Healthy diet & exercise?

[laurelg]

I feel like I have a handle on all the things I'm not supposed to eat, but I DON'T feel like I have a handle on how much I should be eating.

I was trying to lose some weight before getting pregnant - I am at the upper limits of the healthy weight range for my height, and I'd argue I'm overweight for my actual frame. I really do not want to gain too much weight during this pregnancy - I don't think it would be physically or mentally healthy for me to do so. (I recognize that the changes my body undergoes are largely out of my control - I probably will get gnarly stretch marks, my boobs will never be the same, etc... But I feel like weight is largely within my control, and I really want to take care of the things I can.)

Anyway, I guess my main question is this - what kind of caloric intake should I be looking at? Everything I've been reading says to basically add 300 calories to what I was eating before I got pregnant... but I was losing weight before. Should I add 300 calories to the caloric intake I'd need to maintain my current weight? I know I shouldn't try to lose weight while pregnant, and I can deal with that, but is there anything wrong with trying to change my body composition, as long as I'm eating enough - i.e. try to improve my BMI by changing the muscle to fat ratio?

I haven't been exercising much aside from taking the dogs for walks, so does anybody have suggestions for other "beginner" level exercise ideas I could get started with that wouldn't be harmful?

[mclisa]

I'd keep with the walking. You want to have your heart in good shape because labor will be quite the work out! I try to get in several miles a day, but I'll admit I havne't this week because of not feeling good, not sleeping well, and work.

I'd try to keep with the 300 calories a day and see how you do. If you aren't maintaining at that then eat more - more in healthy foods.

[annanicole]

I'd keep with the walking. You want to have your heart in good shape because labor will be quite the work out! I try to get in several miles a day, but I'll admit I havne't this week because of not feeling good, not sleeping well, and work.

I'd try to keep with the 300 calories a day and see how you do. If you aren't maintaining at that then eat more - more in healthy foods.


you walk several miles a day??? Crazy

I'm jogging and doing my regular weight routine. My lunges, and squats and leg lifts and situps. I'll tone back the situps around 20 or so weeks.

I also do Yoga and walk a mile to and from work.

Eat a healthy diet. And don't stress about it. If you lose a ton of weight, eat more. If you gain a ton of weight eat less.

I can only keep down very light foods right now.

[Moonprysm]

I've pretty far overweight, and I actually lost weight with DS' pregnancy. BUT that was what was healthy for me. I didn't throw up or anything, but I treated my body better during pregnancy than I did before, so even though the baby was getting bigger, my body was getting smaller, and there wasn't anything wrong with that. I wasn't TRYING to lose weight, I just did.

About a month ago I bought a treadmill and started running 3 miles a day. I've knocked that down to a mile and a half for the first trimester since I have a history of miscarriage, and then I'll work back up to 3 after that. I really don't think weight has anything to do with it. Personally, I stay off the scale when I'm pg (except when they made me at the OB). You'll know if your baby is growing. And if you're putting plenty of healthy food into your body, that's all that matters.

[KatyLinda]

I was in the process of loosing weight when I got pregnant. I am going to continue to eat healthy and exercise, though I did take the first 4 weeks off just to be safe because I have a history of early loss. My friend and I have been walking 2 miles several days a week over the past 2 weeks, and I started back to the gym this week. I am determined to be as healthy as I can so that I don't end up with the 60+lb weight gain + hypertension I did with DD that put me on bedrest. I am hoping for a much easier time by taking care of myself this time. :love

[crunchyma5]

I recently lost 40 lbs and I became pregnant the problem is that in order to stave out nauseau I have to eat something at least every 2hr. I was not a marathon runner or not even a steady runner what I have been doing is Leslie Sansone Walk away the Pound videos. I know what you mean this is a hard battle for me. Losing it then gaining it. I try to tell my heart that I have a healthy babe growing but my mind wants to scream dont gain all that weight again.

Anywhoo I have found I get a good little workout with Leslie Sansone workout DVD's.