The Weight of the Matter

As a person who was once extremely overweight, gaining during pregnancy has also scared me. I have been very forunate to not have much nausea and only minor food aversions. That said, my eatings habits are very different now than they used to be.

I have learned that I have to eat when I wake up, I get very very hungry for lunch; and I basically want dinner at 6pm. So Mike has been on his own (I invite him to share my bowl of strawberries for dinner, but he usually wants something more substantial).

I am trying to keep my portions down and not eat much junk. Susbtituting has helped alot. I have been eating "sweet" food that is healthy, lots of strawberries and blackberries (I'm going to need to go get some when I'm done writing this post), sweet potatoes and Kashi cereals. I will admit that I have been eating some frozen treats, but trying to be "healthier" for those too- lemon sorbet, frozen greek yogurt cups. And when I do eat these sweets, they usually take the place of something else I would have eaten.

All that said I feel very happy to say that my weight has fluctuated a bit since I found out I was pregnant, but to date I've only gained a net of ONE POUND! This falls right in the recommended amounts:

From the American Pregnancy Association:
(http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/aboutpregweightgain.html)

For women who were a normal weight before pregnancy with a BMI of 18.5-24.9 the recommended weight gain guideline is 25-35 pounds.

On a trimester basis in a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy weight:

First trimester: 1-4.5 pounds

Second trimester: 1-2 pounds per week

Third trimester: 1-2 pounds per week

Pregnancy Weight Gain: Average Distribution

7 1/2 pounds is about how much the baby will weigh by the end of pregnancy.
1 1/2 pounds is how much the placenta weighs.
4 pounds is attributed to increased fluid volume.
2 pounds is the weight of the uterus.
2 pounds is the weight of breast tissue.
4 pounds is because of increased blood volume.
7 pounds is attributed to maternal stores of fat, protein and other nutrients.
2 pounds for the amniotic fluid.
Total: 30 pounds

My goal is to stay in the 25-30 lb range. I've lost weight before and I know how hard it is, and I can't imagine feeling like I have extra weight to lose in addition to taking care of a new baby. My doctor said that walks with the dog were perfect, so I've been forcing myself to go every other day for 20-40 minutes. Yesterday Waldo and I walked for over 40 minutes, we made it 1.6 miles. I am planning to walk in the Race for the Cure in May, so I need to get my distance up over the next month. Waldo is also getting the benefits of my healthy habits!

Originally Posted: 4/10/13