What do I do? I am so depressed about this. :(

I need some help guys. I'm getting depressed because of this weightloss thing. Here's my stats:

I'm a female, 22 years old, 5'10" and 239 lbs. I'm also breastfeeding my 2 1/2 month old baby. (My pre-pregnancy weight was 240, and I had dropped back down to that by the time I was 2 weeks post-partum, but since then I've been stuck at 239.)

I started CC 3 weeks ago, but started exercising consistently and keeping track of my weight 2 weeks ago. Here's my story:

I know that the minimum calories a person can eat a day is 1200 (and that you should only eat that much if you are sedentary). I know that breastfeeding also burns 500 calories a day, so I figured I could safely eat 1700 calories a day. I went and saw a nutritionist and asked her if that was an alright amount of calories to eat. She said yes, and then told me to also exercise for 1 hour as often as I can. She also helped me balance my diet with more whole wheat and protein. Here are my percentages for this month:

Fat - 16.9% (339 grams)
Protein - 18.2% (822 grams)
Carbohydrates - 64.9% (2,933 grams)

So for the last three weeks I have been eating 1700 calories a day and the last 2 weeks I have been eating that and doing aerobic exercise with my Wii Fit for at least 30 minutes a day every day, and maybe 2-3 days out of the week I will exercise for an hour. I generally will do running in place, step aerobics and hula hooping (which does not have a real hoop... you just swivel your hips as fast as you can in a circle to swing a virtual hula hoop). Some days I also go out and walk with the baby in a stroller.

At first, my weight started going down, and I was down to 236.3 three days ago (which is almost 3 lbs less than I started and in 1 1/2 weeks, which is safe... I was so happy!), but now all of a sudden it has gone back up these last three days to 239 (about pound a day!?). Nothing has changed in my diet or my exercise routine from 2 weeks ago.

What's wrong? Am I eating too little? I don't know what to do! I'm really, really sad about this, because I really want to lose weight now that I'm not pregnant anymore.

(Some extra info that may help: I was 170 lbs before I got married 1 1/2 years ago and I was on Prozac. When I got married, I changed from Prozac to Lexapro and gained 70 lbs in a month... the explanation from my doctor was that Prozac is an appetite suppressant and Lexapro is neutral... so I was HUNGRY all the time. Since then, I've managed to get off Lexapro and all anti-depressants gradually... and I've been anti-depressant free for a year now. The weight, however, has never come off.)

Any help you can give me is much appreciated. :(

My only advice to you , is to give it time, give it at least 6 weeks...and also remember that our bodies (as females) fluctuate in weight all the time....take your measurements so you can see that go down....and also make sure you are watching your salt intake...so give it 6 weeks and if you haven't lost weight..then go see your nutritionist again...Don't stress about it either, stress can cause you to hold onto or gain weight! Tough, huh? Good luck!

I breastfed several of my children and lost about 25-30# each time, but I weighed around 200# to start and am 5'7" and was eating closer to 2000 cal/day.  I think you aren't eating enough, as you are pretty tall and 1700 cal would be a good calorie amount for weight loss, even without breastfeeding.  I would try adding more calories and see what happens.  Also, if you have any family history of thyroid problems, that can often pop up post partum and definitely interfere with weight loss.  Signs to look for, fatigue, dry skin, coarse hair/hairloss, cold hand/feet.

My weight fluctuates at lest 5 pounds (sometimes more) regularly. It's not uncommon. Water, waste, food, clothes, posture; they all factor in to normal weight fluctuation.  Those few pounds you're worried about are probably not excess fat.

first of all: congratulations on your baby. second: congratulations on getting off the antidepressants...

When I was breastfeeding I didn't loose any weight, and got increasingly frustrated with myself (I look back at those photos and can't even recognize myself!) - so i decided to join a diet club and managed to up my vegetable intake to 600 grams a day, and keep my protein to 200 grams a day with only 15 grams of fat (oils) + four pieces of fruit and 200 grams of high fat yoghurt (that i would blend one of the fruits into) - but it really helped me - in six months i had lost 9 kilos (eq. to approx 1 pound a week) - and i stayed away from smoked and salty things too- It was a really tough period, but the results were obvious week after week (we weren't allowed to weigh ourselves and could only do so at the weekly meetings) - this was without excercise, so it's do'able - I think it's important to realise that it's an ongoing process and that there isn't a way to cut corners when it comes to weightloss- I'm sure you'll get to it, if you focus on what you eat instead of what you weigh :-)

Good luck.

Water retention and fluctuations are a reality of losing weight. Someone on this forum, I don't remember who, said to remember that when you diet your weight is like a boy playing with a yoyo walking down a hill. The overall trend will be down but you're going to inevitably see gains as you take in water and sodium, and your body adjusts and so on.

Don't sweat it! :)

Are you keeping track of sodium? We need 2400mg, or less a day for no water retention. This can cause water weight gain if you indulge in too much.

Also, when its that time of the month women can retain 1-10lbs because of aunt flo. I generaly gain 2-3lbs about 5 days before it comes.

Another thing I have noticed is that I retain water like crazy in the heat if Im not drinking enough water......I drink about 100-150 ounces

Your calories look a little low for someone who is breastfeeding. You should try maybe 2000 (this is what I eat) for a couple of weeks and see how that goes. The thing is Your a TALL girl, as am I, plus your breastfeeding AND exercising on top of caring for a baby.

Case in point, this morning I weigh 3 pounds more than I did a few days ago. Tomorrow I may weigh 4 pounds less, the day after that 1 pound more.

Point is, body weight fluctuates up and down; the important part (as breakky said) is that the overall trend moves downward.

It takes time for a more accurate body weight to show up on the scale. That's why you should try to weigh-in in once a week at most, if possible. At least try to limit your weigh-ins to twice a week.

You've got the basics down pat, I think your problem might be in the fine tuning.  If the 1700 calories your eating is high in salt, you'll be holding water weight these past few days.  Also, you should front load your day with carbohydrates (ie only eat carbs for breakfast and lunch), for dinner stick to protein and veggies, protein is also best right after you work out because it helps repair muscle.  I just keep hard boiled eggs in the fridge and eat one or two after (140 calories)  Also, don't worry so much about the weight, you just started working out and are going to gain muscle (weighs more but burns more calories).  Sounds like you're doing awesome, keep up the good work and it will all come together.

Congrats on the baby!  Don't know what you're doing "wrong" just wanted to share my story...  I breastfed twins- and every Laleche person and mom and everyone told me I should loose soooo much weight (I was very careful with my foods).  By time I stopped doing it exclusively I had gained 12 pounds.  I lost them all the month I stopped.  I have no idea why this happened- my dr thought my body was storing fats to be able to keep up the milk production.

So, don't worry about what is supposed to happen.

I don't know if this will affect weight loss for you but you're not getting enough protein, especially if you are so active.  You're getting a lot of carbs, you can trade 10% for more protein and "a bit" more fat. 

Try nonfat/lowfat yoghurt (plain) that you can combine with fresh fruit, then you will be getting calcium and protein.  Make sure you are getting your 25 grams+ of fiber. 

In any case you are years ahead of me with taking care of yourself with a baby.  Congratulations on that!

Congratulations on your baby!!!

My only advice to you is to eat healthy..Up the protein a bit since you are working out too!

I'm somewhat concerned by the fact that you are trying to lose weight after giving birth a baby almost three months ago and that fact that you are breastfeeding, you shouldn't be restricting calories.. baby needs it!! The weight doesn't always come off after having children..

Anyway, congrats again on your baby and good luck!