Stalled Weight Loss After Baby

[tamaralnorton]

Morning friends!
I'm a little confused about something and this is the first place I came to ask questions! My son is 7 weeks old and during my pregnancy I gained 40 lbs. 20 immediately came off after labor and delivery but I really have another 15 lbs to go before I'm back to a comfortable weight (135). I'm really proud of myself and was back to clean eating right after delivery and 3 weeks ago when I got my doctor's okay, I started weight training again. I chose Cathe's first STS rotation (cardio & weights) but I've been subbing Muscle Endurance for the 1st four weeks and my own cardio which includes jogging intervals and some kickboxing. So, in total I'm doing 3 days weights and 4 days cardio. Using the Harris Benedict method, at my weight now (approx 152) I should be consuming about 1600 calories but I have a hard time reaching that during the day. I track calories and I'm averaging about 1300-1400 daily. My weight loss has stalled and has NOT budged since 3 weeks ago and I'm wondering if it could be the lack in calories? I work out hard and it baffles me that I"m not budging. Should I maybe cut back on one weight day and replace it with a cardio day? My diet is clean with enough protein, cutting back on the carbs, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

 

[pinkquinn]

I am in the same boat you are, but my little one is 11 months. Still have have that last 10 lbs to lose. I have been battling with them for about 5 months.

Are you breastfeeding?

I would say eat maintenance calories and then add the workouts. My body does not like making milk, being calorie restricted, and adding muscle. Holy blown adrenals!

If you are doing strength work I would expect that you might not lose "wieght" but you will shrink. After making sufficient gains in strength attack the fat.

Though I have been struggling with the last 10 lbs for months my body looks very different now. (flat mom but disappearing)

I am finished strength training and am now restricting calories, adding cardio, and reducing the strength training to about 60% ( you try lifting heavy on 1800 cals a day)

I am alittle tired but have lost 3 lbs

 

[melimcn]

1. I don't think you're eating enough for the amount of working out that you're doing - particularly weights, in combination with dealing with a newborn. I would get it up to the 1600 that you calculated that you need. Even if all you do is add in a protein shake.

2. Are you breastfeeding? If you are, the body tends to hang on to extra weight until you ween. You need that extra fat in order to keep your milk supply up.

3. Take it easy on yourself! I know it's hard and you want your body back so badly! But you're only 7 weeks post partum. It'll come, especially with how hard you're working and how diligent you're being. Just try to have a little patience. It took you 9 months to gain the weight. You have to give your body a chance to respond to all of the changes you're going through right now.

 

[tamaralnorton]

Thanks for the feedback. No, I'm not breastfeeding. I lost approx. 25 lbs about a year and a half before I became pregnant mainly thanks to Cathe and through trial and error with food, finding the right exercises, weight training, etc. So, I thought that with the knowledge I have acquired the past few years I would be able to get the right formula down this time for an easier weight loss, haha. I think what I might do is cut weights down to 2x/week for a full body workout and add that extra cardio day. I also decided I want to start Insanity on April 1st which I am super excited about! I'm going to work on my diet and see where I can add the extra calories in... Does that sound like a good idea regarding cutting the one weight day out and replacing it with a cardio day? Maybe at least until the weight starts coming off? Thanks so much

 

[lainiefig]

I am really the last person who should answer this since I have a terrible time losing weight myself--and my baby is 5 months and I have a long way to go still--7 weeks seems way too early to me to be too worried about it. I've often heard 9 months on, 9 months off, though it has been longer than 9 months for me (this is my 3rd).

Anyway, do you take a rest day? It sounds counter-intuitive but I know some people say they have broken through a plateau by resting more. I don't know how that works scientifically but I do believe overtraining can be counter-productive. I can't tell exactly from your post that you are doing that, just curious if it might be an issue for you.

Edited to add: Here's a link to a blog post by one of my favorite bloggers, MizFit, about overtraining and how less can be more: http://mizfitonline.com/2009/07/15/overtraining-less-can-be-more/

 

[tamaralnorton]

Sorry for the late response - my computer went kaput last week. Anyways, I did decide to take a rest day this week and cut back the weight work to twice a week and guess what? I gained a pound, haha. I just don't understand... I tried to work on adding more calories but still don't think I reached the 1600 mark. Not because I don't want to but the little guy keeps me so darn busy I just don't have the time in my schedule. I'm going to keep working on it this week by taking a rest day, upping the cardio and reducing the weight work to twice a week. Or maybe even once a week?

I plan on starting Insanity on April 1st and I really want to figure this dilemna out before I even attempt to modify my routine even more!

 

[RapidBreath]

yes

I think you should drop the weight training to two times a week. You can add cardio or yoga in it's place. For the calories its easiest to add a tablespoon of olive oil to a salad and thats the best choice for weight loss too. Also, give yourself a bit of a break. It takes real time to lose weight and you only just gave birth. Its important not to beat yourself up. Stressing over not losing weight can cause your body to go into a stress hormone situation and that can cause the problem you are having. Try the Reasonable Diet podcast, Inside Out Weight Loss podcast and maybe some meditation (during nap times it can be just 10 minutes 2-3 times a week, it doesn't have to be a major commitment.

Congratulations on your baby!

 

[tamaralnorton]

Thanks for that recommendation. I'm going to check the podcast out. I'm going to experiment this week with 2x/week weights and add the extra day of cardio. Haha..I know everyone keeps telling me, "give yourself time..", but I waited 9 months to resume my active lifestyle and I was chomping at the bit when I got home from the hospital, hehe.

 

[Amy Steppe]

Don't you girls often wonder how Heidi Klum can look so "good" 6 weeks post delivery?

I think something is up there - that is not natural.

It took me 2 years to get back to my pre pregnancy weight.

And the Octo Mom? Loses 145 pounds so soon?

What is up with that?

Any opinions?

 

[dorothyrd]

For both of my pregnancies it took a full year before I was back down. I started training at around 3 months post with my son(had a c-section) and 2 months with my daughter. It just takes time and your body is still filled with all kinds of hormones and fluids and such. Not to mention the stress of no sleep and a new life to take care of. Don't worry, you will get there, enjoy your baby.