Upset About Weight Gain!

W

willowe

Cathlete
Hi All,

Just wanted to vent!

I made the mistake of hopping (not literally!) on the scales this morning and now I really wish I hadn't!! I'd promised myself that I wouldn't weigh myself until after the baby was born (I am 28 weeks pg today). However, DH is trying to lose weight so he wanted to weigh himself this morning. "What the heck"! I thought, "might as well jump on as well". Only to discover I have gained 21 lbs so far!!
I know I shouldn't let this upset me, but I have always had issues around my weight (particularly as I was overweight before becoming pregnant). I am over the moon at the thought of being a Mum and am looking forward to having a happy and healthy baby. However, I cannot shake off the panic at the thought of the extra weight.
I made the mistake of telling my parents about my weight gain. My Mum said "make the most of it - there will be alot more weight going on before this little one is born!". Not really what I wanted to hear! Don't get me wrong, I love my Mum to bits, but sometimes, the people you love the most seem to make the most insensitive comments!
I am doing the best I can to take care of myself and baby - exercising 5 times a week, taking plenty of rest if I need it, drinking plenty of water, etc. OK, my eating habits are not what they should be, but I am trying!
Anyway, I hope this doesn't come across as me sounding selfish or vain - I guess I am just worried about the fact that everyone tells me that the most weight goes on in the last few months and I will end up being the size of a small house!
I just wanted to vent, and knew you guys would probably understand where I am coming from.
Thanks for listening!

Kaz.

Today Is The Tomorrow We Worried About Yesterday And All Is Well.
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Oct-25-02 AT 12:25PM (Est)[/font][p]Hi Kaz,

DON'T WORRY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

21 lbs doesn't sound that bad ! and yes, you will put on a bit more weight as you get closer to 40 weeks, but I think that most of it is baby, and water.You will be surprised at just how big your bump is at 7-9 months (you think it is big now) AND you will be surprised at how much water you lose in the week after Bump arrives (we are talking 'Peeing for Britain' here, sorry international posters, an old English expression !). And actually the thighs and hips hold a lot of fluid too when you are preggers, so worry ye not.
Continue being healthy, DON'T weigh yourself and keep up the workouts, think how much good you are doing for your metabolism post-pregnancy, what with that and breastfeeding, any excess weight will come off, just remember to choose healthy options to make up your extra 500 calories, like a salad sandwich, and not Mars Bars, like me :-rollen !

AND KEEP VENTING !! It is good to get things off your chest !

Anna :)
 
You do not sound selfish or vain. I think it is safe to say that darn everybody worries about being fat these days, pregnant or not. I am certainly worried about gaining weight since we can't think about losing it until after the baby is born. So don't feel bad about feeling this concern.

So you are at 28 weeks and gained 21 pounds. The leaves you with 12 weeks to go weeks. If you gain 1 more pound per week --isn't that the guideline, 1 lb. per week?-- that would put you at a total of 33 pounds (21 + 12). And isn't that perfectly normal and expected? I believe it is. It does not sound like you have gained excessively to me. In fact, it seems like you are gaining at the recommended rate!

I think you will be fine. Keep exercising as you are able, as your body says is ok. Drink your water. Try and eat a little less of the EMPTY calories. Maybe throw the last empty bite away. They will add up. I know it is hard. I feel like I am eating too much myself.

You are doing the right thing for your baby. These are the most important 9 months. You will be able to be at the weight you desire when this over. He/she needs you now!

Try not to panic. It really will be okay in the end, and sounds ok now too. Gina
 
You don't sound vain at all!

ALL of us would rather not gain one pound more than we have to, but those are the operative words here: HAVE TO. I truly believe that our bodies know what we and our babies need. I have found that my total weight gain during a pregnancy has very litle to do with how much I'm eating at any particular time. I remember the intense frustration in my 1st pregnancy when I was being sooooooo "good" and gaining a ton. I kept getting lectures from the nurse about healthy eating habits, and I WAS eating healthy! The weight came off afterwards, just as it always has in my other pregnancies as well. As long as you're exercising and eating as well as you reasonably can, you'll gain the right amount for you and your baby. To me, reasonable eating includes the treats that keep us from feeling deprived and eating a whole bunch of "healthy" stuff we don't need and aren't truly hungry for.

