But first,
understand how you feel...
If you've recently
given birth, you are no doubt elated. And exhausted. You are no longer
pregnant, but you are even more attached to your baby: nursing, changing
diapers, playing, rocking him or her to sleep as you gaze in wonder at that
little face.
When you
have a spare moment-which you probably don't-you are going through your closet,
looking for something to throw on. You push away the maternity clothes you no
longer need, but you can't quite fit into those pre-pregnancy jeans. Actually,
you can't even imagine fitting into those jeans.
Your body is
(mostly) your own again, but it doesn't feel that way. You want to be your old
self again. You wonder, Will I ever lose all the baby weight I gained during my
pregnancy?
I know
what's exactly going through your mind right now. Believe me, we've all waited
in line at the supermarket, perusing the covers of magazines displaying recent
celebrity moms in bikinis and skimpy sundresses. How did they lose all the
pregnancy weight so fast?
It's normal
to put on little extra weight during pregnancy. Doctors agree that women ought
to put on 25-30 pounds during pregnancy, which include the baby's weight,
amniotic fluid, fluid retention, and the extra weight needed to nourish your
baby and you during the strenuous months of pregnancy.
Celebrities
who seem to have shed pregnancy pounds instantly may have gone on dangerous
diets, which impair their ability to care for their babies. And they probably
have a legion of helpers-nannies, nutritionists, personal trainers-who have
taken over many of the responsibilities other new mothers are burdened by,
freeing them to concentrate on their own lives and bodies.
But you're
not a celebrity, are you?
No one has
shown up at your house to lead you through an exercise regimen in your private
gym while a nanny on the other side of your mansion is lovingly rocking your
baby to sleep. You're an unbelievably busy mother for whom "I" and
"me" aren't exactly the most used words in your vocabulary right now.
So how can
you lose pregnancy weight and that horrible belly fat fast? And in a way that's
healthy for both you and your baby?
Here are
some tips to follow to begin losing your pregnancy weight now:
1. Breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is important in building up your baby's immunity to allergies,
illnesses, and infections. Some studies suggest that it can even lower a
nursing mother's risk of type 2 diabetes as well as breast and ovarian cancer.
Breastfeeding
is your first and easiest option how to lose weight after pregnancy. And
breastfeeding helps many new mothers lose weight fast!
Part of the
fat you stored when you were pregnant helped with milk production.
Breastfeeding
after pregnancy burns a lot of calories and helps you lose weight naturally.
You can even consume more calories, about 200-300 more, if you are
breastfeeding, but be sure that these are valuable calories.
Just
remember, breastfeeding does not come naturally to most of us. So don't give up
and be patient. You and your baby has to learn how to do it! It took me quite a
few Motrins and 2 months to figure breastfeeding out with my first baby. Get
all the help you can and once again don't give up.
2. Don't diet. Eat right. The worst thing you can do-even if
you haven't just given birth-is go on a crash diet. You will create blood sugar
imbalances, and your starving body will not only store more fat in the long
run, it will attack you with constant cravings for unhealthy foods.
Instead, eat
lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Eat regular, small, frequent
meals high in the fiber you need to stay full and the nutrients you need to
have energy.
This is
exactly how everyone can begin to lose weight fast.
But no one
needs energy more than a new mother, especially those who breastfeed and need
to provide nutrients to their babies.
Try superfoods
like fish and kefir yogurt to get healthy protein and omega-3 fatty acids, cut
cravings to minimum and to replenish calcium.
3. Drink lots of water. If you are breastfeeding, you will need to replenish
your fluids. Plus, drinking lots of water will help you feel full and help you
lose your baby weight faster.
4. Get enough sleep. Yeah, right, you're saying. But it's really important
for you to get sleep so you can have enough energy for your baby.
And if
you're getting enough sleep, you won't seek energy in overeating.
In order to
get enough sleep, you may have to prioritize. Let the house go, skip doing the
dishes tonight. Don't let less important things use up valuable sleep time.
This is what
I used to think when my house was a mess: "Twenty years down the road,
nobody will ask me if my house was clean when Marc was born... "
So please
hire a cleaning lady if you can afford it or simply give yourself a break!
5. Play with your baby. Of course-you already do that.But many women find
ways to incorporate their babies into light strength-gaining exercises.
-Lay on your
back and lift your baby 10 times-he or she will be much more delightful than
any barbell.
-Do sit-ups
with your baby nestled against your chest.
-You will
want to show your new baby the world, so put him or her in the stroller and go
for a walk.
Many of the
things you're already doing for your baby can also be ways to lose baby weight
now.
6. Be patient. You probably lost significant weight just giving
birth, but noticed that weight loss stopped shortly after.
7. Be good to yourself. Don't worry, your partner is still enjoying your
body and new family excitement. We tend to be much more critical of our own
bodies than our partners are.
By following
these easy tips, most of which are good for anyone at any time, you can begin
losing the weight you gained during pregnancy effectively and permanently.
Do not rush
the nature. It took you 9 months to get your precious baby out, it will take
you at least that amount of time to get your body back to normal.
Positive
thinking, feeling grateful and patient at the same time is the best way how to
lose weight after pregnancy.
