Why did I suddenly gain so much weight?

Ashley - posted on 08/17/2011

Nope this will be my second.

Katherine - posted on 08/17/2011

Wow. Your first?

Ashley - posted on 08/17/2011

Nah, I was super lean. Not skinny, muscular. Six pack, muscular back and arms, just defined. I had a trainer up until 6 weeks of pregnancy. It's not unhealthy, my trainer had a degree in all that health science stuff. I measured my food and counted calories going in and out. I ran 6-12 miles and circuit training everyday. I LOVE working out and it's hard to lose that control even though it is voluntary bc we got pregnant on purpose :)

Katherine - posted on 08/17/2011

1000 calories!!!!! That's too much!!!!!! That's that's unhealthy.
What do you do?

Ashley - posted on 08/17/2011

I went to the Dr today and she laughed at me when I told her I was worried. Ha Ha! I guess I am just in that emotional limbo with getting "fat" again vs. having a baby. I also can't breathe so I can't work out as hard as I used to. I used to be able to burn 1000 calories (I wear a heart monitor to count) in a work out and now 300 is hard bc I feel like I am going to suffocate. My Dr then proceeded to tell me that I need to back off. As long as this bulk weight gain doesn't continue I may survive.

James - posted on 08/16/2011

It is easy to read that you are very conscious of how you treat your body. Everyone has already encouraged you to basically go with the flow.

Just so you know you're not alone, I will share that I too suddenly gained 3 lbs at my last visit (I am 22 weeks along). To be fair, I have my personal thoughts as such. 1) I had an appointment later in the day, and 2) I hadn't had a BM in 3 days, lol! 3) I held my weight exactly at the previous 3 appointments. It averaged out to a lb. per month.

Trust that you are providing your growing child the nutrition it needs and you are exercising sufficiently to keep it's momma healthy. The reason your Dr seems unconcerned is most likely because that amount of weight gain/time period is not medically relevant or worrisome.

Katherine - posted on 08/16/2011

ok, I just saw your previous post about where you started at (which is the low side of normal). I'm sure your fine. It probably won't "go away" until you have the baby. The problem with limiting your food intake, especially as you're still nursing is that it will probably cut back on your milk supply (which pregnancy also often does), and your baby needs what it needs to develop, whether or not you feel hungry. Eat well, stay active, be happy. You lost weight before, you know how to do it when it's time.

Katherine - posted on 08/16/2011

you are not gaining too quickly that's 6 lbs in 4 months. I don't know how tall you are to start with, so maybe you were underweight to start with? If not, I REALLY don't think you should sweat a 4 lb weight gain, even overnight, if you are not eating crazy. Your body and your baby need what they need. If you're still active, and still making good food choices, you're fine. Your baby is increasing in size exponentially, and needs more fluid, more blood, more space, etc. Make sure you drink enough water, make sure you eat enough good food, and then just enjoy this ride.

√v^√v^√♥ - posted on 08/15/2011

Well you should be fine then, don't stress too much. Our bodies do what they need and as long as you are eating healthy working out and keeping a general eye on what you eat, you can always lose weight afterwards :) good luck!

Carol - posted on 08/15/2011

I think it's more important how you feel. The doctor should be able to rule out any major problems at your normal check ups. Until then, don't worry and get off the scale. Just keep eating right and working out within limits. I gained a lot faster with my second. I didn't show until about 6 1/2 - 7 months with the first and I swear I showed at 3 months with my second. Both came out perfectly healthy.

Nika - posted on 08/15/2011

I know how you feel, all women do. But it's something we all face when pregnant our bodies go through LOTS of changes and it sucks. But in the end it's all worth it and the way I look at it is weight can be lost, so don't stress over it you'll be able to get your figure back!

Katherine - posted on 08/15/2011

I gained a lot of weight with my 2 also. I am still trying to lose the last 10lbs of my 2yo.
Just make sure you eat healthy and even them if you are gaining weight it could be water weight like Tara said.

I gained sooo much with my second. I started at 118 and ended up at 187!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No GD though or pre eclampsia. I just gained a ton. Now I'm just trying to get to 130. I was too skinny at 118, it was gross. I was in a 2.

Anyways as long as you are healthy I wouldn't worry.

Ashley - posted on 08/15/2011

I did calorie counting before I got pregnant, and right now I have a rough estimate but my Dr made it very clear not to continue down that path. If I can do it without starving I don't see the harm I just have to keep in mind that I am also nursing. I know how much I am supposed to gain, my BMI is 20.9 so 25-35lbs. My trainer told me there isn't a away to determine my metabolic rate due to the pregnancy and the weight not neccessarily being fat or muscle. He too told me to put the scale away and just eat healthy :) I am not worried about weight gain in general but this weight was literally overnight and I was sure it was just water weight and would just go away.

√v^√v^√♥ - posted on 08/14/2011

I know it's not the best thing to do while pregnant as you need to eat, but if you count calories (the amount YOU need to 'maintain' your weight) and eat only that amount.. you shouldn't gain much excess weight. You can find charts online that tell you about your height and weight, then you should look up how much calories you need while pregnant and get a good estimate. It works for me, I just don't eat over it :)

Tara - posted on 08/14/2011

It may be water weight, or it could be the baby getting a jump start on their weight. There are a number of things that could cause a jump in weight. Honestly though, 4 pounds isn't that big of a jump. If it had been 20, that would be a big worry because there are a number of hormonal/body things (like thyroid dysfunction) that can cause a big jump in weight.
I'm voting on odds it is water weight and will likely either disappear entirely or bounce up and down for the entire pregnancy.