Weight loss occurs immediately after giving birth. Remembering that it took you nine months to gain your pregnancy weight is important because it will take you some time to lose all your weight. Choosing healthy food options and exercising will speed up your weight loss once your baby has been born.
Initial Weight Loss
Weight will be lost immediately after you give birth. However, you will not lose fat-storage weight from your hips and thighs or any other fat on the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, an average of about 10 lbs. will be lost at delivery. This weight comes from the baby, amniotic fluid, blood volume and placenta. More weight will be lost in the next week as retained fluids leave the body. This intial weight loss may vary for each new mom.
Weight Loss Per Week
After delivery, a healthy weight loss is about 1 to 2 lbs. per week. Keeping a steady weight loss will help to keep the weight off. Do not focus so much on losing weight but focusing on being a new mom. Your body will be adjusting its hormones and it may take some time to get into a consistent weight-loss pattern.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding immediately will help to lose the baby weight. Breastfeeding burns calories and will help to target your fat storage. According to the Fisher Price website, an average of 500 calories can be burned breastfeeding a day. That is about 1 lb. a week lost just from breastfeeding alone. Breastfeeding may increase your appetite, so choose healthy foods so you can still see a weight change.
Eating Right
Eating healthy foods will directly affect your weight. Choosing whole grains, lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables will keep your body fueled as a new mom. These foods will also help to keep you full longer and promote weight loss. Choosing whole foods will keep your body full and prevent you from snacking on unhealthy choices. It is important to remember your eating habits prior to getting pregnant and remember to portion size your meals. This will save you calories and bring a lasting weight loss.
Exercise
Exercising after giving birth will continue to help drop the baby weight. Exercising can be done after delivery as long as you did not have a C-section or a complicated delivery. It is important to start slowly when exercising again and not try anything you have never done before. Exercising five days a week for 30 minutes will promote a healthy weight loss. Cardio training will help to burn the most calories when starting up exercising.
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