Carrying and delivering a baby can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a woman's life, but it can also cause negative side effects like excessive weight gain. Shedding those pounds after pregnancy can seem like an impossible task, but it can be done. New mothers should wait at least six weeks after delivery to begin an active weight-loss program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Breastfeed
Even before getting into diet and exercise, the good news is that you may already be burning excess calories through breastfeeding. During pregnancy, your body stores up layers of fat to use later during the lactation process. As you breastfeed, these layers of fat are burned off and used to help make your milk supply, says certified lactation consultant Susan Condon. By feeding your baby, you are at the same time burning calories, which can contribute to weight loss. Too much diet and exercise, however, can release higher levels of toxin into your breast milk, so be sure not to lose too much weight and drink plenty of fluids as you are breastfeeding, says Condon. If you can't or choose not to breastfeed, don't worry. There are still other ways to shed those unwanted pounds.
Eat Smart
During pregnancy, it's easy (and comforting) to give into temptations and cravings, such as late-night pizza and ice cream runs. But if you want to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight, pay more attention to what you put into your body on a daily basis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Focus on whole grains---which provide loads of fiber---and lots of fruits and vegetables. These types of foods fill you up fast without loads of fat and calories. Fueling your body with the food it needs to burn calories is essential to losing weight, especially when much of that weight is stored fat. Your body must have the most efficient fuel as possible to be able to tap into those fat stores when you exercise.
Get Active
Speaking of exercise, it is one of the keys to losing weight, especially postpartum. Exercise gets your heart pumping and burns calories. If you're eating right, your body will burn stored calories in the form of fat. Fat burn equals weight loss, which is what you're shooting for, so focus on activities like jogging, biking, swimming and other cardiovascular activities, according to the Mayo Clinic. Find simple ways to burn calories, such as walking up the stair instead of taking the elevator, or parking at the far end of the shopping mall and walking to the entrance. Every little bit helps when trying to shed those pesky pregnancy pounds.
Member Comments