Congratulations on your new baby!
Your precious little one may be filling a warmth in your heart like never
before but let's face it - you're exhausted, you need sleep and all you could
think about is pregnancy weight loss.
How tired are you of hearing about
celebrities who lose weight after having a baby in no time at all? Well, what
the media hides from you is that these celebrities have a slew of professionals
- doctors, dieticians, personal trainers, private chefs - helping them lose
their pregnancy weight. As a last resort, these celebrities have Photoshop to
sculpt that perfect body image. So what do normal moms do?
Luckily, there are many things a
woman can do to expedite pregnancy weight loss in a healthy and workable way.
Get extra help
Alone time is difficult with a
newborn. But to lose weight after having a baby, you'll need to spend some time
grocery shopping and exercising. This is where you call for back-up help from
friends and family members.
The biggest mistake moms make when
getting help is allowing their "helpers" dictate what they need
instead of the other way around. Give your sister the grocery list, have your
husband do the laundry and dishes while you exercise in the other room. Have
close friends clean your house while visiting. If you need to get out of the
house, most gyms or recreation centers provide child care while you use their
facilities. Use as many resources as you can!
Eating nutritious foods can help
with pregnancy weight loss. Lean protein such as chicken, fish, lean red meats,
beans, and nuts should be included in every meal and snack. This will help you
feel fuller longer. Green vegetables can include: kale, collard greens,
broccoli, spinach, etc. Reduced fat or skim milk should be chosen over whole
milk. Whole grains should be consumed instead of enriched flour products. (i.e.
choose whole wheat bread and pasta instead). Fruit should be included in your
daily diet.
Spread your meals throughout the day
to include three main meals and two snacks. This way you do not go through long
periods of time without nourishing your body. Nutritious snacks can consist of
apple slices and peanut butter, cheese and crackers, mixed nuts and string
cheese, granola bars, and cheese and tomato sandwiches on whole wheat English
muffins.
If you are breastfeeding, you will
require about 300-500 more calories than normal. That's typically an apple and
a glass of milk. Also, remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. A
good tip is to drink a glass of water every time you feed the baby. New moms
could require 64 to 128 ounces a day, especially while nursing.
Get active
Pregnancy weight loss is not easy
especially when you have no energy! But it must be done to stay healthy and
lose the pregnancy weight faster. You don't have to start with hardcore
exercises. Start small - walking at the park with baby in the stroller,
browsing the mall, parking further away in the parking lot, taking the stairs
instead of the elevator, working in the yard while baby naps in the shade, or
just ten pushups or jumping jacks during television commercial breaks or after
using the restroom. These little steps may not be much but throughout the day
and over time they add up quite a bit!
Try to aim for 20 minutes of cardio
exercise 3times a week. No problem if you can't. Just work up to that level.
The main thing is continuity. Keep going at it. You'll begin to notice that
your energy level increases while the number on the scale decreases!
Rejuvenate yourself
It's hard to keep your energy up
with a newborn but it's a prime factor to pregnancy weight loss. Sleep is
important for your body to function properly and without it, there can be issues
with lack of focus, compromised immune system, and delayed healing ability of
your body.
It's important for new moms to find
the time to rest even if it means napping during the day when baby naps. Have
others watch baby or complete chores while you take a quick nap.
By taking care of yourself,
nourishing your body with healthy foods, and exercising regularly, your
pregnancy weight loss journey will be a breeze!
Learn more about fast pregnancy weight loss for women
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