Nursing, food, and weight.

[Juvysen]

Wellllllllll... so I had lost back down to my pre-pregnancy weight, and now I'm about 5 lbs up. I eat like a pig... I'm so starving all the time! I know I've been eating too many carbs (like pita chips - at least they're whole grain??), but GEEZ. So now I don't know what to do - do I hold back and feel like I'm starving all the time or do I not and keep on gaining? It's hard for me to tell how much I need b/c of the nursing. I know they say an extra 300 or 500 calories or whatever, but to be honest, calorie counting gets obsessive a little too easily and I also don't believe that a calorie is just a calorie (that is, some food makes you gain easier than other foods)... sooooo...

I dunno, maybe I'm just whining. BUT SERIOUSLY!! I'm nursing, and I just had a baby, I shouldn't be *gaining*

[october]

Same thing happened to me! 5 pounds exactly. So I started jogging for 15 minutes every other day and quit eating chips and cookies, and already lost 3 pounds. Thank goodness!

[catchthewind]

Originally Posted by Juvysen

Wellllllllll... so I had lost back down to my pre-pregnancy weight, and now I'm about 5 lbs up. I eat like a pig... I'm so starving all the time! I know I've been eating too many carbs (like pita chips - at least they're whole grain??), but GEEZ. So now I don't know what to do - do I hold back and feel like I'm starving all the time or do I not and keep on gaining? It's hard for me to tell how much I need b/c of the nursing. I know they say an extra 300 or 500 calories or whatever, but to be honest, calorie counting gets obsessive a little too easily and I also don't believe that a calorie is just a calorie (that is, some food makes you gain easier than other foods)... sooooo...

I dunno, maybe I'm just whining. BUT SERIOUSLY!! I'm nursing, and I just had a baby, I shouldn't be *gaining*

Personally as a nursing mother, if I'm hungry, I eat. I don't even know what I weigh right now, I've decided it doesn't help anything to know as long as I'm eating well and going out and walking/exercising most days. I agree that not all calories are equal, and if you're worried about weight I'd be more likely to watch what I eat rather than how much. I've read many times that it takes 9 months to gain it all, and often 9 months to lose it, and more if you're nursing. I think my breasts alone have an extra 5 pounds in them right now.

Also, is it possible you just had some normal fluctuation? With all those hormones we nursing mothers have, it wouldn't surprise me if my weight was all over the place at times too.

[Juvysen]

I dunno... I was in my pre pregnancy clothes 3 weeks ago and now I can barely squeeze into my fat pants and my wedding rings barely fit It's not so much about the number, it's about not wanting to have to spend money on other clothes and just feeling crappy in general.

[Sayward]

Originally Posted by Juvysen

I dunno... I was in my pre pregnancy clothes 3 weeks ago and now I can barely squeeze into my fat pants and my wedding rings barely fit It's not so much about the number, it's about not wanting to have to spend money on other clothes and just feeling crappy in general.

That sounds like water/bloating, *not* fat. =)

But I agree with pp, instead of limiting quantity, just focus on quality. Keep pre-cut veggies and hummus around for easy snacking. Also raw nuts and apple + pb can be very satisfying and is healthy. Drink big green smoothies and 'indulge' in plenty of healthy fats like coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado (these will keep you fuller longer and are great for your milk - and your skin). Eliminate processed foods!

Also make sure you're moving everyday. My weightloss was at a standstill until I began walking (fast-paced, with baby strapped to me) the dog for an hour each morning. I've dropped 6-8 lbs in the past 2 weeks!

[Sayward]

Oh also, try not to stress mama! *hugs*

[Juvysen]

Originally Posted by Sayward

That sounds like water/bloating, *not* fat. =)

But I agree with pp, instead of limiting quantity, just focus on quality. Keep pre-cut veggies and hummus around for easy snacking. Also raw nuts and apple + pb can be very satisfying and is healthy. Drink big green smoothies and 'indulge' in plenty of healthy fats like coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado (these will keep you fuller longer and are great for your milk - and your skin). Eliminate processed foods!

Also make sure you're moving everyday. My weightloss was at a standstill until I began walking (fast-paced, with baby strapped to me) the dog for an hour each morning. I've dropped 6-8 lbs in the past 2 weeks!

Yeah, maybe it is. I have been focusing more on... well, exactly what you said - hummus w/carrots, almonds, etc. the past few days...

[Carley]

Popping in real quick - it's a lot harder for me to overeat protein. We had some serious allergy issues going on & I've had to elliminate wheat/gluten, soy/legumes, dairy & nuts. I lost a LOT of weight/bloat in the first week after going without wheat/gluten (=carbs) & lose .5-1lb per week (Not aiming for more than that!).

