Last round of TWLC I had several people expressing disappointment about timing since they were pregnant and weren’t sure they could participate. As I created challenge specifically to eliminate pregnancy weight, I feel for them. It’s complicated though, because a certain percentage of pregnancy weight is going to come off with little or no effort. Some of it’s swelling, some of it’s fluid, and of course there’s the baby itself.
Look at me at 36 weeks with T1. I know how it feels to be thinking it’s a bit hopeless ladies!
”
And at my baby shower.
This is what I’ve been thinking:
Each pregnant woman would be eligible to begin TWLC2 once she has her baby. She would take her weight at delivery, and subtract 25lbs, and that would be her official starting weight for the challenge.
What do you think? Can you think of a better way to do it?
October 6th, 2011 on 10:48 pm
It might be better to have a woman take her starting weight a few weeks post-partum, instead of using a trivial number. By 4 weeks post-partum my swelling was down and my weight had been steady for a few days.
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October 6th, 2011 on 11:06 pm
I think 25 is high. I only gained 25 with my first, so subtracting 25 from my delivery weight would have dropped me below my pre-pregnancy weight.
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October 6th, 2011 on 11:24 pm
I’m thinking take amount gained, subtract 15, use as starting weight.
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October 6th, 2011 on 11:40 pm
I definitely like the idea and will totally join, though I’m not sure what a fair starting number is.
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October 7th, 2011 on 3:56 am
See this works for me. My first pregnancy, I gained a whopping 75lbs and it took me 14 months after my sons birth to lose it. This time around, my weight gain has been more controlled but I feel that having something to hold me accountable earlier on will help. My first time around, even tho I was eating healthier and even ran a marathon before my son was seven months old, it wasn’t until I joined a similar Biggest Loser blog group that the weight started to come off.
I can see how 25lbs can seem like a lot especially if that’s all you’ve gained. In that case, I’m super envious. How about subtracting 30%? Or perhaps have a different support group for us preggos? Or have us post two different before numbers? The weight pre delivery and post delivery?
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October 7th, 2011 on 5:39 am
Well, I’m already at 36 weeks and I’ve only gained 10 lbs…to go from 25 would be starting below my goal weight
…ok, not really…my goal weight is unattainably and unhealthily low. I’m wondering if a percentage of your pre pregnancy weight makes more sense…it is easy to prove what I weighed 36 weeks ago as it is written in the chart at my OB’s office. Really, for me, it is about motivation, a kick in the pants, which can only truly happen if there is a fair way to participate that doesn’t alienate anyone. I could wait until next time if necessary.
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October 7th, 2011 on 6:00 am
Geez, I’m jealous of all you mini-preggos! I delivered 6 weeks ago, and by the end of my pregnancy I was up a whopping 40 pounds! My thoughts would be to use your starting weight at 6 weeks post-partum, as that’s the “official” recovery period. I think I’ve lost all my bloating and water weight by this point, though my boobs and milk definitely account for at least 5 pounds of extra weight from my pre-preggo days. These things are legit! I’d love to participate, but I only have about 9 pounds left to lose, and I don’t think it would be a high enough percentage to even compete
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Coadting anon Reply:
October 7th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Heh…FWIW, I gained 40 with my first. The only reason my weight gain is so low this time is because it has been summer and I’ve literally been chasing an2 year old around all of Boston.
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October 7th, 2011 on 6:05 am
Unfortunately, my due date is three weeks after the challenge ends, so I think I’m out either way. 25 pounds seems awfully high to me, although I’m basing that on what I’ve read since this is my first baby. Good luck!
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October 7th, 2011 on 7:21 am
25 pounds seems high. I think pregnant women should be able to participate without penalty. Sure, perhaps they might have an “advantage” because giving birth will reduce their weight, but on the other hand having a newborn is challenging and puts them at a “disadvantage” (in terms of time to get to gym, cooking, etc.,). No competition is 100% fair and it seems like everything would pretty much even out . . .
