I know I had a lot of preconceptions about this. I thought it would be really easy to lose the weight and it would come off incredibly fast from breastfeeding. I had always been in shape, ate right, and wore a small pants size for as long as I could remember. Being that size didn't require an incredible amount of effort, although I took care of myself.
When I got pregnant, I ended up gaining close to 50 pounds (many didn't believe me, but yep, 50 pounds).
9 Weeks vs. 39 Weeks
Way more than the recommended 25-35 pounds. I beat myself up over it at first. Yeah, I stayed active with doing yoga and I ate alright, but I definitely could have made more of an effort. I had an incredible appetite and indulged a little more than I should have. Part of me thinks that the appetite would have packed on those pounds anyway. My doctor made me feel better when he said some women just hold onto weight and pack on whatever weight they can and store it to feed their babies with.
I didn't let it get me down because I thought it would just be very easy to lose the weight once the baby came.
Well, that hasn't really been the case. I'm four months out, and I still have about 15 pounds to lose. I've actually been stuck at this weight for over a month (or maybe two... it seems like an eternity). Let me say I am in no way complaining because it was awesome to lose about 30 pounds pretty immediately. I just am feeling impatient. Breastfeeding isn't making this any faster, either. I am doing the right thing for my baby, so that's what matters right now. I'm just one of those women whose body holds onto that fat as maternal stores for breastfeeding. I had no idea that was even possible - I thought breastfeeding burned lots of calories and made you lose weight! I guess I am going to be living proof of the saying "9 months on, 9 months off."
Here's a decent look at me now. This was taken two weeks ago. Had to throw this picture in because I love the other girls in it! I will say what I am wearing is pre-pregnancy, thank goodness! Just a little frumpy. Definitely looked better on me last Easter (which I was definitely pregs then without knowing).
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| Michelle, Me, Katie, Heather, Tara |
It got me thinking... what have other people experienced? Surely I am not alone in this!
So I turned to my trusty twitter to poll my pals!
(By the way, go follow these people!)
Thank you, everyone, for your responses!
I'm not sure if I feel better about this after all these responses, especially from the mamas who had babies after me and are back to pre-pregnancy weight/size. However, I find hope through some of the other mamas who experienced a very slow return.
I am not alone.
So, I've got to face the facts. It is not going to happen overnight. Being two pants sizes up is not ideal, but it's not the end of the world. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing - eating right and staying active.
...and complain like hell if 9 months passes and I'm still stuck.
31 comments:
I think it's really great that you are doing this.
I've had 2 babies - 11 months apart. Meaning I got pregnant at 8 weeks postpartum with my first. With my first pregnancy I gained 42 lbs. I lost all but 10 before I was pregnant again. With my second pregnancy I gained 56 lbs. (Yikes, right?) and it took me about a year to lose all the weight.
It's really hard to see the celebs bounce back so quickly, but here in the real world, we have to work with what we have and I don't think it's possible without support of other moms who have been there!
P.S. You look great :)
You look great, Mama! Like you, I gained 49lbs with Carter- I lost all of the weight around 8 or 9 months later but hardly fit into my Pre-pregnancy clothes. I was a 2/4 before getting pregnant and thanks to C, I got a whole new set of hips that pushed me into a full size 6. So despite the numbers being the same- my body absolutely wasnt. Like you, breastfeeding did NADA for my weight loss.. so frustrating!! So far I've gained 30lbs with M2 and I'm hoping to remain below the 40lb mark.. I'm interested to see how long it will take to lose the weight this go round! Thanks for putting this post out there! You are definitely not alone!!
not that i'm a mom or know anything about what it's like to gain weight during a pregnancy, but i have had my ups and downs and what i do know is that in order to really lose weight, you have to be dead-on with what you eat. i don't know how much calorie constricting you can do when you're breastfeeding, but food journaling at the very least might be a good start. i in no way believe that a paleo diet is for everyone, but i think no matter who you are, refined carb constriction is a good way to go. or gluten free. obviously, the health of little Kennedy is the utmost importance, but based on what you can modify without sacrificing her needs, i'm sure you'll find something that works!
the good news is that you've already taken so much off! i still can't believe that was 50 extra pounds! you carried it well!
CupcakesOMG!
