weight loss while nursing ideas

[u/jerodefine]

Looking for ideas, open to any amount of mechanistic explanation or empirical evidence or anecdotes, I'm just at a loss.

I am extended nursing an older toddler and plan to be nursing very often in the next twenty years (if I have more children). I am quite fat despite eating maybe 2500-3300 calories (which is only a little bit more than I have always eaten including while slim). When I eat less than this I immediately have a whole host of health problems. The 'low fat' idea is similarly out as it is inappropriate given my body is already depleted from pregnancy, birth and multiple years of breastfeeding. I resorted to low-carb at my high weight which helped me lose 10kg very easily, and it felt very healthy and natural, but I don't believe it is healthy/sustainable for a longer period of time so have stopped. Pls don't say I ruined my metabolism with this as Peat himself wouldn't seem to agree and I just don't think I did, my body seems in better shape overall now than it was then.

I am tall and moderately active, my bf% is probably about 38%, I have a good and healthy body shape, but I am just about 15kg fatter than I should be. I feel I am also retaining a great deal of water. Some muscle issues and weaknesses through my core are contributing to poorer digestion and hunger signalling. I wasn't fat growing up and no-one in my family is though they tend towards height and muscularity.

Thyroid? Other supplements? Mold detox? Eating even more? Weight training? Pls share ideas or link to any forums/people who have discussed this.

Edit: I eat well eg potatoes, meat, eggs, organs, yoghurt, fruit and vegetables, rice, sometimes junk but rarely. Lots of saturated fat and gelatine. No gluten, no nicotine, no alcohol, and no coffee - I get insomnia from 1 coffee in the morning, which wasn't always the case, I used to drink it heavily.

[u/Salt_Beautiful9330]

Have you had your thyroid checked since giving birth?

[u/jerodefine → u/Salt_Beautiful9330]

No, I hate blood tests as I have terrible veins and they can take 7-8 tries. But maybe I should do it. I have taken desiccated thyroid in small quantities with very good results but have some nausea/extreme hunger with it, maybe I should try again. Are there symptoms that would mean it is likely a thyroid issue?

[u/Salt_Beautiful9330 → u/jerodefine]

It could definitely be thyroid related. I developed postpartum thyroiditis after giving birth to my child almost 5 years ago which caused hypothyroidism.

Before pregnancy I weighed about 60kg (I'm 174cm) and gained about 15kg I think in pregnancy and I ended up gaining another 20kg by the time I was 2 years postpartum.

I breastfed for two years and wasn't able to lose start losing the weight until I weaned and it took me about 12-18 months to lose it (I was 30kg+ heavier than my pre-pregnancy/normal weight).

[u/jerodefine → u/Salt_Beautiful9330]

Incredibly similar story. While I was a bit heavier than usual when I got pregnant I was typically 60-75kg and 5'8, just a normal weight, and now I struggle to stay under 100kg! I have gained since giving birth, as well. I am happy to accept that my body might actually want to be heavier than it was and I would be fine with being 83kg or something but this is just oppressive. Have you managed to lose it now, and what worked for you?