Weight Loss Post Baby?

My son will be 7 months tomorrow and I am still holding on to about 10 to 15 lbs of baby weight.  Granted I did have knee surgery and couldnt get around normally but I am having a really hard time.  I am eating good foods and exercise regularly.  Does anyone have some good pointers for those last few pounds w/ out starving myself????

[Facere23]

The nurse at my Dr. office says that it can take a full 2 years for your metabolism to return to it's pre-preggie state.  I'm still hanging on to most of my baby weight..so I'm right there with you.

[have 2 kids]

Sorry. I can't offer an other advice.  I still have an extra 10 lbs and my baby is
7 years old.    

[kris123]

I love these posts - I'm preggo and gained 37pounds only 27w.  Anyway, when i had my daughter I was my pre-pregnancy weight about a week after I had her - only gained 25pounds.  With my first I gained 60pounds and it took about 6 months to lose the all the weight.  Not sure how my body will do this time.  I got hypothyorid and it has gotten worse with this pregnancy and who knows how it will be after the baby comes.  Try running that is great for losing weight as well as lifting weights - great.  

[lovefamily]

Whatever you do in trying to lose weight, DO NOT skip meals.  Some folks think they will just skip meals and just do one meal a day.  Well, I have seen it too many times.  You end up gaining weight or you just can't lose.  The body thinks you are starving it and stores more fat cells, and the metabolism slows.  I would suggest eating 5 small meals a day to increase the metabolism.  Continue to eat smart and not a bunch of empty calories.  Also, cut out all soda including diet and stick with water.  The carbonated beverages swell the stomach up and you will actually eat more trying to get full.  Drink one glass of water before eating.  These are just tips....good luck.

P.S. Just another quick tip for those who haven't given birth yet or are trying.  Breastfeed your baby.  It pulls the uterus back where it belongs faster and your body uses up more calories a day to produce milk resulting in quicker weight loss.  With my first two kids I breastfed exclusively and was back in my regular clothes and weight in no time.  I'm just over 18 weeks now, I hope it works for me again.   Blessings!

[blessed_mommy]

With DS it took 2 years.  My DD is currently 7 weeks and I still have 20lbs to lose.  I have begun a workout regimen so hopefully it takes less time.  I know we despise those women that leave the hospital in their pre-pregnancy jean....lol!!!!

[jifnif]

you are cracking me up!!!  You all are so thoughtful...maybe I am being hard on myself but we want to try for another one at the end of this year.  I am 37 and will be 38 this year.  I had a hard time getting pregnant and one resulted in a m/c.  I would like to lose this weight before I pile on another 45lbs...cuz that is what I gained with this one!!!  I am not your "eat a carrot" kinda gal.  

[have 2 kids]

I'm a meat and potatoes girl!   hmmm.... maybe that's why I can't lose those 10 lbs
I think you are being too hard on yourself.  

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Jif, I would recommend meeting with a trainer who specializes in postpartum.  In addition to the book, I did join a gym and had a trainer set me up on a program.  I have a new preggers one, but I swim more than anything else.  I throw up at the smelly men in the weight room.  They are a little frightened of me now.

[AnnieBrooke]

It might also be the breastfeeding, even if you have stopped.  The saying I've heard is "9 months on, 9 months off," but the second nine months doesn't begin until the breastfeeding ends.  (The body stores up secret fat to carry over a breastfeeding mom in case she suddenly doesn't have enough food.)  

[newbie2b]

Buy this book.  The CalorieKing Calorie, Fat & Carbohydrate Counter 2007 Edition. It's not a fad diet anything. It's the calorie, fat and carb count on tons of brands of food and tons of items. I dont believe in fad diets and this book is great. It's straight forward and tells you what you are actually eating.  It even gives you the calories,fat and carb count for food found in your favorite fast food place so you can make a better decision.  IT worked for me pre baby and I will be using it post baby too (i'm 34 weeks now) and it's only 8 dollars.  

