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Watching your weight while Pregnant

Hello all,

I don't know how many of you feel like me but I am so afraid of getting obese that I always think about diet... I never do any of those fashion diet stuff like Weight Watcher or whatever. What I do is when I get too big I eat just fruit and veggies for a period and drink tons of water... that makes me loose approx. 1 pound a day, which is very encouraging...

I am 137 lbs. It doesn't sound bad but at 5"1" I am supposed to be 105 to 115 lbs... But I had 5 kids already so I want to give myself a break and would love to stay stable at 122 to 127 lbs max.

One of the reason I do that is that when I eat too much I get sick... not throwing up but stomac ache... so bad I spend lots of time in the bathroom after and have to go to bed if I want to get better ... and its takes hours to feel better... no fun at all.

I just registered here a few days ago and found out why I gain so much weight so easily... I can only have 1500 calories/day. No wonder... so that means since I always eat more then that slowly and slowly I will get one pound here and one pound there and one day I will wake up with 100 lbs to loose... I would be so discouraged to have to loose so much. So I want to watch it constantly so I don't get there.

The other reason I am so concern about my weight is the clothes I am trying to find. Nothing looks good... I have this big belly and the rest looks pretty ok but then with the belly nothing looks good so I can't buy any nice clothes...

Now my other problem is I am pregnant. I wanted to be so that's not bad news but I found out I gained 10 pounds the first month. I was 145lbs at my last check up which was still in my first trimester.

I am almost at my second now... 18.2 weeks pg due December 25, 2009.

So although I don't want to arm this baby I don't want to get fat... So I checked how many calories I should take daily and it says 300 more then your regular intake so meaning 1800 calories/day.

I find that hard to do but if I had someone that felt like me and we could help each other I would feel much stronger about it.

Walking for me helps a lot one time I was walking a lot and got down to 118 lbs without even noticing but now I don't have time to walk and besides I have a real hard time walking while pregnant. I get those handicap stickers at the end... my belly hurts so much then.

So I know its a long shot but is there anyone that is afraid of gaining weight while pregnant and is trying to watch and wants a buddy to help out?

Thanks and sorry for the long post...

Helene

I'm afraid too! I'm about your height and I'm currently 167. I'm 27 1/2 weeks pregnant with my second child. When I was pregnant with my son, I put on 40lbs in the last 20 weeks. The first 20 weeks I didn't gain a lb, so I thought I could eat whatever I wanted. Big mistake!

I never lost all of the weight from my first pregnancy. When I got pregnant with this one, I was 155 (obese for my height). I have put on 12lbs in 27 weeks and I am trying to keep my total weight gain under 20lbs. I get sick of people telling me "eat what you want, you have an excuse". They aren't the ones that are carrying a baby and they won't have to deal with losing 50 lbs. My goal is to get back to 120. That was my prepregnancy weight.

I have been drinking lots of water, to avoid fluid retention. I've been eating small frequent meals, to avoid heartburn. I have been eating 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and I have been eating less bread. My last doc visit (last week) I was 171 and now I'm 167 just from doing the things I mentioned. My goal is not to lose a lot of weight, but if I can maintain my weight or avoid extra weight gain that would be great. I haven't had the time nor energy to exercise, but I have an active job if that counts.

My fear of being obese comes from my family. My mother and 2/3 of her siblings are morbidly obese. My mom has been obese all of my life and she has tried numerous diets, pills, even a gastric bypass, but she has never (in my life) been under like 190. She's 5'2", so that's pretty big for her small frame. I don't want my life to be a struggle with obesity, so I have to take control now. Good luck with your pregnancy!

Most important is to talk to your Dr. about weight and what you can and cannot do.

Remember that you dont need to increase calories that much.

Even adding some healthy fats will help out a lot.

Try a hand ful of peanuts or almonds as a snack

Oh Camsmami, I am so happy I found someone who feels the same as me. Actually past the first trimester we can gain 1 to 2 pounds a week for the baby so 40 lbs in your last times was a good thing. You did really good.

