Am I Trying to Lose My Pregnancy Weight to Soon?

Updated on July 31, 2016
T.D. asks from Hamlin, NY
17 answers

I gained almost 50 Ibs during my 41 weeks of pregnancy (yes I went a week over :-(), which was way more then I would have like to gain, but I was extremely swollen. After I had my son; who is now almost 9 weeks, I lost 23 Ibs after the first week (mostly from the loss of all the water weight)...and haven't lost a single pound since. I have been eating alot healthier (no fastfood, and low fat)...I only drink water and maybe 1 or 2 cups of coffee in the morning w/ 1% milk, I also have been trying to work out 3 to 4 times a week (which is on an eliptical, for 20-30 mins, depending on how tired I am or if the baby wakes up).

During my pregnancy, I would splerg once or twice a week and eat out or eat fastfood, and would drink a can of pop maybe once a day; which I never did befor I was pregnant. Befor I was pregnant I worked out about 3 to 4 times a week and ate pretty healthy also. Also I am no longer nursing (stopped about 4 weeks ago). I don't know if I am just being really impatient...maybe my body isn't ready to drop the prego weight? Is there a certain time after pregnancy that the weight will naturally just drop off? Any advise???

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So What Happened?

Thank-you for all the responses!!! I guess I just have to realize that it will take time, and for once in my life I have to learn not to be so impatient. It definately makes me feel better to hear that it is possible to return to my pre-pregnancy weight over time. For now I am going to put away my pre-prego jeans for a little while, until atleast month 6 or 7, and just enjoy our son.

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K.E.

answers from New York on

Join the Wyckoff YMCA's pre & post-natal community.

Network & socialize with new & expecting moms. Exercise including, yoga, baby & me aquacize, deepwater for just mom, & more.

Let me know if you need more info.
-K.

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D.G.

answers from New York on

T., I know it's frustrating...just keep at it and it will slowly get off. It took you 9 months to gain it; it will take just as long to lose it. You should probably do more cardio and incorporate weight training too. Try videos or DVDs to help. Denise Austin and Kathy Smith has some targeted for women post-baby.

D.

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M.M.

answers from Buffalo on

There really isn't a set time of when the weight comes off. Every woman is different. And breast feeding also causes you to hold onto a little extra weight. I usually lost 10 more pounds when i stopped breastfeeding. However that was after breastfeeding for 12months. I also lost the weight quicker with my first child than with my second. However my body changed drastically after having children. Some women naturally hold onto some of the weight and some lose muscle and become thinner than before pregnancy. It is all how your body reacts to pregnancy.

Everything I have read says that the weight gain and lose during and after pregnancy is mostly related to your genes. Exercise can help but it won't always work as well as you'd like. I would just stick with what you are happy doing and eventually the weight will come off. But do remember that it takes your body a year to fully recover from pregnancy and delivery. You must be patient. One benefit is that you are young like I was with my first and everything generally goes back better because of the elasticity in your skin. The older we get and the more time we go through pregnancy I think the less our skin and other parts go back to their previous condition. haha

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S.H.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi T.,

You just had a baby 2 months ago-CONGRATULATIONS!! Now stop being h*** o* yourself. Your body just went through a very traumatic experience and it needs TIME to heal and get back to normal. The reason why you see celebrities back in shape in a month is because they are doing very drastic things which are not healthy in the long run. (Besides they have nannnies who can take care of the baby while they are working out with a trainer all day!) What I will suggest (this worked for me) is doing 30-45 minutes of cardio AND weight training. If you can get to a gym that's great otherwise there are some great DVD's that use both cardio and weights. (THE FIRM series is the best!!) Muscle burns calories 24 hours a day so you need to build up some more to turn your body's metabolism up.

Hope this helps-Good luck and enjoy your son!

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G.O.

answers from New York on

Hi T.....I was a few mopnths shy of 42 when I had our daughter and like you was very concerned about losing the wt.

I tried not to stress over it and figured that it took 10 months for my body to get 'big', so I planned on it taking 10 months to get 'small' again ( I am a petite 5'2"). Sure enough, by 6 months I was the same weight and by 9 months back into all my pre-pregnancy jeans.

I did start back at the gym after 4 months and that helped. I also continued breastfeeding which definatley helps!

Good luck and don't stress......give your bosy the time it needs to bounce back!

G.

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Y.K.

answers from New York on

hi T., i gained 42lbs at 40weeks . it took me about 9 months to be at my original weight before pregnancy. i was eating really well even after i delievred my baby, because i was brestfeeding, and even though i ate nursing really helped me loose the weight. i exsersised very little, not a fan but usually if you eat right, exsersise you'll be in better shape by 6m to 12mns tops! good luck!

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D.S.

answers from New York on

I believe it really does take "9 months to put it on, 9 months to take it off" IF you do it healthily. Give yourself a break. Exercise and eating right is good for you and will make you feel better... but don't push too hard! (add in your new home... you've got STRESS!!!) I have had a lot of success with the South Beach diet, BUT I didn't do it until my dd was about 10 months old. I suggest buying the book (only about $7 paperback) and reading it at least... and starting out at stage 2 for awhile... i was very successful starting at stage 2. Anyways... don't push yourself too hard. The weight will come off as your body heals... just be healthy and you should be fine.

HTH

C.B.

answers from New York on

relax, you need it at this stage! Just remember it took nine months to gain it, why would it fall off in 9 weeks. Give yourself just as long to lose it.

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K.H.

answers from Buffalo on

YES YOU ARE EXPECTING RESULTS TOO SOON...
But, you are doing the right thing by trying...

