Hayley,
I am 33 and I gained a lot of weight in the last years. I decided to address this issue at the beginning of the year. I cut alcohol and started to eat well. I eat between 1300 to 1500 calories of healthy food per day. And I train at the gym: 5-6 times a week, generally a circuit with 45 minutes of cardio (elliptical, running or biking) and lifting weight. So far this is working for me, it is not going super-fast, but I feel great. I have lost 13 pounds since the start of 2014. However at 5 feet 4 inches and 183 pounds, I still have a long way to go.
My boyfriend and I recently decided to try to start a family. It might not happen right away, and we could wait, but it is a good timing in our life.
My question is: if I get pregnant before I reach my weight goal, which should happen somewhere next fall, is it possible and healthy to continue losing weight while pregnant.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards
E
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Sounds as though there are a lot of positive events occurring in your life right now, including your current weight loss program, a great relationship and the potential of starting a family. What I suggest you do is sit down and speak with your doctor about your plans to start a family and have your doctor do a full health screen. They will be able to provide you with the proper medical advice you will need to decide if now is the right time for you to get pregnant or if you should wait a little longer.
As for what I can tell you, keep doing what you are doing and chipping away at those extra pounds you are carrying on your 5 foot 4 frame. However, you need to know that pregnancy is not a time to try and lose weight or improve your physical fitness.
If you do become pregnant before you have reached your weight loss goal, you will need to up your calorie intake but by only a few hundred calories, which equates to one or two more pieces of fruit a day, and you will need to make sure your body is getting all of the nutrition it needs. A balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables and proteins is a must. You can speak with your doctor about the foods you should be eating and the foods that you need to avoid while pregnant. You also do want to focus on not gaining more than your doctor’s recommended weight gain while pregnant as a high weight gain puts both you and your baby at risk.
In regards to your fitness routine while pregnant you will need to make a few adjustments. It is recommended that pregnant women do not exceed 30 minutes of continuous cardiovascular exercise so take your 45 minutes and cut it back to 30 but continuing with the weight training that you are currently doing. You can still work out 5 days a week, just at a lesser intensity.
Every woman in her pregnancy is different and all women have different experiences with their bodies throughout their pregnancies. Some have terrible morning sickness which can be so bad that they have troubles eating and do end up losing weight while others feel fine. Some women constantly experience fatigue and can’t even think about exercising while others are extremely energized. Some women have continuous cravings and find themselves overeating while others do not notice a change in their appetite.
When you become pregnant you need to listen to your body and do what feels right, with the supervision of your doctor. Continue your healthy eating and exercise program because it is good for you and for your baby, not in hopes of losing weight. Once you have delivered and are feeling ready to get focused on your weight loss goals again you can begin to increase your cardiovascular exercise as well as focus on your diet.
Do not forget that it will take a long time to lose the pregnancy weight that you do gain and as much as the media tricks us into thinking that getting your post baby body back is easy, it is hard work. Take each day as it comes and trust that with continued focus on healthy living you will get your body to where you want it to be.
Attached - File photos of Olivia Wilde heading to yoga in January.
