Exercising and dieting

So I am absolutely petrified of gaining unnecessary weight during my pregnancy. I have a tendency to gain weight and I have been very careful (despite the fact that I have mysteriously gained about 5 lbs).

I want to continue to exercise and watch what I eat throughout my pregnancy and not diet diet but cut out a lot of the bad carbs so that I can lose the fat and shed some lbs...I can't see this harming the baby...right? I eat right and drink a lot of water. I dont starve myself or anything so I think I'll be ok...

What do you think?

Re: Exercising and dieting

Personally, I think you shouldn't diet or binge eat while pregnant. I believe you only need an extra 300 calories per day while pregnant.

That being said, enjoy this time. Personally, I have been so sick that at 27 weeks I have only gained 5lbs and am still down 8lbs from my pre pregnancy weight and I would love to be hungry and LOVE to have cravings. So, enjoy it.

Just make sure the exericise is ok with your doctor and if you start to have any problems, then you may have to stop for a while.

Good luck!

Re: Exercising and dieting

Yes lots of fruits and veggies too...i just read something in one of my books that said "make every calorie count" for some reason that is just sticking w/me ... like yesterday I was so dying for some doritos but I just ate a peice of cheese instead...it worked for the craving... I also made oatmeal cookies last night (so as to not attack the oreos!!) ...so its just little replacements that can help too.

Re: Exercising and dieting

I think avoiding foods that make you feel sluggish or loaded down are OK as long as you do not do anything radical that can shock your system. Definitely talk to your doctor about it, and do a search for the Pregnancy Food Pyramid. It is a decent guideline how to incorporate the extra 300 calories a day into your diet without putting your health or your baby's health at risk.

Re: Exercising and dieting

Re: Exercising and dieting

here is what I was told:

My doc advised and still pushed that I worked out esp if I did before.
I was a cardio 3/4x wk person so I didnt think i was doing much that would harm the baby.
As for the dieting, uh..there is no diet while pg.

I was told to watch my intake and that adding 25lbs for my body will be easier for me to take off in the end.

Im right on track as of 28wks and honestly, I stopped working out.
i did for a bit, was on restriction for a bit and now I just dont.
Im too tired and things just start to hurt and ache.

I would talk to your doctor and see what he/she feels is what is right.

Re: Exercising and dieting

since I did not exercise regularly before getting pg, I exercise once in a while with my DVD... but I try to at least walk a lot... I have no cravings for sweets so thats good, I ate a piece of chocolate yesterday and thought I would die, so I guess our little boy doesnt like sweets just like his daddy...

Message edited 2/5/2007 12:04:13 PM.

Re: Exercising and dieting

Re: Exercising and dieting

Re: Exercising and dieting

Please do not go crazy about dieting and excercising.

If you exercise too much you may have a baby who is very small. Same if you are undereating.

While you should watch what you eat and watch your portion, you WILL gain weight. You have bigger BB, more blood, a baby growing, the uterus, fluid, etc... And all of this is not just a couple of Lbs.

I made more nutratious meal choices after I found out I was PG. I lost 2 Lbs in my 1st trimester. I was eating. Just not HUGE portion and I ate less calories (empty calories!!!) because I was eating fresh vs. processed foods. That's why I lost weight. Not because I was crazy about losing weight. I had a few extra pounds before the PG so I am careful myself. In the end... I will gain weight, it's healthy for the baby.

Re: Exercising and dieting

Re: Exercising and dieting

Dont get me wrong please I am not some "trying to become anorexic" type of a person here...I just dont want to gain the "unnecessary" weight during the next 8 months...I spoke with my doctor and he said that I can absolutely continue to work out, I was just wondering if I cut out the bad carbs such as white bread, potatoes and other bad starches, that I should be ok...also restrain myself from the sweets and other cravings that I might have...

Message edited 2/5/2007 12:23:01 PM.

Re: Exercising and dieting

Message edited 2/5/2007 12:23:50 PM.