And Gina is right, 33 pounds is well within the guidelines for a normal, healthy weight gain, so don't worry about it! :)

Erin
 
Hi Kaz,
I regretfully watched every calorie while I was pregnant being careful only to add the 300 extra calories per day that the ob-gyn suggested (or was it 250? anyway something close to that). My two closest friends ate everything they wanted and one gained 60 and the other gained 70. (not kidding) They both lost their extra weight LONG BEFORE I did. And they enjoyed their pregnancy instead of spending their days counting calories and obsessing like I did. I'm certainly not suggesting that you try to gain 70 lbs, only trying to point out that my friends who gained a lot looked fantastic 2 months after giving birth and I'm still struggling to lose my small weight gain 6 years after the fact! Perhaps their not stressing over it is why they look so good. ??

Lisa
 
HI! I am exactly where you are at. (30 weeks now) but at 28 weeks I was 20 lbs and not happy. I gained 70 with my first and vowed to NOT do that again. Took it all off thanks to Cathe and the Firm. This one is going great and we are at the recommended weight gain. Keep working out and eating as best you can (my big downfall....)

Hopefully we will stay at 30 lbs or so; but I have a feeling at my appt. on MOn. I am going to see about 4-5 lbs gained...oh, well. Off to my workout!

Becky
 
Been there... and it'll be okay :)

I know how you are feeling... I gained 43 lbs. with my first pregnancy and 38 lbs. with my second... with 8 or 9 lbs. coming on in the 1st 3 mos. both times!!

I definitely believe that, except for folks who lie around eating Ben & Jerry's out of the container 24-7, much of our individual weight gain is pre-programmed... but, if your exercise habits are good, you'll find that the weight will come off more easily for you than for others who don't move and gain less than you do.

I exercised during and after both pregnancies, and took off my pg weight in 4 mos. with #1 (Yep... all 43 lbs!) and in 3 mos. with #2... no dieting... just exercise and nursing. I'm on a parenting board where everyone has babies born in the same month, and only one mom lost her weight before I did... even though bunches of them had gained far less than I did... so take heart and be good to yourself!

Hey... and take some time to go to an art museum or look through an art history book... you don't find many skinny fertility symbols! The feminine ideal for motherhood is a little softer and rounder than most of us are accustomed... helps to nurture growing babies and to get your milk supply going. It's a temporary situation, so hang in there!]
Susan
Healthy Moms Certifed Perinatal Fitness Instructor
 
RE: Been there... and it'll be okay :)

Hi Guys!

Thank you so much for all your wonderful replies - I am sitting here with tears in my eyes (uh-oh - hormones are off again!).
I wasn't aware of what the "average" weight gain was during pregnancy, so it's good to know I am somewhere around that figure! It seems that they don't weigh you regularly here in the UK when you go for your Antenatal check-ups, so I suppose it just came as a bit of a shock when I jumped on my scales!
Although I love being pregnant and bonding with this precious little baby, it's a really new and scary feeling to think that, for the first time in my life, my body is out of my control.
Anyway, thanks again for all your support - you guys are the best!
Kaz.

Today Is The Tomorrow We Worried About Yesterday And All Is Well.
 
RE: Been there... and it'll be okay :)

Hi Kaz,

All of the ladies here are right - you are right on target for weight gain. I'm due just after you (Jan 23) and, based on my last doctor appt in early October, I'm sure that I'm at least at the 20 lbs gain mark now as well. With my other 3 kids, I gained 45 lbs each time and don't want to do that again. Keep up your healthy habits and enjoy feeling your little guy growing every day. It's the most wonderful feeling in the world, isn't it?

Sandi
 
I too am at 28 weeks and I've gained 17lbs so far. I'm so glad for this board because I, too, thought that it sounded like a lot since I still have 12 weeks to go but now I feel so much better. I am eating healthy and exercing every day. I can't do much more so I except it for what it is and worry about losing it after the baby is born.
Hang in ther Kaz - we're almost at the end!!

Char
 
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