Post pregnancy weight loss tips
We hear many post pregnancy weight loss tips, that aren’t safe, effective or simply don’t work. We understand that you’re eager to get your old body back but it’s critical that you remain patient and lose weight safely. While many celebrities may be able to get back to their beach-body selves straight from the delivery room, most of them don’t do it in the best possible manner that is good for them or their babies.
Moreover, celebrities have chefs and nannies to help them; this is something an average woman doesn’t t have. You have to feed the baby, change her diapers, figure out what to do when she cries and to top it all off, you have to work on losing those extra pounds too. This is quite stressful but you need to remain calm and create an action plan that works for you and your baby.
How long does post pregnancy weight loss take?
If you started at a normal BMI and gained around 25 to 35 pounds as recommended by your doctor during your pregnancy, it will most probably take you a little more than two months to return to your old weight — if you make mindful health choices and exercise.
If you were overweight and gained more during pregnancy as per your doctor’s recommendation, it may take longer and even up to a year to shed those pounds. It all depends on how committed you are and how sustainable and effective your weight loss plan is.
Is it safe to exercise after pregnancy?
Once your doctor has given you the green light, you can start working out but just make sure you don’t start out with an intense routine and not workout to the point of exhaustion. Start with easy exercises such as gentle stretching, pelvic floor exercises and walking until you’re up for a more intense routine. Build up the intensity and length of the workouts with time.
No time to exercise? Here are some ideas you should try:
1) Start dancing
You don’t have to be a great dancer to enjoy the weight loss benefits of dancing. Play your favorite songs and freestyle to them, this will help you have fun and make your baby laugh too! Not only will this give you a great workout, it will lift your mood as well as your baby’s too.
2) Let your baby help you
Hold your baby securely and try doing some squats, arm lifts and sit ups. You can even place your baby on your yoga mat and give him/her a kiss each time you descend during a push up. Just make sure you’re smiling and your baby will enjoy it too.
3) Move more around the house
After you’ve healed from your labor, move your baby’s diaper changing station to another floor or the furthest room from your usual mom-baby chill spot. This will force you to go up and down or walk a lot every time you have to change your baby’s diaper.
4) Take your baby for a walk
Put your baby in a stroll and try to walk at least 15 minutes every day, depending on how long your baby wants to stay in it. You can take her to the park, walk her down the street, at the mall or at a grocery store.
What about diet?
Crash dieting after having a baby, especially if you’re breastfeeding is a strict no because it affects the quality of the breast milk. In any case, speaking to your doctor about it is important.
Make sure you lose your weight at a healthy pace. Include more fruits and vegetables and other healthier choices and cut down on processed and junk food as much as possible. Not all calories are created the same, therefore, the calories and nutrients in an apple will help you stay healthy and lose weight much more effectively than the calories in a bag of chips.
Some quick tips that you can try include:
1) Drink plenty of water. Drinking more water is easy, effortless and cheap. Develop a habit of having a glass of w
ater before, during and after feeding your baby as this will keep you hydrated and help you feel full.
2) Consume more fiber. Fruits, vegetables, quinoa, nuts and seeds and whole grains are packed with fiber. Fiber helps you feel satiated. Satiation is especially beneficial for weight loss because this curbs your cravings for high-calorie snacks.
3) Keep junk food out of the house. Stock up on single serving cups of yogurt (you can even store them in repurposed baby food jars) in the freezer so you can have them with fruit, nuts or honey each time you’re up for a snack. If you’re craving for something unhealthy really badly, purchase a single portion size only, enjoy the snack without guilt and never stock up on extras!
Enjoy safe and effective post pregnancy weight loss by following the above tips!
About Shomaila Issam
Diet right! Skipping meals is not a good idea. To lose weight and keep it off, you have to reduce the amount of calories you consume or increase the calories you burn through exercise. But skipping meals altogether can result in tiredness and poor nutrition. You will also be more likely to snack on high-fat and high-sugar foods, which could result in weight gain.
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