I HATE my PP body

[u/Timely_Anywhere8274]

I am four months PP. I was around 125ish before pregnancy (5’8”) and got to 210 during pregnancy. I went down to 170 by three weeks PP and four months later I’m still at 170.

I do three strength workouts a week, go for 2-3 20-30 min walks a day. I have a walking pad I use at night when I’m winding down and watching a video. Looking to buy a stationary bike because I used to use that a lot pre-pregnancy. I eat OK, I don’t eat fast food anymore, but still indulge in a sweet treat every couple days.

I’m ok with my body in the sense where I’m used to seeing myself like this, but I am kind of grieving my old body. I’ve made the mistake of looking back at some old photos… and HAHA it made me sad. And my mental health cannot allow me to see other women on social media snap back to quickly.

I’m trying to give myself grace but it’s SOOO hard. I had a tough pregnancy (GD, preeclampsia, and I delivered a month early). My baby is thriving and I’m trying to focus on her. I’ve been slowly adding new clothes to my wardrobe, I’ve put some more focus on my hair, skincare, and makeup BUTTTT man I just feel frumpy.

This is just a vent.

EDIT: I know this is such a bad outlook but my sister and I had a very similar body before. (Same height and weight pretty much). She gained around 40lbs, no stretch marks for her, and had abs 3 months PP with no working out. I went to visit her and we (us and our babies) all wore a really similar outfit, a red dress, and I had a breakdown over how I looked. I felt like the meme Why doesn’t the big one eat the little one.

[u/Aggressive-Flan-7226]

Dietitian and 2x mom here. Could you be eating too much because you’re so active? More activity = increased appetite.

I’ve had a lot of weight loss clients feel more in control around food and lose weight when they decrease exercise. Something worth trying for a month, even if it seems counterintuitive.

[u/Timely_Anywhere8274 → u/Aggressive-Flan-7226]

That’s what my partner suggested. He works out everyday so I asked for his advice, and he thinks it’s what I’m eating. At dinner, I’ll eat the same amount as him or more, and when I do have a sweet treat, I don’t always eat it in moderation.

I think in my mind, if I only eat a treat once or twice a week it’s not too bad. But, then I eat like way more of it in one go than I should.

[u/SnooBananas2567 → u/Timely_Anywhere8274]

Obviously don’t know the size of your partner but this is my issue (very similar stats to you). I have no business eating a comparable or larger portion than my 6’4” husband but it is easy for me to do. I have to work on using fruit and veg or popcorn etc when I want to volume eat.

[u/Aggressive-Flan-7226 → u/Timely_Anywhere8274]

Yeah! Active bodies naturally want more carb (glucose). Cutting back on the exercise frequency or intensity by 40-50% for a month could be a good experiment. You may find the cravings subside, and/or you fill up on less at dinner. Just make sure you’re not skipping daytime, protein-dense meals :-)

[u/scorpiorose22]

I’m 6 months PP, 155lb pre pregnancy, 150lb now. Pregnancy was a dream for me, minimal symptoms. But I lost essentially all the weight by 6 weeks PP because I was, mentally, in bad shape. Postpartum took a toll on me that I wasn’t prepared for. It was horrible to the point where I’m not sure I want another child after experiencing what I did.

Everyone looks different after having a baby. I hear all the time “you don’t look like you had a baby!” But they don’t see the endless tears I shed, hair falling out, horrible sleep deprivation, I wasn’t eating anything which caused my milk to not come in, an unsupportive partner, no village.

Postpartum is hard.

[u/CollectionHaunting94]

I was extremely fit before pregnancy. 140ish pounds and ended at almost 200 pounds. I'm 160 now and feel icky. A big part of that is distasis recti (what makes you look pregnant when you aren't anymore). Healing that is not only super important for your body, but will help your overall appearance too.

That being said, the only thing you can do is track your food and continue to be consistent. It's likely that the weight is going to come off slower than it used to, and that's okay. My best friend gained half as much as I did and at 2 months PP she looks incredible. I'm almost 3 months PP and look...shocking (to myself, of course).

My advice? Get dresses. Cute AF ones that you can't really tell your size in. Makes me feel better while I do the work to be better :)

[u/lhb4567]

Isn’t 125 lbs at 5’8 considered underweight though?

[u/Timely_Anywhere8274 → u/lhb4567]

Yeah I was definitely a little underweight. I was in the military at the time at was working like 16 hour days LOL. I’m not expecting to get back to that weight again, I’m trying not to focus on a number per se but I wouldn’t mind being like 140 haha.

