[DeChRi]

Just having a day, so bear with me, then feel free to post whatever petty irritation you have.

With DD1 I started out at 144lb, was not exercising at all, and while not overweight, was about 3 sizes bigger than I am now when not pregnant. I walked and stuff with her, ate pretty cruddy, gained 27lbs, and at my 6 week PP appt was down to 140lb.

8 years later I got preg with DD2. At that point my life had taken a turn and I had spent a few years as a personal training, had done fitness competitions, and was in stellar shape. I was about 140lb, but again, 3 sizes smaller due to added muscle and better body comp. I ate incredibly well, ran 2miles 3x week and weight trained hard and heavy right up until I had her. I gained 32-35lbs with her, and lost it all within a couple months, but took my body a lot longer to get put back together the same way, lol.

This time I was even in BETTER shape when getting pregnant. A lean and solid 133lbs. I am 27 weeks and running 3 miles a couple times/week, doing interval training the other days for cardio, maintaining a hard and heavy weight lifting routine, and eating clean as can be. And damn if I am not on track to gain even more than the last time! LOL.

What the hell is that?? Now rational me knows that the weight will come off quickly, that I am lucky be able to maintain this activity level, and all of that....and I am very glad....but sometimes I want to throw up my hands, stop dragging a$$ to the gym so much, and sit home and bake cookies with my toddler, as it must not matter.

The TOTALLY petty side is that the group of woman I am friends with from the gym all worked out during their pregnancies crazy hard too, and all gained like 17lbs, had 6lb babies at 36/37weeks, etc. I carry to 40w+ and have 8-9lb-ers. (Not that I mind the duration and baby weight etc...I like my big babies!).

It really makes me think we are genetically set up add a certain amount. If one more of the 17lb gainers club at the gym (in their spandex and sports bras) as me how much I have gained, I may sock them one. I bet I can still out bench press or out squat them, lb for lb, at 27 weeks pregnant. SO there.

Ok, I am done. I think I may go eat a freaking cookie.

 

[emnic77]

This is just a thought because I know nothing about this subject, but if you are thinner and leaner this time around, you likely have a lower BMI, right? So you probably need to put on more fat stores for breastfeeding? Do you think that could be what's going on?
At my skinniest, with DD, I weight 98 lbs pre-pregnancy. I gained over 50 lbs with her, my BMI was just below the "underweight" mark. I wasn't painfully skinny, I'm small framed and had nothing in the T&A department.

I lost it all just a few weeks post partum (except actually kept a butt, which was a nice bonus!), it melted off me like butter with breastfeeding.

I was 10 lbs heavier than that with DS, and I gained considerably less weight. All my weight gain in pregnancy this time and with DS is in my thighs and butt, and hopefully like last time, it'll melt off with breastfeeding again this time.

But I would think if you're starting out with a lower BMI your body is going to want to store some fat reserves somewhere for those first few weeks of breastfeeding. What do you think about that theory?

 

[tippy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeChRi It really makes me think we are genetically set up add a certain amount. If one more of the 17lb gainers club at the gym (in their spandex and sports bras) as me how much I have gained, I may sock them one. I bet I can still out bench press or out squat them, lb for lb, at 27 weeks pregnant. SO there. Ok, I am done. I think I may go eat a freaking cookie.

i think you hit the nail on the head, mama. we are all just SO different there is no way to figure out what the "norm" is, which sucks for someone like me too b/c i want to be able to see if i'm on the right path. and i'm sure you want to be able to compare you last pgs and see if everything is headed in the right direction. but yea things vary so much from person to person/pg to pg. why must our bodies be so complex - lol.

but i commend you for being in such good shape, and keeping up your workout routine during pg. i teach an aerobics class myself, and have been lucky enough to keep doing it while pg. i teach 3x/wk and on my days off i do water aerobics. i hear that all the activity will help during labor/recovery, which is what i'm hoping. if it doesn't, i'll be ticked too - lol.

 

[DeChRi]

Emnic, I totally think you are right. (Typing from my phone on an elliptical at gym, lol). It's just a real head game for me to work so hard for what feels like backwards progress. Rationally I totally don't feel that way, but the irrational part does. I think also because I am starting to hit some fitness walls I never hit with my last pregnancy. I struggle feel like I "can't" push through a physical limit, ya know? Then baby girl kicks the heck of my ribs and it's all okay again.

 

[katelove]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeChRi Just having a day, so bear with me, then feel free to post whatever petty irritation you have.

Thanks, don't mind if I do

My gripe is that, pre-pregnancy I was seeing my personal trainer 4 times/week (and had been for 3 years) and working out pretty hard each time. I wasn't as fit as you DeChRi but I was going ok. I wasn't overweight but I wanted to lose a few kilos to feel better about myself. I had gained a few happy pounds when DH and I got together.

Now I admit that I had a month off when we went overseas but we walked everywhere so I wasn't *totally* idle. M/S started on the last week of our trip and I didn't get back to the gym until January

Since then I can barely make it through one session a week. I have no stamina, no exercise tolerance. I am a complete weakling. I'd planned to keep up the 3-4/week regime and be fit and prepared for birth. Not going to happen and it makes me a bit cranky.

