[Paulitens]

So... in mid January I started eating healthy. I had started doing something similar to Ideal Protein, only with store-bought protein products. Gradually I began to introduce other foods that are no-nos for the IP protocol but were still healthy, because I realized that I wanted this new healthy-eating "thing" to become my life, not just a means to an end. From mid January til mid May I lost 40 lbs. I still have 37 more lbs to go. But early in May I found out I was pregnant. I was stoked! We were hoping to get pregnant because with our second baby it took us years and lots of analyses and tears. So this pregnancy coming after only a few months of trying was perfection.

And of course, I thought "I'm just going to continue eating healthy throughout my pregnancy, watch my calories, don't go crazy," etc. You know how it goes. I'm perfectly fine with maintaining the 39.7 lbs I lost while the baby's so tiny in the first weeks (I'm 7 weeks along). But I'm SO not okay with starting to gain this early on. My eating has been crazy and erratic since I found out, especially this last week, because when I first found out I totally forgot the very important fact that I my non-existent morning sickness manifests itself in the shape of aversion to foods (even if they're healthy), and that I get very crazy carb cravings. And to top it all, for the first time in my life my blood pressure is low so I'm very light headed the whole time and I cannot just get on the treadmill to walk like I used to because I can lose my balance VERY easily.

So here I am. I have no idea how to have a healthy pregnancy. For my first pregnancy I ate for two (I was dumb enough to think it would all magically disappear after childbirth) and was left with 20 extra lbs after she was born. Fortunately with my recent weight loss I am under that weight. And with the second baby I was so overweight (191.4) that I simply could not gain any more weight. And I didn't gain much; after I had my second I was left with 7 extra lbs. Not too shabby. But with neither one of them I put any effort into eating healthy or "just enough," and here I am: trying to control my crazy-carb-cravings that I get every pregnancy while still being able to indulge in them so I'm not miserable 24/7, and at the same trying to not pack on "non-baby lbs."

You get my conundrum. So today I'm pretty down and unhappy; the hormones don't help. The number on the scale that jumped from 171 to 173 in a week doesn't help. The fact that I cannot give in and eat all the carbs that I would like doesn't help... I mean, believe me when I say that I become the Cookie Monster when I'm pregnant! I want cookies, and pizza, and bread, and sandwiches, and subs, and pasta on top of pasta, on top of pasta. Granted, that's how I ate pre-lifestyle change, but it gets crazier when I am pregnant. And now I am working REALLY HARD to get VERY LITTLE of that, which makes me an unhappy pregnant lady. And I should not be unhappy! I have a loved and desired baby growing in my tummy! (hopefully another girl, hehe!)

Now that my rant is over... how have you faced your pregnancies in a healthy way? Have you had unhealthy and healthy pregnancies? How did you curb unhealthy cravings? Did you exercise a throughout your pregnancy? What have your doctors told you about trying to maintain your weight through your pregnancy? What have they told you about counting calories? I'm open to experiences, opinions, and whatever positive and non-judgmental you have to share. I'm feeling down and I don't want to feel down. I also don't want to feel selfish for wanting to watch what I eat and not wanting to gain any weight during my pregnancy.

[xblondie86x]

Personally I would say don't stress too much in the first trimester. I got very strong food aversions and could only eat pasta with tomato based sauces or tomato soup. Do whatever you need to to cope with this difficult part. That's also when the low blood pressure would affect you more. Once you're past the first trimester then you can start to think about watching what you eat, walking etc I think you'll be fine because you have the right mindset this time x

[MauiKai]

I read a study some months back that says what YOU eat influences things like your child's food preferences and your child's risk for obesity. So perhaps when you are tempted to consume poor choice foods you can remind yourself of that?

[Michou]

I would follow a doctor advise. The baby and your health are the priority.

[Paulitens]

Thank you, ladies!

After I posted here I did some research about the first trimester and how much I'm supposed to eat, how many calories to add (if any), exercising, weight gain, etc. It was enlightening and it helped me refocus because honestly last Monday I was at a low and I hate feeling sorry for myself like that. I kicked my butt back into gear and I went back to eating healthy foods and working out when my blood pressure allows for it. So now I'm feeling much better. I'm indulging in a bit of starchy foods in the morning, and eating fruit, vegetables, grains, etc. throughout the day. It's hard not to feel like eating the healthy foods I used to eat but I'm learning to cope by replacing those foods with other healthy options.

As for the doctor... I still haven't seen the doctor because when I found out I was pregnant I called to make an appointment and I was told my doctor usually likes to see pregnant women after the 8th week. And I just hit the 8th week today. My appointment is for the 10th week of my pregnancy. I think it's pretty irresponsible to "want to see pregnant women after the 8th week" but whatever; for all they care I could be engaging in activities that can damage the baby and they'd never know. It must be a Texas thing, I guess. I never had a baby here.

Anyway... I think I needed to vent and put my craziness in writing. Your suggestions do help, though! Thank you so, so much!

[sammymilner]

I understand where you are coming from with the weight issues. I worry a lot about gaining what I have lost (I have lost about 60 pounds) and because I know I am about 60% to target its knowing that its not going to be as quick as I would have liked.

Thankfully my craving is tomatoes and I just can't stop eating them. And I feel this week like I am following the special K diet as cereal is my favourite food right now.

I have lost 6 pounds since I became pregnant (I am nearly 18 weeks) so you put baby weight into it and I have probably lost nearly a stone.

I have also calorie counted since 12 weeks just to see what I am getting and how bad it is and I am averaging 1200-1300 calories a day. And pre-pregnancy it was about 1000 so its not that much difference.

I remember reading somewhere that when pregnant you shouldn't eat for two but have the same in calories as two extra slices of toast per day to take into account what your baby needs.

[jeminijad]

I am working hard at eating right this pregnancy. I did have morning sickness, which prevented weight gain in the first tri. Now, at 20 weeks, I am holding steady.

Can you temporarily count calories and monitor vitamin intake, based on a pregnancy BMI calculator or similar? Cravings can't rule us (when they do, the result is poor.) So what foods taste OK and are still healthy? Can you pick 1 whole grain or starchy veg per day, base a meal around that? Refuse to allow the processed stuff in the house? Is there a fruit that still tastes good?