I Can't Lose Weight!

I was always unable to lose those last few pounds until about a month or 2 after I quit breastfeeding. Good Luck!

I feel your pain, sister! Just keep following the Weight Watchers system and the weight will come off. It has only been a month and half, so give yourself a break. Don't compare yourself to your husband because everyone loses differently. Good luck and look at it as a lifestyle change, not a quick fix.

I know how you feel. Don't forget that you just had your baby so it is going to take some time to get your body back. But definately drink lots of water. What I did after my son was born, this seemed to help, is that I always had a glass of ice water sitting out on the counter so that whenever I pumped or breastfeed him I would drink that glass of water. I also grabbed dried fruit and nuts whenever I was needing a snack. This seemed to help get the weight off. BUT I got stuck after a certain point. Evercising is also going to help so you are heading in the right direction. Unfortunately the way us women are built it seems to take longer then men. My husband can think of lossing weight and he does, I can be dreaming of cookies or go be the bakery and get a whiff of the goodies and gain ten pounds. ( Not litteraly of course but my point is that is the difference between men and women.) What is great is that the two of you are working together and are on the same page of trying to be healthier. Don't forget the quicker you take the weight off the quicker it comes back so don't completely envy your husband just yet. By the way I have a friend on Weight Watchers and she swears by it. Also and I swear by this myself if you can afford it get involved with a program called Strollerfit. It helped me and two of my friends get to our goal weight after I got stuck. It is great to have other moms in the same boat as you and support you. But again it is something that you have to look at and see if you can afford.

If you are truly eating right and are exercising you really might be losing "weight". Try getting a scale that weighs you and can read your body fat percentage. Your body fat may be decreasing since you are exercising (losing fat, gaining muscle). It also might be your hormones. They are probably still trying to regulate-it takes some women a year to get back to normal after a baby. Just keep trying. You're on the right track. Good Luck.

S.,

Eat healthy, exercise moderately, take care of your baby, and forget trying to lose weight until you are not breastfeeding. I couldn't really lose an ounce while I was nursing, and when I did my milk supply began to suffer. After we were done, I lost 30 pounds (yeah, I still have 15 to go, but that is just lack of discipline). Just roll with it, be healthy, and enjoy your baby!

Best wishes,
K.

Hi S., I have a similar problem to you in loosing weight so I don’t really have advice, but I just wanted to let you know that is not the breastfeeding because that can actually burn up to 800 calories a day, so quitting will not help at all; it would actually make it more difficult. You really shouldn't be dieting while breastfeeding, so just watch what you eat to make smart choices, so that when you actually do quit breastfeeding, you are already use to a healthy eating habit and don’t gain to much weight like I did as soon as quit do to eating the same calories without all the burning benefits of breastfeeding.

Good luck!

S., I know exactly how you feel. I gained so much weight with my son and had alot of trouble getting it off. Not to mention I was already over-weight before I got pregnant. I had tried Weight Watches as well as the low carb, a low fat/cal diet and I could't find anything that worked. I started a Herbalife program and in just the first week i had lost 9 inches and about 6lbs. Since starting the program I am down 20lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight and I have more energy than I thought was possible with an 8 month old son keeping me busy all day. Good luck losing the weight.
P.S. men have much better luck losing weight, my husband lost 30 lbs in 30 days with this program, 45lbs so far.

Its not always about weight. Do your clothes feel loser than before you started your diet? Are you lifting weight in addition to cardio? Both work together. Just a little info. Hope it helps

You got it girl. If you loose too much weight your milk will dry right up. Please be patient. You and your little one need this time together for many reasons and know that men loose weight faster than we do. That does suck but is life.

Get this my husband was in the hospital over the summer and lost 20 pounds. I went in September for quad by-pass and gained 20 pounds. I have finally gotten rid of it.

Good luck and hang in there.

Keep a food journal and write down everything you eat, even the snacks and it keeps you accountable.

Dear S.,
My name is S.,too. I really felt for you when I read your message. I have been a stay-at-home-mom for 18 years. I have four kids: 17, 15, 10, 5. I would encourage you to not worry about the pounds right now, and focus on the wonderful baby you have. Just like every baby is different, every pregnancy, birth and post-partum period is different. You have just done the most awesome thing, and you should just love yourself and not expect so much of yourself, especially since you had a baby right before the biggest eating frenzy of the year for everyone. That said, breastfeeding should NOT be your problem. If anything, you should encourage your baby to nurse longer and the pounds will fall off. I believe the AAP recommends six months before introducing rice cereal, etc. Also, if you're really stressing about the weight that could prevent weight loss, because your stress hormones cause you to lay down fat, esp. around the middle (which is my problem).Of course, depending on genetics and your age, the rate at which you lose lbs. will vary. Ask your doctor, or better yet, a naturopath or osteopath if there are any natural supplements that might help. I know Chromium picolinate is totally fine, because we need chromium as a trace mineral, and that works on our body to make it wasteful of carbs so it doesn't covert them to sugar, and then to fat. ALWAYS follow the directions on the bottle. Bottom line: you are the only you you've got so learn to enjoy youself, no matter what, and never criticize yourself. You have to be your biggest advocate.

