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Lots of people will tell you that losing weight while breastfeeding is easy. ‘It just falls right off!’
For some people, myself included, this is simply not true.
I’m not sure how I got so lucky, but my body seems to think that because I’m breastfeeding, it needs to hold onto every single ounce of fat possible.
It could be because I’m about to turn 30, and this is my third baby. Surely those factors play a role. Slowing metabolism, etc.
With Harper, I was back down to my pre-pregnancy weight in about 6 months. I was also only 21 years old when I had her, and did not breastfeed so dieting was a lot easier.
With Asher, my second, it took about a year to get back down to my preferred weight.
This time around, I just couldn’t seem to make that scale budge as quickly as I would’ve liked.
And listen, I’m not about diet culture or the idea that you have to be skinny to be happy.
I do believe that everyone has a weight (not necessarily a number on the scale or size) where they are comfortable.
When you’ve had babies, it can also be really hard to recognize your own body in the mirror.
Pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding (if you so choose) really do a number on our bodies.
I struggle a lot with body dysmorphia and disordered eating, and I have for many years. I started therapy for my ED when I was just 13 years old.
So having babies and learning to accept my postpartum body has been a struggle.
It has gotten easier over the years, as I have gotten older, to accept that I am not going to look like I did when I was 20. And why should I?
I have created three perfect humans. I grew them from scratch. Why should my body not reflect that?
Even still, I am still actively trying to get in better shape overall and nourish my body so that I can be the best mom I can be, and feel comfortable in my skin again.
You can’t restrict calories too much, because your body needs extra calories to produce healthy amounts of breastmilk.
Exercise also has to be restricted a bit, so as not to harm your supply.
If you’re one of those women who is having a hard time losing weight while breastfeeding, like me, here are all the things I am doing that are helping me reach my goals. I have lost about 50 pounds since I had Zoe.
Let me start this off with my normal diet and exercise routine, and then get into everything I have either started again (after pregnancy) or added to help me lose weight while breastfeeding.
I would consider myself a foodie, but in my mind only.
Like, I love food and I want to eat everything but I have just enough self-control not to. Just. Enough.
I loooove food. But my daily diet is overall very healthy.
There are some vices and things I am absolutely not willing to give up. Red wine and salty snacks are at the top of my list.
I do tend to naturally eat more healthy foods, preferring vegetables and lean meats like chicken and turkey over other foods. (please someone stop me if I sound oh so pretentious)
I really just try to stick to the rule that I eat what I want when I want.
If my body is telling me it wants taquitos who am I to stop her?
Most days I eat a lot of boring stuff like avocados, tomatoes, egg whites, grilled vegetables, and chicken. Simply because I cannot be bothered to make any kind of elaborate meal for myself, after caring for 3 children all day.
My Exercise Routine
Just kidding, I don’t have one.
I hope to get back into a good gym/home workout routine someday soon, but for right now I am only 9 months postpartum.
I’m not back into the groove yet, and going to the gym is pretty much out of the question with Covid and having 3 children at home.
While I do love a good Sweat sesh with Kayla Itsines, or Blogilates with Cassie Ho… right now I am just doing cardio.
Most days I find the time to strap Zoe into the stroller and get in 3-4 miles.
I know, I know… cardio isn’t the best way to lose weight. Weight training is where it’s at.
But right now I am not in the season of weight training. If you are, I highly suggest Sweat by Kayla Itsines.
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Intuitive Eating
Part of recovering from an ED is learning how to listen to your body and give it the nourishment it needs to thrive, rather than punishing it by depriving yourself.
Healing disordered eating by learning how to eat intuitively has helped me tremendously in my recovery.
I used to eat one grilled chicken tender and then go walk 5 miles to “burn it off.”
After I had daughters, it became especially important to me to lead by example when it came to having a healthy relationship with food.
I have struggled with both anorexia and bulimia, as did my mother. This is not something that affected my sisters somehow, but I vividly remember our mom in the throes of her battle, weighing just 90 pounds.
This had a huge impact on me and what would later manifest into my own eating disorder.
Being a teenager in the early 2000’s certainly did not help, either.