When I am pg I always stop going on the scale at 160lbs so I probably get to 180 or so...

and me too this time I though oh I am pg so I can eat whatever but boom... I was 135 when I started and the following month at the doctor's visit I was 145 lbs... its not that we eat a lot its that we are short... that's our problem...

So when I hurd the news I was shocked. I though my God what will it be if I am not careful! So I started not eating meat and any bread cathegories for a week except for the weekend and I lost about 5 lbs which was good. I was making sure to eat eggs, lots of veggies and fruit and cheeses etc.

So now with no clothes today I am 137.4 lbs which is better. I would rather be back at 135 lbs but I am tring to stay at that at least... I won't mind gaining one pound a week or a little more but really don't want to get fat.

I don't have anyone fat in my family... my father has the belly and I get his genes... so I just have to watch... its so hard cause my dh always buys me chips, cookies and all sorts of things I love so it really doesn't help... he was gone last week so I was able to eat better... having all the food cathegories but in small portions and lost a little. He makes nice suppers with lots of meat and rice etc so last night I didn't take the rice... that helped. But I had a french vanilla so that was a killer.

I can't have any deserts at all or cappuccino or anything extra and eat small portions... it's so hard I don't know how long I can do it.

I would love to be 122 after the baby and a few months of recupering... so maybe we can help each other... that would be encouraging.

I think your weight is good for being 27 weeks... that is excellent you are doing great.

Good luck and thanks.

Helene

Hi Spuck, yes I do eat almonds and nuts, and cheses and eggs etc. I eat very good... just trying to watch the bad fat you know.

Helene

I'm not preggo, but I definitely fear getting fat when I get pregnant and not just baby weight I'm talkin gaining more than I'm supposed to. Right now i'm around 147 and I'm 5"6. The suggested 25-35 lbs the doctor suggests would put me close to the 200s, and that scares me.

Sounds liek you two ladies are doing well you know what habits to decreas and which new ones to increase. Keep up the good work!

When I do get preggo I'm going to be in here even moreso to help maintain good healthy pregnancy liek you ladies.

Wow amayou, what a nice encouraging post you give up today. I am so glad someone understand that gaining weight for the baby is healthy but getting fat just cause you are pregnant is not... Nobody understands that where I am they all say I am not giving my child a good start...

thank you so much.

Are you ttc (trying to conceive)? I look forward to hear from you again.

YOu are uplifting our spirith.

Helene

Secaly, you are doing really good! My goal is to be the same weight as I was when I got pregnant (155) towards the end of my pregancy. I'm due October 22. It looks like I just might be able to drop another 10lbs of my fat (not the baby's weight) in the next 12 weeks.

My dh is so slim and he encourages me to eat wings, burgers, fries and junk, because he does it without gaining weight. He doesn't understand that I can't do that. Especially not now. He's a sweetheart though. He tells me that I look good at this size even though I know he's lying through his teeth, lol.

I finally got a chance to take a walk today! I did 4 miles and I feel really good. I'm cooking chicken brushetta pasta tonight, so I had to burn a few calories before dinner. It's good to have someone on here that I can relate to. I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Thanks Camsmami,

Me too I am doing pretty good. Eating all the good stuff and counting my calories. So far in 3 days I am loosing 0.2 lbs a day... so if I keep this up I could loose about 1 lbs a week until me too I get back to what I started when I got pg at 135 which is doable. I am at 137.2 today... so in a couple of weeks I should be back at that and then try to maintain it throughout the pregnancy like you.

Me too my husband can eat whatever without gaining weight... well first he is 6"1' so that helps he is one foot taller then me plus he is more active then me and go to gym/fighting training a bit as a hobby. Soon I should be done my morning job (next week I only have 2 more days) and I will be done and will have the time to walk to my afternoon job. I am hoping to walk quite a bit if I can manage it pregnant??

I think its great that we can help each other and the encouragement can only help up keep our goals. Thanks for sharing you daily routine with me :)

See like last night my husband made tacos... I had too I was worried but my calorie count was still ok. Then he bought icecream puffs for desert so I said I could not have one... then he said it only has 100 calories. So I counted my calories and I was at 1,200 or so... so I took it and got up to 1,300 and a bit which was below my allowed 1,500. So that really helped to see I was allowed without freaking out...