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October 7th, 2011 on 8:08 am
I have the opposite problem. I’m hoping to get pregnant in that time frame. I’m still going to join; just not aim for a prize, I’m in it for the support of loosing weight. Thanks for doing this.
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October 7th, 2011 on 8:27 am
I was actually going to email you with that very question since I’m due a month after it starts…I agree with using your weight at 6 weeks instead of the 25. With my first my weight started to even out around 5 or 6 weeks.
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October 7th, 2011 on 9:07 am
I found the following that breaks down the “normal” weight loss that occurs after child birth (from the actual birth itself)
“You probably won’t return to your pre-pregnancy weight for some time, but you will lose a significant amount of weight immediately after delivery. Subtracting one 7- to 8-pound baby, another pound or two of placenta, and another 2 pounds or so of blood and amniotic fluid leaves most new moms about 12 pounds lighter.”
I know that is still more than some women that have commented above have gained for their whole pregnancy, but maybe 12 pounds would be a better number to subtract? I love the idea of this challenge, and I wish everyone the best of luck!
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October 7th, 2011 on 9:09 am
25lbs seems low. I lost 40lbs by the time I went back for my 6wk check up. But I know that not everyone is like me…
Can you hold a separate category for them? Maybe the winner gets 50% of the cash and the photography shoot, 2nd place 25% and in the postpartum category they win 25%.
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Sophia Reply:
October 8th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
I think this solves it. A separate category would make sense.
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October 7th, 2011 on 9:18 am
I lost 25 pounds by my 6w PP check without trying to way healthy foods or lose weight, but I know it is so different for each woman. I think taking the woman’s weight 5 or so weeks PP is probably a good indicator of the amount that will “fall off.”
I do want to note that I tried to start eating less to lose weight around 6 weeks PP and my milk supply tanked. I had to keep my weight Lisa at a pound a week or less in order to maintain my supply. Just something to think about
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JamieH Reply:
October 7th, 2011 at 9:19 am
Ack. Weight LOSS. Silly phone.
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October 7th, 2011 on 9:41 am
sorry, my last comment got submitted before I was finished (my 1 yr old was playing with the keyboard) I agree that 25lb is not fair in many cases. Why not take the starting weight to be whatever weight the person is 2 weeks after birth, That way all of the fluids/baby etc (quick weight loss) is for the most part over, and the hard weight loss can begin?
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October 7th, 2011 on 10:27 am
25 pounds seems high to me. I’m at 38 weeks and have gained 36 pounds, and I just know I’m going to have more than 11 pounds to lose once baby arrives! A percentage may be more fair.
And like JamieH noted, those of us who are hoping to breastfeed won’t be able to drop the pounds as quickly because we’ll need to keep the milk supply up.
I wonder if we could have a separate postpartum category? I like the idea of joining a group (and there’s a 5K I’d like to run in May). I just want to get healthy for myself and my family, and I know I could use the motivation of being part of a group.
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Courtney Reply:
October 7th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I agree with a separate category. There are just far too many variables between pregnant and not to really make it fair.
The pregnant ones could “buy in” to their own cash pot if they want or just participate sans cash prize, but it keeps things more consistent within their group. Just my opinion.
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Marissa C Reply:
October 7th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
I like the separate category too. I do plan on breastfeeding…who knows how that will affect weight loss.
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October 7th, 2011 on 11:28 am
I don’t think any one way would be “fair”, as women gain different amounts during pregnancy. At 36 weeks, I’m up only 15 pounds from my weight at conception (although I lost a bit of weight during the 1st trimester, then gained it all back plus that 15). A 25 pound subtraction would put me under where I started with TWLC1.
While prizes would be nice, I would totally be into just having a place where I can be motivated and hold myself accountable by reporting my progress post-baby
. Possibly there could be a separate Google Spreadsheet that would allow us to report our pre-baby weight, weight at delivery, 2 weeks post delivery, and then our progress from there on out?
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October 7th, 2011 on 12:20 pm
I don’t know of a fair way to do it either. With my first baby, I gained a total of 13 pounds, from day one to the day I delivered. With my second, it was only about 20. I don’t know that you could find any one answer that is applicable and fitting for everyone.