I think we all remember what that was like.
I’ve been doing well for a few years, but I have definitely relapsed into old unhealthy behaviors several times over the last decade or so. Recovery is not linear, right?
Here’s what I try to remember every day: I am allowed to eat. If I’m hungry, I should eat. I will stop when I’m full. The world will not end if I eat a piece of cake. My body needs nourishment, it deserves to be treated well.
As my girl Glennon Doyle said: “I left my body alone, and it was fine.”
When you’re breastfeeding, you also have to remember that your baby is relying on you to supply them with healthy breastmilk.
You have to nourish yourself, because your baby will take what they need regardless of whether you have enough for both of you.
Staying hydrated is also really important when you’re breastfeeding.
I don’t mind drinking plain water, but when you’re trying to lose weight while breastfeeding it’s not a bad idea to add something like Liquid IV to help replace electrolytes and vitamins.
Liquid IV and my Owala bottle and I’m all set. I can’t even tell you how much Liquid IV helps when you’re breastfeeding. It actually leaves you feeling hydrated, which I can’t say for other similar products.
I also love Body Armor Lyte drinks to help keep me hydrated, plus they might help boost your supply so there’s an added bonus.
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Supplements
First, I am not a medical professional and you should absolutely consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
These are the supplements I have personally added to my routine while I am losing weight while breastfeeding.
Obvi Super Collagen Protein
I legit love this stuff. I use the caramel macchiato flavor and add it to my coffee every morning. It smells and tastes SO good!
Anyone who is around when I make my coffee always compliments the smell.
This collagen protein powder also comes in other unique flavors like Cinna Cereal, Peanut Butter Cup, Coco Cereal, Marshmallow Cereal, Fruity Cereal, and of course Unflavored.
I like that this is not only helping me in my weight loss goals with the protein, but it has added benefits of helping keep my hair, skin, and nails healthy.
When I am done breastfeeding, I plan to add a few more Obvi products into my routine like the Collagenic Burn, Detox and Carb Blocker.
I honestly can’t wait to try them! I’m not quite ready to end my breastfeeding journey, but when the time comes I can’t wait to add these to my daily supplements.
Don’t forget to use the code MORGANT15 at checkout for 15% off on all Obvi products.
Goli ACV & SuperGreens
I have been taking Goli ACV gummies for a few years, actually since they were first launched in 2019.
My Asher was born in Sept. 2018, so in 2019 I was actively trying to lose the weight I had gained during that pregnancy.
Back in high school, I used to drink straight shots of ACV. Bleh.
When Goli came out with their now-famous ACV gummies, I was hooked instantly.
I’ve been a loyal customer for the last 3 years.
Goli now has 4 different lines of gummies, including SuperGreens, Ashwagandha, and SuperFruits.
Because I’m breastfeeding, I can’t take the Ashwa gummies, but I do take the ACV and the SuperGreens every single day.
B12 Liquid + Vitamin D
I started taking Vitamin D and B12 during the pandemic as a way to boost my immune system, and I’ve been taking it daily ever since!
About a month or two ago I added Vitamin B12 liquid back into my daily routine.
I had stopped taking it for a while because I was pregnant, but I remembered how great it makes me feel and started taking it again.
I use this liquid B Complex with B12, 1ml under my tongue for 30 seconds every morning.
The B12 gives me a lot of energy that stays steady throughout the day, with no crashing at 3 pm.
It also helps with metabolism support, which I could definitely use now that I’m approaching my 30th. Eeeek.
If you’re trying to lose weight while breastfeeding and are feeling stuck, I’m right there with you girl.
It’s not as easy as everyone makes it seem.
I’m really trying to remind myself that my youngest is just 9 months old, and my main focus is staying healthy so that I can keep up with these crazy kids of mine.
Don’t forget to allow yourself grace, and be patient with yourself.
You don’t have to ‘bounce back, you don’t have to look like you’ve never had a baby.
It’s easier said than done, I know. Self-love and body acceptance can be really hard to grasp, but here’s to trying, every damn day.
XO, M
breastfeeding health healthy postpartum new mom weight loss wellness
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