I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

[Elizabeth]

As the title states I am 5 months pregnant. Before I got pregnant I hit my all time lowest weight of 202 in July. I hadn't see that on a scale since I was about 11 yrs. old. I was doing great up until last month. My midwife says I only need to gain 20-25 pounds through the whole pregnancy. Just in the last month I have put on 15 pounds. Which is to much to fast. I have just started exercising. I got out of the habit because my morning sickness was so bad.

I have just recently cut out all sugar. I do feel my energy coming back.

My craving for tomatos do seem to be on the healthy side. Atleast I hope. I was craving pickles and olives but they now taste to salty. I have been reading on this site that I can do mantenance. Only wish I had seen that before.

I guess I am just rambling to let all this out. I feel like I have taken advantage of this pregnancy, kind of like giving myself the okay to eat anything I wanted. I don't mind getting the belly but I am really upset that my thighs and love handles are coming back.

[2big4mysize]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

follow your midwife's advice. Glad you are back on atkins maintnennace eating. remember you got a life time to shed the pounds but only one chance to grow that baby right.

read this about how low carb helps your kid's health in later life too to help you stick with it.

[Elizabeth]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

follow your midwife's advice. Glad you are back on atkins maintnennace eating. remember you got a life time to shed the pounds but only one chance to grow that baby right.

read this about how low carb helps your kid's health in later life too to help you stick with it.

What book are you refering to? I already own Atkins book. By the times my son is 5 I want to be at my target weight or at least close. I am a firm believer that children look to their parents for their own self-image and habits. So I need to make and keep healthy habits, same with my husband (even though he is healthy he loves his sugar, which we both don't want our child having at all)


Just curious are tomatoes even Atkin friendly? I have a V8 for a snack, I put salsa on my eggs and fresh tomatoes in salads and omletes.

[2big4mysize]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

oops forgot the link sorry http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=34178

[2big4mysize]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

tomatoes are on the insuction acceptable other veggie list check the induction forum of a complete list of thosae yummy veggies but onec you pass OWL all veggies and all foods not processed white and/or sugar sweetened are legal. Dr Atkins preferred we eat veggies not drink juice for our veggies but if you need it you need it.

[Elizabeth]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

oops forgot the link sorry http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=34178

Thanks for the link. I read it and sent in on to my midwife. She is into natural things so she might like this info.

[maribelle]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

Hope you come back and give us an update. I gained weight suddenly and really fast with my first pregnancy, and it turned out I had preeclampsia. I started with amounts like 15 pounds in a month, and then moved on to 20 pounds in one week...of course it was water weight, but then real weight followed. By the time I was done, I had gained 75 pounds. Watch for signs like tingling hands, swollen hands and face, severely swollen ankles that stay dented after you press on them. This is a serious condition. At the same time, I don't want to scare you...could just be an increase in amniotic fluid. I started out this pregnancy trying to eat 60 carbs a day, since I always thought I was sensitive to carbs, and started losing weight really fast. This scared me for the baby's sake, so I stopped maintenance. Now I'm going back to trying 100 carbs a day, because I started putting weight on again. Definitely avoiding things with corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup, because they make me bloat and gain super fast.

[not2late]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

Congrats on your pregnancy. Maintenance Atkins can be anywhere from 25-over 90 carbs per day based on your CCML.

Pregnant women pose a special "problem": they need enough energy to support their nutritional needs and to support the nutritional needs of a growing fetus.

Also with Maintenance Atkins, all foods are fair game provided your body doesn't react badly to them. For example, some Maintainers can eat apples or a 1/2 cup of brown rice or a potato or a 1/2 cup of black beans daily without experiencing weight gain. Dr. Atkins' caution was that we avoid refined sugars and highly processed food products like refined flours and 'fake food' like those tv dinners and luncheon meats.

But every other food is fairgame during Maintenance. Don't deprieve yourself of good, nutrient packed food--ever---especially when you are pregnant. Also you might want to discuss your weight issues with your Obstetrician.

