'm wondering if anyone on here has any tips for me.
Obviously eating healthy, but as far as exercise? I need to make a dr. apt. and I'm sure she can tell me whats up, but until then, any advise?

I dont need you to tell me I should have lost weight first,...that was the plan.
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Replies

  • jehembee
    jehembee Posts: 114
    Walking is good whether you're pregnant or not.
  • BEMND
    BEMND Posts: 33
    You can still do many exercises while pregnant. Make sure to discuss your weight concerns with your obgyn. If you are overweight you can still have a healthy baby without gaining a ton of weight. I gained 13lbs during my pregnancy & had a perfect & healthy 10lb baby boy. Congrats!
  • mcarter99
    mcarter99 Posts: 1,666 Member
    Obviously check with your doctor, but there's usually no reason you can't do any exercise you feel like throughout most of your pregnancy. I've had fitness class instructors in their 3rd trimester, teaching barbell/cardio workouts. What is healthy for your body is healthy for your body in pregnancy, too, with few exceptions.
  • Qskim
    Qskim Posts: 1,145 Member
    I fell pregnant with my fifth n I had not planned it... 43yrs old...losing weight slowly but surely. For previous pregnancies I had only ever gained weight so I was distressed. I kept thinking however, that surely seeing as I'm in the obese category still that I'm not expected to gain 12 kilos (average) for this pregnancy n maybe I could use this to my advantage and still have a healthy bub n a happy mum at the end. So I did some research. Spoke to a few doctors and my PT. They all said same thing... That healthy weight gain during pregnancy now depended on your bmi. For me, still in the obese category, it was 6 kgs. I gained 3 in the first trimester and 3 in the last. I ate nutritiously for the baby, tried to stay within my calorie allowance which was 1300 (I upped it the recommended 100cal/ day for bub) and I still went to my personal trainer twice a week up until a week before I had bub. Bub was born healthy ...6+ pounds and I had lost not only the 6kg but also another 4kg. I'm settling back into life with baby in house and back to trainer and walking occasionally n more motivated than ever.

    It's doable! Talk to docs. They have the latest online medical research. Add me as friend if u want support.
  • medwards89
    medwards89 Posts: 97 Member
    I was very out of shape and obese when I got pregnant. I was not trying to lose weight or eat healthy. It wasn't until my baby was born (and I was enormous) that I decided to take care of myself.

    Listen to what your Dr. says! I walked a mile or two daily, until my blood pressure got high toward the end....in which case exercise might not help (backwards I know).

    It sounds like you've been trying to take better care of yourself until getting pregnant, but you can actually still lose weight while pregnant as long as you're meeting both yours and the baby's nutritional needs( which isnt as much as people want to believe).

    Good luck & congratulations!!!
  • msmitch
    msmitch Posts: 21
    Thanks for the replies. Sounds like I can pretty much keep doing what I've been as far as exercise. Hoping this all works out!
  • The extra calories a pregnant or nursing mother needs is very minimal--I read somewhere it was about 300cal/day extra (discuss this with your doctor!). So see what diet changes you can make and what dietary modifications you can make.

    A lot of the cravings you will experience are your hormones being nuts and not your body being hungry.

    I would not advise using this time to try to lose weight (don't look at a scale unless it's required/recommended by the doc). Instead, use the next 9 (or however many) months to make positive, life-long changes. Eat healthy/clean (lots of fresh fruits and veggies, protein, eliminate carbs, soda, fast food). These changes will benefit your baby (healthy in the womb = generally healthy outside the womb). And don't slip into old habits after the baby is born.
  • lmelangley
    lmelangley Posts: 1,039 Member
    I recommend yoga. There are often classes specifically designed for pregnant ladies. Not only will you be getting good, strengthening exercise, but it will make the delivery easy. A two-fer!
  • delonda1
    delonda1 Posts: 525 Member
    Surprisingly you can still do A TON of exercises while pregnant.... You just have to be careful with weights and things on your back at a certain point. but other than that go for it... there is one pregnant lady in her 3rd trimester at the gym and boy does she get a good burn in
  • grnice
    grnice Posts: 96
    What's a BFP?
  • When I got pregnant with my 2nd I was obese and unhealthy, and I actually lost 12 lbs in the first ~4 months due to eating healthier and quitting soda. I gained 17 lbs during the second half, and had a healthy 8 lb baby :) My Dr told me that weight isn't as much of an issue as nutrition is. Eat when you are hungry, eat nutritious and filling food and take your prenatal vitamins. As far as exercise goes, walking is perfect, and you can continue other moderate activities as long as you aren't too tired and you are safe. And congratulations!
  • msmitch
    msmitch Posts: 21
    What's a BFP?

