Body after baby

Julia - posted on 07/18/2009

I AM 30 LBS HEAVIER BUT I LOOK BETTER THEN EVER I WEIGH 152 NOW I WAS130 BEFORE I WAS PREGNANT I WAS VERY THIN NOW I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF HIPS AND THIGHS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LOOSE THIS STOMACH

Aubri - posted on 07/18/2009

I am just getting back on track with eating right and exercising. I include my 8 month old in all my workouts. I use a jogging stroller to rollerblade with her. Do lots of long walks. During the day I will dance with her, lifting her up and down for upperbody strength training. As I sway her to sleep, I will do lungs and squats. I will also lay her down and do push-ups over her which she gets a kick out of! I just try to sneak things in as I can. The weight is melting off since I started.

Also returning to a more "natural" diet- avoiding processed and refined foods. Trying to eat as much organic as I can afford :). Saying no to ice cream for 1 month to kick the everyday ice cream habit I picked up while pregnant. I chose to adapt to healthier eating habits rather than diet.

I am also still nursing which I believe helped me lose most the weight without out even trying.

Good luck everyone and embrace your new body- especially those with girls, we want to teach our girls to love themselves no matter how they look.

Aubri, Registered Dietitian

Minnie - posted on 07/17/2009

Yep, totally normal. I weigh less than I did starting with both of my pregnancies (14lb less than when I started my first), and my hips are wider and my middrift is thicker.

Frances - posted on 07/17/2009

Listen ladies if you're only complaint is that you don't look just like you did before you were pregnant that you should be doing happy joy dances to the body gods daily lol!! I gained about 50lbs...and I'm only 5'2" so that's alot. I'm almost back but my body will never look the same. I had a very active baby so I have thousands of stretch marks ahhhh. That will never go away my boobs shrunk and someone asked me if I was expecting another the other day *blush*. We women are never happy with ourselves but whenever you look at your tummy and begin to feel helpless and nausious just do what I do and go give your bub a big kiss and remember that your weird foreign looking body made that baby and gave it everything it needed to grow...which completely blew my mind....yeah our bodies look like battlefeilds but you know as we age it's gonna happen anyway so smile and be proud of that smiley face and never ever lose your sense of humour...it helps to laugh at yourself. Lots of people are unhappy with their bodies but not everyone knows the feeling of true love and exstacy that comes with being a mamma!

Annette - posted on 07/16/2009

I recently got back to my pre- pregnancy weight too, but, yeah, something is definitely not right LOL.

Kayla - posted on 07/16/2009

HAHAHA!!! This is totally normal. I am the same way. I actually weigh less than I did before I got pregnant but everything has shifted and I look heavier. Its funny how that happens.

Jennifer - posted on 07/16/2009

Wow. Totally normal! I actually weigh less now that I did before I got pregnant with my first, but I hardly recognize my body. Something they never tell you about . . . even your feet get bigger. I'm a full size larger than I was pre-kids. And I wasn't small to begin with! I can relate about the jelly belly. That's my biggest fear. That even after I lose all this weight, I'll never get a flat stomach back again. I feel muscle under there, it's just hiding. From what, I don't know! lol. Good luck. We're all in the same boat!

Angi - posted on 07/16/2009

I can soooo relate to all of these posts...I gained 35 & have mostly lost all, but still fluctuate from pre-prego to pre-prego + 5. I am a healthy eater, & I do try to make time to either walk or get to the gym for a workout, but let me tell ya its tough! Seems like just when you get into a routine, something disrupts the schedule! I too have noticed the "redistribution"... externally & more of an "issue" for me is the internal rearrangement...anyone else have this? Also looking for good advice about stretch marks...Thanks ladies!

Brenda - posted on 07/11/2009

I just went out for a morning walk at 5am when it was beautiful and a comfortable cool out. I never have time for exercising either and this was awesome, it was calm and quiet and beautiful out, I got to have time to myself and get my exercise in for the day. I came home, went back to bed for a few hours and woke up to start the day. I need to get my butt looking a little more like it used to! lol ... different things work for different people but don't stop looking for different ways that suit your schedule! And you're not crazy about things not being where they used to be!! Don't worry!!

