How much weight is too much for TTC ?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-03-2003
How much weight is too much for TTC ?
7
Sat, 08-02-2003 - 11:12am
Hello Ladies,

I was just wondering, because I am over weight and I know that's not good, but I am "healthy" in general as far as blood pressure, sugar, etc. goes. I work all the time, if not actually at work, at home. I'm fairly active , but could stand to be more so.

( Couldn't we all ?) I have lost weight in the past ( about 35 lbs. around 3 years ago and have been able to keep the majority of that off ), but feel like I need to lose more to help with TTC. DH went to the Dr. recently and his blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol were all border line. So, we are getting ready to get back on the program I used before. I used a wonderful program by JoAnna Lund called "Healthy Exchanges" and also supplemented her program with Richard Simmon's program and used a lot of his Video tapes for exercise. I'm excited about this and DH is too. I have 2 of the "Healthy Exchange" cookbooks and found 5 more on Ebay for a VERY good price.

So, my question is, how much of a factor does being over weight play in TTC ? I've seen and know many people much heavier than me who have gotten preggo and had minimal problems.

I know I should be concerned about weight but should I be overly concerned with my weight and what it means for TTC? I really hate to disclose my weight, so I'll just say that I believe I could stand to lose about 50-60 lbs. to be at a good weight for me. I don't want to be a skinny rail, but am a little tired of being at the weight I am and I'm ready to do something about it. Any thoughts or info would be appreciated.

Thanks Ladies! Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

~Lisa O~

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2003
Sat, 08-02-2003 - 11:24am
Hey Lisa :)

I can't answer your question on what a good weight for TTC is but I applaud you for wanting to do it. DH and I each lost 40 lbs last year following the Weight Watchers Program and have been able to maintain our weight. (all part of moving back home to Louisiana to be with my family) I think I've gained 4 lbs since reaching my ideal weight but I'm still happy with it.

You're right, I've seen and read about many women who have conceived successfully being overweight. I think you can do it either way but IMO it sounds like you want to do it for you right now which is the way it should be :) It's amazing how one's outlook (and energy) changes when they are happy with themselves and their bodies. I don't have any children yet but I "hear" they take alot of stamina and energy hehe

I just wanted to say "good for you"! My life is so much better since I lost the 40 lbs I wanted to lose because I feel better about myself and it shows.

Hugs,

Kathy

TTC #1

C3 12 dpo

Kathy & Liliane Avery (Lily) Dickens

Born  9-1-04 via scheduled C Section (breech ba

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Sat, 08-02-2003 - 11:29am
Hi Lisa!!

I think it's great that both you & DH are gearing up for this! Have you spoken to your Dr about what TTC means to your body? Pregnancy affects everyone differently & he/she would know how you tend to handle things. You will want to make sure that you are in the best place physically to ensure that your baby is healthy & that you have the strength to take care of a little one. Also, I believe that there is a BB centered on people TTC & lose weight. Don't know if you've checked that out yet.

I too would like to lose a few pounds. Like you,I am always on the go, but at work I sit at a computer ALL day long. I have been trying to exercise more & overall improve my eating habits (I'll take a good ole hamburger w/ fries over anything w/veggies anyday :) )

Hang in there! By just making the changes it sounds like you're implementing, you are putting yourself in a better place in TTC & carrying a healthy, happy baby.

Good luck!!

Teera

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-11-2003
Sat, 08-02-2003 - 12:40pm
Hello,

Do you think it is safe to lose weight and TTC at the same time? I gained ten pounds this past winter and have yet to lose them. I am so uncomfortable with myself. I have been trying to just eat healthy and exercise more but not really dies because it may deminish the nutrients that the potential little one needs to grow.

Also my friends doctor told her that it is okay to lose weight into your first trimester as long as you are eating healthy and not depriving yourself? That seemed a little strange to me but I thought I would see what you all thought.

Best of luck to everyone

Jenna

TTC #1

C2 CD11
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2003
Sat, 08-02-2003 - 1:30pm
I am also slightly overweight and tying to conceive.. and I do know that if you are actively losing large amounts of weight in a short period of time then it is not good to TTC at the same time...

However, good diet (I don't like the diet word so I say Eating Programs) and exercise are just good to have in your regular routine and if you are losing weight that way ... then it shouldn't interfere with TTC...

I lose roughly 2=3 pounds a week the last few weeks and while it doesn't really show- I feel better about myself and I am sure my positive outlook is going to HELP TTC!

Goodluck Lisa!

Jennie

TTC1.C4.CD21.3DPO

www.fertilityfriend.com/home/jennie

MadsenFallSiggy3.png picture by jenniemadsen1

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2003
Sat, 08-02-2003 - 1:44pm
I am in the same boat actually. I could stand to lose about 60lbs. Even then I wouldn't be a twig. I will say I was overweight when I conceived my last baby 2 yrs ago, and I did fine. No complications at all. I actually lost 18 lbs while pregnant, and only gained 16 back during the pregnancy. Most of that was fluid and baby. When I gave birth I lost that and then some (too bad I didn't keep it off!). Quite a few people I know have also been somewhat or very overweight and conceived with no problems trying or during pregnancy. I am TTC now. I am a little self-conscious about it. I worry what the dr will say to me about being heavy, but most likely it will be just to watch what I eat and stay active. I am just making myself paranoid! I have thought about going on a serious diet, but the problem there is I don't want to lose a ton of weight, get pregnant and gain it back. With the changes in your metabolism, hormones etc....I have heard that losing a large amount of weight before getting pregnant can backfire. So I am doing what you are doing, eating healthier and exercising. If I lose weight...then great, but I don't want to stress over it. I figure I can lose it after the baby arrives! Anyway, good luck to you!

Michelle

 

Avatar for soprano1965
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 08-02-2003 - 2:02pm
Hi Lisa

Are you ovulating? I think that is the concern with TTC. When people are underweight/overweight sometimes their reproductive system can take a hiatus since our bodies know that we are not in prime shape to grow a baby. of course everyone is different though. I have been pregnant and had a baby, and I will say that being pregnant is VERY HARD on your body, and I was not overweight at all. I think if you do want to lose weight it will only make things easier for you, and in the long run for your general health.

GOod luck!

Kim

TTC #2

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-03-2003
Sat, 08-02-2003 - 2:25pm
Hey Kim,

I do believe I am "O"ing. I've been charting, temping etc. for the past 3 cycles, I'm on C4 now. I have on average according to FF a 26 day cycle and I'm "O"ing on CD13 or 14, and I can definitely feel "O". So , I feel pretty sure I am. My LP in C1 was 10 days, in C2 and 3, it went up to 12 days. I've been taking prenatals for almost 3 months now and I'm wondering if that has increased my LP. But, anyway, to answer your question, everything "seems" to be working properly. So, I'm not aware of any problems with me thus far. ( Now, DH and I have been going through a good bit recently, don't know if you've been following my saga at all, however I remember one of your posts to me on things to help DH , so I think you have ). At this point, I think we're both just ready to lose some weight for health issues and being tired of it, not neccessarily just for TTC. I don't plan on losing it fast. That "Healthy Exchanges" program is a great one, and you really get to eat good tasting food in good portions that really satisfies. When I did this program before, I ate way more food than I normally do, But I was eating the right portions from each food group. I was exercising and felt great. I don't see where this program would jeopardize nutrition if I was to get preggo. I believe it would be a wonderful addition to eating healthy, even during pregnancy.

Thanks for your response and everyone else's as well. I checked out some of the other boards that were mentioned, but they seem to be moving extremely slow. I can be impatient sometimes, and like coming to this board.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

~Lisa O~