I gained about 40 pounds with my daughter. It's very hard to lose weight. Many people get lucky and lose weight fast, which is discouraging for those of us that struggle. I, like Ashley, got these huge hips from having Taylor, so clothes fit differently. As mothers, we shouldn't be pressured to lose the weight so quickly because at times we're more focused on losing the weight than our gorgeous miracles from God. Don't give up!! You aren't alone girl!
I've had two children and each experience was completely different. With my first I gained 50 pounds but I was almost back to my regular pants when I went back to work 10 weeks later and back to my pre pregnancy weight within 6 months part partum. With my second I gained 40 pounds, 6 months later I was the heaviest I had ever been and had only lost less than 10 pounds from what I weighed the day he was born. Now he is almost two and I have lost 60 pounds and weigh less than the day I got married almost 8 years ago!
I've had two children and each experience was completely different. With my first I gained 50 pounds but I was almost back to my regular pants when I went back to work 10 weeks later and back to my pre pregnancy weight within 6 months part partum. With my second I gained 40 pounds, 6 months later I was the heaviest I had ever been and had only lost less than 10 pounds from what I weighed the day he was born. Now he is almost two and I have lost 60 pounds and weigh less than the day I got married almost 8 years ago!
Thanks for documenting this Meg. It's nice to hear so many different stories from different moms. I guess we cannot expect our bodies to react the same way.
I don't have any kiddos yet...but it's nice to have some different ideas of what to expect.
Don't be too hard on yourself girl! It took me about 5 months to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and even then I still wasn't really happy with my body. It wasn't until the beginning of this year when I got into a regular workout routine that I finally started getting back into decent shape and feeling okay with the way I look. Now my baby girl is almost a year old and I am about 7 lbs under my pre-preg weight and back into jeans that didn't even fit before I got pregnant! :) I was definitely not one of those people that the weight just fell off- even with breastfeeding- and I was stuck at the same weight forever too! Hang in there Meg. You look fabulous!
First of all, you look great. I know it's not YOUR ideal though. But every woman's body is different, as evidenced by your scientific research. ;) It sucks waiting for that weight to go though, I'm sure. But, you've got this. You'll get there as long as you keep doing what you're doing and staying healthy for Kennedy.
I didn't reply to your twitter question, because my answer was SO long! I got down to my pre-pregnancy weight, but then I gained some (which is the story of my life!). Currently, I weigh about two pounds less than I did before I got pregnant. Most of my clothes fit - not all of the jeans. I think they will eventually. It really does take time. Apparently it takes two years for your body to get back to what it was - two years!!! Also, my hips are wider. They just are. There isn't anything I can really do about that. And my stomach isn't as flat as it once was - although it was never completely flat. The skin is just looser. It's not awful, but it's not great. I've had two kids though so that might make a little difference. Good luck losing all the baby weight. It will happen. It just takes time.
Oh my gosh- you look AWESOME and that is all that matters. Seriously, seeing you in person, I would've never guess that you've had a baby. <3
No joke, I just did a mini series on Mom body's!
Sarah (the first comment up there) was actually a guest post.
http://www.mythreebittles.com/2012/02/loving-your-mom-body-part-1.html
I've had 3 babies. I'm far from what size I was. Some days I'm okay with that and some I'm not. But that doesn't mean I'm not working on it. I know it takes time but then I got out and about and see all these girls with tiny little bodies and brand new babies and I get so mad at them. Not really at them, but you know what I mean. You can't help but be annoyed. Okay, rambling now. haha.
I understand completely! I accepted that my body was different and I think you look great! You are still breastfeeding too so once you stop you will lose more. Just snuggle K and count your blessings when you feel down about it!
THANK YOU for your honesty on this topic! It is so refreshing. You look FANTASTIC too, by the way! I too plateaued to about 10-15 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight a few months after my little one was born. However, I just kept on (exclusively) breastfeeding and all of a sudden the pounds started dropping again. I have a 7 month old and have finally lost all my baby weight when my little one turned 6 months. (I am actually below pre pregnancy weight now!). Even though the number on the scale is nice, I still don't have my old body back. I think that will take LOTS AND LOTS of work! The great thing about the weight loss journey is that we now have a beautiful little baby, that makes every muffin-top, stretch mark SO WORTH IT.
I do have a question for you- When you went back to work, did you find that EVERYONE would look at your belly to see how much baby weight you have lost? I noticed this and felt that EVERYONE was passing (positive or negative) judgement on my post-baby body!
I look forward to reading your future posts!
