Dieting and Pregnancy?

Before I found out I was pregnant I was expecting to lose my holiday weight in the new year, and even joined a gym. Now that I'm pregnant, I'm starting my pregnancy 10 lbs heavier than my normal weight. Is there any hope of losing this weight while being pregnant? Is it even safe to lose weight while pregnant?

Right now I'm eating healthy for the baby and not really paying attention to calories. Obviously the baby is my first priority and I will be happy to gain 50 pounds if it means we'll have a healthy, beautiful baby!

Re: Dieting and Pregnancy?

ETS: I am not preggo, but I did work for an OB/GYN for a long time

Most doctors don't suggest starting an exercise program if you have not been already. They will tell you to walk at least 30 minutes a day and I think you can safely lose weight. As long as you are giving your body and the baby what they need. I mean, obviously there are some restrictions. You still can't have "diet" foods that use chemicals to replace sugar, etc. Those things aren't allowed in pregnancy.

If y ou would like to stick to salads, fruits, and lean proteins.....I do not think any doctor would oppose.

Message edited 1/6/2007 8:27:44 AM.

Re: Dieting and Pregnancy?

Posted by lilqtny

ETS: I am not preggo, but I did work for an OB/GYN for a long time

Most doctors don't suggest starting an exercise program if you have not been already. They will tell you to walk at least 30 minutes a day and I think you can safely lose weight. As long as you are giving your body and the baby what they need. I mean, obviously there are some restrictions. You still can't have "diet" foods that use chemicals to replace sugar, etc. Those things aren't allowed in pregnancy.

If y ou would like to stick to salads, fruits, and lean proteins.....I do not think any doctor would oppose.

Re: Dieting and Pregnancy?

Re: Dieting and Pregnancy?

I didnt want to loose the first time PG but I did ask about working out and she said she didnt want me doing anything that I didnt do before pg. For some reason I was always hungry with my first and gained 45lbs. This time around I eat 3 meals a day and 2-3 snacks. Its not always the healthiest but I am definitly not eating like I was and I actually lost 2 pounds. I never lost all the baby weight with the first since I got pg when DS was 7 months. I think if you stick to a healthy diet you might loose it naturally and watch your portion control. If you are worried about portion size you can always eat on salad plate and fill it up instead of a dinner plate. I started doing this because I wasnt really eating dinner in the beginning and needed to eat and for some reason I finish my meals on a smaller plate and it is probably the same amount if I put it on a large plate.

Re: Dieting and Pregnancy?

I had put on 15lbs since the wedding when it came time to TTC . My 34th b'day was also approaching, and I didn't want to wait too much longer to try since I had no idea how long it would take for us. I did some reading and determined that it was not a good idea to severly diet while TTC. You're body gets depleted of nutrients etc... So instead I started working on just eating really healthy. I figured that if it didn't happen right a way, I would still loose weight over the long term.

When I did get PG, I also bought some books on healthy eating while PG. I also kept a food diary in the early months to get a handle on what I was eating. (Both books I read said that you only need to increase your caloric needs 100 cal. a day in the first trimester and then 300 a day for the rest of the PG.)

Basically, I walk 30 minutes 5x a week (on my lunch hour at work), I do yoga spread out about 5 nights a week at home (I did yoga pre-pg), I drink a lot of water and I work at eating healthy nutricious foods. (The books I got have recipe suggestions.) I make foods ahead so that when I'm hungry I have something to grab for. When I leave for work I always pack up fruit, veggies and other healthy snacks. I always bring my lunch. However, saying that, I also don't deprive myself sweets. But I will have them after I've eaten a healthy meal.

Re: Dieting and Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is not the time to think about losing weight - all the books will tell you that....

That doesnt mean you have to gain a ton of weight - just try your best to find healthy options for your cravings, be active but not over doing it with exercise, and try and eat healthy...

Re: Dieting and Pregnancy?

I think only if your very overweight to begin with should you worry.

I was overweight and I know my Dr's hoped I wouldnt or wont gain over 15 lbs. this pregnancy.

Im shooting for 25 as more realistic.

I do have to watch what I eat more then others and I dont have to follow or am not suppossed to the standard calorie guidlines others do because I have more weight to begin with. So in a sense you could say Im on a "diet" while Pregnant.

I basically just dont indulge too much ...but the non stop morning sickness ( Im 18 weeks) helped me gain very little as well.

Although Im 18 weeks now..I gained 7 lbs and the Dr said that was a little much for this point. ( most was at the beginning when I could eat.

She would have liked to see me at 3-4 lbs.

Message edited 1/6/2007 2:21:48 PM.

Re: Dieting and Pregnancy?

I didnt know I was pregnant and was doing the Fat Smash diet by Dr. Ian (the doctor from VH1's celebrity fit camp) I lost 7 pounds in 9 days - eating TONS of fruits, veggies and later on - lean protein. It's not so much a diet as a nutritional program.