Losing That Stubborn Extra Pregnancy Weight
Did you know that the average woman gains more than 25 pounds during her pregnancy? Many pregnant women gain more than these “normal” 25 pounds and then have to fight to get those extra pounds to drop off after the baby is born. Childbirth itself may result in a weight loss of up to 14 pounds when the baby and placenta are delivered, which means that moms still have considerable weight to lose once the doctor says it is safe to start exercising. Some women may even mistakenly assume that this “baby fat” will never go away. Surprisingly it is possible to start losing weight as early as the post-partum period (the first 6 weeks after the baby is born).
To lose weight safely, women should combine a low-fat diet with moderate exercise as soon after birth as the doctor says it is OK to start doing these things.
It will take you a good nine months to a year to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight. A slow approach is best because you need to give your body time to recover after childbirth. It is not wise to lose weight too fast by following a too rigid diet or exercise program because you will be jeopardizing nutrients and it may not be good to cut back too much on calories if you are breastfeeding. Some medical experts recommend slowly getting into a weight loss/exercise program after the birth of your baby. This typically means that you will not start dieting until about six weeks following birth.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has found that breastfeeding leads to the release of hormones, which enable your uterus to return to its normal size, however, breastfeeding alone won’t bring down your weight. You need to combine breastfeeding with a sensible diet and a moderate exercise program. Keep in mind that you need to have at least 1800 calories a day while breastfeeding in order to keep yourself and your baby healthy. To further encourage weight loss, stay away from junk food during while trying to lose weight. Eat food high in nutritional value to maintain the proper level of calories each day.
There are many good reasons to exercise during the post-partum period. Exercise helps to accelerate weight reduction. Exercise can help alleviate post-partum depression. Exercise can also improve your mood, and boost your confidence in caring for your body while it is going through the changes that occur after birth. Many communities have a “Mommy and Me” exercise classes where you and your baby can exercise together. Ask a friend to exercise with you to help motivate you when you are tempted to quit. Exercising should also boost your energy level, which is vitally important when the fatigue, which comes from caring for a newborn, hits you.
A woman who has just had a baby and is trying to lose weight should follow a low-fat diet, watching how many calories she takes in based on doctor advice. Women should not go on a fad diet, because such a diet could be quite harmful to your health and could actually slow your recovery from childbirth. Your doctor can help you to set weight-loss goals, and it may even be helpful to speak with a registered dietician or a nutritionist about healthy weight loss diets.
The postpartum period (birth to 6 weeks after the birth of the baby) can be a very physically challenging and emotional time for the new mom. Eating healthy and getting to a proper weight for your height is always a good idea, you’ll need to pace yourself as far as weight loss is concerned. You will in time, lose the weight you gained during your pregnancy.
