I feel very Sad

[QueenLiz]

I had my baby 7 and a half months ago, I thought that the weight would come off easy but how wrong was I. I am sure I have about 15 to 20 pounds extras that I do not need, of course I use to try to console myself by saying well it will eventually leave once I stop breasfeeding but I am still breastfeeding and I feel bad because it took me close to 2 years with my son who is 10 years old to drop the weight off. My husband tells me not to worry that I still look nice but he constantly tells me it is just your tummy that needs to go, so I feel even worse. What can I do I have stop drinking all kinds of drinks all I drink in the day is water, but I have not seen any good results, and the worse part is that I have tons of clothes that I cannot get my tummy in... Can someone help me or give me some advice in what I should do??? I am open for discussion... Thank you

[Amboq07]

Hello. I so understand how you feel. I thought the baby weight would come off easy especially seeing other people lose it so quickly and be able to fit in their pre-pregnancy clothes but it was never that easy for me. Its so aggravating. The only thing that helped me is working out. I use the biggest loser cardio dvd and the biggest loser 30 day shred dvd. I workout about 5 times a week. I have seen such a difference. I can actually fit back in some of my pre-pregnancy pants now. I still want to lose about 5 more pounds and tighten up my stomach more but I have lost about 13 pounds in 2 months now. Good luck and try not to let it bring you down too much! Once you start exercising and seeing a difference you are going to feel so much better about yourself.

[So-Cal mom]

Hi!! I'm sorry you feel so sad. I had my baby 3 months ago. I am also bfing. My tummy is still there too. Maybe buying some new tops will make you feel good. I just bought some loose fitting tops that still look cute. I think I read somewhere that when bfing you also retain water so that might be why we stilll have some tummy. that's hard because you get so thirsty while bfing but we have to stay hydrated and keep drinking water. I'm going to try doing some situps and i just got a pilates: great abs dvd. the only thing is that when i finally have time i dont feel like working out. sorry i wasnt much help but good luck!

[Willbearsmom]

Ugh I know how you feel!! The key is that it is going to take some time! If you can afford it, sign up for like a weight watchers program. My mom did it and she looks great! Drinking water is good so keep that up!! Eat a healthy breakfast! And try to work out! The sad part about loosing baby weight is that there usually isn't any short cuts. Come up with a work out routine that works for you! Every other day I go jog for 15 minutes and then on the days I don't jog I'm doing massive amounts of crunches and push ups. Weight lifting actually boosts your matoblism like crazy and the affects last much longer than any other form of exercise. I've always wanted to get a boflex or some other weight machine but we have no room in our apartment. You can go buy some weights at walmart or fred meyer's. Also keep in mind that calories count! People who keep a journal of what they eat and how many calories they are taking in are proven to loose more weight, faster and keep it off longer than people who don't pay attention. There are little lifestyle changes that can HELP too. Like not trying to park in the nearest parking spot. Taking the stairs or getting up to change the channel on the TV. Eating slower has proven to help you fill up faster even though you will be eating less. There is also the cabbage soup diet. I did it my senior year for a health project. I only lasted 3 days on it but I lost a pound! You can find recipes for it online. It's really good but I was eating it every meal for 3 days. Bleh! My plan now is to eat Special K for breakfast. Have some kind of fruit or veggie for a mid morning snack, then to have the cabbage soup for lunch (you can eat as much as you want and still 0 calories!) and then another snack for afternoon and then do dinner like normal. All the while sipping lemon water all day. It takes a lot of work! But you can do it!! You are off to a good start too! Keep it up!

[Willbearsmom]

http://mindbodybalance.msn.com/?section=articles&content=206_balance&source=msn&gt1=25048#/articles/206_balance/

[Jordyn]

I had my baby over a year ago and I am just now starting to lose the baby weight. I have put myself on a very strict calorie diet where I only eat about 1300 calories a day and I exercise just whenever I can. I know you can't do that exact diet because you are bfing but maybe you could ask your doctor what kind of things you can do while bfing.

I have found that after I had my baby I gained weight like magic but I didn't lose weight like magic. I have to be careful about my food portion sizes and I just basically don't eat as much as I used to and I am losing weight. My tummy is almost flat again and I've only been on the diet for a month.

My son is 14 months old. No I didn't think it would take this long to start losing the weight, but I also realized that all I did was sit and complain about being bigger instead of doing things to make it go away. I'm not saying that's you but in my case that's how it was my baby's whole first year. When he turned 12 months and I was still the exact same weight I was after he was born I decided it was time for me to start dieting and exercising for real. It's not easy but if it will make me skinny again it's worth it.

So if you really want to lose weight right now I'd ask your doctor about a balanced diet you could be on while bfing.

[Amy_Harmon2003]

I know how you feel completely I have a 7 months old baby and plus I have a 5yr old I breast feed both my boys and even though I have stopped breast feeding and went back to work it seems as if I can not lose any of my weight. I get so upset at times I just want to go into my room and cry. The one thing I do have going in my way is that my husband tells me I am still beautiful to him but I just don't see it for myself. I wish you the best of luck.

[Carley at Mothercraft]

Hi QueenLiz and gang--
I just want to chime in and say that the tough (but important to remember) truth is that while you're breastfeeding your body is not entirely your own. You're doing something wonderful for your child, and that gift (i'm sure you'd agree) is worth the sacrifice of flat abs. However, that doesn't mean that you can't do anything to work towards your goals, it just means that your approach has to be different (ie. starving yourself is not an option, and bouncy workout videos may not make your boobs too happy!).
Ask yourself: What's one SMALL thing I can do this week to work towards my goals (ie. take a 5 minute walk, cut out fried foods at one meal per week) and do that ONE thing for a whole week. When that habit feels ingrained, add to it (ie. up your walk to 10 minutes, cut out fried foods at two meals per week). The satisfaction you'll get from completing these small goals will motivate you to keep going, building slowly on your successes.
Take comfort in the fact that you're not alone... so many moms can relate to what you're going through! (see above).
Let me know what you think, and please send your SMALL goal ideas to me if you like!
c

[AmberHargrove@yahoo.com]

I am breast feeding too and they say your hips wont fully go back into place tell your completely finished breast feeding which will keep you from getting into your pre-preggo clothing. I had my first baby in February and I gained 22 lbs but I made every meal count, I'm not your little size 2, I was a size 10 when I got pregnant.Protein goes a long way so I had an egg or 2 every morning no not my fave... and I ate 3 apples a day WITH peanut butter (to make it last longer) as snacks, and when I had a sweet tooth I ate strawberries with sugar..... (This worked for me, not saying it will work for you just sharing). It costs a little more to think ahead and buy fruits and I went thru the peanut butter like crazy but its worth it when you have less to loose later. I am able to fit back into my jeans now (just don't wash as often or they shrink) and I have not yet been on a scale since I gave birth (the doctor said it can cause you to go into a depression) but I can tell I am doing pretty good..... and my SPANX (not the knock offs) are helping me look better too. If you can be determined to do just these few things it might help you too and I still eat a lot I just choose a few things that will fill me for longer. And I heard that eating 2 apples a day can almost guarantee you wont get sick.... good for you and the baby!!! All of this was with out a workout routine which would make it better.