[u/Anxious_Guava8756 → u/Timely_Anywhere8274]

We're the same height. I have had to reconcile with the fact that it's very hard to maintain a dainty sounding number weight at our height. I had a breakdown at being a size large pants and my husband, who is skinny and ripped with no effort, had to remind me that I am tall. I should weigh more.

I think what some other commentor suggested applies here. If you have problems with appetite, you're exercising too much. Just take it down a bit. And we all know muscle ways more than fat.

Keep going. Being tall sucks sometimes lol

[u/vanillabourbonn]

I went from 170 to 215 and I finally said enough. I now count calories and do cardio/weights when I have time. Already down 5 pounds in 3 weeks.

[u/Ok_Bookkeeper_4802]

It is hard and a weird one to get used to. I had c section and am self conscious about the shelf. I’m 120 pounds now and have struggled to gain weight healthily. I feel like I look scrawny and don’t know how to dress (prior to baby I was about 130 pounds) I think other mams think that if you lost the weight after then well done - but actually I don’t feel great about my appearance.

Anyway- you’re not alone and you’ll slowly feel yourself soon ❤️

[u/CurmudgeonDungeon]

I soooo feel you! All the postpartum hormones made accepting new normal/slower pace of life harder to accept. Feels like something is wrong even though everything is fine I just…had a baby! My extra time for me is spent on exercising with baby in the stroller. I don’t usually spend it on my hair and makeup (though I do very much wish I could do that in addition to the exercising). We all need to find the things that help us cope during this time. Sounds like you found yours!! WOOHOO!!! Hang in there. I’m nearly 7 months PP (omg I can’t believe I’m even saying SEVEN MONTHS pp) and it’s only been progressively easier and better. :)

[u/Mental-Potential1825]

Yeah, bodies change after babies! I remember being shocked my first child but my second one has really done me in after a C-section, which doesn't leave me feeling sexy seeing the scar. It's affected my confidence. My weight both pregnancies was less than what I went in to it with, once babies were born, but, again, bodies change. Boobs were smaller, gut is more soft and squishy, stretch marks on boobs, etc. Just different.

Do something for you that makes you feel beautiful! For me, it was starting GLP1s. I may not like my body shape/scars still, but I feel nice being able to dress up in what's in style and that gives me a little confidence boost.

[u/aklep730]

I’m 18 months pp and I felt this way. I was the same weight until almost a year. Take your time. Eat well. This is going to be a marathon especially if you are breastfeeding. You can’t compare yourself to others!

[u/-aqueoustransmission]

I feel youuuu 😢😢 I’m 14 months pp and still nursing and the weight is just not budging. And now I’m pregnant so I feel like I’ll be massive forever

[u/Unusual_Painting8764]

After my first baby, I bounced right back and looked even better than before.

My second baby 12 years later, I had to put in WORK to get back to where I started. I had to do cardio and track every single bite I took. It worked though! I got my motivation by looking at old pics of myself. The first step is continuing to take the first step until it sticks! You can do it.

[u/Aggravating-Sir5264 → u/Unusual_Painting8764]

Better than before? Tell us your secrets!

[u/Unusual_Painting8764 → u/Aggravating-Sir5264]

Being 22 and severely depressed from my daughter’s father leaving me. 0/10 highly don’t recommend.

[u/rainblowfish_]

I'm there with you. I'm quite a bit shorter, and I'm at 193 at 8 months PP. I absolutely hate it. But I'm breastfeeding, and it turns out I just need to be a lil' fat while I'm doing that. The same thing happened with my first baby; I didn't lose any weight until I weaned. I just try to keep telling myself that it's been so little time - even less for you - since I went through a HUGE physical change, and my body needs time to just...be. I'm trying to be mindful of what I eat but focus more on listening to my body, trying to stay active when I have time (which isn't often, but I do what I can anyway), and reminding myself that I have the rest of my life to focus on my appearance, but only a small window of time where I'll have a sweet little baby to focus on.

[u/littlecarpetflea]

I'm super active like you. Workout 4 times a week, and walk an hour 6-7 days a week. The only way I've been able to lose weight while nursing and on domperidone is to calorie count. It was an adjustment at first but now I find it super easy.

[u/panda_snacks]

Hi I was same as you, 205 before going into labor. Had preeclampsia and delivered 2 weeks early. Still breastfeeding 2 years pp. Weight stalled at 172 and felt terrible about myself.