Good luck. S.

S., You are on the right track. Changing your eating and exercise habits is a life changing process that will take some time. Weight Watchers is solid - I know many that have had great success and kept the weight off, but it was at least 6 months.

I don't know where you live, but StrollerFit has 7 locations in Cincinnati. It is a fabulous post-natal program of exercise. The best part about it, your little ones participate with you! They hear ABCs, 123s, kid songs, finger plays, etc. The program is designed for every fitness level. You should check into it. It combines cardio and strength exercise, and the hour burns ~500 calories.

Please don't be frustrated. Don't weigh yourself every day, and be good to yourself. You've taken the first step. Hang with it, keep supporting one another and it will happen. Remember it is a life changing process. Losing weight slowly is what you want to do to keep it off.

Your first STROLLERFIT CLASS IS FREE! www.strollerfit.com

Hi S.! Check out MomsmMark! (www.momsmark.com) It is a great, personalized resource to keep moms fit and healthy throughout pregnancy and beyond. You can hold 5-20 extra pounds while you are breastfeeding. I have 3 children and I held about 10 pounds for the year I was breastfeeding after giving birth. Hang in there! With the right resources and a little patience, it will happen.

S., I'm a ww's girl too. I think you need to sit down and talk to your leader. She should be able to help you. Iknow when breastfeeding you eat a different amount of points. Maybe you need to somehow adjust your points? Maybe you should do Core if you're doing flex? I do both. When I get tired of counting points I switch to Core and vice versa. I have to say, from personal experience, if I'm not losing Iknow I'm not weighing, measuring and counting my points like I should, even tho I don't like to admit it. show your leader your journal too so she can see what you're eating and maybe give you some suggestions. I've lost 41 pounds doing ww's but it's taken me a whole year to do it. Mostly because I don't stick to program like I should. Most weeks I lost a pound, .4, .8 etc....but remember, it all adds up in the end so don't quit! Take the small losses and keep going. Remember it weight coming off no matter how slow. Better than gaining!

S.

don't be discouraged!!! you are doing so good! KEEP EATING RIGHT! KEEP EXERCISING! there is no quick fix. women always take longer than men, so don't compare yourself to your husband. did he just have a baby?!

keep getting your heart rate up--first and most importantly for long term is a healthy heart, not just looking good. keep eating heart healthy foods--cram tons of veggies in! that way you can do your part in aiming to stay around for the majority of your kids lives. if you are not already going to the weightwatchers meetings, make a way to go to them, it is way more beneficial than doing it online. also if you feel the need get a personal trainer--this is a lifetime investment and instead of paying medical bills down the road you can pay a bit up front to prevent them! you are worth it! you can get there!

i'm not a personal trainer, but my sister is (she doesn't live here though), if you are really desperate i would walk with you or meet with you as a workout buddy.

keep fighting! don't give up! you CAN do this!

Make sure you are drinking lots of water also. That helps you eat less also but if you are breastfeeding you do need the extra calories to help with that. You will loss weight eventually as the other person says guys do loss easier than women. Just hang in there.

First of all, while you are breastfeeding you should not diet. You need to consume no less than 1500-1800 calories per day. As you probably know you burn 500-800 calories a day while breastfeeding. Additionally, going on diets while breastfeeding can reduce your milk supply. Continue to eat nutritional meals consisting of what is required by the Food Pyramid Recommendations and exercise and you will be doing what is best for you and baby right now. It takes a good year to lose the weight that you have gained while pregnant. Remember it took 9 months to put it on so it's going to take at least that long to take it back off. Don't get frustrated, remember you're giving your baby the best benefits so be patient and worry about the extra pounds after you stop breastfeeding. Just ask yourself, what's more important, me losing weight or providing my baby with the best possible nutrition? Believe me I know what your going through, I just had my second baby on August 15, 07, but I continue to remind myself of the benefits for my son. In closing, whatever you do continue to breastfeed through these winter months so you can build your baby's antibodies for a stong immunity. Good luck to you!
About me: I am a Registered Nurse, but the most important job I have is being a mommy of two beautiful sons; 5 years and 5 months and a wife to the greatest husband and daddy ever.

Hi S.. It's all about the carbs. I had that same problem, of course, I did'nt know that my thyroid was not working, and I was diabetic on top of things. Have you been to the Dr. lately? It could be a number of things, but mostly, it's about the carbs. Do you find time to exercise too? I'm thinking not so much with a baby, the baby and family keep you busy. Just a few sugestions.

