Hello fellow mummies! I would like to ask from your experiences whether you have managed to revert back to pre-pregnancy weight after 1 year after the delivery. I'm in month 10, post partum and still have 10lb to 15lbs left and have become a little concerned at the lack of progress. I exercise regularly and eat healthily, but do not breastfeed. I know, I know...lots of people say don't worry you will .... but I can't help myself. :treadmill
Post Partum Weight Loss - What are your experiences?
- Thread starter FTMummy
- Start date
wandasmart
New member
hi there
well my experience is that i lost the weight quite quickly. it's been just under 3 months since i had my baby girl, though i am breastfeeding so it helps to lose it much quicker. the problem i have though is the loose bulge around my middle. im much too tired to go to the gym and can't help snacking as i get so hungry quickly from all the feeds i do. i will have to start watching my diet as i am eating way too much snacky food as opposed to nutriious snacks.. especially sweets which i never liked before my pregnancy days.
just keep at it.. i'm sure your body will lose the weight in due time.. keep up the exercises, and eat healthy!
well my experience is that i lost the weight quite quickly. it's been just under 3 months since i had my baby girl, though i am breastfeeding so it helps to lose it much quicker. the problem i have though is the loose bulge around my middle. im much too tired to go to the gym and can't help snacking as i get so hungry quickly from all the feeds i do. i will have to start watching my diet as i am eating way too much snacky food as opposed to nutriious snacks.. especially sweets which i never liked before my pregnancy days.
just keep at it.. i'm sure your body will lose the weight in due time.. keep up the exercises, and eat healthy!
carang
Registered User
breastfeeding doesn't help everyone lose the weight... i was lighter after i gave birth than when i got pregnant....had horrible morning sickness and lost 20 lbs in the first 15-20 weeks of pregnancy....
after my boy arrived, i breastfed as much as possible... while i was doing this, i was starving all the time, and subsequently put on more AFTER the birth than before....
it's been 9 months now and i'm slowly taking it off again... my problem: i want to have another baby next year. i HAVE to take this weight off now, or else i'll look like a WHALE by the time the next one arrives!
good luck everyone!
after my boy arrived, i breastfed as much as possible... while i was doing this, i was starving all the time, and subsequently put on more AFTER the birth than before....
it's been 9 months now and i'm slowly taking it off again... my problem: i want to have another baby next year. i HAVE to take this weight off now, or else i'll look like a WHALE by the time the next one arrives!
good luck everyone!
Hey! Thanks for sharing. I feel the exact same way as you, Carang - I must lose this weight now otherwise I'll feel a little off next year if and when the next one comes. But even though I feel this way, a small part of me thinks - who cares...there are better and more important things that come out of the whole pregnancy experience (i.e., the baby :missingto ) to really worry about a few extra pounds. But then again, it would be nice to at least attempt to be a yummy mummy. 
lol . (kidding!).
lol . (kidding!).Exclusive breastfeeding requires around an extra 500 calories a day. To burn of the equivalent number of calories a non-breastfeeding mother would need to swim 30 laps or ride a bicycle for over an hour.
Some mothers find they feel hungrier when breastfeeding and so eat more than they normally would. 500 calories is about 10 apples or half a slice of chocolate cake.
It is difficult to eat an extra 10 apples a day so a mother getting her extra calories from apples is likely to lose weight while breastfeeding.
It is very easy, however, to eat a whole slice instead of just half a slice of chocolate cake so a mother getting her extra calories from chocolate cake is likely to gain weight while breastfeeding.
If you are breastfeeding gradual weight loss of about one pound per week, while consuming about 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day, will help you to feel good and have the energy you need to care for your baby. The composition of your milk really does not vary much with your diet. (Mothers in famine conditions can produce milk that is nutritionally perfect for their babies.) However, your health may suffer if too many of your own reserves are used to provide milk. It takes a lot of energy to care for your baby so be sure to take care of yourself by "eating to hunger" and "drinking to thirst."
