If You Got Back to Your Pre Pregnancy Weight…….

I know a woman that has TEN kids and she swears by only push ups and planks.
(But, apparently, you have to "do" them! Lol)

I actually went back to 10 lbs less than my pre-pregnancy weight... But mine was a combination of breastfeeding and some complications from delivery hat really messed with my body.

That said... My body was definitely much better pre-pregnancy... Even though I weigh less. I was never really toned, per say... But I definitely didn't jiggle as much as I do now! I have to really watch myself to stay at the weight I am at, and it seems like no matter how much work I out into it I can't get any decent definition in my abs. Lol.

I'm fine with it though... I just have a body that has been through childbirth. It's something for me to be proud of, even if I now wear a mommy-suit instead of a bikini. ;)

I snapped right back into shape after baby #1. After baby #2 it was nearly impossible to get back to my pre-baby weight. I mean, I tried EVERYTHING. For 6 years. Fitness boot camp, ran marathons, you name it. Never could get rid of "pregnancy brain" either. My skin and hair never returned to normal. It was awful. Then I began getting migraines almost daily. My doctor wasn't able to help, really (offering useless suggestions such as, "Take vitamins!"). Finally someone here on Mamapedia suggested that these symptoms might be thyroid-related. I went in and insisted my doctor test me for thyroid issues. Bingo. That's exactly what it was. It has taken another 2 years of adjusting the medication, but FINALLY I'm losing the weight!

So... if you feel like you've tried everything and the weight just won't come off, it's worth asking your doctor to run some diagnostic tests. Pregnancy is really hard on your body, and any number of physical issues/ailments could be causing your body not to function optimally. Best of luck - I hope you find a solution!

Welcome to the almost 40s. It's all down hill from the late 30s.

I think it really depends on three things. 1) your natural body state 2) how many pregnancies you've had 3) your age. Pregnancy in general is devastating to the female form. I didn't have a problem losing the weight. But toning the body was a whole other issue. For me it took yoga and some stomach exercises that retightened my abdominal muscles. Look up abdominal muscle separation.

For me aging has been the enemy. With my first I gained almost 70 pounds and I lost it ALL within 3 months. I didn't diet or do anything, I just nursed around the clock and exercised when I could. But I was 26.
I had the next two kids at 28 and 31. Gained about the same, but the weight with my third took close to a year to come off, and actually I ended up with an extra 10 pounds or so.
Now at 45 I have had to change my diet DRASTICALLY. I used to eat pretty much whatever I want and exercised when I felt like it. Those days are sadly long gone. And it really started in my late thirties.
Sorry, getting older just sucks, and it really does take a major effort just to remain somewhat fit. Hopefully you can find some kind of calorie burning activity you love, that helps!
Re the belly? This is why the tummy tuck is the most popular cosmetic procedure. I haven't had one (surgery terrifies me) but plenty of women around here have, it's more common than you think.

I am 30 and have a 2 and 4 yr old. I was 117 before getting pregnant with both my kids and am back to that exact weight after 2 yrs. I never worked out but with 2 kids and a SAHM I literally never sit still. I breastfed both my kids for 1 yr each and while I am the same weight as before I started, my body looks NOTHING like it did before kids. Everyone is different. Unless I get a tummy tuck and a boob job I will forever need to accept that I look this way because I grew my perfect little babies inside me and really whats better than that. At 38 are you honestly looking to win a beauty contest because Im sure if you ask your husband you are a hot Momma in his eyes and your kids love you NO MATTER WHAT! Learn to love yourself and thats all that matters
Good luck!

If you just do cardio you'll lose the weight but your body may not look the same as it did before, you need to do strength training for that- think push-ups, jumping jacks, plyometrics.

The Insanity Workouts videos with Shaun T are excellent and really do produce results quickly, but they're very challenging so you need to be careful if you haven't already been exercising. I think it's the best set of exercise dvd's I've ever done. The ab workout he has in the Insanity Challenge is very effective and doesn't have you doing boring crunches.

Getting mine back was very hard work. All three times. I bounced back from my third and final child at age 39-actually 40 by the time I got my body all the way back, and it IS the same as it was before barring some stretch marks. But my belly tends to puff up much more easily when I'm not careful to exercise enough or eat right now that I'm 44. And actually, two years ago, I accidentally gained 20 pounds-not childbirth related, and had an IMPOSSIBLE TIME losing it. I've always had to exercise a lot and work had to be thin, but none of my old habits of increasing exercise and cutting food intake had any effect. I thought I was just finally "bigger with age" and almost gave up.

