Anyone else watching their weight? « Back to Group Discussions

[Just1More]

I'm starting this pg out heavier than I've ever been, and I always gain 60 pounds when pg.  I really, really don't want to do that again.  It has always come right off, but last time, because I've been able to sleep so little, it didn't the same.  Actually, I think I must have gained more than that last time.  I've lost 65 pounds, and still have about 15 that I'd like to loose.

I've been googling recommendations, and it seems that you only *need* about 2000 to 2200 calories when pg, and that only in the last trimester.  So, I think I'm going to shoot for that, or a little more.  I don't want to be a slave to it, or worry about it too much, but I just feel like I really need to pay more attention this time around.  Also, my body seemed to be groaning under the weight last time.  I don't want to stress it so much this time. 

Thankfully, my cravings are for low calorie foods: fresh fruits and veggies, plain popcorn, etc.  I'm hoping that I can just snack on that stuff all day, and have (3) 500 calorie or so meals a day, and not starve.  I mean, I will eat if I am hungry, but usually I'm eating, eating, eating all day.  I figure if I eat baby carrots instead of brownies, maybe it will make a big difference. :)

Total, I hope to gain only about 20 pounds.  My babies are big, but maybe that's because I gain a lot?  They've ranged from 8.5 to 9.5 lbs.  It would be hilarious to me to have a 6 or 7 pounder.  It would feel like a baby doll!  (I'm not going for that, by the way, just curious if that will happen).  I'm a little scared of the labor if it does.  My big babies come fast...will a smaller one come faster?  Ack!

Anyone else?   

[janellody]

I think it's totally fine to watch your calories.  Gaining 20 is healthier than gaining 60 and I have already gained 10 so I am hoping to slow way down when m/s leaves me!  Good luck, I will be doing the same as you!

[cristeen]

It is not considered safe to restrict calories during pregnancy.  By all means, be aware of what you're eating, and choose carrots over brownies anytime feasible.  But actively restricting your calories can cause unforeseen problems, including placental failure and premature birth.  You would be much better off working on healthy choices.

You should keep in mind that birth weight is genetic and has little to do with maternal weight gain.  You should also keep in mind that if you're starting this pregnancy heavier than before, your weight gain may just be that much less than before.  Most women's bodies have a set point they like during pregnancy, and women often find they get to that point with every pregnancy, whether it means gaining 50 or 15.  I would suggest keeping a food diary and a (weekly) weight log rather than counting your calories right now.  After a few weeks of that, discuss it with your midwife if you feel your weight gain is unreasonable or you're struggling with food choices.  But making a blanket decision to count your calories during pregnancy, and restricting them to what amounts to an arbitrary number is not a choice I would recommend. 

As for total weight gain, some women need to gain 50 to properly nourish their child, some women just can't do it at 20.  A lot of it depends on your body type, your genetics, and your dietary history.  You should also research what your baby is doing right now at this stage of pregnancy.  There are stages of pregnancy where you can expect to see a sharp weight gain for a few days/weeks and then nothing for quite a while.  Just because you've gained X lbs in Y weeks doesn't mean the entire pregnancy is going to maintain that same level, particularly if you're making smart food choices. 

[Astraia]

I think the smart food choices is the wisest course. The idea of counting calories makes me nervous (what happens if you go over the wanted calories, but you're still hungry?) but if you can get the most nutrition for the lowest caloric punch (ie, eating spinach salad over cesear; homemade fruit smoothie over a storebought milkshake, etc) Just please please don't neglect the fats- good and bad, I don't believe in bad fat- and protein. Find healthier ways to indulge in the things you love, like a black bean chocolate fudge instead of the pan of brownies.

I also really really don't want to gain a million lbs this pregnancy. I went up to my highest weight ever with my second pregnancy, and weighed in at 185 a few days before he was born when my comfortable weight is 135. I'm finally back to where I want to be and am scared of gaining so much weight- but I definitely did the things you weren't supposed to do, like sit down with a pan of brownies. I was so freaking hungry all the time that it didn't seem to matter what I ate I still felt like I was dying. My mom was the same, unfortunately. I'm hoping nutrient dense, healthful food will make a difference. I don't count calories because it seems like A. a diet and B. WAYYYY too much effort, but I can see where you're coming from.

[Just1More]

:)

I hesitated in starting this thread because I figured I'd get a lot of "that's unhealthy" or "unwise" posts. 

I'm not doing anything extreme.  Just saying I'm paying more attention.  I'm not actually counting calories in a neurotic weight watchers kind of way.  More like..."huh, check it out...a milkshake at burger king has 1000 calories.  I probably won't eat a sandwich and fries, too" kind of way.

