My Surprising Weight Gain During Two Consecutive Pregnancies - Before and After Photos

My Surprising Weight Gain During Two Consecutive Pregnancies - Before and After Photos

I'll be the first to admit it: pregnancy can be a real challenge when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. Between the morning sickness, cravings, and constant hunger, it's easy to get caught up in a cycle of overeating and weight gain. But what if I told you that my experience with weight gain during pregnancy was actually a lot more nuanced than that?

In this post, I'll be sharing my personal story of weight gain during two consecutive pregnancies, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. From my pre-pregnancy weight to my post-delivery weight, I'll be giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to navigate the ups and downs of pregnancy weight gain.

As someone who's been through two pregnancies, I've learned a thing or two about what works and what doesn't when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight during this time. And let me tell you, it's not always easy. But with the right approach, it's definitely possible to make healthy choices that benefit both you and your baby.

So, what exactly is a pregnancy diet? In short, it's not about strict restrictions or cutting out entire food groups. Instead, it's about making healthy choices that nourish both you and your baby. Think of it as a form of clean eating with some tailored recommendations and restrictions to meet your body's needs during pregnancy.

For me, the key to a healthy pregnancy diet was avoiding foods that can cause serious food poisoning. That meant no raw meat, raw fish and seafood, or raw egg yolks in khachapuri. Of course, you can still enjoy these foods after thorough heat treatment, but it's essential to prioritize food safety during pregnancy.

Another crucial aspect of my pregnancy diet was portion control. I made sure to eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid overeating and maintain a healthy weight. And let's not forget about the importance of staying hydrated - I drank plenty of water throughout the day to keep my energy levels up.

Of course, no discussion of pregnancy diet would be complete without mentioning the role of snacks. As someone who's always on-the-go, I relied on healthy snacks like nuts, fruits, and yogurt to keep me satisfied between meals. And when I needed a little pick-me-up, I'd opt for a cup of tea with a sweet treat - like a chocolate bar or a cookie.

Now, I know what you're thinking: what about fast food? The truth is, I didn't completely cut out fast food during my pregnancies. Instead, I made sure to balance it out with healthier options. A burger and fries every two weeks wasn't the end of the world, but it was essential to maintain a balanced diet.

As I navigated my pregnancies, I also made sure to prioritize physical activity. Long walks and gym sessions helped me stay in shape and maintain a healthy weight. And let's not forget about the importance of rest - getting enough sleep was crucial for both my physical and mental well-being.

Pregnancy diet isn't just about the health of two people; it's also about your body. If you weren't eating well before, pregnancy is a great excuse to start. You'll gain less weight, recover faster, and have fewer reasons to stress after delivery. Plus, this diet isn't about restricting food and calories; it's about making healthy choices. And you get a free pass to indulge in sweets, which many moms just can't resist.

During my pregnancies, I was surprised by how much chocolate I was eating. I wasn't eating it by the box, but for me, eating a whole maxi-chocolate bar of Milka in a week was too much. I used to limit myself to three bars with a cup of tea. I'm glad that craving has left me.

I highly recommend a pregnancy diet, but only in this format: with a rational approach, reasonable restrictions, and healthy eating principles. It's not about being perfect; it's about making progress and taking care of yourself and your baby.

Now, let's get to the numbers. My pre-pregnancy weight was around 105-106 lbs. During my first pregnancy, I lost weight during the first trimester, but it started to creep back up after 10 weeks. By the midpoint of my pregnancy, I was close to my normal weight. At 40 weeks 4 days, I weighed 125.7 lbs - a total weight gain of around 9 lbs.

With my second pregnancy, 1.5 years later, the picture was similar, except I didn't lose weight during the process. I was 48 kg when I registered, and it just kept going up without any weight fluctuations. My belly was growing faster too. By the eighth month, my belly was barely squeezing into the pool, and the six-hour flight felt like a nightmare. My weight at 40 weeks: 59 kg. Total weight gain: 11 kg.

Two weeks after my second delivery, these jeans from our trip to Karelia are a bit loose:

Ah, here's the promised photo I wanted to delete. I left it as a reminder that I just happened to stand well in all the other photos from that period.

After the delivery, four months have passed:

Let's face it, but no matter how hard we try, our bodies in pregnancy and after delivery are largely determined by our genes. And only secondarily by nutrition, physical activity, and sports.

During my pregnancy, I found that long walks and going to the gym a couple of times a week almost until delivery really helped me stay in shape. And, of course, controlling my diet was a big plus.

Pregnancy diet - it's not just about the health of two people; it's also about your body. If you weren't eating well before, pregnancy is a great excuse to start. You'll gain less weight, recover faster, and have fewer reasons to stress after delivery. Plus, this diet isn't about restricting food and calories; it's about making healthy choices. And you get a free pass to indulge in sweets, which many moms just can't resist.

I highly recommend a pregnancy diet, but only in this format: with a rational approach, reasonable restrictions, and healthy eating principles.