Good luck with your weight loss,
SARAH
Some mothers find they feel hungrier when breastfeeding and so eat more than they normally would. 500 calories is about 10 apples or half a slice of chocolate cake.
It is difficult to eat an extra 10 apples a day so a mother getting her extra calories from apples is likely to lose weight while breastfeeding.
It is very easy, however, to eat a whole slice instead of just half a slice of chocolate cake so a mother getting her extra calories from chocolate cake is likely to gain weight while breastfeeding.
If you are breastfeeding gradual weight loss of about one pound per week, while consuming about 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day, will help you to feel good and have the energy you need to care for your baby. The composition of your milk really does not vary much with your diet. (Mothers in famine conditions can produce milk that is nutritionally perfect for their babies.) However, your health may suffer if too many of your own reserves are used to provide milk. It takes a lot of energy to care for your baby so be sure to take care of yourself by "eating to hunger" and "drinking to thirst."
Good luck with your weight loss,
SARAH
I'm not a sporty person, and have no idea where and what to do. Two weeks ago I bought a DVD produced by a private hospital, demonstrated by a physiotherapist. I've been following the aerobics exercises for 30 mins or more if I have the time. They're easy to follow. I've lost only 2 pounds so far, especially I ate more during the first few days. The greatest gain is I've got rid of the fatigue I've been feeling for years since my child was born. The demonstrator lost 117 kcals and 50% fat of the kcals during her 30 min demonstration. It's only $40, can do it anytime. Btw, I've got no commission but I just love this DVD. 
Carang,
Sorry to hear about your morning sickness. Have you tried ginger tea or ginger candy? I had had excessive stomach acid when I was pregnant, but no morning sickness. I always felt hungry and felt a little sick at times, and I ate ginger candy and soda crackers to solve my hunger. I managed to control my weight until the last month of my pregnancy. I also cooked bird's nest which solved many of my little problems.
Mammalicious,
As for loose tummy, my friend advised me to wear a corset immediatey after childbirth for a month. I didn't because mine wasn't loose, but big. I've been trying tummy massaging in a beauty salon. My tummy has flattened a bit. But be careful when choosing a beauty salon, many of them just keep on pressing you for money.
Btw, I've observed that many moms (esp. working moms) with two children are thin, heavy workload and not enough sleep. When your child turns 1 and starts walking, you'll feel the difference.
Good luck everybody.
Carang,
Sorry to hear about your morning sickness. Have you tried ginger tea or ginger candy? I had had excessive stomach acid when I was pregnant, but no morning sickness. I always felt hungry and felt a little sick at times, and I ate ginger candy and soda crackers to solve my hunger. I managed to control my weight until the last month of my pregnancy. I also cooked bird's nest which solved many of my little problems.
Mammalicious,
As for loose tummy, my friend advised me to wear a corset immediatey after childbirth for a month. I didn't because mine wasn't loose, but big. I've been trying tummy massaging in a beauty salon. My tummy has flattened a bit. But be careful when choosing a beauty salon, many of them just keep on pressing you for money.
Btw, I've observed that many moms (esp. working moms) with two children are thin, heavy workload and not enough sleep. When your child turns 1 and starts walking, you'll feel the difference.
Good luck everybody.
Yeah, I am working full time, been doing it since my baby was 4 months. She is about to turn 9 months. I have lost more weight than I had originally. I am breastfeeding, but not to the same extent as I was 3 months ago.
I still nurse her every night, so maybe it's the night wakes that helped me lose the weight. Gosh, I am now wearing clothes I had not been able to fit more than 5 years ago. Though my body shape has changed a little. I worry that when I stop BF, I may gain back all the weight, or that if I keep losing and become too thin - become undernourised - as I plan to have a second soon. I am supplementing to make sure that I am not undernourished. I don't think I am over-eating or under-eating. I eat whenever I am hungry, I don't exercise! Though I should.
I think as long as you eat healthily, you should be able to regain your weight. I don't normally snack so that also helps.......but I do love my food!!
