The Secrets to a Healthy Pregnancy Weight

The moment you announce you're pregnant, people start giving you food to eat and a chair to sit in. You have an excuse to bulk up! But capping weight gain at 35 pounds (25 if you start out overweight) is best for you and your child: A baby born to a woman who gains too much is 48 percent more likely to be overweight by age 7, says an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study. Need inspiration? Read these stories from real moms!

Cynthia Ramnarace

Stockbyte Photography/Veer

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Live and Learn

"It took me a year to lose the 53 pounds I gained in my first pregnancy. This time, I decided to control my weight before the baby was born. I snack on fruit, veggies, and protein bars, and I don't drink soda. I hope to gain only 27 pounds."

Marie Dutton, Nashville, TN
Mother of Jared, 4, and Jenna, 1

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