Then I found the book "Fit For Life" by Diamond in my basement. The book is from the 80's but I had never read it. I read it. I did it. I still do it. I've never felt better. I teach zumba and I'm one of the "fit people" at my gym.

Before that though, I was VERY worried about my stomach which was stretched out and hanging!!!! It did take LONGER for the skin to catch up to the weight loss than when I was younger, but I finally have a flat, normal belly-again, unless I'm being bad, then it puffs back out. I eat right and along with regular exercise, I do a really tough 30 minute abs class at my gym 3 times per week and supplement with DVD if I can't make it to gym. Your core really needs tough regular muscle work to get firmed back up.

When I started it "Fit For Life", I lost 15 pounds in three weeks, then the last 5 soon after. I keep with the program most of the time, but I also take plenty off "off" days. I haven't gained the weight back in two years and I have an easier time keeping weight off now than in my 20s and I'm much healthier now.

You can do it. 7 months isn't that long. It took me about a year for all of mine.

I had an awful time , bouncing back after my , never did get to where I was. Now, after my 4th... I feel defeated. I workout but am nursing & eat constantly.

HI Jane,

I've determined nutrition is the key to getting to your ideal weight. As we get older, it's harder to get back to where we want to be simply because we've had more time absorbing things that AREN'T good for us and they are fighting against what IS good for us. My husband and I both take an absorbable multivitamin that is guaranteed. I weigh 110 pounds at 5'2" My husband weighs 265 at 6'7" My husband is down from 408 pounds. He has easily kept off the extra weight and were older...I know it seems impossible but it's not. Counting calories, avoiding carbs, etc is not necessary if you don't overindulge...but you have to absorb the nutrition.

Hope this helps!
M.

I am actually a few pounds heavier but feel pretty good about where I am. I didn't do a lot different, but after I stopped nursing DD, I did notice that a few pounds snuck back on. I walked more, ate more veggies, and cut out the extra snacks. Didn't diet per se, just watched what I ate and ate more healthily. Haven't entirely gotten the abs back, though.

With my first I didn't get back to pre-pregnancy weight until after my daughter weaned. I held onto the last 10lbs until then. Once she weaned it all and then some came off within a few months. Was it hard work? I guess. I walk everyday with the dog and since I have a big dog we walk a great deal. But while she was still nursing I tried pilates, yoga, etc but nothing helped. My body just wants those extra pounds and it took about 2 years for my body to adjust back to the way it was physically.
With my second I am still nursing at 2.5yo and even though he really isn't nursing all that much I still can't lose those last 10lbs. I figure it will come off when he weans.
Remember that your little one is young. All of their nutrition should be coming from your breastmilk or formula. If you deprive yourself you are depriving your child of the nutrients they need. I personally would just concentrate on providing for your child.

I did but I had to give up all junk food. No sugar or white flour products. Basically, I only eat meat, chicken, fruits and vegetables. No packaged goods.

I had my third baby at 38. With baby #1 at age 33, I got my figure back in four weeks! With baby #2 at age 36, I never managed to lose all of the baby weight. The closest I got was about five pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight.

Baby #3 was fussy from the very beginning. Due to his suspected allergies, I eliminated dairy, eggs, nuts, wheat, and soy from my diet starting from the time he was four months old. By default, this pretty much turned into a low carb diet. I lost about 15 pounds in the span of two months. Yes, breastfeeding helped too. After I stopped nursing, I gained back about three pounds, but for the most part, I am back at my pre-pregnancy weight. And I am 41. A good core workout has put my diastatis recti in check, although I still have a bit of a jelly roll.

Give yourself a break! Your baby is only seven months old! If you want to make any changes, start with your diet. Make sure you're getting enough sleep. I suspect you are under a lot of stress. That doesn't help things. You'll get there. In the meantime, buy yourself a cute outfit and get a nice haircut. Your body will return soon enough. Good luck!

I hope to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight by the time this baby is 4 months old. As far as my belly being back to normal that will take many crunches and working out. Just because you get back to your pre pregnancy weight doesn't mean your body will look the same. I can't wait to start walking and doing some toning to my butt and stomach (arms too) in a few weeks. I have lost 1/2 my weight gained just by watching what I consume during the day and eating smart.