I'm a big fat/protein person, too.  I only use real butter, and liberally.  We eat grass-fed beef and local farm-raised chicken, and plenty of cheese.  I use lots of olive oil, and we definitely believe in dessert.  I'm not cutting any of that out.  I'm just spacing out when I eat a little more, and being content with a scoop of ice cream instead of three.

Mostly, I'm just not eating much junk.  I am eating when I am hungry, but really listening to the full cue.  Also, I'm keeping a bit of a mental guage.  Just flipping the container around and checking the calorie/serving size.  If it's 3p and I've only had 1000 calories or so (again, not an exact number, just a rough mental estimate), then I'll go ahead and have that cookie with the kids.  But, if it's 3pm and I'm looking at 1800 calories, maybe I'll eat a pile of baby carrots instead. 

Restricting calories is not the same thing as trying to stay within a reasonable, recommended number of calories for pregnant women.  If I were cutting it down like a diet, that's not good.  But eating a reasonable number is a better option. 

[janellody]

I think eating a reasonable amount is a great idea still, from experience with others I know who are pregnant and advice they have gotten from professionals, I think it is fine.  No need to splurge and gain a ton of weight just because you can, I am going to try not to!  I will be watching what I eat more than the amount of calories I eat, but all in all it's similar to me.

[manamakeri]

I think my weight gain problems stem more from drinking a lot than from eating a lot. I remember drinking chocolate milk and orange juice all the time with my first pregnancy. This one I've been drinking lots of lemonade and sweet tea. I'm sure if I could cut out all the empty calories from drinking I'd be able to maintain my weight better.

I gained 60 lbs with my first, and I do not want to repeat it. I looked and felt like butt at the end. No glow here. I'm certainly not counting calories though. It's all I can do just to get through the day right now; I couldn't add in something else that needed to be done. 

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by Just1More 

I hesitated in starting this thread because I figured I'd get a lot of "that's unhealthy" or "unwise" posts. 

I can see that. I tried to stay aware of that in my post, that it's really hard to get across what you mean when you can't read people's facial expressions and explain in further depth before they have a chance ot be like, "WAHT!? Diet!?!"

Part of my concerns come from a friend of mine who was obese (I hate that word) when she got pregnant, and was councelled by her doctor that she was "allowed" to gain a maximum of 5 lbs during the pregnancy, and was on a serious diet, counting calories to try to maintain that and it made me so angry.

I definitely think you have it right- making wise food choices, figuring out what you ate that/day week to see if you can indulge in something that is purely without nutrition.

mamamakeri- water it down! It obviously doesn't taste the same, but after awhile hte full-strength stuff will be way too sweet for you. I drink predominantly juice all the time, but I water it down so it's only about a 1/4 juice.

[mama4peace]

I guess I am technically watching my weight, but I wouldn't consider it dieting or calorie counting. I don't obsess over calories I just try to make healthy eating choices (carrots instead of chips, yogurt instead of icecream...etc) I try to keep the junk food out of my house. It's hard because I do crave those bad for you foods but I don't obsess if I give in and eat them. I notice my energy and just they way I feel is fantastic when i eat better!

[cookie_]

I wouldn't call it watching my weight exactly, but I do think that I'll try to be a little more conscious this time around. I didn't gain a ton last time, but I also didn't lose it all either. I came down with some kind of weird post-partum arthritis-like pain in my feet, and for a good 4 or 5 months, it was really painful to walk. I feel like I lost some momentum with losing the pregnancy weight because of that, and while bfing helped, it was not a magical cure-all for me like it seems to be for some lucky ladies. So I'm starting out heavier (probably 125ish, when my comfortable, i-feel-healthy weight is about 110-115 (I'm short with a small frame), and I already feel kind of poufy and uncomfortable.

Last time around, my midwife's advice was, "Eat what you want, within reason. If you want some ice cream, have a scoop of ice cream, not the whole pint. Have a cupcake instead of a whole slice of cake. Balance it all out with tons of fruits and veggies, make 1/2 of your dairy low-fat, be liberal with olive oil and avocados, be sure to get in lots of lean protein in whatever way is best for you."  This is the way we eat for the most part anyway, but I did possibly over-indulge in sweets/empty calories a little more than needed last time. This time, just trying to be a little more conscious. Now that I'm chasing a toddler around all day, I don't really have the same opportunities to indulge in sweets anyway!

[JynxGirl]

I'm diabetic. Everything I do is about restriction and watching what I eat and calories and carbs. 
You want to freak someone out? Don't tell them (or forget) that you're diabetic, and tell them that you're only allowed 30g of carbohydrates for breakfast. That's 2 pieces of bread or 1/2 of a bagel... People spazz on you. :P

I'm also watching my weight while I'm pregnant. I'm just under 250 lbs right now, (thank you insulin) and have been told I'm not supposed to gain more than 10 lbs. I'm aiming for as healthy as I can eat without breaking our bank accounts.

