Dieting while BF?

[cooney]

So I gained 40 lbs while I was pregnant because I basically ate whatever I wanted. I did use some self control but not much.

After I had the baby I lost 20lbs and am looking to drop the other 20. Usually when I diet I take it to the extreme and will work out like crazy and limit myself to around 1000 calories a day.

I know if you do that while BF that it can dry up your supply so today I started my diet at 2000 calories a day. Is this enough? I'm not really working out yet due to my gym not being open when school is not in session. Also I had a c-section 2 weeks ago and I don't quite feel ready to hit the workout full-force.

I just want to make sure I don't loose my milk supply but I really want to loose this weight.

 

[Hevz]

Yeah, sounds nice and sensible to me. I was told by the doctor not to drop cals less than 1850cals in the 1st 6months of breastfeeding. Just a short walk with the baby is better than nothing, I carry mine in a babycarrier or sling as well

Good luck babe

 

[Kitten]

I'm in the same boat as you weight wise, I gained 3 stone and have lost a stone and a half which is pretty much the same stats, lol, and our babys were born the same day! My mum lost 4 stone after me by having 1750 cals a day so I imagine 1850 is a good figure. I'm going to start eating healthily on Wednesday cos the shopping comes Tuesday night heh.

 

[cooney]

I'm in the same boat as you weight wise, I gained 3 stone and have lost a stone and a half which is pretty much the same stats, lol, and our babys were born the same day! My mum lost 4 stone after me by having 1750 cals a day so I imagine 1850 is a good figure. I'm going to start eating healthily on Wednesday cos the shopping comes Tuesday night heh.

We should be weight loss buddies.

 

[Sarahkka]

Take it really easy with the dieting and exercise for the first three months. There is some research that suggests dieting and exercise can release toxins that are stored in the fat into breast milk. It is better for your LO to be past the three month mark before you really start hitting the gym. It is also really important that you do gentle exercise. Walking, swimming, yoga - those are all great to ease your body back into fitness. You will still have preg hormones like relaxin kicking around in your body for up to 6 months post-partum. You can really injure joints if you aren't taking it easy.
Don't underestimate the incredible slimming power of BFing! I gained 50 lbs in my pregnancy. I have done some walking and yoga, but not even very regularly, and I am just 10 lbs shy of pre-preg weight. It came off really really quickly with BF. And I don't even BF exclusively.