Jessica - posted on 07/09/2009

I just started working out again. My hubby and I are competing to see who can stick to his/her 3-day a week workout plan. We workout on off days (switch off). So I get home around 6 pm and take Izzy out for a walk (I bought a jogging stroller for my birthday). I try to walk fast, enough so that I'm sweating, for 30 mins. Then, I pass off the baby to my hubby and finish my workout which is 30 mins of toning on the abs, legs, and butt (sometimes Izzy likes to hang out next to me- this is nice because I get floor time with her- Sometimes I put her on my stomach while doing abs (holding her legs) and make funny faces each time I come up for a crunch. She likes to crawl over me when I'm laying on the floor so we roll around while I'm dong my leg extensions. Another thing she really likes is dancing. I'll play music and do my toning exercises and she bounces up and down). Then I shower and get Izzy ready for bed (her bedtime is 8pm). She loves the walks. I like not doing it everyday because I miss her while I'm at work and don't want to spend the whole evening looking at the back of her head while we're on our walks. So every other day works out nice--and sharing support with my hubby works out well. I was losing about a pound a week the whole time I was nursing; then I weaned Izzy and now the pounds are starting to creep back on. I haven't lost any weight, but I feel good just being able to fit in a workout into my busy day.

Leanne - posted on 07/08/2009

you are definitely more accountable when others are involved.. also the buddy system. Another mom and i down the street walk almost every day together for about an hour w/our babies & strollers. I also try to do a second walk w/ the dog in the a.m for about 25 mins. the sit up thing is a great idea Amy - after Addison goes to bed it would be the ideal time instead of sitting down at the computer :)

Amy - posted on 07/08/2009

Thanks, Leanne, I'm going to check out that website! I have the "buddah belly" too - I just can't find the time or the motivation to lose the pudge since I've lost the weight. My hubby says (when I complain about it) that I should work out on my ball in front of the TV, rather than just sitting there. I used to do that when I was preggo, too. I just have to get motivated! Perhaps we can all make a pact to walk for 1/2 hour a day and lift weights/do sit-ups in front of the TV and post our progress? What do you think?

Leanne - posted on 07/07/2009

there is a website called couch to 5k - doesn't cost you anything and it's a learn to run program - on your own. My good friend has done it and was not a runner at all pre-program.. he is now slim and athletic and doing the Ironman in Lake Placid on July 26th! I am not saying I am going that far but I do want to get back in shape so I figured a cheap, effective way to go would be this! for anyone that is interested google it and check it out!

Jennifer - posted on 07/07/2009

Thank god I'm not the only one who put on a whack of weight, I thought I was alone. I put on 75 and am far from my prepregnancy body...and I workout whenever I possibly can!

Jahdi - posted on 06/17/2009

Again, I agree with everyone else. Totally normal. I gained 35lbs during my pregnancy and went back to pre-prego weigth a month after my c-section BUT my body looks completely different then and now. Love that I now have bigger boobs and hips, but this Jelly Belly is NOT FUN! Now, 8 months later I am finally comfortable in my own skin where I am not as critical of myself, but we do have to motivate ourselves to work out (myself included), even if following along to a DVD at home. This will make us not only happier but healthier. Who says you have to go back to your pre-prego body? You are not the same pre-prego person! Enjoy this body and make it the best body that you can!



:)

Amanda - posted on 06/17/2009

yeah, i am about down to pre-preggo weight but the boobs are smaller and lower and my ribs and hips are wider (didn't have any hips before so i don't mind) making my whole midsection wider.... finally starting to loose the luv handles, but this saggy, wrinkely belly is a tad obnoxious! but the "little" guy was 10lb 8oz so i dont think my skin will ever go back!!!!! i was in florida back in april and decided that men walk around on the beach letting thier bellies all hang out so i was bold and put on a bikini, it was great! i didnt look great in it but i felt great! i only had one disgusted glare from a 16 year old girl, made me laugh! i think we should all be proud and comfy with our bodies despite what tv and magazines show as normal and ideal. i am sure that if we were all paid to look perfect we would!

Kylie - posted on 06/16/2009

i'm now back to my pre-preg weight and i look bigger (2 c-s in 16.5 months) left an overhang (patio) tummy. does your body look the same? extra "flab" hanging around?

if not, rejoice... only a few mums recover fully like you.

i've gone from size 22full preg, to 16, but still can't fit into some clothes, darn tummy!!

IT TOOK 9.75 MONTHS FOR YOU TO STRETCH WITH YOUR BUBS, IT MAY TAK THAT LONG TO REGAIN EVERY THING!!

doen't sweat it, your bubs loves you whether your 8 stone or 15 stone!!

Tiffany - posted on 06/16/2009

I really think that it depends on the woman. I still have about 15 more to go before I get to my prepregnancy weight and still look a little pregnant sometimes(depending on my bloating) and my best friend just had a baby 3 weeks ago and she looks like she couldnt have even been pregnant ever!!! You just have to be patient and know that most likely your body wont be exactly were it was before you go pregnant but it can get close.

Michelle - posted on 06/16/2009

yup normal and gives u an excuse for a shopping spree

Nicole - posted on 06/16/2009

At leat we'll have great arms by the time we're done hauling our babies around :) I am getting quite strong courtesy of my 22lb beastie.