Unfortunately for us ladies, it isn't as easy for women to lose as it is for men. You must jump start your metabalism. this may mean adding weight bands to your wrists and ankles when you walk, or using some free weights. the wholesale wellness company that I'm with has a web site very musch like weight watchers. It's very complete in information, support and suggestions to help you reach your goals. Let me know if I can help you with that!
T.
www.livetotalwellness.com/T.
www.workathomeunited.com/T.

I know how difficult it is to lose weight. My husband can drop it with little effort and I have to try so hard!!! Have you had blood work done? That might be a good way to go if weight watchers isn't working. I thought weight watchers was a sure thing! Whatever you do, DO NOT give up until you get an answer that satisfies you. If nothing else, an endocrinologist might have some insight.

(BTW, don't know if you're a calorie counter but I am on 1600 calories a day with 3 moderate workouts a week and I am seeing some results. I LOVE this method because I can still eat WHATEVER I want.)

Hang in there, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!

S.,
I am having the same trouble. I don't to weight watchers, but I do watch what I am eating. I need someone who can kick my butt into staying on track. I am sorry I dont' have any ideas for you. Breastfeeding for me always took some of my weight off though. You could consult your doc about it though. Are you interested in starting like a walking group?
D.

Hi S.-after I had my 2nd child I kept gaining weight and did attribute it to the breast feeding-actually during breadst feeding you are supposed to take in an extra 500 calories a day to supply the milk so it is a hard time to lose weight-I will tell you this though....I ended up having a thyroid problem..I say talk to your doctor about that possibility before you get too depressed-babies do mess up our bodies..I teach diabetes classes and I know you don't have that but the meal plan really works-let me know if you want any info on that!!!

when ar ebreastfeeding, you have to consume more calories becasue your are burning off more calories. just continue eating right and exercising, the weight will come off eventually. maybe try increasing the time you exercise. try incorparating the baby. go for walks with baby. if it's too cold go to the mall or walk around the track at the local "Y". men generally have higher metabolic rates them woman so that probably has a lot to do with why hubby has lost more weight that you.

Don't lose heart!! You will lose the weight but it may not be for another year. You need to read the book: Outsmarting The Female Fat Cell After Pregnancy. In there she talks about how after you have a baby it's impossible to lose weight because your body WANTS to hold on to that fat in case there is a famine. Well I don't think there is going to be a famine but it just means that you need to be patient. You just had a beautiful baby and it took you 9 months to gain that weight it will take you at LEAST that long to get rid of it. Since you are nursing when you get to that one year mark you will melt off those pounds if you keep doing what you are doing now. Just don't restrict your food too much. You need a few hundred extra calories to keep the baby feed.

I had a baby on the 1st of November so we are in the same boat. I wish you the best of luck. It will come off when it's ready. Also get your thyroid check. A TSH result above 3 is out of range. Contact me privately for more on that.

Best of luck!!

I recently went to see a specialist about this because I was so frustrated. I was running about a mile everyday and dieting and nothing was happening. He told me not to worry about how far I was running but to stay on my treadmill for at least a half hour everyday. It's about getting your heart rate up for at least a half hour. Not just exercises like sits ups and stuff. I bought some ankle weights that I wear around the house and wear on my treadmill and walk briskly for a half hour everyday followed my sit ups and lifting my 5 lb weights. The first week I lost 3 lbs.

Breast feeding should make you lose weight.

Make sure you are not taste testing at the ice cream shop. I find myself 'testing' things without even thinking about doing it.

Check with the Doctor to be sure your harmone level is OK with the new baby and that your thyroid level is good.

Unfortunately men lose weight twice as fast as women with the same calorie intake.

Give your body some more time. I lost slowly, but steadily for the first few months while breastfeeding my first and my twins. At about six months my metabolism really sped up. I think it just takes time for your body to catch up.

When you are breastfeeding is not the time to be "dieting". You can try to eat smart and healthy foods but you should not be restricting your caloric intake to much right now. Your baby needs those calories in the breastmilk. Remember you just had a baby. It takes your body as long to recover from regnancy as it did to be pregnant. You shouldn't expect to be back to your prepregnancy weight until at least 9 months from the birth of your baby. You body just went through a LOT and it needs some time to recover. Good luck.

Stay off the white bread, sugar, potatoes and rice. you WILL lose weight. No pop either. try wheat bread and Splenda if you need a sweetener. Just eat smarter and the weight will come off. You don't need gimics or expensive meal plans to lose weight. It is great that you are working out, but diet is a part of the picture as well. Good luck and stay away from the ice cream too!!!

If you are watching your calorie intake and exercizing as much as you say, you should be loosing weight. Breastfeeding burns calories and should help you lose weight. Please contact your doctor and have them check your thyroud. I had post-pardom thyroidosis and it kicked in six month after my first son was bor

Drink mummy magic weight loss tea. I have successfully shed my post pregnancy weight from 173 to 135 pounds.