    Big Fat Positve
  • mscoco10
    mscoco10 Posts: 527 Member
    you can still exercise and loose some weight while pregnant. my doctor actually encouraged it. make a appointment and enjoy .
  • _whatsherface
    _whatsherface Posts: 1,235 Member
    This is actually something I am very worried about as we speak. One day late. We want a baby very bad, but I refused to try until I had lost some major weight. I didn't want to have a HR pregnancy and be miserable for our first time having a baby. We've been together for 5 years, married for 2. I'll be 26 this year and very emotionally ready for a baby, but not physically. Scared that if I am pregnant, it be rough on me. Hoping for my period soon. Good luck though girl. I will be keeping an eye on this post =D
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    The extra calories a pregnant or nursing mother needs is very minimal--I read somewhere it was about 300cal/day extra (discuss this with your doctor!). So see what diet changes you can make and what dietary modifications you can make.

    A lot of the cravings you will experience are your hormones being nuts and not your body being hungry.

    I would not advise using this time to try to lose weight (don't look at a scale unless it's required/recommended by the doc). Instead, use the next 9 (or however many) months to make positive, life-long changes. Eat healthy/clean (lots of fresh fruits and veggies, protein, eliminate carbs, soda, fast food). These changes will benefit your baby (healthy in the womb = generally healthy outside the womb). And don't slip into old habits after the baby is born.

    this....EXCEPT...do not cut total carbs without speaking to your doctor!! I was on a low carb diet under the instruction of my PCP when I got pregnant with my youngest son. My OB/GYN immediately told me to start eating a reasonable amount of carbs ( I think it was about 200-250g a day). You can eliminate highly processed carbs ( white breads, sweets, etc) but continue to eat whole grains, fruits and veggies, lean meats, etc
  • vltaylor35
    vltaylor35 Posts: 72
    you can do anything you feel fit enough to do with the exception of martial arts or anything similar that my risk inpact into your abdomin, or an excessive number of sit ups. those abdominal muscles need to strtch quite a bit this year! apart from that, whatever takes your fancy
  • tlinval
    tlinval Posts: 175 Member
    First off, congrats!!! :flowerforyou:

    It is totally possible to have a healthy, happy pregnancy while overweight. I had two! I made sure I drank tons of water, exercised every day (I did a lot of "Walk away the pounds"), and ate well. Good luck!!
  • Laurakbg
    Laurakbg Posts: 66
    I was overweight with my third and so spoke to a dietician and worked out a plan to not gain any more than necessary during pregnancy. It worked really well and I felt very healthy.
  • Angie_1MR
    Angie_1MR Posts: 247
    Walking is good whether you're pregnant or not.

    This!!!
  • StarvingDiva
    StarvingDiva Posts: 1,107 Member
    There was a pregnant woman at the Zumba class I went to a week ago. There are plenty of pregnancy DVDs out there, you should check them out at the library or netflix. Staying fit during your pregnancy, will help with losing weight after the pregnancy.
  • mzhokie
    mzhokie Posts: 349 Member
    I know someone who has lost weight with each pregnancy. Because it's the only time they really do take care of themselves, eat healthy, etc. She also just had a lot of morning sickness and some foods just made her stomach turn thanks to the pregnancy. With the first child, her doctor actually told her if she didn't stop losing weight he was going to put her in the hospital and feed her via an IV. Her salvation was fresh fruit and veggies. All she wanted sometimes was peaches and tomatoes. But once all the summer veggies came into harvest, she just ate a ton of veggies. Same with both kids and they are both very healthy beautiful little girls.

    definitely talk to your doctor and come up with a game plan. You can exercise but they might want to set you up with an exercise plan. Like someone else said.... walking never hurt anyone. Plus it will be a good habit to get into, once the baby is here you can take them for strolls in the stroller. Lots of times that helps them sleep and you burn calories.