Nicole - posted on 06/16/2009

I am 15 lbs less than pre-pregnancy but still three pant sizes bigger. My upper body is great but then my butt is gigundo! I look like one of those weeble wobble toys from the eighties! Shopping for pants induces Klingon like rage.

Cheyenne - posted on 06/12/2009

WoW so many funny people! Love the smiley by Becky! I so agree. I'm still up 50 pounds from pre-pregnancy, (I gained about 90)...I have a long ways to go. Even if things don't go back in place I wish they would find a place and quit jiggling around!

Kate - posted on 06/11/2009

About a year before I got pregnant I weighed just over 12 1/2 stone!! I lost 2 stone and then managed to get pregnant!! Up until a week ago I weighed exactly that again, but looked completely different!! I looked slimmer than before, I guess babies change alot in your body!! So I'm guessing yes, totally normal!

Anyway, I'm working my ass off now (literally!!) to get a nice figure again, fingers crossed it works!!

Melissa - posted on 06/11/2009

You are lucky to weigh exactly what you did before. I had twins in October and I fear I will never be the same.

Becky - posted on 06/11/2009

Ladies - what about the HANG!!!! OMG, when I look at my belly now I think it looks like a big smiley face! Boob = Eyes, Belly button = Nose Hang = Smiley!! It is so gross, I am still uncomfortable being naked in front of the H, but I do it anyway. And suck it in and tighten whenever possible.



On Saturdays we go to the gym together and leave the baby at the child center - I am not thrilled about it, but gives him a little socialization, and healthier me = longer life = longer time with baby, er, son, er, child, er, you know what I mean!

Sara - posted on 06/11/2009

It is tough with a baby. AFter working all day, coming home, feeding the baby, bathing the baby, getting her to bed, making dinner...I just don't feel like excerisizing!!! My husband wanted to for us to join the local gym and I kinda went off on him because when , exactly, are we going to have to go work out? ?? 11 at night and leave the baby at home with the dogs? Then get up with the baby at 5:30? I mean, I want to start excersizing, but hell, I just don't know where to find the energy, you know? I'm lucky if I get 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep!

Ashlee - posted on 06/10/2009

I wish ladies- not only am I more than I was pre-pregnancy I actually weigh more than I did 9 months pregnant- trying to figure out some affordable routine to do

Katie - posted on 06/10/2009

totally! i weight a few pounds less than before i got pregnant. but things def dont look the same. my hips are a tad wider, my boobs smaller and thinner :(, and i have a slight tummy but nothing major. but yet i weigh less.....hmmmm

Colleen - posted on 06/10/2009

I'm cutting myself some slack, and I encourage you to do the same. Not only did we have babies right before crappy winter time, cutting out any outside walking options, I went back to work before Christmas. Between keeping up with my teaching responsibilities, the housework, the hubby, and oh yeah A NEW BABY, I haven't had time or energy to really work on regularly. This summer is my crackdown time since I'll be home. But even then I'm not going to try and get my old body back. My goal is to get the body I have now back into a healthy shape. My hips have changed location. Lunges won't fix that, ever. But I can start taking care of my body again and make it the healthiest I can. I'm hoping for some adrenaline endorphins too. Maybe then I'll feel happy about my jiggling ass! LOL (Did some running in place this afternoon and nearly died laughing as my poor body wobbled into motion...) Good luck with your own goals and remember when our baby-makin' years are through there's always the reconstructive surgery option! (c;

Sara - posted on 06/10/2009

Thanks!

Corinne - posted on 06/10/2009

yes but its our nature to be critical of our selves! its a nasty thing but we cant help it! LOL im trying to get the motivation to start working out! even though i know it wont work putting your hips back or things like that, it will help with the tummy and that stuff! it will also make me feel a lot better! good luck to you!

Sara - posted on 06/10/2009

Think they ever go back? I look at myself and think that i still look a little pregnant because my stomach sticks out more now, but then I see other women that had babies around the time I did and they look great to me but complain that things are distributed. So I guess I don't know if I'm just being too critical of myself or what, you know?

Colleen - posted on 06/09/2009

JEALOUS! I am still about 12 up from my pre-prego weight, but I completely agree about redistribution. Things are definitely moving around!

Cassie - posted on 06/09/2009

totally normal!! I actually weigh 8 lbs less than I did before I got pregnant but I can tell you that my body looks sooo different than it did before I got pregnant; some things i like and others that aren't so flattering! It is just our reminder of the wonderful thing we did in creating our children!!

Corinne - posted on 06/09/2009

completely normal! you have to think about it..you had a little person inside you growing and growing, shoving all kinds of organs and things out of place! your hips expanded to prepare for labor and everything else had to expand to support the baby! count yourself lucky you did not have the lingering baby weight! most moms would kill to have that again!