This system is great.

Have a nice day

Helene

1800 is not enought calories to eat when you are pregnant!!!

You should add 300 to your burn meter not your eat meter.  You should be eating closer to 2000-2300 a day.

Pregnancy is not the time to try to lose weight, you should be focusing on eating high protein at least 100 grams a day and a low fat and proccessed food diet.  With lots of fruits and vegtables.

Please reconsider how many calories you are eating a day.

According to this calculator, at 5'1", 137 pounds, lightly active and in the second trimester (which starts at week 14), you are burning roughly 2400 calories each day (2100 when not pregnant).

My best advice is to eat when you're hungry. Don't load up on bad food but choose lots of fruits and veggies paired with a high-protein food (for example, an apple with peanut butter or light cream cheese; hummus with carrot sticks). The high-fiber in the fruits and veggies paired with the protein will keep you full for longer than filling up on junk. I'm also a big advocate for occasionally indulging in your cravings as long as it stays an occasional thing.

It is not advised to lose/maintain weight while pregnant unless it's recommended by your doctor. Even when recommended, you should be under constant medical supervision as there's no way to tell by yourself if you're losing fat or if it's effecting the baby.

I know it's difficult to gain the weight from pregnancy when you're already unhappy with your weight. However, the top priority during pregnancy should be the health of the baby and yourself, not the number on the scale. If your doctor has concerns about your weight gain, they'll let you know (mine sure did!).

I agree with hotharmony, please reconsider the amount you're eating.

Thanks for the advice ladies but I stick on my grounds. I know some of you will curse me for trying to stay fit while pregnant... actually my diet is better then it has ever been. I eat lots of vegetables and fruits all day and make sure to take my proteins, milk product and grain product.

For example instead of eating white bread (which my whole family did all my life) I now buy mutigrain bread which is way better. I also stopped eating any junk... just that alone stops you from getting more fat. I also replace meat with nuts at times like hazel nuts and almonds witch in most case are better then meat.

So no I am not worried about the baby's health... I am making sure nothing will happend to this baby ... also just let you know I don't burn 2400 calories a day. I sit at the computer all day and do nothing else... I don't exercice at all right now (no time)... lets hope that changes in a week and if I exercice then yes indeed I will eat more...

Just keeping a good balance is my goal.

Helene

Hotharmony and bier-Since I started my pregnancy at 155 (obese for my height 5'), it is ok for me to maintain my weight or even lose a few lbs during my pregnancy. I'm not on atkins, southbeach or any other crazy diet! I just cut out junk food, replaced it with fruits, vegetables, meat and whole grains. I already eat a lot of dairy, so no change there. In a typical day I have milk with my cereal, yogurt, and at least one serving of cheese.

I'm making much healthier food choices and it just happens to put my calories close to or under 1800 a day. Unless my doctor tells me otherwise, I will continue to eat this way and exercise. Pregnancy is not the time to go crazy and throw your good judgement out the window, it's a time to be the healthiest you have ever been. Meaning that if you were sedentary, you need to start moving around. If you ate a lot of fried foods and excess bread, you need to start eating those things in moderation.

Bier-it is a good thing to indulge in your cravings occasionally! I agree 100%, that's why I still buy ice cream (my weakness) and award myself with it a couple times a week. I also have a free day (sunday), because I go to my inlaws house and they always cook us whatever we want.

I don't think anyone here will curse you for trying to "stay fit" while pregnant. Eating the appropriate amount of calories daily, gaining the appropriate amount of weight and getting 30 minutes of exercise daily are all ways to stay fit.

The American Pregnancy Association recommends overweight individuals gain 15-25 pounds during pregnancy. And you were only 5 pounds above a healthy BMI for your height at 137 pounds.

As far as calorie burning goes, being sedentary means laying in bed all day doing nothing. Literally not moving a muscle. It's the amount of calories your body burns in order to function. Even sitting at a computer all day burns calories. I'm currently breastfeeding a 10 month old while eating 2100 calories a day and I'm losing weight. You burn more than you think while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Ultimately, it's your doctor's call. If s/he thinks you and baby are doing okay health-wise, then that's what's important.