I feel ok about my wieght gain, pretty much on track - just over 0.5kg/week - but I had been kidding myself that it was just my belly expanding. Tried on a pair of jeans this week and it's my thighs as well

Bring on the breastfeeding I say.

So DeChRi I'm not in your fittness league but I feel some of your pain.

Emnic thanks for posting b/f fat-melting stories of hope.

Sorry about the rant.

 

[DeChRi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katelove Thanks, don't mind if I do My gripe is that, pre-pregnancy I was seeing my personal trainer 4 times/week (and had been for 3 years) and working out pretty hard each time. I wasn't as fit as you DeChRi but I was going ok. I wasn't overweight but I wanted to lose a few kilos to feel better about myself. I had gained a few happy pounds when DH and I got together. Now I admit that I had a month off when we went overseas but we walked everywhere so I wasn't *totally* idle. M/S started on the last week of our trip and I didn't get back to the gym until January Since then I can barely make it through one session a week. I have no stamina, no exercise tolerance. I am a complete weakling. I'd planned to keep up the 3-4/week regime and be fit and prepared for birth. Not going to happen and it makes me a bit cranky. I feel ok about my wieght gain, pretty much on track - just over 0.5kg/week - but I had been kidding myself that it was just my belly expanding. Tried on a pair of jeans this week and it's my thighs as well Bring on the breastfeeding I say. So DeChRi I'm not in your fittness league but I feel some of your pain. Emnic thanks for posting b/f fat-melting stories of hope. Sorry about the rant.

I will offer some perspective here....
Even if you can get in and do SOMETHING...even if not the level you felt like you were before...you will be amazed how much it will help after birth. Picture this. You are not pregnant, but are going to do a 9 month workout program than involves slowly strapping more and more weight to your body. So every bodyweight or cardio exercise you do is with more and more resistance. You keep going. Then suddenly a big chunk of the weight is removed. You have built up some stamina and muscle from toting that around when exercising that helps fuel your metabolism when the extra weight is gone.

Example: with baby 2 I could do 11 pullups with my bodyweight before I got pregnant. I was pretty pissed when I kept doing the same thing throughout pregnancy and the week before DD came I was down to 5 (barely) pullups. I felt like I was at half the level I was. Then she came and a few weeks later I went back to the gym. Damned if i didn't bust out 14 pullups! Why? because I had been doing the gym equivilant to pullups with 30lbs strapped to me. When that came off, I had build muscle that made me stronger but didnt have the 30lb!

Not sure if that makes sense, but there is for sure added benefit to keeping moving, even as the pregnancy weight builds!

 

[DeChRi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tippy i teach an aerobics class myself, and have been lucky enough to keep doing it while pg. i teach 3x/wk and on my days off i do water aerobics. i hear that all the activity will help during labor/recovery, which is what i'm hoping. if it doesn't, i'll be ticked too - lol.

Good for you keeping up teaching! I would have a hard time with that just because of the commitment. If I needed to have a day of not working out and someone expected me to be full of energy, I might cry, lol.

 

[sweet_tart_vt]

Im so jealous of all you mamas that lose your baby weight while BF! Ive BF all 6 of LO's and of course plan to with this one as well, but mine just seems to sit there until I introduce solids, which with my last one wasnt until about 8mos. I am very small framed, (im 120lbs right now at 28wks4days and have gained 5lbs tops from having bad stomach issues up till about a month ago) and am five foot four. Here's how i gained with my babes:

#1 gained 13lbs: ds was 3 days late and weighed 7lbs 2 oz
#2 gained 23lbs: dd was a week early and weighed 7lbs
#3 gained 20lbs: ds was 8 days late and weighed 7lbs 12 oz
#4 gained 25lbs: ds was 14 days late and weighed 8lbs 14oz
#5 gained 20lbs: dd was 1 day early and weiged 6lbs
#6 gained 17lbs: ds was 6 days early and weighed 7lbs 6oz
#7 about 5 lbs so far...
I seem to have average size babes (with the exception of #4 lol) and gain under the "average", but it never comes off until my babes are between 9-mos to a year and then I lose it easlily. I exercise regularly and am very active, so I am wondering if my body just needs the extra weight while I am BF'ing becuz I am fairly small and my LO's eat *constantly* and are total milkaholics! lol (not that I mind). I have also tandem nursed several of my kids so maybe that is another reason why the weight sticks with me awhile?Has anyone else experienced this? usually you always hear that BF moms tend to lose their baby weight quickly. Just goes to show we are all diffferent huh?

 

[katelove]

Thanks DeChRi I hadn't thought of it like that. Makes me feel a bit better about it all. Thanks.

 

[theoldmommers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by emnic77 This is just a thought because I know nothing about this subject, but if you are thinner and leaner this time around, you likely have a lower BMI, right? So you probably need to put on more fat stores for breastfeeding? Do you think that could be what's going on?

