u/Verycoolleaf

It’s truly crazy how it really is the simple things that work. After numerous diets and fads, it really is just calorie counting and exercise that results in success!

Two kids, postpartum depression, and 85 pounds later - I’m finally there!!

I’ve been on a weight loss journey for well over a year now and half lost over 85 lbs thanks to IF and diet and exercise. however, I’ve noticed friends and family who haven’t seen me in awhile are more concerned than happy for me with my new body. They have said they think I look too thin and that I should put some weight back on. I am worried I now have some sort of body dysmorphia because I feel like I look great and I’m so happy with how far I’ve come but do I actually look sickly to the general population? Hoping this community can be honest with me and tell me if I’ve overcorrected and if I should consider putting on a few pounds. I strength train throughout the week and specifically wanted to look fit but not sure if I do or if it’s giving ‘starved’ instead 😩.

I really hope my friends and family are just shocked because I look so different than how I used to and that to the general public I look fine!! 🤞🏻

I am 5’2.5 and 113-115 these days, so still well within the healthy bmi!

EDIT: thank you everyone for the kind comments and honest feedback!! I really appreciate it so much and has made me feel so much better. I now more confidently feel that these people are making these comments because they are not used to ever seeing me not be overweight and it will just take them time to adjust, and not because I ‘look sickly’ as they suggest. I appreciate this community so much!! ❤️

I suppose the tan is the real MVP 🤣 - but I can’t believe the difference a year makes! I’m just so proud of how far I’ve come after having two babies back to back and feeling like I’d never find myself again ❤️🥹

5’2
200lb > 115

EDIT: to answer some questions
- no, I did not use any glps or Retas or anything like that. I was breastfeeding for the majority of this time which really helped with the initial weight loss rate. I will also say I am kind of an all or nothing mentality when it comes to goals so knowing I wanted to lose the weight kept me extremely disciplined
- while I wouldn’t recommend this extreme of a lifestyle, what I personally did was I ate 1200 calories a day and did a workout class (mix of cardio or strength) 5 days a week and made sure to get 10-15k steps a day - so dedicated about 2-3 hours of being active each day.
- I made sure to drink at least 120 oz of water and did not eat after 7 pm.
- I did not restrict my diet as far as foods I could eat. I ate whatever I wanted but just made sure it was accounted for in my calories for the day. If I restrict myself from types of things I tend to go way overboard!
- I’m now slowly trying to bring up my calories as I enter maintenance and am now working to strike a balance between being in “non-weight loss mentality” but not letting the reigns off too much either!

After having my second child in early 2025, I found myself in a period of untreated postpartum depression which left me wanting hide in a hole and eat my feelings into a black hole day after day. I gained SO much weight after delivery and with breastfeeding and truly felt like I had lost myself and would never feel happy or familiar in my own body again.

Finally after my husband convinced me I may need to see a doctor about my postpartum and I was put on several SSRIs, I slowly but surely started to find the motivation to move my body and be mindful of what I ate.

It was not a quick change overnight, but 14 months later I am finding myself more each and everyday and am finally seeing the light after so long in solitary darkness! Postpartum is such an isolating and lonely place and I’m so thankful for my husband advocating for me and pushing me to seek help even when I felt like I was fine.

I am finally excited about life again and look forward to getting to move my body in meaningful ways and being strong and healthy for my two boys!

I just wanted to share with anyone who is struggling with weight gain and postpartum that even though it may feel like you will never recognize yourself again, it is 💯 possible and with time and help and support you WILL find and love yourself again! ❤️

After having my second child in early 2025, I found myself in a period of untreated postpartum depression which left me wanting hide in a hole and eat my feelings into a black hole day after day. I gained SO much weight after delivery and with breastfeeding and truly felt like I had lost myself and would never feel happy or familiar in my own body again.

Finally after my husband convinced me I may need to see a doctor about my postpartum and I was put on several SSRIs, I slowly but surely started to find the motivation to move my body and be mindful of what I ate.

It was not a quick change overnight, but 14 months later I am finding myself more each and everyday and am finally seeing the light after so long in solitary darkness! Postpartum is such an isolating and lonely place and I’m so thankful for my husband advocating for me and pushing me to seek help even when I felt like I was fine.

I am finally excited about life again and look forward to getting to move my body in meaningful ways and being strong and healthy for my two boys!

I just wanted to share with anyone who is struggling with weight gain and postpartum that even though it may feel like you will never recognize yourself again, it is 💯 possible and with time and help and support you WILL find and love yourself again! ❤️

Age:34

Height: 5 ft 2.5 inches

SW: 200

CW: 125

Exercise:

Group exercise 5x a week - 3x cardio, 2x strength

10-15k steps 5x a week (have walking pad under desk)

Nutrition:

1200-1500 calories depending on exercise for the day