I still nurse her every night, so maybe it's the night wakes that helped me lose the weight. Gosh, I am now wearing clothes I had not been able to fit more than 5 years ago. Though my body shape has changed a little. I worry that when I stop BF, I may gain back all the weight, or that if I keep losing and become too thin - become undernourised - as I plan to have a second soon. I am supplementing to make sure that I am not undernourished. I don't think I am over-eating or under-eating. I eat whenever I am hungry, I don't exercise! Though I should.
I think as long as you eat healthily, you should be able to regain your weight. I don't normally snack so that also helps.......but I do love my food!!
I exercised (weight lifting and cross trainer) until the week before my baby was born and I managed to lose all my baby weight within 6 weeks. I was also very hungry all the time as I was breastfeeding exclusively, but I think the biggest factor is what you eat. I am still breastfeeding (my daughter is 11 months old), I only started exercising (Pilates) last week and I haven't put on any weight, in fact I'm still about 4 pounds less than when I first got pregnant. So for me, it's wasn't the exercise, but my diet and breastfeeding that made the biggest difference, although taking your baby for a walk every day is a good routine to get into (and exercise is great for improving energy and a positive outlook on life).
My advice is eat healthy and drink lots of water. If you are craving sweets eat fruit with the skins on (when applicable), or have a bowl of oatmeal with raisins or other dried fruit. Eating fiber rich foods, such as 100% whole grain breads and cereals, brown and/or wild rice, is a great way to feel full and helps your body stay running properly. For salty cravings eat rold gold pretzels or low fat popcorn rather than chips or fries. Even the way you cook makes a big difference. Use a small amount of olive oil when necessary and steam or bake rather than fry fish, veggies and chicken.
I too am looking at getting pregnant again in the next few months and I think that gaining a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy really helps in getting back in shape quickly. I gained 22lbs my first pregnancy and I was able to do that by eating healthy (like described above) and eating more often throughout the day.
Good luck!
My advice is eat healthy and drink lots of water. If you are craving sweets eat fruit with the skins on (when applicable), or have a bowl of oatmeal with raisins or other dried fruit. Eating fiber rich foods, such as 100% whole grain breads and cereals, brown and/or wild rice, is a great way to feel full and helps your body stay running properly. For salty cravings eat rold gold pretzels or low fat popcorn rather than chips or fries. Even the way you cook makes a big difference. Use a small amount of olive oil when necessary and steam or bake rather than fry fish, veggies and chicken.
I too am looking at getting pregnant again in the next few months and I think that gaining a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy really helps in getting back in shape quickly. I gained 22lbs my first pregnancy and I was able to do that by eating healthy (like described above) and eating more often throughout the day.
Good luck!
Smu hk and hkgirl,
I envy you two. I'm now 8 pounds more than pre-pregnant. If I could lose 20 pounds it would be heaven. :lovedface I've lost 10 pounds before but put them on again. Whether it's exercise or breastfeeding it's the metabolism that matters. I've never breastfed and didn't do exercise, that's why it's so hard for me.
I envy you two. I'm now 8 pounds more than pre-pregnant. If I could lose 20 pounds it would be heaven. :lovedface I've lost 10 pounds before but put them on again. Whether it's exercise or breastfeeding it's the metabolism that matters. I've never breastfed and didn't do exercise, that's why it's so hard for me.
I had gained about 11 kg during my pregnancy. Almost all of it-but for 2 kg-was gone in just four weeks after the delivery (which, by the way, was by c-section). And the remaining 2kg disappeared in about 2 months' time. I was breastfeeding my baby for the first month or so but due to poor milk supply (as a result of which baby was not gaining weight) and a breast abscess-so bad that it warranted 10 days' hospital stay-I was forced to switch to formula. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight without any effort but the extra 2-3 inches of flab around my waistline puts me off. 
I had recently started out on a fitness program but now that I am am pregnant again, I guess that will have to wait.
I had recently started out on a fitness program but now that I am am pregnant again, I guess that will have to wait. Congratulations Beans on your second baby.
