My Post-Baby Weight Loss Story(s):
Just thought I'd share this with any new moms. Maybe it'll help you or interest you.
First Kid:
First kid I was 34 years old when she was born. I gained maybe 35-40 lbs with the pregnancy (I was about 5 pounds overweight when I got pregnant). I hadn't exercised and had eaten whatever I wanted, as my mom was dying during my pregnancy and I had no energy to work on myself. Had really really bad water retention. I nursed exclusively for 9 months, then continued nursing (supplemented with solids) until she was 2 years old. I did not focus much on diet, although I did start exercising somewhere around the time she was 6 months old. But it was mostly light exercise: some bodyweight exercises and walking with the baby strapped to my back. Sometimes I would up the exercise or concentrate harder on my diet.
The weight fell of gradually, but not quickly and it seemed to take a lot of effort to move every pound. And even when I made a concentrated effort, I still couldn't shake those last 5 pounds of baby weight. I admit that I may have slacked a little because I knew I would likely get pregnant again sometime in the future.
Second Kid:
My second kid was born when I was 36. Again, I paid very little attention to my diet or exercise during the pregnancy. I gained about 35-40 pounds (in addition to the extra 5-10 pounds I was carrying). This once was born c-section unlike the first, and honestly my recovery was much faster. Nursing was also easier second time around. I nursed exclusively for 6 months, then continued nursing her plus solid foods until she was about 20 months.
I did absolutely nothing when it came to diet and exercise. It was just too complicated to try to coordinate exercise with a toddler and newborn. Eventually I managed to squeeze in some exercise, but not much. Maybe I'd go for a walk once a week or something. I ate whatever I wanted, although I admit that taking care of two little kids kinda means you "grab and go" food rather than having proper, big meals.
And the weight melted off. Literally. Like whoosh. I lost all the baby weight, plus the extra pounds from the previous baby, plus the extra pounds I had been carrying before that, plus more.
I did start following a Paleo diet around the last 3 months before hitting my lowest weight, plus did some IF after the baby was done nursing, but that was mostly just to slim down to as much as possible. That accounts for my "plus more" weight I lost. The rest was... well... good luck, I guess.
Anyway, I share this story because I want you new moms to know that sometimes the weight flies off and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it takes work and sometimes it doesn't. Every person is different, and every pregnancy is different. But don't worry. If you're focused and dedicated, eventually it will come off. Just be patient with yourself and your body. Being a mom is an amazing thing. Try and enjoy it without worrying too much about how it's changed your body.
Forgot to add: I am on my third pregnancy, and am on track to again gain 35-40 pounds. I have not been focused on diet, although up until the third tri I actually did more exercise than I have ever done during a pregnancy. I will be 39 years old when this kid is born in July. As far as the weight loss aspect goes... well... I guess I'll keep checking in here so you can see how it goes the third time around.