How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I'm having my first pregnancy and I was curious will your body ever go back to the way it was?

Will you lose the lower abdominal fat and will your breasts return to the your normal size?

Also I heard if you have a c-section your pretty much screwed on ever getting a flat stomach because they cut into your muscles.

Sorry if these questions seem silly. I'm just really curious about how the body will end up.

I would love to hear how you handled yourself afterwards

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I am only 5 months pp, but my body is DEFINATELY not how it used to be.

I feel that my body is pretty much ruined

ETS: I had a c/s

Message edited 4/12/2007 5:07:50 PM.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I was non pregnant for only 5 months after DD was born, but within that time i lost all but 10 lbs of pg weight (gained 50+), was back in my pre pg clothes, bras.

My hips though were different even though my jeans fit, they seemed a bit wider, my boobs were a bit, well let's say little more jello like and not as firm as they used to be.

I always had a flat tummy and that so far was the hardest to lose, but i totally think if i had more time before getting pg again and with some work, i could get that back too.

But with all that, i wouldn't trade being a mommy for anything, even my body back.

ETA: I had a rough v birth

Message edited 4/12/2007 6:15:12 PM.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I had a c/s wiht my first and was able to lose all the pregancy weight and then some. Then I got PG with my second, and maybe its just my laziness, but I lost it but gained it baclk and then some. Definitely a yo-yo process for me. I need to work harder on losing it after my second child, who will be a year old soon

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I was overweight pre-pregnancy, so I am working on getting rid of that (about 30 pounds). I gained about 25 during the pregnancy, and lost that weight in about three weeks- I think it helped that I breastfeed but I also didn't have much of an appetite for a couple weeks after having the baby.

My body looks different though- the fat's in different places than it was before! My stomach muscles are shot, so I look like I have more of a belly than I did before I was pregnant.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

Losing the weight hasn't been terribly difficult, but it's true that your body will never be the same. I'm just shaped differently. My boobs are bigger, my waist is thicker, etc. But I still wear the same size as I did pre-prego, so I guess I can't complain too much. Don't worry about it. It's all worth it to have a beautiful child.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I only gained 16 lbs and lost 20 in the first two weeks post partum. I was wearing my old jeans after one week BUT I feel jiggly and need to exercise to get back to feeling good about myself.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

With breastfeeding, it was veyr easy to lose all the pregnancy weight. In fact 6 months PP I weighed less than I did beforeI got pregnant.

But my body was never went back to the way it was. My clothes never fit the way they used to. My stomach (always my problem area) and although all the weight is way gone- its just not the same.

I am just stopping nursing so I cant tell you about breasts, but my lower abs actually are smaller than they were before. My upper abs (tummy) is a whole other story.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I gained about 25 ilbs while pregnant and lost it all within about 6 weeks after giving birth....I think BF really helped. The problem is now that I am weaning my DD - 14mths...the weight seems to be piling back on....so I have to start exercising with a purpose now.

I do think my body has changed though...definitely wobbly belly syndrome going on...boobs - who knows what will happen them after being pulled and twisted for 14 mths ..skin texture definitely has suffered for the simple reason I have no time to moisturise..lucky if I get a shower in a couple of times a week.

Dont mean to scare you but its worth all the scars and wobbly bits.....really it is.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I gained 44 lbs my first pregnancy

After a year of breastfeeding, working full time and caring for a child--I was 5 lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight. I was literally melting away... So, it depends on your lifestyle.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I Breast Feed and lost all my pregnancy weight rather quick. I think each person is different, depends on lifestyle, diet, hereditary, etc...

