Is it true that it is hard to lose weight after a pregnancy?

Question

I am 20 lbs heavier than I usually am, but I am not overweight for my height. I wanted to lose the weight before getting pregnant, but my husband and I decided to eat healthy and try to conceive anyways.

I am going to gain whatever my doctor says I need to gain (probably 25-30 lbs), but I am scared it will be so hard to lose the weight after having my baby.

I want to breastfeed and this will be my first baby. I am also athletic and in my mid 20's.

Does anyone have any advice?

Answer 1

Breast feeding is probably the best thing you can do to help you loose weight as well as eating healthy and staying active. If you say that you are 20 pounds over weight then you should not have to gain 20 -30. That seems a bit much. Your doc will probably want you to gain more like 15 pounds. So during your pregnancy try to eat as healthy as you can (but don't ignore those cravings) and try and exercise too. That will help from you gaining too much more weight. But believe from experience nursing does wonders!!!

Answer 2

It can be hard for some women, but for others it's not a problem. I only gained about 15 pounds when I was pregnant and two weeks after my daughter was born I was actually 15 pounds lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight (although my stomach still looks terrible). By the way, I tried breastfeeding for the first four days, but had problems and couldn't stick with it, so I didn't lose the weight due to breastfeeding. Also, I had a c-section, so I wasn't very active either.

From the way you've described yourself, (young, athletic & wanting to breastfeed) it doesn't sound like you should have any problems getting the weight off, but all women are different.

Answer 3

Right after pregnancy your body is ready to lose a TON of weight--I am overweight and lost 25 pounds in the week and a half after giving birth. Breastfeeding also burns 500 calories per day (that is only the amount in a large brownie), so that helps.

Definitely gain whatever your doctor says you have to gain--it may be less than you think if you are heavier than you usually are. My doctor said I only had to gain 5 pounds... I gained 40, though! Yikes! I'm still trying to work it off 3 years later, but that's my fault for being a lazy bum. I lost 20 pounds in 25 days two months ago just by watching my portion sizes and by walking/stationary biking for 30 minutes each a day.

Keep active during your pregnancy if your doctor is OK with it and after giving birth start walking 30-40 minutes a day within the first week or so and keep it up--it's good for both you and the baby (assuming you take the baby with you). Your body may be ready after giving birth to lose not only your baby weight but the extra weight as well.

Good luck and take care of yourself and baby! :)

Answer 4

Working out during your pregnancy helps a whole bunch!! and of course watching what you eat. It is really hard for some women to lose the weight, but others can shed it off easily. Since you're already athletic, keep it up and you'll have no problem losing the baby weight. It took me 3 months to fit back into my regular jeans...but I had to go up a size in my shirts....my chest size grew (not that I'm complaining). But I was just happy to get into my jeans! lol

Answer 5

I didn't have any more trouble getting the weight off after my second than the first. The one thing I did notice though is that my body shape completely changed, even though I am the same weight now as before I had my first, my hips are much wider and I have some extra skin (not fat, just skin) on my tummy. It's all worth it in the end, though, and as long as you put an honest effort into losing it you will do fine. Congratulations on the baby!

Answer 6

Believe it or not, breastfeeding is a great way to help with weight loss. What happens is that your stomach contracts while breastfeeding. Remember to continue to eat healthy while breastfeeding and whatever weight you don't lose after the birth and during your healing time (4-6 wks) then you can start exercising to lose the rest. It is possible to lose it but the longer you wait after you have the baby the harder it is to come off. I had the hardest time after my third. I put it off too long and it took me longer to get the weight off. Congrats and Good Luck :)

Answer 7

you are young, so it will not be so hard. All of my friends who had babies are now even thinner than they were before. Then again, my mom never lost the weight she got after pregnancy. It is up to you. You must be careful and start a healthy diet and exercise to lose weight after the baby comes, but you are likely to do it quite easily.

Answer 8

For some it is hard, and for others it isn't. For me, it is VERY hard. I gain a large amount of weight with my pregnancies, and it takes me about a year to lose it. I'm not athletic, though. Breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day, but that doesn't seem to do much for me, either. You seem to be active, though, so it will probably be easier for you. Good luck!

Answer 9

it's not that hard. if you continue on the diet you are on now you should be fine. after birth if you are breastfeeding some docs tell you to increase your colorie intake to 500 extra calories from the 300 you are told about during your pregnancy. that'll take you down 200 calories per day, sone properly. mild exercise (you don't want to overdo it, that can lessen your milk production) and a healthy diet is all you need. just remember, keeping a couple pounds on you is not a bad idea. most of the fat stored for breast feeding comes from your tummy, thighs and rear. keep up with your prenatals also. they will give you a good boost of nutrition.

Answer 10

My mom had 5 kids and swears that breastfeeding makes the pounds fall off. My sister had two babies and didn't breastfeed either, and some of the weight is still there. I am going with the breastfeeding to see if it helps. Another idea is that weight watchers has a points program targeted for brestfeeding moms.