I was never really an athletic person, and was so busy at work I didn't have time for exercise before my baby was born. I breastfed my baby for 9 months but didn't do any exercise all those time. My weight was back to pre-pregnant gradually, I guess due to BF and diet.
I was never really an athletic person, and was so busy at work I didn't have time for exercise before my baby was born. I breastfed my baby for 9 months but didn't do any exercise all those time. My weight was back to pre-pregnant gradually, I guess due to BF and diet.
My weight seemed to fall off immediately after the birth BUT I gained half of it back again within several weeks! Breastfed for 18 months and the weight came off by about 12 months. (Waistline didn't come back though! Still searching for the part of me that must be slimmer to balance the thicker wasitline...)
I don't think I was eating excessively while I was exclusively breastfeeding; I put my postpartum weight problem down to a dramatic change in lifestyle. I was a very active person even in pregnancy, whereas once my baby was born I found myself sitting or lying down for vast chunks of the day. Plus I found it painful to walk for 6wks due to episiotomy and prolonged bleeding. So look at how your lifestyle has changed and look at how you could incorporate more exercise into your daily routine, to stimulate the metabolism!
With my next baby I will try to be less sedentary while breastfeeding, and feed the baby in a sling while doing chores, chasing my toddler around, etc.
I don't think I was eating excessively while I was exclusively breastfeeding; I put my postpartum weight problem down to a dramatic change in lifestyle. I was a very active person even in pregnancy, whereas once my baby was born I found myself sitting or lying down for vast chunks of the day. Plus I found it painful to walk for 6wks due to episiotomy and prolonged bleeding. So look at how your lifestyle has changed and look at how you could incorporate more exercise into your daily routine, to stimulate the metabolism!
With my next baby I will try to be less sedentary while breastfeeding, and feed the baby in a sling while doing chores, chasing my toddler around, etc.
Konradsmom
Registered User
its my first pregnancy so I am not talking from experience, but I have a masseur friend who has extensive experience with giving massages to pregnant ladies and helping them manage their weight through the 9 months. her advice to me was to control my carb intake, so rice, bread and potatoes to be taken in moderation only and preferably during the 1st 2 meals of the day only - its like the Atkins diet but with lots of veggies. For chinese moms, soup is fine but it shouldn't be the heavy,ultra nourishing kind. She found that most clients of hers end up gaining about 10 lbs weight and didn't have to extensively visit salons post partum.
With my first, I gained 23 lbs, I lost them all by about 3 months, although my belly was flabby and still big. I BF for 9 months and ate pretty much what I wanted (not always healthy) because I was hungry all the time. However, when I stopped BF, I gained back about 5 lbs because I still ate the same amount but I didn't have BF to burn off the calories and I am not a gym person.
This time I will try my best to hit the gym to lose the weight and only exercise can help me tone my belly.
This time I will try my best to hit the gym to lose the weight and only exercise can help me tone my belly.
I lost all the weight by 6 weeks both pregnancies, but then I gained some back as I was at home and snacked all day long. When I went back to work at one year I didn't snack so much and lost the weight. This time, second baby I lost more weight than before I was pregnant, been at work for 2 months now and I am losing weight, to the point where I really cannot lose anymore or It will be very unhealthy. I attribute it to my very very busy life right now, plus still BF, so I need those colories.
I lost all my preganancy weight after about 2-3 months after birth. I was breastfeeding and then back to work (and pumping) and then had a bout of food poisoning. Now I weigh a bit less than before I was pregnant. Don't know if it will come back on after I stop pumping though!
I took about 18kg ( 36lbs?? ) while pregnant... lost half of it by the time I got out of the maternity.
For the 9kgs left... they stayed right where they were as long as I was breastfeeding... ( 5 monthes ) and I lost all of them almost without changing anything to my diet when I stopped to breastfeed... by 11 monthes after the birth I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight.
Merichan
For the 9kgs left... they stayed right where they were as long as I was breastfeeding... ( 5 monthes ) and I lost all of them almost without changing anything to my diet when I stopped to breastfeed... by 11 monthes after the birth I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight.
Merichan