Re: Exercising and dieting

Re: Exercising and dieting

no Syl. no.

you can't go on a diet now. you can eat HEALTHIER, but you can't eat less.

talk to your doc. find out about doing some cardio. get into these habits now, and you'll continue them after the baby is here.

NOTHING should concern you more than your HEALTH and the baby's health. certainly not your waistline.

keep your muscles toned underneath by walking...I am sure your OB has some recommendations/guidelines of what to do and what NOT to do.

oh, and btw, you were HOTTT before, and you will be a MILF, no doubt.

I just saw your update....still craving are natural, and honestly, if you have to carry another human around with you for 9 months, you SHOULD indulge yourself from time to time.

treat yourself the BEST you possibly can, be HEALTHY and be SATISFIED.

besides, I really don't want to deal with you if you're hormonal AND depriving yourself of chocolate!

Message edited 2/5/2007 12:27:44 PM.

Re: Exercising and dieting

Also, trust me pregnancy is not something you can plan.

I had every intention of eating well.

Then Morning sickness hit and never left.

I have only gained 4 lbs at 22 weeks PG and yet I have eaten Big Macs, French Toast, ice Cream, Pizza.

Last month, i ate bagels with American cheese for about 2 and 1/2 weeks straight and thats ALL I ate.

At this point, I am told to eat whatever I crave b/c often times I cant eat anything at all.

And my baby is fine.

So my point is dont think too much about it. Take it day by day and see where you end up .

You can eat a cake a day, but if you crave chocolate, NOW is the time to eat it....If you are gently working out, you will not gain too much weight.

Re: Exercising and dieting

i haven't changed my eating habits much and i'm still doing a cardio kickboxing class at 35 weeks...

Re: Exercising and dieting

Honestly I wouldn't cut stuff out -you need to eat a balanced diet for the baby.

If you are concerned - stick with healthier choices - and cut out things like chips, burgers, fast food, desert etc. and eat more balanced such as proteins, whole grains, fruits, veggies and dairy.

Working out is wonderful - just check what is approved by your dr. You want to make sure you gain the appropriate amount b/c that is healthy for the baby. But your body will gain what it needs to to help the baby thrive.

Re: Exercising and dieting

I'm worried about gaining a lot of weight too. It seems to run in my family when we are pg. I'm trying to just eat as healthy as I can and plenty of it. My doctor said to continue exercising so I'm going to get a heart rate monitor, because from what I understand that is the main concern when doing cardio. Does anyone know how many beats per minute to be under? thanks and take care of yourselves!

Re: Exercising and dieting

I agree with the other girls, now is not the time to diet, make better choices and if once in a while you want something not so great for you that's fine, as long as it's in moderation.

Re: Exercising and dieting

I dont really eat fatty foods like cheesburgers, fried foods or anything. Dh and I eat pretty healthy so i just eat more of my healthy foods but double. I need to start eating more fruit and veggies though. So this weekend i bought a whole bunch of fruit. Just eat a bit more but still eat healthy.

Re: Exercising and dieting

I think it depends alot on what you *can* do. Up until six weeks I was the picture of health - veggies, fruits, protein, very little carbs etc. Then the sick feeling and food adversions kicked in big time and the veggies, fruits and protein had to be FORCED down - literally - and the only foods I could stomach most of the time were bagels, crackers, and, too much pizza. My dr. said you have to eat whatever you can so I did. I also have stopped exercising because i haven't been feeling well.

Well, I am someone who almost always gains weight soooo easily - i never eat carbs and am very healthy. With all this junk i have been eating you would have think i would have gained 10lbs - NO - I lost a pound (and i haven't thrown up once). My point is - your body needs much more food now and much more carbs. IMO - I am not going to pig out on cake but i am also not going to make ANY decisions about what to eat based on fear of gaining weight. I will lose it when the baby is born. I would rather be a big fat pig with a healthy baby

Re: Exercising and dieting

Thanks for your opinions!