Should I try to lose weight or not?

[LittleWolf]

Now that the warm weather is here this week I'm feeling so uncomfortable and self conscious in my clothes and had to walk my dog with a cardigan on, it was torture. I'm not overweight but have a very curvy figure and look so out of shape. If i try and lose weight which is worse when ttc high intensity cardio or heavy weight training? All I've read is that 'too much' exercise is bad but which type exactly? Will weight loss in general effect ttc?

 

[Sunflower1]

Any intense exercise or dieting could affect your chances. Can you just go slowly and make little changes?

 

[lemur9]

Hi LittleWolf,

I don't think losing weight is more important than eating healthier. By eating healthier, you are putting good nutrition in your body AND weight loss can come of it. I lost a lot of weight just by eating right and drinking a LOT of water. I cut out sodas and only drink spring water. I will have plum juice every now and then (when I feel constipated and just because it tastes so good!), but stick with foods and drink that will only benefit my health rather than hinder it. Good luck to you!

 

[LittleWolf]

Thanks, I agree about nutrition being most important and small changes making a difference. I will make healthy food my main focus. I would love to lose body fat and tone up, even just a little, but don't know how much effort to put in. Would walking, pilates and then a few kettlebell or dumbell workouts every other day be ok? I know lighter weights won't really make changes to my body so how heavy is too heavy? 5kg? I mean even just your own body weight can be really heavy when doing squats etc.

 

[lemur9]

It isn't necessarily about how heavy, but about how many reps you can do. I would start light, about 5lbs (2.5kg). You can also try dance exercises! I love Zumba. It's fun and not super crazy. Walking is great. Walking everyday is fantastic. Number 1 goal should be eating LOTS of green veggies and drinking lots of water. You can see a huge change in physical appearance by increasing those two things alone. Add in some light exercise and then slowly increase as you feel comfortable and you got it, girl! Make sure you are keeping a positive attitude as well!

 

[LittleWolf]

Thanks for the advice I'm setting off on a walk now before the sun sets, then I'll have a healthy snack. When i do weight training I'll stick to what feels easy to moderate for me. Dancing is fun, I might include that occasionally too. I'm trying to be positive but today I've felt a bit insecure seeing everyone else in skimpy clothing and me just being physically uncomfortable. I'll do some things to boost my self esteem aswell.

 

[lemur9]

Thanks for the advice I'm setting off on a walk now before the sun sets, then I'll have a healthy snack. When i do weight training I'll stick to what feels easy to moderate for me. Dancing is fun, I might include that occasionally too. I'm trying to be positive but today I've felt a bit insecure seeing everyone else in skimpy clothing and me just being physically uncomfortable. I'll do some things to boost my self esteem aswell.

It took a LOOOONG time for me to be comfortable in my skin. However, once I began to accept myself and look at all the good, I felt better. Now, the only time I'm self-conscious is when I'm bloated (which is often due to my endo), but I have found ways to dress and make my tummy less noticeable to me. And if I am happy with my appearance then I don't care what anyone else things lol Oh and get one of those skinny mirrors! They make you look slimmer even on bloated days!

Annndddd!!!! The more comfortable you are with yourself, the less stressed you will be and the more relaxed you will be with will aide in baby making!!! Best wishes to you!! (sorry for all the exclamation points lol)

 

[WinterWolf]

Weight loss is 70% diet anyway, so if you change your diet and only do light exercise, you'll lose weight and you'll be improving your overall health, which can only help when TTC! The month I caught I had just started weight training and intense cardio, so I don't think it really has much affect on fertility. If you're overweight, any exercise should actually improve fertility.

 

[Summerwine]

We started TTC last year following our wedding. In the run up to the wedding, I was running 10kms regularly, alongside 2 circuit training classes a week with exercises ranging from body weight up to 50kg. The weights I was using were built up to gradually and when we got our BFP I spoke with my dr who urged me to continue for as long as I felt capable (I managed up to 16 weeks before switching to spin classes).

Start slowly with any new exercise regime - speak to someone at your local gym, as well as your doctor, but mine were very much of the opinion that exercise and diet contributing to a healthy lifestyle could only enable pregnancy - within reason. I was told not to cut any food groups out, or exercise every day - just make sure everything is in moderation and don’t do anything drastic quickly, work up to it.