Hi everyone, 6 weeks postpartum and not feeling great in myself so looking to lose weight and get fit and healthy again. Going to be slow going in terms of exercise as even an hour walk gets me so achey. I’m very much a comfort eater and don’t always make the best choices despite knowing better.
Any tips for losing weight after having a baby would be greatly appreciated
Honestly? My tips are to concentrate upon your baby and looking after yourself, not worrying about weight.
However, there are things I suggest that could help you feel better (assuming you've got the all clear post natally and there's nothing physically other than normal post natal recovery;
1. Activity. We're going into Autumn/Winter and the lack of sunlight really affects us. Try to give yourself a routine of packing the baby up into the pram/buggy/travel system and getting out of the house for twenty odd minutes. It makes so much difference, even when you're tired, teary, the baby is crying more or it's cold and rainy or blustery - you'll need a raincover for the buggy and a decent waterproof jacket and a warm hat for you, but genuinely, the best thing is to be outside every single day, rain or shine. And, as a side effect, it's twenty minutes of exercise using up a few calories in a place where you aren't going to be able to comfort eat.
2. Vitamin D. We don't get enough in our diets, we aren't out enough in the summer or the weather is crap and we can't get it naturally at all until Late Spring, Early Summer. It doesn't just affect bones or skin, it affects mood and aching. I take a multivitamin with it in (but I had several high dose courses at first from the hospital where they picked it up). And you've just had a baby - vitamins are a good thing, whether you're breast or formula feeding.
3. Good footwear. I bang on about this all the time. Even if you have no intention of running for anything that doesn't involve escaping from a hungry escaped Tiger chasing after you at the time, get some properly fitted running shoes - if you're dropping your ankles in or one leg is turned in due to weakened muscles or you're overarching your back because, hey, you've just had your stomach muscles battered for nine months, all your ligaments have become looser due to pregnancy hormones and they aren't keeping your pelvis in the correct alignment, it hurts. But the right shoes, the right posture, you're fine for much longer and you're not stuck on the sofa feeling crap for the next two days with sore back, legs, knees, hips, shins or feet.
4. Plan for difficult days. Keep snacks that you like and are easy to eat one handed around - maybe you like popcorn? Snack bars with high fibre and sweetness from fruit rather than sugar? Hardboiled eggs? Individual portions of cheese? Carrot, cucumber and celery sticks and mini tubs of hummous? Individually wrapped fruit loaf? If you have things that fulfil the need without the feeling crap afterwards, it's a lot easier to have those rather than completely depriving yourself and then going out to buy chocolate, crisps, biscuits, ice cream, etc, and having them all.
5. Time off. Will you get any time where you won't be looking after the baby? I don't just mean 3 minutes whilst you're having a shower, I mean will you be able to take an hour/two/whatever for yourself at all? If you can, maybe consider a Pilates class or something that is gentle but effective twice or three times a week. Don't rush back from the gym if you go there, take the time to shower, dry your hair, be relaxed. It's your time and you deserve to get the most out of it. And once baby's had their vaccinations, maybe taking them 'swimming', perhaps with Dad, so you are doing something nice with them and moving around somewhere that biscuits aren't immediately available.
6. GENTLE home exercise. That is, pelvic floor exercises, gentle stretches whilst sitting down, wiggling and stretching your feet and toes, getting reacquainted with your abdominal muscles by tightening them, not sit ups/crunches, improving your posture now you don't have the extra weight of bump and baby pulling you forwards. It's all exercise. There are post natal exercise routines on YouTube - if you like them, do them.
7. A supportive bra in your current size. What can I say, I like being supported. I prefer sports bras to normal ones, as normal ones and their straps and cups annoy me.
8. Compression leggings feel really good, especially if they're high waisted. Maybe your trip out would be you in good running shoes, compression leggings, great sports bra underneath your t shirt/vest and waterproof, warm hat whilst pushing baby along in the buggy? You don't actually have to run, the point is that you'd feel comfortable walking. And you can get some really nice ones on Amazon in all the colours you like for about twenty quid, as this is a time when you are most definitely allowed to wear whatever the hell you like - I think that on some level, putting on nice sports wear with support around your legs, stomach and boobs will just feel better than baggy Primark leggings and an uncomfortable men's t-shirt and that will make you more likely to move around and make more healthy food choices.
9. Sleep. Possibly a rare thing right now. But it's important - and if that means a short walk, home for feed, change and baby sleeping for a couple of hours where you get a nap as well, that's fine. I preferred putting DD into her cot each time because she'd theoretically get used to sleeping in it and I wouldn't have to worry about whether she was safe, so could nap more easily myself.
All of these are ideas to help you, not put further demands on you when you've got a lovely baby to enjoy. I think if you could do some of these through winter, by the time we're out the other side and it's Spring again, you'll be feeling much better about yourself because you've looked after yourself over the time, you won't be so depleted in vitamins and minerals, you'll be stronger and fitter AND possibly lost some weight.
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1kg down this morning. Bacon GF sandwich for breakfast and slowcooker chilli with loads of veg & rice for dinner tonight. Still a bit snotted up from my cold, so I don't think the gym would be a good idea today. Maybe tomorrow when Mr D's out.
being every half year, few weeks on diet 
and rest .... 
Thankfully my carb cravings have calmed down a bit.
I'll make bolognese and freeze half so I have it with konjac noodles, some meatballs and freeze them, crustless quiche and also some roast tomato soup as I found this recipe, which looks incredible! Minus the bread! 
I am feeling a little nervous though! It’s a big deal..
been trying to lose weight on off for the last few years but actually making a go of it now. Average weight this week is up 2lb from last week which is disappointing but hey ho! Have been doing a bit of exercise this week (ten mins a day indoor cycling) to try and build up a sustainable habit, and have definitely been snacking less the last couple. I'm worried about my health but so far that hasn't really helped stop me reaching for the snacks whenever I want. We move, I guess!
final dress fitting on Wednesday, phew! Will be back on it properly again November with time to lose a bit more before Christmas. Would like another stone gone by the end of the year!