Worried About Weight Gain

I dunno what to do, I am really stressing over putting on weight during pregnancy.  Not just the standard weight, but extra weight.  Im almost 9 weeks and I've already gained 6lbs. 

But I also cant help the fact I feel hungry to the point of starving every 2-3 hours.  I recognize I'm eating more than I used to, but I wouldn't consider it to be MUCH more. 

Seeing as how I am already overweight, I worry about the health effects of this weight gain and how the hell I am going to lose it all after giving birth.

Anyone have any helpful advice? Feel the same?

You need extra calories while pregnant and your body is telling you so.  Sounds like you'll be fine.

As for losing the weight afterwards, I found breastfeeding great for that.  Of course I've managed to put some of it back on since she's weaned

I wouldn't be too concerned about 6 lbs. at 9 weeks.  You really have much more to go and remember a lot of that could be water weight or bloating from the increased hormones at this stage.  You definitely shouldn't be looking to lose weight at this time, but make sure when you do eat, that you're eating all the good things and very little of the empty calories.  Not only will it help you feel more full, you'll be providing the your body with all of the nutrients that it needs, especially now that you're pregnant.  I really would try not to worry too much and just keep remembering to eat as healthily as you can (while naturally giving in to the cravings once in a while).  

I worried about this big time with my first pregnancy and I ended up being so sick that I lost 20lbs.   

This time around I'm trying not to be too concerned about it...but I am.  I was planning to start my diet the same day I found out I was pregnant...so it's only natural.  Talk to your midwife if you are concerned about weight gain.  I looked up some online references and it says that if you are already overweight, you should gain about 11-25lbs overall (depending on how much overweight you are).  Of course, this is just a general guideline and your midwife should be able to give you more details that are tailored to you specifically.

Eating well and exercising (even if it's just going for a short walk - don't impliment any extreme exercise programs that your body is not used to while you are pregnant!) will help you greatly...not only with weight gain but also with being in better shape...which can help make your birth easier.  Make sure to be conscious of your salt intake.  People who are already overweight have an increased chance of having high blood pressure during pregnancy (which is NOT fun!).  Lower salt will also keep you from getting excessively bloated or retaining water.  Which leads me to my next point, in agreeance with geeta, don't be too worried about how much weight you've gained at this point because you could be bloated or have excess water-retention that is making you appear to have gained more weight than you actually have.

Try not to worry too much and enjoy being pregnant! I found for myself, being overweight to start. You need the extra calories to keep yourself and the baby growing.

Step away from the scales. That's one thing I liked about the UK - no regular weight checks. They will let you know if you are in danger of gaining too much.

Thanks ladies for the positive words.  I would never diet or extreme exercise now (I couldnt diet, I feel like i might starve to death two hours after eating a big meal!).  Had the little one been planned, I would've worked to lose the extra weight before conceiving.  But since it was a complete surprise... 

I guess I should take the advice of getting rid of the evil evil scale.

Step away from the scales. That's one thing I liked about the UK - no regular weight checks. They will let you know if you are in danger of gaining too much.

Really!!!    Oh, another thing to look forward to. I always felt like such a cow when I was pregnant and I had a large gain.

Thanks ladies for the positive words.  I would never diet or extreme exercise now (I couldnt diet, I feel like i might starve to death two hours after eating a big meal!).  Had the little one been planned, I would've worked to lose the extra weight before conceiving.  But since it was a complete surprise... 

I guess I should take the advice of getting rid of the evil evil scale.

This was my plan too.  I still wanted to lose 10-15lb before I got pregnant (was planning on having a few extra months but apparently me and hubby are both fertile as hell since I got pregnant within 2 weeks of moving here).  I did lose 30lbs before I moved her though...so that was a good start.  I agree though...let's both throw our scales under a bus and try not to worry about seeing our feet for a few more months!

Definitely get rid of the scale!  As you said, extreme exercise would be bad but if you don't already, why not try going for regular walks, maybe 2-3 times a week for 30 minutes or so.   There are also some good pregnancy yoga DVD's out there.

Exercise during your pregnancy isn't only good for keeping your weight in check but it is also meant to make for a more comfortable pregnancy and labour.  Hopefully that will inspire you like it did me:-)

Like Geeta said, it could just be bloating right now (I was super bloated from about 9-11 weeks) so don't worry too much yet!

I also was planning to get in shape when I got pregnant unexpectedly, oh well. (Is it just me or did everyone on this board get knocked up out of the blue? 

I started pregnancy pilates a few weeks ago and it's great! It's not a weight loss thing but I definitely feel more mobile, my back feels a lot better. And it really strengthens your pelvic floor muscles, which will be good for childbirth.

Luckily I don't really know how much weight I've gained so far because our scale is in kilograms and I'm too lazy to do the math.

I had lost 2.5 stone before finding out I was pregnant and I still had about 50 lbs to go after that, but had to drop out of "fat camp." (Weight Watchers  )

I have to say, my gains have fluctuated throughout the time and now that I am close to the end, I have only gained between 25-30 lbs. I was concerned at first because having started out overweight, I only wanted to gain 15-20, but I soon just learned to accept it and do my best to simply eat healthy and walk (as much as I was able with fun sciatic pain).

At the end of the day, your body is GOING to gain whatever is necessary for YOU and everyone is different with what they gain. My SIL only gained 5 lbs her whole pregnancy and a friend of mine gained 70!

Try not to pay attention to the scale and just focus on the quality of the nourishment going into your body. Once baby is here, you'll have plenty of time to get it back off again. 

Try not to worry too much on it.  If you're really concerned about your health and that of your baby you may want to consider doing healthy exercise during pregnancy.  Also, ask your midwife if they know of any aquanatal or pregnancy exercise classes in your area just to help maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Like other's have said when you have your booking in appointment (if you haven't already) they'll go over your weight and potential pregnancy risk assessment to help prepare you and guide you in the right direction for your pregnancy.

I was already overweight with both of my pregnancies at the start.  In my first pregnancy I didn't gain nearly as much as I thought and lost the weight within a couple of months of giving birth down to walking around our village to baby groups with DD, sensible eating and breast feeding.  However, this pregnancy I'm about the same size I was when I was overdue and I still have 2 1/2 months to go!   

Sod's Law: turns out one of the local rec centre's here now offers a regular Aquanatal class every week, however its in the middle of the day when I can't get childcare for DD!  Would've been great to know about first time around and if only they offered it slightly later in the day when I could attend!  Oh well. 

Good luck and again try not to worry on it too much - its only 9 months!   

Right now I feel like I can't stress about possible weight gain... and I gave into some pretty crazy food cravings these past three or four days. I usually loathe doughnuts!

I was a pretty hardcore exerciser, but, since I had a miscarriage not long back, the GP has said no more OTT exercise for the time being. Only walking and swimming... My pilates instructor told me that I was not allowed back...

I'm much more lethargic than previous experience. I'm hoping this is a good sign. And, well, I went on Weight Watchers a year ago with success, so, if this all works out, I can do it again in a year.

I wouldn't worry about it. I asked my midwife how much I should or shouldn't be gaining and he told me that I should gain as much as I am, which I took to mean that I shouldn't worry about it and just enjoy it.

If your body is hungry, feed it. You need it!

But if you are worried then just make sure you're eating healthily and I too would recommend aquanatal classes. I enjoy aqua aerobics.