I'm Scared I'll Gain Too Much Weight While Pregnant - View Question

I'm Scared I'll Gain Too Much Weight While Pregnant

It’s my 5th week of pregnancy and it just hit me; I’m both happy and scared at the thought that I’m going to be a mommy. We called our family and they are all excited for us. My parents had 7 children so they were supper excited to hear that their 35-year-old daughter was finally pregnant. Surprisingly, it was my dad that was the most excited and that means so much to me. My dad and I have had our differences over the years, so this was really special to have him on my side. He just loves children and would really love more grand kids.

But one thing that is scaring me is how much weight will I gain. Will I get fat? What if I don’t lose the weight after I’m pregnant? I know it’s because I’ve had weight issues in the past and don’t ever want to be like that again. It took me awhile to lose all the weight I gained in college! I know most women in America today have weight concerns.

Then I read this: This is from the Bob Gass ministry.

"Beauty, the...kind...God delights in." 1 Peter 3:4 TM

Inner beauty

A lady was applying face cream when her little girl asked, "What's that you're putting on, Mom?" "Moisturizer," she replied. "The saleslady said it would make me beautiful." With an honesty only children have, she replied, "Mom, I don't think it's working." There's nothing wrong with looking good, but there's much more to you than your clothes and your hairstyle. Plus, you can go broke fixing up the outside, because "what Mother Nature giveth, Father Time taketh away!" Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "To find beauty we must carry it with us."

It's a big mistake to focus on the outside and fail to appreciate the inner qualities God's given you. Solomon said, "Beauty is...[not lasting]" (Pr 31:30 AMP). When God made you He didn't just decorate the outside, He gave you "inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind...God delights in." However, because Peter also talked about "fancy hair, gold jewelry...fine clothes" (NCV), a few well-intentioned people have used that to create a legalistic standard by which to measure and judge others. Does the Bible teach us to dress appropriately? Absolutely. Paul writes: "I...want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety...appropriate for women who profess to worship God" (1Ti 2:9-10 NIV). But when you focus on the wrong area you get the wrong results. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1Sa 16:7 NIV). Don't allow what you see on TV or in the mirror to define your worth. Work instead to develop the kind of inner beauty God commends.

These scriptures really helped me when I was struggling with a poor body image. Is anyone out there like me? We’re you worried that you wouldn’t look the same after you had your children or am I the only one?? Please write me back and let me know.

http://www.PrayForYourBaby.com

See also: Pregnancy, Mother, Beauty, Weight, God, Scriptures, Bible

Written by Jennifer

Posted on 11/24/2009

See all posts by Jennifer

Answers:

Jennifer,
I think that every mother to be is concerned about how they will look while pregnant and after. Yes, you are going to gain weight but it is for your baby. You won't be fat, you are pregnant and that is beautiful.

Eat healthy and let your body do what is natural. Remember that you really aren't eating for 2 as some would say. I can't remember how many extra calories it is a day but it doesn't take much to get to that.

The weight takes some time to come off afterwards. I was so swollen at the end of my pregnancy and after. It took 4 weeks just for my limbs to go back to normal. I breastfed and that burns so many calories and with eating healthy still it helps. Get rest as you can.

If you are like me though, once my little one was home I didn't care what I looked like (not to mention too tired!!), because I was just so engulfed with this little person. My whole life revolved around this little girl and she is what is most important.

Good luck and congratulations! Enjoy your pregnancy, it is amazing what a womans body is able to do and create this little person.

Amber

posted by Amber on 12/01/2009

Jennifer,
I am also pregnant (27 weeks) with my second. I was concerned about weight gain with my first, and am still concerned this time. You will have strange cravings you've never had and sometimes will feel like no matter how much you eat you'll never be full. Just remember to stay healthy. In the beginning you are really only supposed to eat about 200 extra calories. There are several websites out there that will help you stay on track to what to eat and how much of it. Go to sparkpeople.com. It's a free website that will make meal plans for you. They have a sister site for pregnancy. You can find it on that site. It will put in your height and weight and will tell you how many calories you need to eat and set up an entire food plan. It does it weekly and you can even print off a grocery list for your week... and it's all free!!! I have a problem with sweets. I don't even eat chocolate and sweets when I'm not pregnant, but for some reason when I get pregnant that's all I want!!! Instead of making myself go insane without them... I just limit myself. I understand your concern because you have had weight issues in the past. I think the best advice is to not look at pregnancy as a free for all to eat whatever whenever you want. Look at it as a time in your life you need to be the most healthy you will ever be because you have the precious miracle inside of you. And if you work out... it's completely safe and good for you to continue to do so throughout your pregnancy. It will make labor easier and that much easier for your body to lose the weight afterward. I hope this helps. And congrats :o)

posted by Keri on 12/06/2009

hi! I gained 55lbs during my pregnancy w/our daughter in the last year I have gotten it almost all off just 7lbs left!!(YEA!). i left the hospitial and had was only 1lb thinner! Dont worry honey. I was over 200lbs before getting pregnant and if I can loose the weight Im sure you can too!

posted by on 12/18/2009

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