[SolaSola]

I am also concerned about weight gain this pregnancy.  I gained almost 60 lbs with my last and have never really lost any.  I am 5'9" and have an ideal weight of about 135 to 140.  I am 11 weeks pregnant and weigh 180.  I am concerned about how the weight affects my joints , knees and energy level.  I  have a two year old and she is very active. 

I am cutting out sugar.  I am also reducing my wheat intake and replacing it with gluten free items (I fear that food allergies contributed to the weight gain).  I eat alot of protein and veggies, goat dairy and fruit.   I make myself walk every day.   I also pay attention to how I eat.  Do I eat beyond fullness?  Am I hungry or bored?  Am I eating to for emotional comfort?    I am just paying more attention to my eating habits, specifically when I eat for emotional comfort.

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by SolaSola 

I am also concerned about weight gain this pregnancy.  I gained almost 60 lbs with my last and have never really lost any.  I am 5'9" and have an ideal weight of about 135 to 140.  I am 11 weeks pregnant and weigh 180.  I am concerned about how the weight affects my joints , knees and energy level.  I  have a two year old and she is very active. 

I am cutting out sugar.  I am also reducing my wheat intake and replacing it with gluten free items (I fear that food allergies contributed to the weight gain).  I eat alot of protein and veggies, goat dairy and fruit.   I make myself walk every day.   I also pay attention to how I eat.  Do I eat beyond fullness?  Am I hungry or bored?  Am I eating to for emotional comfort?    I am just paying more attention to my eating habits, specifically when I eat for emotional comfort.

Gotta be really careful if you're replacing breads, pastas, etc with gluten-free versions. A lot of gluten free foods have less nutritional value than the things they're replacing and higher sugar content. Totally sucks :( But yeah, food allergies could definitely be an issue. I hope it helps!

I keep telling myself I'll make good food choices, but I definitely ate an entire bag of chips last night :( Oops.

[sosurreal09]

So with DD I gained-get this- 96lbs! I was the thinnest I have ever been in my life when I got pregnant (and that was 160lbs...). When I graduated HS I was 210...

So I got back down to 160 after I had her and was on an extreme elimination diet...after I could actually eat food again, I got back up to 200lbs. Right now I am 210lbs...

I am nursing my 2 y/o as well and do not want to restrict my food/calories. I am trying to eat mainly primal/paleo. I am going for high fat/high protein.

My only real problem right now is I am having wicked aversions to veggies...I have not been craving sweets or anything though.

[Kamiro]

Now that I am feeling better, I plan on definitely watching my weight. I don't do calorie counting, but my plan is to make healthier decisions - kinda like you. I am starting this pregnancy 30 pounds over what I gained during the last 3 pregnancies. Woops.

My goals are to eat more of the rainbow, and I am not talking skittles.

Super salad!

I made up a batch for the next 3-4 days:

Buttercrisp lettuce

Carrots (food processed to teeny chunks)

cilantro

spinach

basil (ok didn't have any today, but in my usual batch this would be it)

celery in little chunks

green onions

broccoli (just florets)

Thats the base of my super salad.

To add to it I have choices of

tomatoes

eggs

cucumbers

apples

oranges

turkey

kidney beans

cottage cheese

shredded cheese

beets

salad toppers

sunflower seeds

You get the idea....

For dressing I use whatever I like, ranch or balsamic vinegar. It's all good.

By the time I am done making my salad, it may be a 20 gram of fat salad with the cheese and vinegar oil on it, but it is good, healthy and filling food for baby and me.

So, I totally get the watching my weight. I am going to eat more raw foods, more vegetarian foods and more wholesome meat and potatoes meals. ;) If I gain 60 pounds this pregnancy eating this way, I'm confident it will come off quick.

[Kamiro]

oh but as a btw - if I want to eat a pan of brownies (they do sound good all of a sudden) I won't stress that either. lol

[sosurreal09]

How is everyone doing? I somehow gained 23lbs so far and am still nursing at that!

[Kamiro]

As of two weeks ago I have gained 6 pounds. I started out with 60 pounds extra though :)

[janellody]

I haven't weighed in a couple weeks but have gained at least 25.. UGH!  I wish I threw up more LOL. 

[sosurreal09]

I never got morning sickness! I am STARVING this week though and I certainly don't want to limit food. Obviously mamas with curves have a high risk of pre-E and GD but I was 238 when I gave birth to DD and didn't even come close to having high BP or GD. I still don't want to gain too much though and I certainly don't want my MW to worry about complications b/c I'm fat LOL