I ate low carb prior to pregnancy (PCOS & medication related metabolic syndrome), so much of this is old news for me... but elliminating dairy, nuts & legumes has been trying.

I eat unlimited greens and veggies, some low glycemic fruits, sparse & small portions of sugary fruits (mangooooo), few starchy vegetables & lots of protein in the forms of animal protein & eggs. I don't know if you're vegetarian/vegan or not (I have NO idea what I'd eat at this point if I were, being that I can't have legumes [of all things! Ugh!]), so this might not apply to you at all.

I roast chickens like crazy so I always have something delicious to grab onto. I eat it with skin. I've also been crockpotting meats in broth with dark greens & other veggies - my favourite this week was tomatos, ground beef, collards & zucchini... SO good, even eaten cold & one handed. On the weekend DH grills up lamb sausages, beef & veggies so I get to eat on whatever leftovers we have

My "treats" is 1/2 oz unsweetened chocolate melted with 2g coconut oil, salt & Splenda (Splenda haters can clearly use whatever sweetener you want). Sometimes I eat it straight as fudge sauce, others I dip in a few strawberries or pour it over coconut or my flaxseed-egg concoction.

Here's the flaxseed egg-concoction:

3 egg whites (or 2 eggs)
2 Tbsp flax meal
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt & sweetener if desired

Whisk together & either microwave 1-1 1/2 minutes or double the recipe & pour onto a hot griddle as pancakes. Delicious with cinnamon or cocoa powder.

I can definitely overeat on the chocolate or the flax/egg thing, so I keep them as treats (snacks)... er... unless I "need" a chocolate muffin or pancakes for breakfast

My "green smoothie" as of late is 2 cups unsweetened So Delicious coconut milk, 2 Tbsp pumpkin seed protein powder, 1 handful spinach, 1 cup ice and peppermint extract (haven't gotten around to my friend's house for some fresh mint, but yeah. That would be awesome). It tricks the mind, you see. In appearance and taste it's a McDonald's shamrock milkshake! In reality it's green in the nutritious way.

Also, pumpkin seed protein powder is AWESOME. I like it WAY better than hempseed powder - it's actually delicious, even when I just stir it into some coconut milk. SO good.

If anyone else has healthy, lowish carb, wheat/gluten, soy, dairy & nut free snacks throw 'em my way

[Juvysen]

not veg*n, here... i lean more toward TF, but have sorta fallen off my journey in that direction. I need to figure out how to climb back on, i guess. Good tips, though, I'll have to find some pumpkin seed protein powder... where do you get it?

[Carley]

Town & Country Central Market - I bet they have it at Whole Foods though! I know what you mean about losing direction... I look at my run with carbs as pregnancy prozac.. mmm.... Now to shake that last 15lbs from artisnal sourdoughhhhhhh (it was SO worth it!!!)

[bizzylizzy]

Where does one find coconut oil? I've heard it touted as a wt loss miracle but have yet to find it.

[Juvysen]

in the oil aisle of the grocery store? Even our small local grocery stores have it here, and I'm not in an overly crunchy or ethnic area. It comes in a jar, though (it's a solid). You can also buy it online...

[judybean]

I haven't really gained, but I haven't lost anything either (that said, I did come out of pregnancy pretty much the same size as I went in... and went home in 'normal' jeans.. they do fit much better now though ). I've had trouble finding time to move though... and it hasn't helped that our weather has been quite dreary and just not condusive to being out. So I need to get moving more.

And food? gah. I've fallen off the good food wagon and hopped on the fast and easy one *shudder* ... I'd love to see what a *good* diet (diet being "eating plan" not "weight-loss plan") would do!

[gardenmommy]

Originally Posted by judybean

And food? gah. I've fallen off the good food wagon and hopped on the fast and easy one *shudder* ... I'd love to see what a *good* diet (diet being "eating plan" not "weight-loss plan") would do!

me too. although i am trying to grab more things like pre-cut veggies and prepared hummus, deli turkey (i can get a decent local variety), strwberries, nuts, hard boiled egg, etc.

i'm also trying to walk more, although i fell off that wagon in the last couple of weeks due to illness, bad weather, and being super busy.

[Carley]

Confessional: I just ate a gangload of the gluten/egg/soy/legume/nut/dairy free brownies we made as a "test batch" for Syd's school party on Wednesday

Carbs win again! Gah! I also roasted a chicken, though. I had my protein & veggies! Just with the addition of coconut oil, sugar, chocolate and rice/whatever type of "flour" is in GF packaged mixes BOY am I in a good mood now though

I got a gallon bucket of virgin coconut oil from Mountain Rose Herbs online - I've had it for a year now & it's still in perfect condition. I use it as a moisturizer & for cooking.

Crying baby! Bye bye!

(no more brownies tonight!)