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

For me weight came off quickly and I fit in my normal clothes quickly - definitely by 3 months. Getting my normal body back took longer....I didn't feel real good for at least a year - but I was use to having a pretty flat tummy. By a year and half - I was pretty much normal again although still insecure.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I gained exactly 40 pounds. I was very slim before being pregnant and after 2 months I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight without exercise. BUT - it's all genetics for me, my whole family has always been very slender without any effort. I did breastfeed for a few months but I supplemented as well sometimes. My body is back to the way it was pre-pregnancy also - my stomach is flat again. My boobs - not same exact, but I'm okay with that.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I gained 35-40 lbs and have already lost 25 lbs. I had him only 10 days ago. But I heard it is the last 10 lbs that is the hardest to get off.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

it's different for everyone. i have a few friends that look amazing you would never know they had a baby.. i have had more trouble getting rid of the belly fat.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I didn't find it that difficult. I got lucky in that I really didn't have to "do anything" to get back to form. I was only 2 lbs. heavier when I got pregnant this time than I was the last time.

Yes, it's true though...the body isn't quite the same. Mostly I notice it in my breasts and my stomach. I always had a nice flat stomach (that *was* the only thing I liked about my body...sigh), but it's flat no more...probably that has a bit to do with my lack of exercise too--I was just too paranoid and lazy after a c/s to do any crunches, etc. So I have a bit of a roll. Also, my breasts got smaller and they barely filled out a "B" in the first place.

ETA...I did BF for 14 weeks.

Message edited 4/12/2007 8:57:50 PM.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I was a size 6 pre-pregnancy with a flat stomach, and I gained 45 pounds. I lost 25 pounds but now at 5 months post partum I am still a size 12 and my stomach is just a big flabby mess. BUT I will say that I really haven't tried to do anything in terms of exercise or diet and I do think if I focused on it I could get back to the way I was. But who has the time to focus when you are working full time and taking care of a child?!

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

Hmmmm...

Boobs were always OK...I never breast fed though...

Stomach..well...aside from the stretch marks...looked about the same..I definitely have the extra skin when I bend over but its not excessive.

As far as the weight goes...I gained at least 50 lbs and all but 10 was gone by 6 weeks post partum...after that I usually wound up losing the weight and then some...

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I worked out like crazy before I got pregnant. During my pregnancy I gianed 50 pounds and lost it all and then some. By 3 months after giving birth, I was back into my pre-pregnancy clothes. By the following summer, I was in my bikini and had my old flat stomach back. Things are not the same though. They're a little mushy. I guess I just have to work extra hard at working out now. I never breastfed but the boobs went down a cup size...

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I gained almost 50 pounds and lost a lot pretty quick. I was about 3-4 pounds from pre-preggo weight when I stopped Bfing and have gained back about 5 pounds. I fit into pre-preggo clothes by about 4-5 months, but my body is deffinitely different. I had the firmest boobs ever before the baby (my friends joked that I had fake porn style boobs) and now they're bigger, but way mushier. I actually hate them whereas I used to love them. I keep telling DH that I want a boob lift/job when we're done having babies, but he just thinks I'm crazy.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I was very thin before pg, gained 42+ lbs and lost all but 10 at 3 months pp and I BF for 6 wks. Now at 7 months I am 3-5 lbs from pre-pg weight, but my boobs are saggier (but the same size) and my stomach muscles need work. I fit into my old size clothes but they're a little tight, so I went a size up to be comfy.

Overall not so bad and totally worth it to have been blessed with a child!

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I'll let you know once i do DD is 10 mos and I haven't but I can't complain too much b/c I really haven't tried like these other posters.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

It wasn't that difficult for me. I gained a healthy amount for my height/weight and lost all but 5lbs before 8 weeks PP. That 5lbs is still there at 16 weeks PP but once I get out walking every day, it should (hopefully) come off!

My pre-pg pants fit but they are tighter in the hips/thighs and my stomach is mushy. Many of my shirts don't fit right now but that's because of my chest - I'm still bf-ing.

Re: How difficult was it to lose the pregnancy weight?

I was thin pre-prego and tone...My stomach went down VERY quick..Even when I was still in the hospital I just looked bloated..not like I was still pregnant~
Almost 7 months later...my body is definitely not the way it used to be..Even though you lose the majority of the weight,,your body is now shaped differently~

I get down on myself sometimes because I wish I had my pre-prego body back..but it also feels nice when someone tells you that your body doesnt look like you just had a baby 7 months ago

Message edited 4/13/2007 9:42:20 AM.