Hello, All-

I'm in no position to work on my weight yet, but I'm interested in strategies for the future.

I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant with my first child, and I have managed to gain 32 pounds. If I count the weight I gained a month before this pregnancy (chemical pregnancy), I've gained more like 48 pounds.

After birth, I believe I will have 40-50 pounds to lose. Of course, some of that is extra organ tissue and water retention, but I know I'll have a lot of work cut out for me, and I plan to take it slow and steady.

My goal is to get to my GW in a year (probably 30-40 pounds). I hope to be exclusively breast-feeding for a year.

Am I being realistic about the weight loss? Are there any good resources on how to do this without hurting my breast milk supply?

Thanks!

Hi there -

I just had my second baby almost 3 months ago. I gained 55 pounds with my first pregnancy (30lbs of which was pure baby fat) and 35 pounds with my second one (of which 15lbs is pure baby fat). With the first one, it took me a good 9-10 months to get down to my pre-preg weight.

With the first baby, I didn't start dieting till the baby was about 4 months old. I lost the weight slowly and steadly using Weight Watchers. I never really considered Weight Watchers a diet - it taught me portion control. I also exercised - pilates and running. Weight Watchers also has a safe plan for nursing mothers. You could do any diet, however. As long as you increase your food intake by 500 calories each day, you'll be fine and you'll be producing enough milk for your little one.

With the second baby, I did not gain as much as the first and it's taking me forever to lose the weight. I did start trying to lose this weight a lot sooner than my first one so I'm convinced it hormones that's keeping me from losing the weight this time around. I've only lost 2 of the 15 pounds so far in 12 weeks.

I know we're all built differently and some ladies can shed the weight quicker and with less effort than other ladies. My suggestion to you is to not fret about the baby weight.. it WILL come off! It came off from my first one and it's just taking a little longer for this one.

A lot of what you gain is water weight, the baby and all that other fun stuff that comes along with it : ) I think your GW of 30-40 pounds in one year is very realistic, especially if you're breast feeding. You may even lose more than that. Good luck and congratulations!

I gained 80lbs when I was pregnant. I had my son 10 months ago and have lost 75lbs already from eating healthy and exercising regularly. It is very possible to lose 40-50lbs in one year. Since you will be BFing there is no telling how easy or hard it will be to lose it though. Some women have a very hard time losing the weight while BFing, where as others lose it very easily. Just make sure to exercise and eat healthy foods, if you don't... well than you won't lose as much as you had planned.

My normal weight when I am not yet pregnant was 80lbs, now I am 8 months pregnant and gained 30lbs. My doctor told me that I should control my eating habbit and not to exceed more than she expected me to for my delivery. So after the delivery I could easily get back to my normal weight. It is not difficult for me to have a good condition of my body which I really love to be fit all the time. It is just like I did'nt have a baby.

You can definitely do it. However, when the baby arrives concentrate on establishing an excellent feeding, sleeping, etc. routine. If you cannot establish this and are worried about losing weight then it will make it really difficult for you to lose weight and structure yourself a program.

Even if it takes you a couple of months to work this out with your baby, it is best for the future.

I am super organized as a mother and this is why I am able to exercise, look and feel good ...lets say...the majority of the time lol.

I feel your pain. I was on a journey and I managed to get pregnant in the middle of my weight loss journey. I went from 215 to 177 and I was soo happy about it. Now I am sooo sad about getting pregnant but happy for the blessing. U will do great, dont give up and stay positive. Its possible to work out during pregnancy and eat exactly the right amount of calories for you and the baby without over doing it.

I think that the first step in your weight loss journey, post-partum, starts with accepting that you are going to be fat for sometime during and after pregnancy...

some newbie mums lose their wits from trying to set unrealistic goals which just stresses them (and their babies!) out.