Olivia is now 6 months old, and I’m getting kind of tired of getting out of the shower and not recognizing the body I’m in. In my head I’m not still 15 pounds overweight, but when I get a glance at myself in the mirror, I’m rudely reminded that I am.
I recently cleaned out my closet because I was sick of trying on clothes that didn’t fit, and it was just getting depressing. It was a great purge of clothing. I gave away a lot of things that I knew I didn’t really want to wear even when and if I lost the weight. The rest I put in a big garbage bag and shoved it to the back of my closet for a later date.
When I had my first two kids, I was in my early 20′s. I didn’t do anything different with my third pregnancy, but somehow I didn’t gain as much weight with the first two and then the weight came off quickly. But now I’m 10 years older and my body just isn’t acting the same way. The weight really doesn’t want to come off. I’ve tried everything I know to lose it this time – I eat healthy and I exercise as much as I can. I am realizing that there are really two main differences with this baby than with my first two — I’m older and I didn’t get to nurse this time.
I haven’t given up hope that I’ll lose the weight, but I’m trying to embrace this new body for now. This weight I’ve gained has brought me the best gift possible, my daughter Olivia. So instead of bemoaning my limited wardrobe, I’m trying to think positively and rejoice in the blessing of my beautiful baby.
For now I’m trying a few things to move this weight along. I’m staying away from carbs, and for the first time in my life I’m weighing myself daily. I’ve actually never even owned a scale, and have always based my weight on how my clothes fit. But since none of my clothes fit, I needed another plan. So far this has been helping because at Christmas I needed to lose 30 lbs., and four months later I only need to lose 15 lbs. I’m doing what I can with three kids and a busy life. I don’t want my weight to be my focus right now because it’s hard to find that balance between taking care of yourself and taking care of your family.
Did you feel like you were living in someone else’s body after having a baby? I’d love to know how you’re taking the baby weight off because doesn’t there seem to be a lot of pressure to look like you never had a baby immediately after you leave the hospital?
blogger / clementine / 948 posts
Sigh, I feel for you, Mrs. Bicycle! I’m 6 months PP as well, and I have 5lbs to lose before my Pre-BabyJumper weight. My jeans still don’t fit me, and I’ve resorted to buying new clothes. I’m on weight watchers, exercise every day, and am still not losing weight.
It’s tough :(
hostess / hostess with the mostess / 21181 posts
I had 10 more pounds to lose, but got pregnant with #2! Definitely planning on only gaining 20-25lbs this time around. I gained over 50 with my first! It’s a little depressing when I see my naked body, but I figure I’ll lose it when we’re done having babies!
blogger / cantaloupe / 5115 posts
I think this is the most common struggle with new moms (with or without kids already)
I was never able to lose the last 5 lbs of my first pregnancy, but luckily for the first time in my life, the fact that I’ve never worked out has been a good thing, because this pregnancy I’ve only gained 10 lbs and I’m 37 5d pregnant. I think running after a toddler, carrying him and just not having a dull moment is the reason for that.
Knowing that my baby girl will be at least 7.5-8lbs (if I give birth at 40 weeks) is comforting… that way I will have lost all my weight when I leave the hospital. Just for that reason we aren’t having any more kids. ha… just kidding. We said we wanted 2 so I’m happy that it’s been going super well the second time around.
I think it’s important to understand your new body (older version) I know my sisters (older than me) have a harder time to lose weight… so they try and walk or jog, and eat smaller portions but 6x a day. GOod luck!
clementine / 885 posts
I was so hopeful after having DS that the weight would melt off since I was breastfeeding him. I returned to work after 12 weeks and continued nursing and pumping, so I hoped my even busier schedule would help. And it didn’t.
I wasn’t so concerned about not looking like I had just had a baby, but it was frustrating that my clothes didn’t fit anymore and I just didn’t feel healthy. I held steady about 17 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight for 9 months and finally was fed up. Before I got pregnant I already was about 15-20 pounds over my best weight/size.
I tracked on MyFitnessPal and over 3 months lost 27 pounds. I exercised as well, mainly running, but the biggest thing was my diet. I logged everything I ate and drank every single day. I ate back most of the calories I burned with exercise. I’m getting ready to run a half marathon, so I stopped focusing on weightloss for a while (and thankfully haven’t gained any weight back), but once it’s over, I’m going to work on the last 10-15 pounds.
My body shape is still different than before I had DS, and I’m okay with that. My belly is saggy, with the remainder of my stretch marks and I know it will take some dedication to Jillian Michael’s DVDs to really tone it up, but I’m not too worried about it right now. I think the pressure on new moms to lose weight is really ridiculous. There is no miracle cure for most of us (though I hear breastfeeding melts the weight off a lucky few).
guest
I was still 20 lbs up from #1 when I got pregnant with #2. So now i’m 30 lbs up (and 40 up from my goal weight). Soooo depressing. I’ve never had to lose such a big chunk of weight in my life, and my body seems very resistant while breast feeding. I was still nursing my first when I got pregnant. Gah! Will start running pronto.
GOLD / nectarine / 2369 posts
I didn’t gain much with my pregnancy (about 15lbs), and I am pretty petite. Unfortunately, my body does not look the same, and I am learning to accept that. I do have a great metabolism, which has prevented me from gaining weight like a whale. I just need to focus on healthier eating and exercise.
blogger / nectarine / 2994 posts
I so feel ya. I have at least 20 pounds to lose and I’m 10 months out! Breastfeeding has not been my friend because it really boosts my appetite.
hostess / wonderful pumpkin / 17664 posts
LO is 9 months and I still have 10 pounds to lose, plus more because I gained a lot right before I got pregnant. For now I’m just accepting it because I can’t exersize due to health reasons. But I’d love to be able to do something about it.
guest
I am 6pp from my twin pregnancy… I feel ya sista. Can’t wait to have some clothes that fit again with out elastic. I go back to work in 5wks and I have NO clothes. Add to that the usual new momma tiredness and adjustments x2 and I need a makover to feel right. ;) IO gained 60 and need to lose another 30 to get back to prepreg.