Overweight pre-pregnancy

I am 5'8 and was approximately 40lbs overweight pre-preggo. I "carried it" pretty well. I gained only 13lbs when I was pregnant and lost all of it now at 16weeks PP.

Yesterday I went to the mall to find something to wear for DD's Christening...even though I weigh the same as pre-preggo, my stomach is completely GROSS (c-section)...it just hangs there and I'm absolutely covered in stretch marks from my stomach to my knees

I started crying in the dressing room because I just looked so revolting. How am I going to get over this? Even if I lose more weight in my stomach I am still going to be covered in stretch marks...

I guess I am just depressed about how bad my body looks. I am still in my maternity clothes because only sweatpants fit. Now I'm thinking about how we want to have more kids and my body is just going to get worse and worse - how am I ever going to buy "regular" clothes again?

How am I going to get out of this slump?

Re: Overweight pre-pregnancy

I know exactly how you feel - I had a similar experience going shopping for a Christening outfit too. I thought I would never be able to wear a dress again. It didn't help that when I told the salesperson I was getting it for the Christening, she basically told me it wasn't dressy enough for the mom of the baby being Christened. She's lucky I didn't have my oversized diaper bag, since I might have beaten her with it.

Give yourself more time. I didn't put in a ton of effort into exercising, I went for walks when I could. I think it was about a year before I felt more back to normal. At almost 2 years later now, I still have weight to lose and clothes that don't fit, but I definitely feel better about how I look.

Re: Overweight pre-pregnancy

Posted by dpli

I know exactly how you feel - I had a similar experience going shopping for a Christening outfit too. I thought I would never be able to wear a dress again. It didn't help that when I told the salesperson I was getting it for the Christening, she basically told me it wasn't dressy enough for the mom of the baby being Christened. She's lucky I didn't have my oversized diaper bag, since I might have beaten her with it.

Give yourself more time. I didn't put in a ton of effort into exercising, I went for walks when I could. I think it was about a year before I felt more back to normal. At almost 2 years later now, I still have weight to lose and clothes that don't fit, but I definitely feel better about how I look.

Re: Overweight pre-pregnancy

I totally know where you are coming from. My body is a mess. I'm still not comfortable but I'd say it took a couple of months for me to feel better. Its hard being same size as pre-pregnancy but wearing a larger size since I know have a belly that hangs. Its gross.

Re: Overweight pre-pregnancy

I can totally relate. I was overweight to begin with, and as soon as I get pregnant I started gaining weight. I wasn't eating that much either. I gained 40lbs. I only have 5 lbs left to get back to my pre-preggo weight but I can't fit in any of my clothes. I litterally jumped 3 dress sizes its all in my stomach and legs. I really hate the way my body looks right now. I have to go shopping for DS christening, and am so dreading it.

Re: Overweight pre-pregnancy

Please don't let the stretch marks worry you to much..I had really bad ones...I swore a tiger came up from behind and scratched my stomach!! lol
and they weren't going away...but I am now 9 mo pp and they are pretty much faded to almost nothing.....very faint but NOTHING like they were a couple of months ago...I didn't believe the dr when she told me they would go away...but they are..it just takes time!

And invest in spanx they were a lifesaver for the first couple of months when I had to dress up! =)
Good luck!

Re: Overweight pre-pregnancy

I had the exact same experience when I had DS. I cried in the dressing room too. I felt awful, but what I did was get clothing in my new size that was flattering on me. I had lost the 24 lbs from DS in 10 weeks, but I could not fit into my prepregnancy clothing for 9-10 months. I am now 3 weeks post partum from DD and with her gained 14 lbs. I lost all of that by 2 weeks and can fit into the post pregnancy clothing from DS. I can barely fit into my normal clothing. I am still flabby. I hope now that I am done to really loose weight. It is so hard though. I really feel for you because I am in the same boat.

Re: Overweight pre-pregnancy

I can totally relate and it gets me soo upset sometimes!!! It is frustrating ~ (I have always been up and down with my weight) I gained 40 pounds with my son and only lost 1/2 ~ but the weight is coming off slowwwwwwwwwwly. (plus I cant excercise due to a blood clot in my leg ~ it just makes it worse) Here are some

I now hate to buy clothes ~ sometimes I wear my maternity clothes when we go out & they are comfy. But it is frustrating!

PS My stretch marks have faded so much that I can barely see them. Just give that a little time!

Message edited 10/26/2009 11:36:33 AM.

Re: Overweight pre-pregnancy

I can relate - I gained a bunch of weight BEFORE DD#1 was born (before I even got preggo!). I gained about 14 lbs when I was preggo and lost it and a few more lbs withing 2 weeks after delivery...

but within the last 2 years I managed to pack on 20 more lbs. Now I am pregnant with #2. It's not fun knowing I won't ever have a cute baby bump, but honestly I have no one to blame except myself.

I hate how I look and hate being in pictures. After DC#2, I HAVE to get back into shape....for me and my family.