Has anyone tried to lose weight while nursing. I have a 5-month old and am in a wedding in April. I want to lose some weight, but don't want to jeopardize my baby's health. I've lost all the weight except about 5 lbs. Just can't seem to get that last five gone. Any suggestions?

By Enchens on Thursday, February 22, 2007 - 03:58 pm:

Hmmmm. Personally, I waited until my babies were weaned before I started any type of "diet." I just made sure that I wasn't gaining extra unneeded weight and that I was eating well and drinking plenty of fluids. I am currently trying to get rid of the last 7 pounds and my baby is almost two!

So, let's see. You have a wedding in April, and we are still in February. Assuming it's in mid-April you have about 7 weeks to lose the weight. So if you lost only a pound a week, you should be ok. Any more than that I would be concerned. Please note this is just my opinion based on what I've learned and that I'm not a doctor, nurse, or dietician. I would check with someone like that for specifics.

IMO, if you drink plenty of fluids, meaning water, and stayed away from drinks with lots of sugar,salt, and caffeine, ate plenty of fruits and veggies, stayed away from the fast food or foods with lots of fat, and exercised regularly, I don't see why you couldn't possibly lose a few more pounds. Just remember that your baby comes first.

Anyone else have ideas?

By Musicmom on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 08:59 am:

Welcome Crystal!

My suggestion is working out more if you are already able to fit it in, increase water intake to at least 8 glasses if you aren't already and even better if it's at least half your body weight in ounces, like 80 oz a day if you weigh 160lbs. and eat your daily calories in veggies with some fruit, grains and a little meat. Try to cut out all sugar and most, but not all, fats as you still need to be getting some for your little one. I agree with Enchens, and 1 lb a week is all that I would try to do while nursing.

I'm not one to really talk I will admit. I would get down to my last 10 lbs and not loose anymore until I quit nursing, but I do have to say that I never did follow the suggestions that I just gave you. I didn't workout that hard or consistently or stay away from sugar and mmmmm butter galor. LOL

I found that after having kids, my body has changed. For example, I right now, I actually weigh 5-6 lbs more now than the last time I was a size 10, and my sister did weight watchers after child 2 and then again after child 3, and she got down to the same weight, but was a size larger after child 3 (she wasn't able to workout as much after #3) That's why I go by size not weight anymore. Just my two cents.

You can do it. We are here to cheer you on in any way we can!

By Bugbean on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 02:06 pm:

Thanks everyone. I think the water issue is my biggest problem. I'm going to try the suggestion of just drinking water and no sugar-based drinks. I tend to drink juice, put sugar in my decaf coffee, etc. in addition to the water.

Working out is a bit hard these days. I have two little ones, and my husband is military. He's gone a lot for days at a time. I try and get my workouts by running up and down the stairs, scrubbing the bathroom floors, etc.

I didn't think about it being 7 weeks away. I personally don't care what I look like at this point. I'm a mommy, and like my mommy war wounds. Having said that, I ordered the dress months ago and would be horrified if it was too small (it won't be in until March).

I don't want to stress out the bride by saying, "Gee, can I wear something else? I can't seem to fit into the dress you picked out for me."

Thanks again for all of the suggestions!

By Musicmom on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 10:19 am:

You can do it!!!!!

I love how Enchens gets her workouts done. Something I need to follow. She has set up some goals with jumping jacks, sit ups and then her pedometer with how many steps she wants to get in that day. Fabulous Darling!

By Debbie on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 02:51 pm:

Ditto everyone else. I would try and workout as much as possible. Add water, and cut out all other sugar loaded, high calorie drinks, replace regular pasta, bread, etc, with whole grain, and add more veggies/fruit into your diet. In the past, if I needed to loose a few extra pounds, I have also cut carbs after 3pm. That way, the carbs you do eat get burned off.

Good luck to you!