First babe 7 years ago started out at 119lbs, ran 5 miles 3x/week and did ashtanga yoga. During pg obsessed about food, nutrients, weight, workouts and gained 40lbs. Lost it all in about 4 mos. BF, exercising and doing WW.

Now I'm over 40, started out at 146.6lbs, did lots of walking and did JM's 30 day shred a couple of times over the summer - so not a lost cause - but not what I was. During this pg I've eaten what the body seemed to want, some junk, but also lots of wholefood vegan stuff, fruit and green smoothies. I haven't been keeping track of nutrients or calories and have done *tons* of baking with DS. I walk 3.5 miles about 4x/week and occasionally some brief yoga. Overall I go super easy on myself and rest up a lot. I'm 27.5 wks and have gained just over 13lbs so far (with all the snow - no walking/exercising for 2 weeks and significant ingestion of baked goods!)

I have to say I feel more at peace and easy going this preg and feel like I'm doing the right thing. I have to say all that obsessing the first time didn't help me at all in labor/delivery, but maybe with the recovery. Hard to say. I think you just have to go with your instincts.

 

[tippy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeChRi I will offer some perspective here.... Even if you can get in and do SOMETHING...even if not the level you felt like you were before...you will be amazed how much it will help after birth. Picture this. You are not pregnant, but are going to do a 9 month workout program than involves slowly strapping more and more weight to your body. So every bodyweight or cardio exercise you do is with more and more resistance. You keep going. Then suddenly a big chunk of the weight is removed. You have built up some stamina and muscle from toting that around when exercising that helps fuel your metabolism when the extra weight is gone. Example: with baby 2 I could do 11 pullups with my bodyweight before I got pregnant. I was pretty pissed when I kept doing the same thing throughout pregnancy and the week before DD came I was down to 5 (barely) pullups. I felt like I was at half the level I was. Then she came and a few weeks later I went back to the gym. Damned if i didn't bust out 14 pullups! Why? because I had been doing the gym equivilant to pullups with 30lbs strapped to me. When that came off, I had build muscle that made me stronger but didnt have the 30lb! Not sure if that makes sense, but there is for sure added benefit to keeping moving, even as the pregnancy weight builds!

wow! i had not thought of it like that either. that makes total sense! and em, i like your theory too!!

luckily it hasn't been too bad. i have my days when i *definitely* don't want to teach. but i kind of just suck it up, and i *always* feel better afterward (b/c i actually dragged my booty to they gym and did something). i think teaching my classes has given me just the kick in the pants that i needed to continue to stay active, esp when all i want to do most days is stay in bed.

 

[DeChRi]

I think if we have another baby, I will just start loading DH with a weighted vest as I gain weight, and see how much his fitness level increases, lol.

 

[emnic77]

Great point about the working out during pregnancy. That gives me more motivation to keep up on the stationary bike because I keep feeling like I'm slowing down so much and it's discouraging. I needed a new way to look at it, that absolutely helps.

 

[KSDoulaMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by emnic77 Great point about the working out during pregnancy. That gives me more motivation to keep up on the stationary bike because I keep feeling like I'm slowing down so much and it's discouraging. I needed a new way to look at it, that absolutely helps.

This, pretty much exactly. I have been faithfully getting myself to the gym 3x/week and up until this week I was feeling great. My pregnancy didn't seem to be affecting my abilities or my stamina. Now that my belly is getting bigger, it is uncomfortable for me to move. I'm also slowing down and I get tired more quickly. It's good to remind myself that I am still doing something positive, because it FEELS like I am getting lazy!

 

[DeChRi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSDoulaMama This, pretty much exactly. I have been faithfully getting myself to the gym 3x/week and up until this week I was feeling great. My pregnancy didn't seem to be affecting my abilities or my stamina. Now that my belly is getting bigger, it is uncomfortable for me to move. I'm also slowing down and I get tired more quickly. It's good to remind myself that I am still doing something positive, because it FEELS like I am getting lazy!

I like to think of it like this....

If I were to set up a 6 month lifting/training program for myself to really get my strength and muscle density up, I would eventually lower my reps and make my weights I am lifitn heavier. Starting with a couple months of like 3 sets of 12, then a couple months of 4 sets of 10, but eventually maxing out at heaviest weights I can lift for something like 5 sets of 5 reps. So now, when the amount of reps I can do is going down, but my bodyweight is up 20lbs or whatever, I just count these last 3 months as my high weight low rep phase of my workout life.

 

[tippy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeChRi I like to think of it like this.... If I were to set up a 6 month lifting/training program for myself to really get my strength and muscle density up, I would eventually lower my reps and make my weights I am lifitn heavier. Starting with a couple months of like 3 sets of 12, then a couple months of 4 sets of 10, but eventually maxing out at heaviest weights I can lift for something like 5 sets of 5 reps. So now, when the amount of reps I can do is going down, but my bodyweight is up 20lbs or whatever, I just count these last 3 months as my high weight low rep phase of my workout life.

another great analogy!! and it makes perfect sense too!