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October 7th, 2011 on 12:44 pm
I am 7 weeks post partum — can I use the 34 pounds I’ve already lost??
Just joking
But I agree — i think at about 5 or 6 weeks I was down 30 lbs without trying and my weight stablizied there. The last four I have “worked” off — eating healthier and finally getting moving. I think 5 or 6 weeks post partum is a good weight to start with.
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October 7th, 2011 on 12:47 pm
I’m only 20 wks right now, so I think that I will just hold off til the next round {there’s going to be a next round, right?} as that’ll put me about where I need to be time-wise
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Heather Reply:
October 7th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
I’m in this category too-17w here, and I would LOVE to participate in the next round. I sure hope there’s a part 3!
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October 7th, 2011 on 3:14 pm
i don’t think there’s a fair way to do this. not only do people gain different amounts, but people lose it at much different speeds, and things like breastfeeding (and you don’t want to drop a lot of weight/or diet during that), not to mention people shouldn’t really be exercising that much early on, which would effect how long they need to fairly participate. maybe the preggers should have their own challenge, or simply an inspirational, ‘look where i’m at!’ etc…
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October 7th, 2011 on 3:30 pm
I’d like to participate, (I am about 5 weeks postpartum), but the 25 lbs seems a bit steep. I had a really rough pregnancy and only gained 5 and a half pounds, so maybe that’s why. I think a percentage would be better.
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October 7th, 2011 on 3:37 pm
I think I’m too precise and would have to really know what I would weigh from when I would really start. That could be different from everyone. I would really only have a few month after birth until it ends anyway. I’d rather have baby and see how I’m doing before I start something I may not be ready for.
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October 7th, 2011 on 4:29 pm
I also don’t think that there is a fair and equal way to do this either. Whether 25 is too high or low is going to depend on each pregnancy.
My friend gained 50 and lost 20 when the baby was born. I’ll have to ask her what she weighs next week when she goes to the doctor.
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Sandra Reply:
October 7th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Oh and I completely disagree with Married in Chicago’s idea (sorry MiC!). To put it in concrete terms: if my friend’s pregnant weight was her starting weight, she would only need to lose 15 pounds after the baby was born to have lost 20% of her weight. For all I know she’s lost that in the six weeks since his birth. 20% is how much last cycle’s winner lost.
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October 7th, 2011 on 5:46 pm
Yeah, I’m almost four weeks postpartum here, and I don’t have a better suggestion. I agree that 25 pounds isn’t great - I only gained 14 pounds, and I’ve lost about 21 with no effort. Subtracting 25 pounds would put me ‘starting’ at 5 pounds below where I currently am, and I’d only like to lose 10 or 15 more pounds. I think that weight at 5 or 6 weeks is a much better metric - I know that I’ve about stabilized at almost four weeks.
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October 7th, 2011 on 7:30 pm
I don’t think it is fair to put pregnant women in the challenge- if so they need their own category. There are too many variables that go into post-partum weight loss. I know women who’ve lost 50 pounds by 8 weeks and some who do nothing but breastfeed and in 6 months weigh less than they did prepregnancy (wish I was one of those). I think a separate category and their starting weight should be what it is 8 weeks post-partum.
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October 7th, 2011 on 11:23 pm
Pregnant ladies should be a separate category. I’m the perfect example of Brandy’s point that going through pregnancy and postpartum does wacky things to your body. I had a baby a year ago only gained about 22 pounds total. After a terrible labor (they didn’t let me eat for a week, 56 hours of labor, then a C-section), I’d lost all of that weight by the time I left the hospital. Since I’m 4’10 and started at about 125 pounds, that whole shift would have netted me a HUGE % loss, with no effort on my part. That kind of loss is not in the spirit of this challenge.
But, before anyone tries to point out a “silver lining” to the story around weight loss (other than my son, who is a a little ray of sunshine) I’ve since gained nearly all of it back. It’s been a slow gain since I stopped breast feeding.
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