Post Pregnancy Weight Loss

Having a new baby can be a wonderful experience for a woman. That doesn't keep them from wanting to regain their pre-pregnancy figure as soon as possible. The average women can gain up to 35 lbs. during pregnancy. Although 10 to 15 lbs. of that weight can be shed immediately during labor and delivery, that still leaves 20 to 25 lbs. of additional weight on a mother's body. This can often be a cause of disappointment and frustration when she discovers that even after giving birth she still can't fit into her pre-pregnancy clothes.

Many mothers feel as though they will never be able to get rid of their "baby fat", especially if they’re over 30. Not only has a woman’s body added pounds during her pregnancy, but age also causes our bodies to naturally favor storing fat. Once a particular level of fat is maintained for an extended period, our bodies accept this level as normal and works to conserve it. Even as you begin to lose those extra pounds, your body is working against you to return to what it believes is an acceptable level.

Fun, Fast Workouts You Can Do Right at Home To Burn "Baby Fat"

There is hope and it is possible to lose weight during the postpartum period, it simply takes more time and effort. The best way to be successful is to have a set of realistic goals and a commitment to achieving those goals, no matter how long it may take. Not all women are the same, so there is no “secret” formula that will shed the weight a mother gains during pregnancy. On the other hand, there are some guidelines that a new mom can follow to help achieve post pregnancy weight loss.

Your Body Needs Time to Recover

It took months for you body to prepare itself to give birth and it may take months for it to recover. You have to give your body time to adjust to the changes it has gone through over the past 9 months. You must also be patient with yourself. The time following a pregnancy can be exhausting and will require all of your energy to face the many challenges of being a new mother. The burden of jumping right into a exercise regimen can not only shock your adjusting body and do more harm than good, but leave your with guilt, frustration, and unrealistic expectations.

It often appears as though Celebrity Moms return to their pre-pregnancy form almost instantly and many new mothers think if they can do it, why can't I. This type of mentality is typically not realistic. Besides the fact that doctors suggest that you ease back into exercise, these celebrities often have the help of fitness trainers, dietitians, and more importantly, help caring for their babies. More than likely, you will not have these benefits and will have to expend most of the energy you might have had for exercise on simply caring for your baby.

Start with Nutrition

You should avoid any type of weight loss diet for 2-3 months after delivering. Don’t be in a rush to cut calories as a method of achieving post pregnancy weight loss. Focus on eating healthier foods and getting enough calories and nutrients to give you the energy to care for your new baby. During the first 6 weeks, a healthy diet is much more important than a weight loss diet. A nutritionally balanced diet can help your body to heal faster and make you feel better.

Return to Eating for One

When a woman is pregnant, she usually eats more than normal in order to provide for the baby’s development and growth. Making the transition back to eating for one can sometimes be difficult. Start by making smarter food choices, focusing on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, which are high in fiber and will help you feel fuller longer. Other foods to consider are low-fat dairy products. Lean cuts of beef and pork, white meat poultry, fish, and beans are a good source of protein, zinc, vitamin B, and iron.

Here are a few additional tips to help post pregnancy weight loss:

1) Drink More Water – drinking water can suppress appetite - drinking water before meals can keep you from overeating

2) Don’t Overeat - only eat when you are hungry, during a meal stop when you are full not when all the food is gone

3) Eat More Often – eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day instead of 2-3 large meals

4) Don’t Be Tempted - avoid keeping junk food in the house, have healthier alternatives available to snack on when you feel the urge

5) Don’t Try to Starve Yourself – cutting calories will do you no good, it only slows your metabolism and you’ll just end up compensating later

Over time, you will be able to lose the weight gained during pregnancy. In fact, you might find that the habits you form attempting to attain post pregnancy weight loss will actually make you healthier than you were before the baby was born.

To find out more about losing pregnancy weight, be sure to read exercise after pregnancy.

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