Pregnancy Info

Losing weight postpartum can be an incredibly difficult task for some women that have just given birth. There are a few tips and tricks that can help you go about losing weight postpartum in a safe and effective way. The most important part to remember is that you may not be able to lose weight immediately. It takes time and diligence.

Having a baby is a very exciting time for many parents who are just giving birth for the first time, or even for those who are adding to their family. Unfortunately the weight gain that goes along with pregnancy is one of the not-so-happy parts of having a baby. While each pound is worth it to have that new little bundle, losing weight postpartum is still a goal that most moms have. In this article, we'll review the basics of losing weight postpartum and share a few tips to help get you back into those pre-baby clothes in no time!

Losing Weight Postpartum:

There are a few things to keep in mind when you are looking for the best ways to go about losing weight postpartum. The first thing to remember is that it took nine months to get you to where you are now. You are not going to lose the weight overnight. Being patient with yourself and with your body is important in those early days after giving birth because your body has just been through a lot giving birth. If you had a cesarean section, it is important to consult with your doctor about when is the best time to lose the weight through exercise. In the first few weeks, your mobility will likely be limited to taking care of your new little one. After a few months, you might get the clearance from your doctor to begin by working out again. 

It is also important to not begin dieting too soon. Especially if you are breast feeding your baby, it is important to make sure you are getting the important nutrients you need to pass on through your breast milk to your baby who is growing and needs all the nutrients they can get. Research also shows that breast feeding actually helps mothers lose their baby weight faster than mothers who feed their babies formula right away.

One thing to keep in mind that the older you are in age as a mother, this can contribute to the level of difficulty you face in trying to get back to your pre-baby weight. However, chances are if you were in good shape before getting pregnant and maintained a healthy diet and lifestyle during the pregnancy, you are going to shed those extra pounds pretty quickly.  The most important thing to remember is to be patient with yourself and realize there is no magic pill to lose weight unfortunately. Simply take each day as it goes and make the best choices for you and your's baby's personal health. 

Don't Skip Meals!

One thing that many new mothers forget to do is eat once baby arrives. This isn't necessarily a diet technique for many women. The problem simply occurs when new moms get so busy taking care of their baby's many needs, and fail to take care of their own. Make sure you are not skipping meals or shoveling in your food to hurry up and eat while you can. Both of these practices will mess up your metabolism to the point where you find yourself gaining weight instead of losing weight postpartum. Eat healthy foods and take your time doing so. If you find you have trouble thinking of ideas for healthy eating, consult with a nutritionist or dietician to get some help planning meals so  you are not missing any nutrients for breast feeding, but you aren't eating too many unhealthy food items. 

Exercise!

When it comes to working out, you might feel so tired after a long day of taking care of a newborn or toddler that you simply don't feel up to a thirty minute cardio session. The best way to get your energy back by working out is to start out small. Make sure you take time to take your baby for a walk around the neighborhood in the stroller. This is a great way to get out of the house and get exercise at the same time. You can also start out small by doing low-impact workouts to start like simply stretching or exercises like Yoga and pilates. Don't forget to get adequate sleep. Many studies and researchers have shown that those individuals who don't get enough sleep during the day or at night are likely to retain their weight longer than those who don't. Getting enough sleep can be a tough trick to accomplish as a mom of a newborn. However, it is important to try and get help watching baby when you can, or to take advantage of naps while baby is sleeping. In the first few months after the baby is born, you will likely start to experience a return in energy levels. Fortunately exercise also helps give energy by releasing endorphins to help the body keep going. Getting in 20 to 30 minutes of working out time each day to start is a great way to go about losing weight post partum. 

Sources: babycenter.com