Can't lose weight after having children?

Question

After the birth of each of my kids (I have 3) I put on weight and can't lose it. With both my first and second child I started putting on weight after they were born and was not able to lose it until I stopped breast feeding and my periods returned. So now my third child is only 2 months and i've already put on 4 kilos. I expected this will happen again and it is. I'm eating good, exercising whenever I can, but I keep getting bigger (and obviously the breastfeeding does not help to lose weight either). I do suspect though that I'll be able to lose it again once I stop breast feeding as with the other two. Has this happened to anyone else and how did you lose the weight or stop the weight from piling on????? HELP!

Answer 1

Don't let any of those people who insist breastfeeding takes off weight make you feel bad! I have heard of many people who do not lose weight and even gain. (In fact someone on Yahoo Answers asked about this previously...and I felt so much better knowing it wasn't just me!) I am also struggling and am strictly watching calories via Weight Watchers. I actually gained weight between birth of my son and 3 months of BF.

WW has helped, but very slowly (-6 lbs. in 7 weeks) as they have a higher calorie index for BF moms. I was never a big eater and carefully, obsessively counted calories to maintain my weight before pregnancy. BF means I have to eat more than I am used to. My mother was the same way, only losing all the weight after stopping BF. (I am at least glad I can look forward to taking it off eventually!) I encourage you try WW and don't get down on yourself! Good luck.

Answer 2

this might not be so healthy, but it has really worked for me!

I have lost 50 pounds in 4 months. i just had a baby and i bottlefeed.

i only eat dinner and a snack all day. I just have a big drink with me all day. I drink coffee with just a tiny bit of cream and sugar. There is a creamer that I LOVE...Coffeemate-Hazelnut Flavor. It is cold and you get it where they sell milk.

The little bit of calories keeps me going all day and my stomach doesn't growl. I have tried SO many diets and this is the first time it is working!

I noticed that when I would get stressed before, I would make a snack. Now that I know I do that, I can do something else instead. I take a bath, or play around on the computer. It is a bit hard each day, but everyone is noticing my weight loss and clothes are getting looser/looking better. That helps me to keep going.

For dinner, I eat a regular sized meal. It can be anything. I don't restrict the type of food bc then you want to binge on it later, which is terrible. I have pizza (2 slices), or whatever fits on a normal sized plate and a piece of chocolate. Then after dinner, I make some decaf coffee or tea to drink until bedtime. If I don't do that, then I will just get hungry again. Coffee and tea really helps your appetite. Once in a while I eat a small snack during the day, but I do my best not too.

I wish you luck!

Oh, I had to get rid of my scale. I am totally obsessive about the number when I have one. Maybe you should get rid of yours (only if you want to).

Answer 3

I was the same way. I always kept a little weight while breastfeeding but I didn't care. It was my baby's time. My third child was so big she had me eating anything that didn't move. It started to become a habit even after she cut back on nursing so whenever I reached for food I would ask myself two questions. 1) are you really hungry or eating out of habit? and 2) Is it nutritious or just handy? I lost 30 pounds in only a couple of months. Traditional exercise is hard to make time for so just start a routine where you bundle the kids up and go for a walk every day. I bet you'll lose the weight again. I was thinner in my 40's than when having babies but look out for menopause.

Answer 4

I found the book to be very informative and easy to read.

I've lost 17 pounds in 12 days, I'm just concerned that I'm losing too much weight, too quickly. I will admit I haven't followed the guide exactly. I'm not sticking perfectly to the listed foods and meal plans (but mostly) and doing very little exercise, but the weight keeps flying off.

It clearly works and if I'd followed it exactly I think it would scare the living daylights out of me because of the amount that I'd lose. So thanks again for the information. I've never purchased anything like this before because they are usually full of trash, but 3WD has been a pleasant surprise.

Get started today!

Answer 5

Breastfeeding should help you lose the weight. It call will come down to calories in, calories out. Best diet I have found:

Eat small meals 5 to 6 times a day.
Get rid of ALL sweets.
Eat balanced meals.
Drink TONS of water (gallon a day preferred)
Don't eat anything after about 7pm or 3 hrs before bed
And exercise 4 to 5 times a week.

This WILL change your waistline.

Answer 6

Breast feeding burns 500 calories a day, so that should be helping you, not hurting you.

It sounds like you might be making excuses for your weight gain. Instead of saying "This always happens" or "I can't lose it till I quit breast feeding," say "Not this time!"

DO NOT use nursing as an excuse to binge. Eat healthy foods, cut out all soda (even diet!) and drink plenty of water. Put the baby in a stroller and take a 30 minute walk every day.

Answer 7

chew gum while you cook

Answer 8

Find the right diet for your individual body because there are many ways are there to lose weight just find what works for you

Answer 9

yes u can lose weight just work out and than maybe a 2 or 3 moth u will look the same way u looked before u had kids

Answer 10

Add extra 10 or 15 mins to your cardio routine