[middlemamma]

Okay my fellow due in Feb's. I know Im supposed to be happy and all excited about my big pregnant belly...but I am less than excited. For a little background...

When I had my first child I was 225 when I got pregnant. I am about 5'9". I delivered at 267. After Caleb was born I worked hard to lose weight and get into better shape. I got down to 175. I was happy there, althought 165 was my ultimate goal. I gained about 5-10 pounds back over the course of 2 years. So I was between 180 and 185 when I got pregnant this time.

I am now 213, with 8 weeks to go. (if Im on time). I HATE what I look like. With my first baby I didn't care I was already fat and yuck. But man I ecpected to feel GREAT this time around because of the weight I had lost, but instead I dread EVERY pound I am adding. I refuse to go anywhere that I don't HAVE to go. I hate going out in public and we skipped every holiday party we were invited to. Ijust refused to try and look pretty when I feel SO ugly. My hubby will touch me and I just cringe cause I feel so repulsive. Of course he tells me that is not the case but I cannot shake it.

I know this sounds like I am superficial and only into appearance. Is there anyone out there who feels like me or am I pathetic? I just remember how hard I worked to try and get healthy again after years of carrying around so many extra pounds, it felt so good to look nice again, to get an occasional glance from the opposite sex here and there. Feeling ugly and unattractive again is not so easy this time around.

Just a side note...at 19 I weighed 160 in very good shape, I was a sprinter. I got a depo shot in April that year and gained 60 pounds over 3 months. The one depo shot stayed in my system for over 18 months and in that time I could not lose the weight no matter how I tried. I hurt both ankles and knees trying to continue running after the gain. Defeated, I was 23 before I treid to lose weight again and that was after Caleb was born. By 24 I had lost it (down to the 175).

Just hoping someone understands and doesn't think I am shallow

.

Jennie
MiddleMamma

 

[um_hanna]

Hi, I know how you feel..i was 188 when i got pregnant and am up to 202 as of the last visit a week ago...I have no energy lately, i am taking liquid natural iron and herbs which is helping but im still a slug....dont stress, drink more water and go to the mall to just walk, helps a little....im due mid feb so i have about 8 weeks to go also....good luck and cheer up...could also be the hormones that happen again like the beginning

 

[middlemamma]

Yeah, you are probably right...I am just looking forward to baby so I can start getting back into shape, and this time Im not quitting before I hit 165

. I know dieting isn't really reccommended if you are bfing, but is there anything out there conducive to losing weight AND healthy and ok for babe? Other than that I'll just have to work out an excersise plan.

Jennie
Middle Mamma

 

[wtchyhlr]

Jennie...

I'm sort of the opposite... I lost 40lbs literally right before getting pregnant. I'm convinced I never would've concieved without losing the weight. I have 6 weeks to go, and have gained 32 of it back so far. i'm kind of thrilled that my fat clothes from last year still fit, and i haven't had to buy new panties... I am not worried. The weight will come off. I know how to exercise, and i know how to eat right. Its more important right now for me to have excess fat to generate Breastmilk ...

I do know you cna do the second phase of South beach while breastfeeding.
But i'd really recommend getting a sling, and going on a daily walk w/baby.

 

[mcimom]

I'm at leigh anne's house and can't log in as me. It's me ekblad7+

YES! I do feel ugly and very fat. I started my parenting journey at 100lbs. I gained 65 lbs that first pregnancy and lost it all right away. I proceeded to do that again the next two pregnancies. After my fourth pregnancy I got down to about 130 lbs. I could NOT lose weight after my fifth baby. I weighed about 165 when I got pg this time and am at 220 right now. My husband is 5'10 and about 155lbs. He drives me crazy! He works out a million times/week. It's really bothersome. I'm embaressed. I'm ashamed to have sex with dh. I feel so gross.

 

[kavamamakava]

I don't think you're shallow

But I think you hurt yourself somewhere along the way. I'm feeling pretty large and I'm not used to it. I"m going to tip the scales over 200 lbs this pregnancy and I've NEVER been over 200. In fact, I was 125 when I got pregnant with my first. It feels so weird to me. I'm trying to just observe with ambivalence. I certainly don't feel pretty though. My face is all puffy and my nose gets big when I'm pregnant. I found a pic of me taken at Thanksgiving that I like so I'm holding onto that. But I certainly am not in the right frame of mind to have pregnancy portraits done or pose for family pics.
Love yourself, mama. You are growing a baby and it might make you feel ugly, but you're not. And remember, you are your worst critic. Go to parties and have a good time. It might make you feel better.
Weight Watchers has an excellent program for nursing mothers. I did it when my son was 6 months old and lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks. Then I got pregnant again.

 

[Parthenia]

Jennie,
I have mixed feelings about my figure right now. Sometimes I feel like a goddess, sometimes I feel like a car.
I'm also 5' 9", and was 180 when I got pregnant. I was trying to lose weight (140 is my goal.) When I last weighed myself I was 212, with about 7 weeks to go. When I look downwards at my belly, I think, how beautiful. Even when I look in the mirror, I don't think I look half bad. When I'm not pregnant, I have constant rosacea flare-ups, and my skin is currently not hyper senstive or constantly red. I've been really focusing on my face. DH and DD both compliment me on how beautiful I look, and coworkers often tell me that I glow.
When I look at pictures of myself it's a whole different story. I think, jeez I'm huge! I look like a VW Beetle!
OTOH, I really enjoy food, and not thinking about my weight when I'm pregnant. I love my happy skin, and as long as I avoid looking at pictures of myself, and believe my adoring fans, I love my belly, especially when it moves, and I'm reminded why I'm so huge.

I will be very happy not to have this enormous belly. I'm trying to make the most of this pregnancy because I'm pretty sure it will be my last. We live within walking distance of downtown of my, small, nice, and walkable city, so I plan to do lots of walking, breastfeeding, and loving not being pregnant.

You're not being superficial. Your body has changed, and you're working through that. It's not a permanent change, but if you've been in a mindset to get in shape and/or lose weight, having a big belly, even a healthy pregnant big belly, can be difficult to adjust to.

 

[tug]

jennie - i feel totally yucky. i'm 5'4". i think i started at about 139 and am probably closing on 200 now. i've gained more than with my first and i've outgrown almost all of my maternity clothes except the stretchy pants which are even stretched to their limit (and you can imagine how fabulous that looks). my face is absolutely round like the moon. my eyes are little pig squinters. i'm on pelvic rest and almost thankful for that because i feel so heinous-looking. i should enjoy this pregnancy because it is probably my last as well, but i am tired and sore -- partially, i think, just from being so big.

after the baby is born, i plan on eating primarily greens and beans and walking regularly. i had a lot of trouble losing weight after my first until i did the bean and greens thing so i'll plan on just jumping right into that this time. good nutrition for nursing and few wasted calories (carbs, sweets).

good luck!

 

[middlemamma]

Well its nice to know I am not alone...only having 8 weeks left is helping also. I had no success losing weight just from nursing the first time. BUT I also did not eat ONLY a healthy diet. After Caleb weaned and I went on a diet I did my own version of adkins with much success. So I think that same version will be fine. I didnt know at the time MY OWN VERSION was basically cutting out BAD carbs and still eating the good ones. lol. I know a lot more now and I think veggies and protien and lots of water may work for me too. Im going to be positive and start light excercise as soon as my check up. I'll get there....I am just a VERY impatient person. I hate WAITING!!!!

Jennie
Middle Mamma