I'm 8 months postpartum with my first, and weigh the same as I did a few days after giving birth, which is 15lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight. YANMD, but my doctor isn't of much help, and I need a plan. Relevant details under the fold.
I used to weigh about 115lbs and am now stuck at 130lbs, which is heavy for my short frame.
For some reason, I gained weight very slowly in early pregnancy but put on a bit too much in the 3rd trimester. Other than that, my pregnancy was very smooth.
I'm in my mid 30s, at an age when many of my relatives went from thin to average or overweight. My 23andme results say I have a predisposition to obesity.
I've never been great at exercising, but I walk about 30-40 minutes every day. Post baby, it has been hard to go to the gym, though I'm committed to trying now.
I eat reasonably healthily but I haven't been counting calories or trying diets.
I'm still breastfeeding and my period has not returned. I don't want to hurt my supply too much.
My thyroid, etc is normal.
Given all this: how much should I exercise at the minimum? Should I aggressively count and curtail calories? Go on a special diet? Drink more water? Any other tips? I want to feel like myself again.
I know it takes time and breastfeeding probably doesn't help, but it's been 8 months and no weight loss at all is a bit much. |