My pregnancy with my daughter was not great. I didn't get sick at all, but I ate terribly. I had put on maybe 15 pounds before I had gotten pregnant because of depression and issues with conceiving. I gained another 70 pounds while I was pregnant. I gained a lot of bad habits too, like eating hardly any fruits or vegetables, eating lots of desserts, and eating whatever I wanted. I got into eating large quantities, and not restricting myself at all. Once I had my daughter, I continued to eat that way because it was hard to break out of that, and I didn't understand how my body worked. I feared that I needed to continue to eat that much so that I could keep up the demands of nursing. I lost the initial 25 pounds after having her, but struggled to lose any more. I went up and down for the 13 months I nursed her. I got a gym membership and would workout frequently, but my eating didn't change much.
After I weaned her, I lost 10 pounds in a week. My body likes to hold onto fat while I'm nursing. I heard about clean eating. I started trying that, but didn't have much direction or idea about what I was doing. I tried to eat mostly fruits and veggies and meats. I found a program a friend introduced me to, and I lost another 20 pounds. It was expensive though, and I quit doing it. I continued to lose weight, but still didn't reach pregnancy weight.
When I found out I was pregnant with my son, I weighed less than I had weighed in awhile, but still not where I wanted to be. I decided I could make the most of my pregnancy, and not gain more than 25 pounds. I walked 3-4 miles every day. I ate much better than I had with my first pregnancy. We were able to keep my pregnancy a secret until I was 20 weeks. I passed my 25 pound goal, and gained a total of 28 pounds, but my son was 9 pounds, compared to my daughter that was 6 pounds 4 ounces.
My son latched on the moment he was placed on my chest. He was better about a schedule, unlike my daughter, which I think helped with random fluctuation in hormones, and therefore weight. I did start out healthier, and had less weight to lose, but I also did some research. I didn't want to have a whole entire year of being unhappy with my body. I found out I needed 400 extra calories to support the nursing. I was more consistent with my water intake, and maintained a gallon of water a day. I noticed a huge difference when I didn't get enough water. I ate the right foods while nursing, I wanted to make sure I got the right nutrients for my son, and myself. I walked for a few months, and lost some weight.
Then I got introduced to the 21 Day Fix. I had an actual outline of WHAT specifically to eat, how much to eat (I added 400 calories to the formula), and only 30 minutes of exercise. When I first started exercising, any more than that was too much. I made sure to get enough rest. I watched the weight come off, and I wanted to cry. I had an idea in my head that I wouldn't be able to get below that number I got to before I got pregnant. I got to that number, and then I was worried about how my body would do if I got below that. I continued to make enough milk for my son. I reached the weight I was the day I got married. I reached the weight I was my senior year of high school. Today, I'm at the weight I was my sophomore year of high school, when I first hit puberty. I am at a healthy weight. I still have enough milk for my son. In fact, my milk is mostly cream. He is the poster child for breast feeding!
It is okay to lose weight while nursing. It is possible to lose weight while nursing. Getting the nutrients your body NEEDS while nursing is important. I have been happier this time around, and I've been through a lot this year, but fueling your body and getting exercise helps so much.
Another important tool I had this time around was Shakeology. It helps to have a quick meal like a shake when you're a busy mom of a new little one. It helped my milk supply, and my son is getting those amazing antioxidants, probiotics, and phytonutrients.
After my daughter, nursing seemed like a hard and hopeless phase I would have to go through to do something selfless for my child. Now, I see nursing as a wonderful bonding experience I got to have with both my children. I was able to fuel both of our bodies, and keep us healthy. Besides growing their bodies in pregnancy, it was the most important job I've had. I've loved working out, getting fit, and becoming healthy. I'm glad I didn't have to wait until now to gain all of that, and I'm so glad I didn't have to give up nursing, either.
It will be fun to see what happens after I'm done nursing again, and have my body to myself for awhile. I will miss nursing. My next adventure will be staying fit while pregnant!
If you're a nursing mom, or pregnant and going to be nursing, message me. I'd love to hear how you plan to lose your pregnancy weight. If you'd like to get help with someone who's done it before, I'd love to be your coach.
Thanks for the wonderful article. I have been using a diet and the results are amazing. I came across a keto product and I lost about 20lbs.
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