Sweet friend you look wonderful. Dont worry about it :)
Meg you look fabulous! Hang in there, those extra l-bs will fall off soon
I can't believe I'm putting this out there but I was 185 lbs when I gave birth! (Usually 125 lb in college and such.) I got down to 140 quickly and without even trying after having baby.
I kinda feel stuck now and would love to take off another 25/30. It's just so much work.
I've also noticed my body is shaped differently. I'm carrying weight differently. Ugh...
I held on to my last 10 lbs. until I stopped nursing and then I would usually end up pregnant right away! It was a lot easier to lose the weight with my 1st then my 2nd and 3rd. Keep nursing and doing what you're doing! It will come off eventually and it is all worth it! I did notice my hips and thighs never got back to how they once were, but I'm working on that now!
Great post- thank you for sharing so openly and honestly. It's beautiful women like you, starting a difficult conversation, that are helping women accept that we are all different and all experience our bodies differently. You look wonderful and I wanted to say thanks for being so open!
Meg! You look great! Every woman is different, whether you breast feed or not. For me J is now 13 months and invent seem to get rid of these last 4 pounds. I seem to be stuck! Stay positive the weight will come off!
you still are looking hot, mama! I should of added that because my weigh is dispersed so strangely my pre-preg jeans still don't fit even though the weight is gone. super frustrating but every body is different and I love the attitude you are choosing to have! it will all go back to normal soon and the important thing is a healthy baby! :) great post, lady.
I have no experience in this area, but I wish you the best, girl! You are gorgeous no matter what!
you are gorgeous. the end. <3
You look amazing. I know it's frustrating, I've been struggling with my weight my entire life, and I don't even have kids yet.
I think the thing I've learned in the last year is that it's not about the weight. It's about your health. If you eat well, you are active and you are generally healthy that's what matters. I got sick of racing for a size, and am just comfortable with myself. I'm just hoping I'll eventually just find my way back to my natural meant-to-be size...
You look great and Kennedy is worth the extra pounds! The weight will come off eventually! :)
You are so beautiful Meg! I know nothing about losing baby weight (or normal weight either) but wanted to let you know I think you still look great, even though you may not feel like it :) I'm about 15 pounds overweight for my height, so if it makes you feel any better you have a baby as an excuse... I have tacos. lol.
Completely love this post and that you are sharing on such a sensitive topic!!
No babies here, but I can understand the struggle with weight in general!
To be honest I wouldn't even think about it while breastfeeding! I tried once with Clyde and a week later almost lost my milk supply, it's not worth it!! With Finn I actually was 10 lbs lighter within 6 wks and with Clyde it took me about 2 mos, but I was never skinny before haha! My prob is that because I had my kids back to back my skin stretched bad! I feel like I would have to have surgery to fix it :( just wait til u are done breastfeeding!! The fatty milk is the best kind for their brain so think about just how smart k is!!
You look beautiful, girl. Don't even worry! Just keep up with your eating well & being active. Make sure you are being healthy and all the rest will come with it :)
I'm there. 9 months. Still stuck. Maybe lost 5 or so lbs since I was where you are. My babe is close to weaned, and BFing has done nothing to help. I still have 12-15 lbs to get to PP weight (I gained about 35), and after that 5-7 more to get to where I want. The return of my fertility and regulation of my hormones (not quite there yet but close) isn't helping much either. Been working out 2-3 times a week since 7wks postpartum, but dieting is tricky when BFing (I was/am alllllways hungry)... I apparently hold onto the fat too. Sooooo... You're not alone. It sucks, but you ARE only 4 months out, your body is still healing, and you are working/being a mom/being a wife/adjusting to a new life/sleep deprived/juggling 5000 things at once, and it's hard! But you will lose the weigh if you are determined. You can do it!
It took me a year with the first one to lose all the weight but only a few months to fit into my old clothes. My second is seven months and I have five lbs to lose. I am happy with that. I gained fifty with my first and 35 with my second. It was a slow process but it did come back off. I believe in the nine months up, nine months down. Your body just needs time. You look absolutely beautiful!
PS - Sounds like you have a great doctor. Mine didnt get onto me for my weight either because all my other numbers were good and I was small to begin with. There were days that I would have compltely lost it and broken down in a blubbering mess if she had scolded me about my weight!
Ugh I gained so much with J...still losing it. I am sure it will probably take me the 9 months I gained it to get rid of it! The girls on twitter are very lucky to have gotten back to their bodies so quick!!! I would love to be in pre-preg jeans right now!!!
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