Some people look like they rebound instantly....it is all it the appearance.
It takes much longer than 9 weeks to return to the physical state yu were in before the pregnancy.
Not just size...Hormones & Chemistry

You went 41 weeks...
WOW

That is a huge amount of trauma and stress to your body.

My advice...
You are doing the right thing by returning to your old habits of eating healthy and some mild work out...

Go back to being you

But understand your body needs to return to its pre pregnancy state totally before you can judge the results.

Cut out the caffeine....even small amounts are diuretics and cause your body to release anti diuretics...just avoid it. you need all the fluid you can get.

Before judging your weight loss...
Look for other signs that your body is normal again...
Very regular periods...
Skin and nails back to pre pregnancy state...
Breasts shrink back down and No more breast milk..
Breast feeding burns calories....but delays the hormonal return to normal. It was your choice not to breast feed....but as long as you produce milk, its a sign your not back to normal yet.

Give it time, lots of time....but in the mean time, you are doing the right thing...treat your body like the pre-pregnancy state, it will catch up eventually....but allow at least 6 months for the estrogen levels to return to normal.

What most people have a problem with? the post partum weight gain....
If you can avoid that too...you are one strong person.

Good luck and congratulations!!!

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L.U.

answers from Glens Falls on

Don't forget it took you 9 mo. to put it on. If he's 9 weeks, I'm guessing you've probably had clearance from your Doctor to go ahead and exercise for a about 3 weeks. It sounds like you are very aware of what you eat. Remember your body is still healing inside, the muscles etc..have been stretched they need time to shrink, tighen up, restructure, which will take time. It's been thru alot and needs a balanced diet. With exercise and healthy eating, I've heard 2 lbs a week is a healthy rate. I have no ideas how celebrities do it. That seems very unrealistic. Also, the infant phase passes so quickly. Take it all in. Don't miss it with distractions that could wait a bit.

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M.H.

answers from New York on

After first pregnancy I gained 37 pounds that was a lot, with a shabby belly. I started drinking an organic weight loss tea supplement called Mummy magic tea after two months PP and shed all my pregnancy weight just in a few weeks. Breastfeeding is also a great help.

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C.D.

answers from New York on

Hi T.,

The weight will come off. I am a mom of four boys so I do understand.I was always at least a week late too!

If you are looking for a diet program my company has very healthy weight loss products. You can use them as you need and they are convienent. We have protien shakes for your busy life style and also a fizzy drink with green tea extract and other natual ingredients that give you energy and curb hunger. They are nice products to use as busy moms don't have time to make tons of healthy food. This is a good way to know you are getting nutritious but quick. my web site has information http://cathydepaola.myarbonne.com or give me a call at ###-###-#### I would be happy to give you more info!

talk soon! C.

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O.S.

answers from New York on

T.:

I felt like I was reading my own story, I gained 55 lbs during my pregnancy I wanted to literary die when I got home from the hospital to find out I had only lost 5 lbs after having an almost 9 lb baby. Like you I used to work out a lot and eat healthy before getting pg which all went out the window when I got pregnant. As you I craved all the junk food I could have, perhaps b/c I wasn't having any before. Anyway yes, you need to be patient it took me about 4-6 mo to be back to where I was the only difference is that I didn't work out but I did nurse my baby for 6 months. Nursing does help I couldn't believe it, the body uses fat to produce the milk and burns 500-600 calories in the process. Loosing the weight is the main reason I stuck with nursing but I have to say that I truly loved it, it was my favorite thing to do. My daughter actually weaned herself from it at the 6 mo mark and I was extremely sad and dissapointed as she was ready but I was not. I still don't work out b/c of timing constraints, and my daughter will be 1 year next month; I am 5 lbs lighter than before getting pg. So this is to say that if I lost the weight so can you. Be patient and stick to your routine pg is a huge change for your body and remember it took 9 mo to get out of shape and gain all that weight and for a good reason, so it will take some time to get your body back and I say that cautiously as your body will not be exactly the same and you will be happy about it. You are working out and doing all the right things which more than helps. Again congrats on your new baby.

O.

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K.D.

answers from New York on

Remember what they say; 9 months (well really ten) on and 9 months off. Anyway, I had my baby 7 months ago and I had gained 45 pounds, 20 of which came off the first month. I did a lot of walking with the baby following her birth and did start to slowly shed more weight. At about my 3rd month I felt as though I reached a plateau and was not losing any more weight but gradually I noticed that my old clothes were starting to fit me again and presently I've lost 35 of the 45 pounds. I do exercise regularly but I think the last 10 pounds are going to slowly shed off over time. Be patient, I do believe you can get back to your pre-pregnancy weight especially if you're exercising and eating rather healthy. Just remember it definitely is going to take some time regardless of what you do - YOU JUST HAD A BABY! Good luck and be patient.

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A.K.

answers from New York on

From one Trooper Wife to another ;)...don't worry about it. It takes time, but it sounds like you're doing the right thing. I too still have ten pounds to go, and my daughter was born in July of 2006, OVER A YEAR AGO. Lol. (But don't let that discourage you)I used to work out 4x a week, but lately I haven't had the time. (I wish I did, believe me!!)

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R.R.

answers from New York on

It usually takes about a year for your body to get back to normal because of the hormonal changes your body went through. So please don't worry too much about it, you'll get there but it does take time. As long as you don't crazy about it (stress doesn't help with weight loss) and relax you should drop it during the year. I gained 74lbs and it took me about ten months to drop most of it (about 35lbs), and the rest slowly came off after chasing my son around :). It's been 18 months and I'm finally back to normal, so don't stress.

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N.J.

answers from New York on

Hi T.. It took me 8 months to take off the 40 lbs that I gained. I was also nursing and working out with a trainer. Give yourself time, at least a year, to get back to your original size. Good Luck

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