I think in many cases, if you’re eating well and exercising moderately while pregnant, the weight that you’ve gained comes off relatively easily after the baby’s born. Nursing certainly helps, though you can expect your body to hold on to those last few extra pounds until you wean (like 10 or less…not a huge deal).

Its an old video, but I really got a lot out of Kathy Smith’s pregnancy workout video. She has a section on the end that gives specific workouts for the first 6 weeks after birth to ease you back into exercise.

Good luck - its quite the momentous change. It can throw you for a loop. But those little precious bundles are sooooooooooo worth it!!

I’ve just had my second child, and gained 45lbs with this pregnancy. I thought that since life is a bit crazier and I’d read all about moms snacking off kids plates [guilty!] and not fitting in enough ‘me’ time, I would have a hard time losing it. I was really worried! Well, my son is only 3.5 months old and I’ve only got 8lbs left to go. As soon as I was cleared to I hit the gym a couple of times per week for about 3 weeks, then life ‘got in the way’ and I skipped out. Weightloss slowed but didn’t stop. I wasn’t doing crazy workouts- generally just the 30 minute circuit [though I push myself HARD- it's not time for a gabfest with the lady next to me] and I’d be heading home to feed my son. The biggest benefit to going to the gym [which you're already used to] is you have a place where it’s ONLY you- no matter how much you adore your child, you’ll benefit from having a short ‘breather’ away from them to recharge!

My advice? Don’t let everyone tell you you’ll be exhausted, not wanting to work out, and that it’ll be hard to lose. Your hormones WILL be there to help- they keep you going through sleepless nights AND they’ll likely be assisting in the weight loss! Breastfeed if you can- you’ll have read all about the benefits to both- it’s an incredible thing to see you body do [even though to be completely honest I don't enjoy it], and aside from SEEING the benefits of good nutrition [your bouncing baby growing on your milk!] you’ll be burning extra calories each day without even thinking about it!

One last thing- DRINK A TON OF WATER! Each time I saw my weight loss slow it would take about a week until I’d realise I wasn’t drinking enough. Maybe it’s just me with the hormones and nursing, but it was vital to my weight loss.

I wish you all the best Kristin! I know you can do it. I doubt it’ll even require much thought on your end now. Just try not to over think it! It’s important to lose it a bit slower than you did on the BL… do it as your body allows

Enjoy every minute with your newborn! Take 10x more photos than you thought was reasonable… and videos too! [even of them crying- it's amazing how fast things like that change!]

I saw your facebook post and instantly thought of my cousin. She is a certified personal trainer and works writing articles for magazines about just what you are wondering about. Losing the baby fat. I just thought I’d give you the link to her website and see if she could help you out! Her website is http://www.perfectfit.ws/ and she’s on Facebook too. Her name is Nicole Palacios. Hope you find her articles helpful!

(Although I don’t know that I can blame it all on him since I started putting it on before I even got pregnant.)

My struggle with my weight has been a life-long batte. When I got married I was in ok shape and only weighed 180. Within two months of being married I was pregnant. I took that a free reign to the refrigerator!! I took the saying eating for two very very literal! I had packed on 30 pounds very quickly and then suffered a miscarriage. So, by the time I had gotten pregnant with my oldes son, I weighed 219 pounds. I gained 84 pounds with my first pregnancy. When my oldest was born he weighed 13 pounds 6 ounces!!! That is not a typo either. I was not a gestational diabetic or anything, just had a very big baby. (But don’t worry, I’m sure that is not the norm, and you have nothing to worrry about). With the pregnancy for my youngest, I started off at 243 pounds, so I hadn’t lost all my weight from the first one. I gained 70 pounds with my second pregnancy which put me at 313 pounds when he was born. Funny thing is, he weighed 13 pounds 6 ounces too!!! What are the odds? Again, I did not have gestational diabetes with him either.
Today my youngest son is 6 years old and my oldest is 9. My current weight is 213 pounds. I started on a weight loss journey on February 14, 2009. I had finally had enough. I was ready to lose all the baby weight as well as the weight I had put on after the wedding. As it stands right now, I only have 33 pounds left to go, but they are the hardest ones to lose. I have been at the same weight for a long time now and am trying some new things to get things moving again.
However, to lose the 54 pounds I have lost so far, I joined a bootcamp class that I do two nights a week with a personal trainer. He is incredible and a very key factor in my success. I also decided to eat healthier and stop some of the bad habits I had with regards to food. I stopped drinking pop and coffee, and stopped eating in the evenings.
So, my progress was great up until November. I hit a plateau and just couldn’t break it. I got discouraged and my eating habits started to change - and not for the better. It is so easy to get distracted and lose sight of your goal. However, what sets you apart from those who just keep sliding is if you can recognize that and get back on track. That is exactly what I have decided to do.
Losing weight after you have had children is hard, but having a healthy lifestyle is worth all the hard work. Especially when you think that you will be setting the most important example for your child by leading a healthy lifestyle. The best things that you can do to be successful is to write it down! Keeping a food journal is very important and will definitely keep you honest. Be sure to drink lots of water and be active! If you can do this, you will reach your goals!
I want to thank you Kristen for being such an inspiration to me when you were on the Biggest Loser. You certainly seemed to be one of the contestants who made such a transformation. Not only a physical transformation, but a personal one. Your insights really hit home with me and you really helped me with some of my issues as well. Kristen, I also want to wish you all the best as you enter your journey as a new Mom. It is absolutely the best feeling in the world when you first look into your newborn’s eyes. I never completely understood unconditional love until that very moment. Enjoy every moment with you new child, the time goes by so fast. Before you know it you will be typing on someone’s blog about how your children are 6 and 9 years old!!!