    You can do it. Get a good support system.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    You are generally safe with what you have been doing. Walking and swimming are safe for most though. Look up kegels if you don't know what they are and do them all the time.
  • girltrvlr
    girltrvlr Posts: 12
    Don't worry about the weight you have now. Walking is excellent and will actually help you with delivery. As far as eating try to make healthy choices, eating nutrient dense foods, you will probably gain less than someone who weighs less if you eat healthy. Of course don't forgo a treat now and then, because you deserve one. I just had a baby in December. I wasn't obese when I got pregnant but I was slightly overweight. I gained 40 lbs during the pregnancy which I felt was a lot but I ate as healthy as I could. No soda, cut down on sugar, ate mostly protein, fruits, and vegetables. After the baby I did breastfeed and walked 3-5 miles 3-4 days a week which helped me to lose all but 15 lbs of it. I am currently working toward those last 15 lbs. which seem to be stubborn. Congrats on the pregnancy!!
  • nas24
    nas24 Posts: 880 Member
    I did prenatal swimming at the pool in town. Look around they may have it. It kept me active, also went on daily walks as well. Yoga, pilates. Staying active during pregnancy is the best thing you can do for mama and baby. Don't focus on what you weight now, it means nothing. Focus on the positives.
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    walking!!! However I would not suggest walking on an incline. It is how I received an injury during my last pregnancy and almost lost my child.
  • icemaiden17_uk
    icemaiden17_uk Posts: 463 Member
    Walking, swimming, yoga, cycling if you are comfy doing it. You can even go on the cross trainers as long as you pay attention to your HR and don't over do it!! Being obese and preggers will put lots of pressure on your joints so try and keep it low impact!! You will do great!!

    Congratulations!! I know you wanted to lose weight first but if you are careful while pregnant then you should have a much easier time losing it once you have had baby!! Remember though, there is no such thing as eating for two!!! It is a massive myth!
  • walk, swim..eat natural foods....but let yourself occassionally give into the cravings and have a treat....
  • jackieatx
    jackieatx Posts: 578 Member
    I wouldn't be too worried, honestly. I was overweight when I became pregnant with my second son by about 15 pounds. However by eating lots of fresh fruit and veggies, whole milk, lean protein, I had actually lost ten pounds myself after I had given birth. The scale stayed the same during the last half of my pregnancy because I was active and ate right for my baby. I was NOT on a diet, just being healthy. Now is the best time to put only clean, whole foods into your body. Swimming is great and takes pressure off your belly. Also be sure to remember you are not eating for two, its more like 1 and a quarter. Don't stuff yourself because you're pregnant. Your baby gets what it needs nutrient wise before you do. Just be safe, happy, and keep a positive attitude. Stress is the worst thing for baby. Enjoy being pregnant, its very special!
  • CourtneyHollinger
    CourtneyHollinger Posts: 57 Member
    I am obese and trying to have my second child (been trying for over a year). But if you are use to exercising the docter may give you a few ideas but you know what is best. A lot of people are obese when they get pregnant just to your best and eat healthy and don't beat yourself up. One thing I would talk to my docter about id diabeties when you are pregnant and try to prevent that but I am sure you will be fine.
  • bush_woman187
    bush_woman187 Posts: 25 Member
    always speak to your doctor before doing a heavy exercise routine or weight lifting. for most women, excersize is fine, but it depends on your indivudal case. personally, i am high risk, so i have to cut out all the work outs due to my condition, but walking is encouraged. regarding the weight/calories, my ob said its fine for me to actually lose a few pounds while pregnant in the first trimester. my weight gain for entire pregnancy should be no more than 10-15 lbs. she said many women lose weight at first, so i would get with the doctor early to get more details. swimming is usualy okay even for many high risk (unless you are on bed rest of course!). :-)
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