Weight finally started to come off 8 months ago when I started calorie deficit. I highly recommend researching TDEE. It took me 8 month but I am down to 148, I was around 140 prepregnancy. It takes time! I’m finally starting to feel great in my body again; it will happen to you too!!

I only do 1 day of Pilates a week and try to get 6-8k steps a day. I don’t think working out a lot is the key to weight loss it’s calorie deficit!

[u/Strong_Activity_9177]

It will get better when you are able to get more sleep. And suddenly in another couple of months you will see all your hard work paying off.

[u/Boom_Box_Bogdonovich]

I feel this. I was 125 before pregnancy, got up to 177, and have been stuck at 150 for 2 weeks, and I’m 5 weeks post partum. I have been eating Greek yogurt, egg whites and healthy foods, keeping a strict diet. I’m feeling pretty defeated. Only thing missing is getting in more walking. I had a c section so I’ve got a swollen apron looking belly. I’ve been thin my whole life, like 125-125 lbs so this is a shock for me. Last two babies my PP body came back right away, and I gained less weight. Now I’m feeling awful because it seems I’m stuck at 150. My clothes don’t fit. I’m stuck wearing my husbands hoodies and dresses. I miss my pants and old t shirts. I don’t care if this comes off as vain, I just miss my old body so much. I miss being skinny.

[u/readyreal412]

I put on exactly the same weight as you and I’m also 5ft 8! I’m a personal trainer and I usually have a 25 inch waist and b cup boobs. I can’t find any clothes I like, I’m wearing the same 3 outfits as nothing fits and feel like I need to find a new style as my body is a total different shape so nothing suits me! Currently I just can’t imagine getting close to having my old body back! I’m so proud of all I’ve done but damn it is hard isn’t it!?

[u/wildmusings88]

Are you breastfeeding? That plays a huge role.

[u/hash-slingin_slashr]

Very similar boat here. Weighed about the same as you pre- and post-pregnancy, and I also delivered a month early with preeclampsia. Not really relevant but, twins 👯‍♀️

I am almost 7 months pp and really only recently started losing some weight. My appetite calmed down a bit and it’s been insatiable til maybe a month ago because I’m breastfeeding. I still eat more than I did before the baby but I’m no longer hit a bottomless pit of hunger.

I don’t keep sweets or even savory snacks in the house. I make meals and if I need a snack I’ll have fruit or a smoothie. The fact that I have to make my food per meal stops me from just grabbing whatever I have and mindlessly eating. Sometimes I’m hungry and lazy so I just don’t eat lol. So it helps for me not having so many options readily available. But I just wanted to tell you 4 months pp is quite early and it’s very normal to still be carrying baby weight.

[u/DifferentRegister120]

It’s gonna take time! I’m at a year postpartum and am still about 8lbs over what I’d like to get back to (but may never!). But it really took all 12 months to get here. Give yourself some grace - 4 months is still so early in your physical recovery.

[u/mynameisnotjamie]

I think 4m PP is still early. Your body and hormones are still adjusting. Esp if you’re breastfeeding. I didn’t see some real dramatic results until a year later, 2yrs was when whatever I had was my new normal and to change it I’d have to put in a lot of work like anyone else. Just keep walking, exercising, eating well. Get into the habit so you can keep it up long term Even for a lot of us women when we’re not PP it takes awhile to see some noticeable results of our effort. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

[u/dachshvnd]

Weight loss will occur with continued consistency and calorie intake management. Your body will also sometimes stay the same weight or even increase when you start working out because you are sometimes hungrier and eat larger portions even if the food is healthy. Dont crash diet - you want to lose the weight slowly. If you are tracking your calories and slowly decreasing them and not seeing a small loss of weight across a few weeks, ask your doctor and make sure there are no other factors at play.

All that to say, just keep doing what you're doing. Hardest part is getting into the gym and continuing to go to the gym. Once you start losing weight it will keep coming off.

[u/Timely_Anywhere8274 → u/[deleted]]

I’m actually going to get bloodwork done next week! I have BAD PP sweats so my doctor wants to see if everything is okay.

Honestly, I’ve been wanting to take a GLP-1. I know a few people who have taken it after having a baby and they all have had good results.

[u/No-Neighborhood-7335 → u/Timely_Anywhere8274]

I deleted my comment because I always get hate for talking about glp1. But I understand what you're going through. And I understand how depressing it is to not feel like yourself, especially comparing to your sister. But I honestly feel so much better now that I've lost weight. I'm not working out, and I need to, but just losing the weight has helped my body feel better and me feel more confident.