Best of luck!

Original Post by camsmami:

Bier-it is a good thing to indulge in your cravings occasionally! I agree 100%, that's why I still buy ice cream (my weakness) and award myself with it a couple times a week. I also have a free day (sunday), because I go to my inlaws house and they always cook us whatever we want.

Ice cream is my weakness, too. Only, I can't limit myself to a few times a week. I have it every night. At least it's light and I can stick to the 1/2 cup serving! 

ETA: I know nothing about being obese while pregnant. Everything I've read about obese pregnancies simply says "Consult your physician," including the weight-gain topic. I know I've seen many-a-show featuring obese pregnant women who, under the care of a nutritionist and an OB, lose a significant amount of weight during those 9 months.

Totally back you up camsmami. Me too when I started my pregnancy I was overweight (as the BMI says and I also know) and its ok for me to to maintain or loose a tiny bit only cause I am eating healthier... isn't it the whole point... change the crap for healthy foods and you will loose the FAT

Me too I let my cravings wins at times like at lunch I had a banana sandwish with butter which I know is a killer... but the bread is wholegrain and banana is great... only the butter is a killer :) That meal was 500 calories... I think its ok for lunch

Helene

I have already eaten honey combs cereal, a strawberry banana smoothie and some leftover brushetta chicken pasta from yesterday and I'm at about 1300 cals so far. I guess I have to eat a light dinner. I haven't had any fruit yet (except for the smoothie), so I'll eat an apple, a banana and peach yogurt.

I'm not doing bad so far... I am at 1,475 so I could have a fruit also.

We are doing so good.

Helene

There is a distinct difference between watching your weight and getting a healthy amount of exercise while pregnant and dieting to lose weight.  You definitely want to pay attention to what your doctor tells you.  I found this online which seems to make a certain amount of sense.

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenat alhealth/physicalhealth/weightgain/

Basically, different parts of the baby will have different weights during the developmental process and you need to be aware that this weight is separate from your actual weight.

http://www.marchofdimes.com/files/MP_Maternal Obesity040605.pdf

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a tool for representing weight status by measuring weight for height. BMI is not valid while pregnant and should be measured pre and post-pregnancy.

...

Weight Matters—For the Health of Both Mother & Baby
Women of childbearing age and their health care providers should work together to assess and address this important health issue before, during and after pregnancy. Health care providers can do the following: Recommendations for ALL women (including
preconception):
• Inform & counsel women about the health risks associated with overweight and obesity

• Encourage a healthy diet as outlined by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_823.asp *Diets that restrict particular food groups are
discouraged, especially during pregnancy
• Screen for hypertension and diabetes mellitus in women who are at risk
• Counsel women to consume adequate folic acid, iron and calcium
• Encourage regular exercise (> 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily)17
• Counsel women to quit smoking

• Counsel women to avoid consuming alcohol
during pregnancy During Pregnancy (prenatal) Recommendations “for ALL women” PLUS the following:
• Discuss recommended weight gain during pregnancy (see 1990 IOM guidelines)
• For women who are attempting to or have quit smoking, continue support to prevent relapse After Pregnancy (postpartum)
Recommendations for “for ALL women” PLUS the following:
• Encourage breastfeeding

• Counsel women to return to a healthy weight
• For women who are attempting to or have quit smoking

Thanx for the article! I'm not dieting per say, but I'm making better food choices. I still eat the occasional cake or icecream (daily, lol), but I also try to incorporate milk, fruit, meat, veggies and whole grains. Losing weight is just a side effect of adopting healthier habits. Before I joined this forum I was eating about 3000 calories a day and that is too much for my height/weight. I should only have about 1800 cals a day even while I'm pregnant. I'm not very active so 1800 is just enough to maintain my body and my baby.

Hey Camsmami, how are you doing? I got a bad news a couple of days ago that my baby boy has down syndrome so I kinda ate a lot yesterday... so of course I gained 1.2 lbs... imagine if I gainned that everyday.

We had spagetti and I knew it was going to be a killer... anyhow. I guess I am going to have to be extra careful today.

Helene