annmarie1987's Journal, 31 Mar 18

Hi small steps - I’ve been taking progress pictures of the long journey I’m on .. I do find it a great motivation tool looking back each month .. you’ll get there - keep with it and I find this site and the lovely people fantastic for help and support.. 

Cut yourself some slack! Berating yourself for the way you look isn’t constructive, will stress you out and that stress will be picked up by your baby and other kids. Take a Few minutes to note down your good points rather than your bad. Don’t ignore anything. Do you have nice hands? Write it down. Hair sleek and shiny? Write it down. Good at solving friends’ problems? Write it down. 📝📝 Next time you fret about your appearance, read your list and see what else you could add. 👍🏻Then look at what you’re eating and what small changes you could make. You say you’re craving carbs but what sort? A slice of cake could be swapped for some malty, seeded bread with peanut butter. More complex carbs, more filling and once you train your tastebuds, just as satisfying and a lot better for you. All the best 🤗 

It took me 18 months to slowly lose 5 stone on here I had treats but always get back on I just don't have that motivation now. I maintained for 6 months before trying for the baby. My cravings are different to the things I've craved before thats what throwing me off. I'm craving cheese, white rice, curry, every now and again pies it's all rich stodgy foods. A fave at the minute is chips, cheese, gravy and fried onion with a bacon cheese burger 🙈 i know i dont need that. When I have them I don't seem to enjoy them mainly from guilt or its not that my body needs but a vitamin I'm lacking  

This is one of those things in life that's going to take time but you can do it. So many here are in the same boat. Just stick with the site as we're all here supporting eachother x 

I like what Phooka said. I’m sorry you feel down, but look at how amazing your body is! Your body has made 3 entire people! Now that’s an achievement 🙂 

I feel you! same story- my baby is 5months old and exclusively breastfed. I've never weighed this much my entire life and my lower abdomen feels like someone has strapped a pillow onto me 

xynab least we here together. I'm considering maybe start a bit of formula to help but my goal was full breastfed till 1. Some days I look pegnant still others just bloated. Clothes don't fit the same. I know says takes at least a year to get body back but surely I need to do something to help. I never snapped back with other either but never felt this low in myself. A few mates had babies before me and they have all lost the weight but formula fed. I'm too scared cut too much as affects milk. Also the hunger is unreal I need 3 meals a day 

Ann Marie please be kind to yourself, you're amazing and strong, you can do whatever you want! Doing so great already, smile! x 

I strongly agree with Phooka babe's and if I were your mum I'd say STOP dieting until that little one is a year old and off the breastfeeding and just eat healthy but have small indulgences when you need them and enjoy them as a treat. DON'T feel guilty as you know you are doing best for baby and you! just enjoy this special time with your little one then start again after her/his birthday. it can be a double celebration. please love yourself for what you do not how YOU think you look 💕👍 

A woman’s body is life giving, having a baby is got to be the most beautiful process, your body changes to allow you to nourish your newborn 👶. It’s a process that requires huge changes to your body and nutrient needs. If you feed yourself well as your body needs, you pass the nutrients to your baby. Your most important part on FS is to find good food and support for you and baby. It’s perfectly normal to feel like you feel right now, but don’t be discouraged. Focus on baby and soon when your body has nourished your baby, your body wont need to hold on to the extra nutrients it needs right now. When you stand in front of your mirror next, look at your body and love yourself, love your body for what it has been through, look at it and be proud. It has given you beautiful children, life has come from your body. Be strong no matter how hard it maybe! 

thank you so much these comments have really helped. I can't seem to stop crying but think needed  

Firstly, congratulations on the not-so-new bundle of joy :) Secondly, please stop beating yourself up about how you think you should look nine months after birth; all pregnancies are different. I haven't regained my figure yet and my son is fifteen ;) The best advice is to wait until you finish breastfeeding. Enjoy that bond with your baby for the next few months. Then, you can make a fresh start :) 

Definitely be kind to yourself. The most important thing is eating as healthily as you possibly can and as much as you need to keep breastfeeding. All those nutrients give you and baby what you both need to thrive. No problems if you want to exercise, but I wouldn't even bother looking at the scales till you're done breastfeeding :)  

I actually lost the baby weight ten days postpartum but like you said- with breastfeeding the hunger is unreal! I was gorging on food I've never been this hungry even when I was pregnant with the lil one. Anyhow I'm training myself to eat three meals but good quality and if I don't feel hungry I try to avoid eating. I also plan to exclusively breastfeed the baby for 1 if not 2 years