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I didn't necessarily diet, but I did try to cut sweets (my biggest weakness!) and other unhealthy foods. I also upped my water intake which helped. I didn't lose a ton of lbs, but I did tone up quite a bit. I probably wouldn't restrict calories to a certain number but maybe reduce carbs and sweets? I also stopped eating late at night (I wouldn't eat past 7 or 7:30).

I'm starting to think about this and my thoughts are to not reduce the amount I'm eating per se, but swap out healthier food and stop the junk snacking. I need to stop the sugar habit, sigh.

I didn't diet exactly but I had to follow a strict elimination diet for my LO (no dairy, soy, eggs, corn, or nuts) and I ended up losing a ton of weight but still maintained a decent supply. I found that I had to drink a TON of water and I also felt like I was eating alot (of the foods that I was allowed) but the weight just melted off, probably because I could not longer have most processed foods. So I think you could probably follow a reasonable diet and have your supply be fine, as long as you stay hydrated. At my lowest, I was 10 pounds below my pre-preg weight (and my pre-preg weight was the lowest I'd been in my adult life previously).

With that said though, I stopped my elimination diet and also dropped most nursing sessions around the same time at 12 months and I've regained it all plus another 10.

I've been thinking a lot about this too. My sweet tooth is out of control right now. I was thinking about cutting carbs and sugar for a couple weeks but really don't want to mess with my supply.

I'm currently in the same boat. I used MyFitnessPal app to track what I was eating normally. For me that ended up being about 1800-1900 calories per day (which was maintaining my weight).

Then I did a drastic cut to 1300 per day in order to lose about a pound per week (again, using MyFitnessPal to track calories and exercise). That totally tanked my supply. And I had never had a supply problem before that, so I think I just made too drastic a cut in calories.

So then I did a bunch of research on KellyMom and discovered that you should gradually cut calories slowly. So maybe one week cut out 100 calories, then in two weeks cut out 200 until you're at the calorie threshold you find appropriate for your dieting and supply.

But I took this approach because I know from experience that if I start working out and don't track calories I'll just eat more and won't end up losing weight. The other thing i discovered is that protein makes a big difference in my supply.

Good luck! I fell off the wagon last week while we were moving so I've got to get my butt in gear!

I allowed myself 6 months to just be. Like you, I'm working full time and nursing so I was really trying to find my groove after having #2. Thankfully, that 6 months took me through the holidays so it was sort of easier to change my mindset. I agree that swapping out healthier options for the crap is a good idea but can be hard when you forgot to plan out meals so take out is a must. I just joined weight watchers so I'm hoping that helps. They take into consideration if you're nursing so I don't find it too restrictive. Hopefully when it starts getting warmer, I'll be able to take the kids outside and be more active. With my LO not sleeping through the night yet, it's hard for me to justify getting up early to exercise when I barely am getting any sleep as it is! But we'll get there.

I would just cut calories gradually, stay super hydrated and make sure you are getting enough healthy fats. And of course, making sure the calories are coming from healthy sources. My breastfeeding sweet tooth was out of control, so I feel your pain!

Another vote for Weight Watchers! I've lost ~13lbs in the past two months using their plan for nursing moms and have not noticed any significant impact on my supply. I'm better at meeting goals when I have a structured framework like their points system to work towards. I've never done the old style WW, so I can't say if it's better or worse than the new version. I will say I like it better than calorie counting because if I'm still hungry, I can always eat as many fruits or veggies as I want.

I've been working out as well, but I didn't see results until I made the healthy food swaps encouraged by WW.

@hellobeeboston: WW is totally different now. They are more concerned with sugars and saturated fat.

@hellobeeboston: I don't know what their new secret formula is, but foods high in added sugar are high in points. Lean proteins are low in points, and fruits and veggies are free regardless of calorie content.

Gluteny foods are all super high in ww points so it might do really well for you! I've done ww before and found it hard to do as a vegetarian bc beans, one of my major sources of protein, have lots of points

I didn't try to lose weight at all until lo was over 1 and I realized I was using nursing as a crutch/excuse not to take the time to care for myself. I'm just barely to my prepreg weight now that lo is almost 2 but I've found the most useful things to be making time to exercise and eating "real" healthy food rather than carb-heavy snacky food (like I was eating way too many croissants lol).

@hellobeeboston: I couldn't diet when I was breastfeeding because I was SO hungry all. the. time. haha. I just tried hard to eat right but I ate if I was hungry. It melted off after the first kid but I'm at 24 months PP with my 2nd and I finally got the last 5 lbs off.

I am in the same boat. I gained so much with both of my pregnancies and lost it all last time within a year. I'm 7 months pp now with 13lb still to lose and rather than cutting back on the amount I eat - because I am starving all.the.time - am just trying to eat clean. I have cut out most processed stuff and eating spiralised or riced veggies instead of pasta and rice. I need to add in some exercise too!

@hellobeeboston: I'm already nervous about this. I lost a TON of weight breastfeeding and eating like crazy. I mean ice cream every night, butter on an entire baguette, whatever I wanted whenever. I was still losing weight 18 months later......And then, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. That explains that.

So yeah, might not be so easy for me next time

I'm glad you joined WW! Some things I allowed (avocado or oatmeal) but it was helpful to see what you thought was healthy really wasn't.

I was ok to cut fats obviously but still needed water protein and good fats.

I had some luck using weight watchers for breastfeeding moms. I had to adjust HOW I ate, but could still get the calories I needed to nurse while losing weight.

@hellobeeboston: yeah, I joke about the opposite-Atkins diet I could go on. I mean, I'd feel like death and end up malnutritioned. But hey, skinny!