Weight Loss while Breastfeeding

[cdmommie]

So seriously, What worked for you? I lost all my baby weight pretty quickly just from breastfeeding my first baby. But now #2 is 9 months old and I STILL have like 40 pounds on me. I loose a little and then It comes back. I feel like the breastfeeding is making it impossible to get this going. I can't diet too much because I don't want to risk my supply and my appetite is just enormous!!!

So, any success stories?

[pjs]

I'm only 2.5 months pp, but I lost 10 lbs in the past month. I ate tons of junk around the holidays ( we baked cookies for 3 days straight and then ate them ALL!) but then starting in 2010 I have gone low glycemic/gluten/grain free- so no rice, bread, pizza crust, pretzels, cookies, potatoes, turnips, carrots, etc. I'm thinking I'd have lost more if it wasn't for all those holiday treats!

[HeliMom]

My baby girl is now 9months old, I've lost 45 lbs since the day after she was born.

I find jogging really helpful. I'm a member of the YMCA, and it's about a 15 min walk to get there. I go there jog for 30 mins while they watch the baby (free babysitting at my Y while you are there in the facility) and then we walk home.

I do this just as I'm starting to get hungry(when it is not time to eat), I drink lots of water and by the time I get back I'm so distracted I can make it to dinner time.

I still slip up and stuff, I haven't lost any weight in the past month really maybe 1 lb. But when i stick to it it works. I also manage to get a 1/2hr just to myself 6 days a week

[lifeguard]

nak
no advice but can commisserate.ds is alnost 15mos & i still have ALL my pregnancy weight despite working out aggressively & really watching my diet.

[Sk8ermaiden]

I'm doing weight watchers. You get a bajillion points if you're a nursing mom, and I have found that as long as I choose decent foods I am fuller than when I ate whatever I wanted but didn't pay attention.

I have tenuous, already-low supply, that has not been negatively impacted in any way. I am also STARVING all the time (or was, rather).

My progress has been moderate, but steady.

[hotharmony]

I have been doing South Beach diet and it really has worked for me i have lost 10lbs since November. However before that I was just cutting calories and exercising and lost a total of 40lbs that way.

I think it's mostly a myth that you will loose your supply by dieting while breastfeeding, I would just start writing everything you eat down and try to stick between 1500 and 1800 calories a day if your not exercising. But drink at least 70oz of water a day to stay hydrated.

[Sk8ermaiden]

Wow, no way I could survive on that few cals while nursing! WW has me at a bare minimum of 1900 a day (it's 500 extra for BFing), and very frequently more.

[Lilly Milly]

I use myfooddiary.com and it is good because it helps you stay within a window for calories. 1800 is you minimum for breastfeeding but you get more calories if you work out because it is designed to offset those calories against your eating calories.

I haven't been losing weight quickly at all, but at almost 6 months pp I have 5 lbs to go. Slow and steady which is great for maintaining a healthy metabolism. Most of my weight came off in the first couple months and then I had about 12 pounds to go...so I've been losing about 1.5 lbs a month?

[*MamaJen*]

I'd focus on making sure you're getting some exercise at least three times a week -- like popping the babies in a stroller or sling and taking a brisk walk, getting workout DVDs, or joining the Y or a gym. Also, reasonable portion control is good. I would never go hungry while breastfeeding (or any other time, for that matter ) but try doing things like measuring portions. If you want seconds or a snack, drink a glass of water, wait 10 minutes and see if you're still hungry. And make sure anything you're snacking on is nutrient-dense and not junky empty calories.

[bluegirlpdx77]

Similar boat

My baby is 7 months...I still have a little to lose, but mostly it's my tummy...every time I eat I look 3 months pregnant. I have been using an iphone app called LoseIt. It is great for tracking calories/activities. I don't use it all the time but on days when I know I snacked all day, I can check if I went way over my target calories...you can search by food and I actually find it kind of fun to do sometimes. I add 500 calories a day for 'exercise' i.e. breastfeeding.

[ithappened]

Im like pjs-- the holidays ..

I have been trying to get exercise 30mins everyday.. I also got rid of all the junk food in the house so it wasn't my default snack and switched it out for yogurt, oatmeal and homemade low fat granola, fruits.. etc I found I do most of my mindless eating at night so not allowing myself into the kitchen for sugar grazing has been my hardest habit to break. I make myself sit at the table when I want to eat so Im not just picking a candybar out from the fridge.. but making each time I eat more of a ritual...

I have 6 lbs to go, I've lost 2 this month..

[cdmommie]

Thanks for the ideas. I do use a calorie tracker on my phone and I am Walking 25 minutes a day and alternating the elliptical at the rec center and Pilate's in the evenings for about 30 minutes. But seriously, I AM POOPED! I'm exhausted.

I have been sticking around 2000-2200 (down from 3700 calories) but now that I have weaned my 2 year old I think I may cut it down just a tad more.

I have lost a few pounds so maybe this is really working and I am just not very motivated when it's not a BIG difference. Man I lost weight so so easy before having babies and now I am less than amused with the way things are going, lol.