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Are you nursing still?  If so, I would not recommend dieting.  If you are not nursing, pick up "you on a diet"  It is wonderful.  I lost 15 poounds and several inches in a few weeks.  

Then I got preggers....

I know I have abs somewhere.....

[jifnif]

I wish I was as lucky as some of you!!!  I am a vegetarian, I don't drink anything but water and decaf tea, I did breastfeed up to 5mths (my milk dried up???) and I don't eat anything that is junk (seriously, if it comes in a box or a bag I wont eat it).  I eat every few hours to keep my metabolism up.  I did just have knee surgery for a torn meniscus so I cannot run.  I ride 7 to 10 miles a day on a stationary bike and I walk my dog briskly and do stroller walks and we hike.  Grumble grumble grumble...so it is just some stubborn weight I cannot get off.  Of course my boobs have shrunk but the butt is still booming!!  Oh well, I will just keep living and try to worry about something else ...ahahha, like the new spider veins I got on my ankles. just kidding,  I will just hold my lil man and those thoughts never enter my mind when I am looking in his eyes!!!!  Thanks for the uplifts of spirit though!!!  

[jifnif]

You lost 15 lbs!!!!  I love it.  I will go buy this book today!!!!  Thanks, blessings on your new baby.  I guess you gotta be glad you started under to make room for a bit of new weight.  Congrats!!

[kris123]

You had your thyorid checked?  Sometimes pregnancy can mess it up.  I have hypothyorid like I said and it can prevent one from losing weight.

[DollChina]

I gained 28 lbs and got back to pre-preggo weight in 2.5 months, I had lost 6 more lbs since then and my baby will be 5 months old.  I contributed my weight loss to BREAST FEEDNING AND STRESS (sorry cap haters, LOL ;-)
I can't really go on a diet because of nursing and I do not have time to exercise since I returned to work when he was 8 weeks old.
I have been eating ice-cream and candies and I am so afraid once I wean I will pile on the weight.  Any idea on curving my sweet tooth?
Dolly

[Me2mommy2b]

well....I lost all the weight 2 weeks post partum (Don't hate me!) but I have put some on since then...what the heck???

[AndiJ78]

The secret to my success was always nursing. I gained 50 lbs with my first and second babies and was back pre-preg at 2 weeks with my first and 3 weeks with my second. I put on less with my third and within 10 days I was back pre preg.

The others gave great advice as well, skipping meals is far worse than anything out there. Eat a well balanced diet, 4 or 5 small meals is better than 3 big ones, and always eat breakfast.

Don'tt be so hard on yourself, having baby weight is a badge of honor. Wear it proudly and focus on your baby, before you know it they will be all grown up!!

[neparker]

If you are nursing, continue it.  If not, there are some great ways to loose weight.  Make sure you are taking your vitamins though!

I have never been into dieting, so I don't do it, but I was able to loose the 65 lbs I gained with my first after 8 months, and the 40 I gained with my 2nd in 3 months.  I ate my regular 3 meals a day, but in between then I would have a light snack (healthy of course), yougart, fruit, vegies, etc...  On top of that, I would walk a lot, lift weights and do tons of sit ups.  I watched what I ate, which I think was the most important since I'm a snacker, and didn't consume the bad things.  I still had my chcolate and sweets though.  

I have a receipe for the 10 day diet soup, it's really good if you are intersted, give me your email and I'll send it your way.

[lovefamily]

Sounds like you are doing a lot or right things.  It hasn't been that long since you had a baby.  We all know nothing goes completely back the way it was before children.  Don't beat yourself up and keep doing what you know is right.  You are right, everytime you look into those beautiful little eyes that look back at you so sweet....there is nothing like it and makes the extra pounds worth it.  You had a baby and had surgery....wow!  That's a lot on your body.  Keep your head up it is the person on the inside that we all know and love on here.  Bless you!!