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Lose Weight After Pregnancy
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If you've just had a baby and are desiring to lose weight be sure to meet with your doctor to discuss your weight loss plans, particularly if you are a lactating mom.
After baby arrives, the post-pregnant mother often finds that her former daily diet contained more calories than necessary based on the 'eating for two' theory. The result of course is unwanted weight gain.
Keep in mind that the body requires about six months to return to its former pre-pregnancy state of health. Just as with losing weight, the body is slow in response as a survival precaution. Simply put, it takes time for the body to adjust.
While weight gain in non-pregnant individual is due to overeating which is generally done on a daily basis, the rate of weight gain can be seen rather quickly. If not seen, weight gain can be measured by the tightness of the belt - or the snugness of the pants. Weight gain can also be verified by stepping onto the weight scales.
With the pregnant female, weight gain is commonly assumed associated with baby. As baby grows, so does the waistline. It's naturally normal. Weight gain not associated with baby is very difficult to gauge. Even stepping onto the scales can't always verify that weight gain is totally due to the baby.
Therefore, after baby is born, many times the new mother is shocked and distraught over the amount of weight that didn't come off after baby arrived. So again - keep in mind that the body takes time to process what goes in - and what comes out OR off. Just having the baby was an intense situation for the body. And shortly following birth, the body needs more time for adjustment. Over the weeks following the birth of baby, pounds can still come off slowly.
If the mom is lactating, more daily calories are required to support the body. In turn, this may cause a few more pounds to come off. But under no circumstance should a breast-feeding mom go on a restrictive diet without first discussing this with their doctor.
So other than dieting what are healthy options for losing weight after pregnancy?
- Use the official Food Pyramid as a guide for daily nutritional needs
- Opt for healthy snacks over sugary, high calorie snacks. Rather than pastries, cookies and doughnuts, grab a piece of fresh fruit instead.
- Watch beverage choices. Sugary beverages take little time to consume - but calories add up quickly which in turn leads to weight gain.
- Meet with your doctor for advice on activities that can be enjoyed. Activities assist in burning calories, which in turn leads to weight loss.
- Try to relax when possible. Babies are adorable, but often bring stress. Crying, fussiness - keep in mind that they have just endured quite an ordeal too. It takes time for them to adjust to their new environment. Stress can bring on a barrage of unwanted issues. Stress can trigger weight gain. Stress can throw-off your sleeping pattern making the individual feel miserable throughout the day. Stress can make a body irritable.
- Unless you have gained a good deal of weight, strive to not gain more weight. Track the foods inserted into the daily diet. Once the body adjusts to its pre-pregnancy state, discuss a healthy weight loss plan with your doctor. Be sure to lose those gained pounds because unfortunately, many women never do.
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