[Elizabeth]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

Hope you come back and give us an update. I gained weight suddenly and really fast with my first pregnancy, and it turned out I had preeclampsia. I started with amounts like 15 pounds in a month, and then moved on to 20 pounds in one week...of course it was water weight, but then real weight followed. By the time I was done, I had gained 75 pounds. Watch for signs like tingling hands, swollen hands and face, severely swollen ankles that stay dented after you press on them. This is a serious condition. At the same time, I don't want to scare you...could just be an increase in amniotic fluid. I started out this pregnancy trying to eat 60 carbs a day, since I always thought I was sensitive to carbs, and started losing weight really fast. This scared me for the baby's sake, so I stopped maintenance. Now I'm going back to trying 100 carbs a day, because I started putting weight on again. Definitely avoiding things with corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup, because they make me bloat and gain super fast.

Sorry I haven't been on much, been really busy ready up on homebirths and breastfeeding. I had a long talk with my Midwife and she told me to cut out all the sugar (junk food) I had been eating. Just in cutting out dry ceral in the moring and Christmas fudge I dropped 5 pounds. I don't think that is bad because all I did was stop eating junk food. It is hard to get out and exercise as I am 32 weeks along and I find it really hard to walk more then 20-30 minutes at a time. That and I am exhausted.

I tell you I can't wait for my son to be here so I can get this weight off. I haven't put much on since the first post. I always thought being pregnancy looked good on women but I don't feel that with myself. So I have set a goal for myself. I am going to eat my veggies and when I need a sugar rush I will go for the fruit.

I know how to loss the wieght so I don't see that as a big problem after he comes but it is still hard dealing with being big again.

I have to admit I am so glad my Husband told me about Atkins when I met him. I have never been on a diet that worked so well, I have been telling my friends about it.

Well 8 more weeks of pregnancy, wish me luck. (not that I think I will need it)

[maribelle]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

Wishing you lots of luck! I can't wait till I get that close! Glad things are working better for you. They have been for me, except the last few days with the stomach flu or something. Everything I eat gives me digestive problems. I don't know where I would be now if it weren't for Atkins. I never reached my goal, but before I started I was so close to having a heart attack at nearly 400 pounds, with not a chance of more children. Now I'm here in the pregnancy forum, living the miracle I thought impossible 85 pounds ago! I'm worried a little about my figure. I've already gained 15 pounds, but am holding steady now. I wasn't thin to start with, and am so afraid pregnancy is only going to add to the whale image I have of myself, but DH doesn't mind, so I'm at peace, since like you said, I know how to lose it once the baby is born.

[Elizabeth]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

Wishing you lots of luck! I can't wait till I get that close! Glad things are working better for you. They have been for me, except the last few days with the stomach flu or something. Everything I eat gives me digestive problems. I don't know where I would be now if it weren't for Atkins. I never reached my goal, but before I started I was so close to having a heart attack at nearly 400 pounds, with not a chance of more children. Now I'm here in the pregnancy forum, living the miracle I thought impossible 85 pounds ago! I'm worried a little about my figure. I've already gained 15 pounds, but am holding steady now. I wasn't thin to start with, and am so afraid pregnancy is only going to add to the whale image I have of myself, but DH doesn't mind, so I'm at peace, since like you said, I know how to lose it once the baby is born.

First off you need to really give yourself a pat on the back. That is quiet an achievement. Congratulations on the baby, too!

I have had a problem with getting a little big all over. You know what they say about being pregnant with boys - They steal you image (something like that).

I find myself crying about it quiet a bit. But my husband the sweet heart he is, tells me that he still loves me and that I am still not as big as I was when we met and that he fell in love with me then. He also tells me that I am giving him the most precious thing in the world. He has been encouraging thought my whole weight loss and now pregnancy.

I am sure it will be something I will have to deal with forever, even when I hit my target weight. Being big for so long I need to not forget to work on the low self-estem.

[maribelle]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

I am sure it will be something I will have to deal with forever, even when I hit my target weight. Being big for so long I need to not forget to work on the low self-estem.

I feel the same way! When my son was really young, and first started school, I came to work there. He didn't want me to walk with him to the area where all the boys were playing, and I asked him what was wrong, in my clueless way... and he said "I don't want anyone to think you're a cow". That really took me back. Then that afternoon just to make sure, I asked him again what he had said, and he told me again, and that he had told the boys I was his aunt. And this was after I had lost the pounds I mentioned. I was crushed, and we had a LONG talk with him about how love isn't based on weight and beauty. Now when he wants to refer to it, he always goes quiet, and if I don't get what the problem is, he says "I don't want to hurt your feelings." I hope for his sake when I have our baby, that I am faithful to Atkins...more than I was before I got pregnant. It is SUCH a blessing though to have DH love me for who I am no matter what, and I'm so happy yours does for you too!

