I tend to gain in spurts, at least in previous pregnancies. In this pregnancy (15 weeks), I've managed not to gain anything. Of course, I also started out at my heaviest with this pregnancy, so I'm really making an effort to save weight gain for later. I think I gained about 40-45 pounds with my other two pregnancies (slightly more, perhaps, with the twins).
It helps me to weigh myself every morning at the same time (after peeing, before eating/drinking). I find that's the most consistent time of day for me, and even then my weight can fluctuate a pound or two depending on the day. If I've gone up a pound or two, I try to take it easy and choose more nutrient-rich but calorie-light foods. If I'm steady in my weight, I try to eat sensibly. If I'm low, I allow myself a little room to roam.
I'm hoping this weight-every-day strategy will help me avoid the large weight gain spurts I saw in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of my previous pregnancies. For my own health, I think it's best if I keep my weight gain in this pregnancy to about 15 pounds.
When I think back on my other pregnancies, the weight gain was my own fault--spurts included. I think we go through periods in pregnancy where our appetites and cravings go up, and I did not discipline myself as much as I should have in my other pregnacies. This time I'm trying to look at what my cravings are, find healthy replacements, or eat a small amount of the craving, or just balance out my splurge with lighter meals and snacks throughout the day. I've also had good luck with looking at the nutritional components of what I'm craving and replacing that...for example I was craving rich milk and ice cream, but when I upped my calcium supplementation, that seems to have gone away.
