Weight Loss During Pregnancy Overweight

Is weight loss during pregnancy ok if you are overweight?

I have recently lost about 12 lbs due to walking, working out and watching what I eat. According to my BMI, I am still overwight. I have about 20-30 more lbs to lose before I’m in normal range. I just found out that I may be pregnant. I want to continue doing what I’ve been doing to hopefully lose a little more so I can be in better shape for giving birth. I don’t work out strenuously, just light aerobic type activity. Any thoughts on whether continuing to do this would be a problem? I have to go see the doctor in a couple weeks, I can’t go sooner because my insurance won’t be in effect yet…..

First – Congratulations!

Next, if you have not already – start taking folic acid – 600-800 mcg a day. Or you could purchase some over the counter prenatal vitamins (just at good as prescription ones). But what you REALLY need is the folic acid.

As long as you keep eating healthy and the baby keeps growing it is possible to lose weight while pregnant, but not recommended. Just keep in mind that if you stay the same weight while pregnant you are actually losing because baby is gaining weight and you are not. With my last two I had gestational diabetes and was eating about 2200 calories a day. With #2 I gained 7 lbs and with #3 I lost 5 lbs. The doctors were not as concerned about my weight because the babies were growing and tracking at the right pace.

As for the exercise – For the longest time I was told (by my doctor) I could keep doing what I had been doing. Well, that is until I was in my 7th month and pulled an abdominal ligament and was told “you’re pregnant and can’t do all you did before”. Talk about mixed messages!

Check with your doctor about what target heart rate you should have when exercising – it will be lower than what you have been using. As you get further into the pregnancy your body will tell you if you are doing too much.

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