[Laurenfra]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

I am pray for the best for both of you. You are married to some great men. Keep us updated.

[Libbey77s]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

I too am praying for you both!! But given the fact that you are both here and have not given up on yourselves (or given yourself permission to eat "whatever" during your pregancy - truly says alot about your will) You are both inspirations!! I've lost 4 pregnancies over the past 4 years and have had a son (Andon - who is now 3) but through each pregnancy and after each loss - I've used unhealthy eating as an emotional escape and kept getting further and further away from what I really needed to face.


Although at least two of my failed pregnancies were ectopic (one which resulted in a ruptured fallopian tube - the other just 8 weeks ago ended with a methotrexate injection) I believe with my whole heart that the most important part of my infertility problems is my weight. I know that if I can change my eating habits and attitude towards food for what it is, and not for emotional comfort, I can begin to heal everything that I've faced. For the first time in years, I am not hiding behind food to deal with the pain i feel in losing 4 pregancys .. I am optimistically looking forward in hopes that by living healthy and being healthy, I too will be sucessful with at least one more pregancy. I do plan on starting Infertility (IVF) in April (depending on what I am able to accomplish between now and then) and more importantly plan to use this way of life, and this ADBB site and inspiration to stay on track, regardless of what happens. Just know, that you two have inspired me without a doubt, to not give up. I too have an amazing husband who loves me for me and makes me feel nothing less than beautiful each and everyday (unlike my first husband who told me at 123 lbs that I had better be pregnant if I was going to be that big - I was an unhealthy 112 lbs when I met him and basically never ate)

Many thanks to both of you and big hugs
Elisabeth

[Elizabeth]

Re: I am 5 months pregnant and need some encouragement

I am so sorry for you losses. I can relate with you on the overeating. I had a very hard childhood (went through things no one should have to). I turned to food as a comfort and to become fat. I covered my beauty at a young age.

Atkins has actually helped me not look at food as a comfort. Food is here to fill us when we are hungry not to make us feel good. In a way it became almost like cheating on my husband, I loved the taste and feeling food gave me. If that makes any sense. I still have a momments where I want to eat junk, but that is when my husband steps in and hands me something healthy. If it weren't for his help I would have fell of the wagon and gained to much weight during this pregnancy. I really does help to have strong backing to keep going. That and a good shrink helps too. Thanks for listening, sometimes I just got to let it out or I'll explode in tears.

I wish you the best of luck in having a baby.

I too am praying for you both!! But given the fact that you are both here and have not given up on yourselves (or given yourself permission to eat "whatever" during your pregancy - truly says alot about your will) You are both inspirations!! I've lost 4 pregnancies over the past 4 years and have had a son (Andon - who is now 3) but through each pregnancy and after each loss - I've used unhealthy eating as an emotional escape and kept getting further and further away from what I really needed to face.


Although at least two of my failed pregnancies were ectopic (one which resulted in a ruptured fallopian tube - the other just 8 weeks ago ended with a methotrexate injection) I believe with my whole heart that the most important part of my infertility problems is my weight. I know that if I can change my eating habits and attitude towards food for what it is, and not for emotional comfort, I can begin to heal everything that I've faced. For the first time in years, I am not hiding behind food to deal with the pain i feel in losing 4 pregancys .. I am optimistically looking forward in hopes that by living healthy and being healthy, I too will be sucessful with at least one more pregancy. I do plan on starting Infertility (IVF) in April (depending on what I am able to accomplish between now and then) and more importantly plan to use this way of life, and this ADBB site and inspiration to stay on track, regardless of what happens. Just know, that you two have inspired me without a doubt, to not give up. I too have an amazing husband who loves me for me and makes me feel nothing less than beautiful each and everyday (unlike my first husband who told me at 123 lbs that I had better be pregnant if I was going to be that big - I was an unhealthy 112 lbs when I met him and basically never ate)

Many thanks to both of you and big hugs
Elisabeth