Fertility Diet and Exercise

[Systema23]

Hi lovelies

So I have a wee problem and not sure how to proceed. For BMI purposes I am classed as obese (by about 4 lbs). I don't think I look obese and am a size 14 and an hourglass shape. Whilst since we are self funding this does not impact our chances of qualifying for IVF since the BMI for self funders is 35.

After our last failed attempt I have been doing the fertility diet for the last 12 weeks and my weight has only shifted by about 6lbs. I do running 5 days a week; fertility yoga and meditation.

All the reading I have done suggests that a healthy weight is important, but at 40, so is the fertility diet as I need to enhance the quality of my eggs. My question is, what kind of exercise did you do to lose weight for this? Any bootcamps etc? HIIT training? I have been reading a lot online and there seems to be some conflicting information, such as HIIT is best, but then something else says I shouldn't do HIIT as it could cause problems with hormones, and therefore egg quality so I am getting confused.

Every person I see that is over 40 and managed to conceive are in the healthy weight range, and to get there I would need to lose 32 lbs. Since I just had my PGT-A consent appointment I have about 10-12 weeks to loose that. Anyone had any experience of losing that much whilst being on the high protein; high fat diet?

[StarsAllAround]

To lose weight for IVF I started running. I went for a run on my lunch break Non-Fri did about 5k everyday, then I would go for a long walk in the evening after my dinner. On the weekends I just did lots of walking. Lost 3 stone in just over 4 months.

[Jumpppy]

In case it is helpful losing 32lbs weight at this point won't likely impact the quality of your eggs - your age is the impact and there's not so much you can do to reverse that. Supplements may help that (e.g. CoQ10). The reason they care about weight is that fat "can" release estrogens and otherwise cause hormonal imbalances that mess up ovulation and maturation of follicles. Can - not always the case. Extra weight can be related to thyroid and other issues related to insulin disorders - symptomsmore than cause. Notably trying to lose significant weight quickly can have a bigger negative impact on your hormones that being overweight.

Otherwise they care about weight as they put you under local anesthesia for egg collection and there are rules to manage risk since it's considered elective (they don't want you to be unnecessarily harmed during EC, obesity is a risk factor for harm).

It all kind of depends on your infertility diagnosis. If it's just you are 40, there are potentially better ways to direct your attention and not focus on a specific amount to lose. If your diagnosis is hormone related losing weight may be a key, bit just not too quickly.

I've struggled with weight through my entire fertility journey and frankly it turned out not to matter. Heavier and much lighter, older and younger, I had the same positive results. (I did focus on supplements.) You really might not know what your prospects are or what might matter until you start cycling and transferring.

Long story short try to be healthy and don't worry about the BMI numbers...they probably do not matter.

[Eloquentia]

Have you read 'It all starts with the egg'? It has a lot of helpful advice on lifestyle changes, supplements and healthy diet to increase fertility. Good luck!

[BECIO]

hey there are some great fertility weight loss fitness coaches or a PT wirh knowledge experience in fertility might help! Good luck, I have to lose weight and for me biggest thing was reducing portion size and cutting out snacks but we’re all different. Also I have friends that are PT and they recommend strength/ weights but again find a fertility specialist one to help advise you xx