Gaining excess fat is not typically among the many joys of having a new baby. While gaining some extra pounds is a necessary and natural part of your pregnancy, you may be thinking that your body will never return to the way it used to be. Having a baby may permanently change some aspects of your body, but abundant baby fat doesn't have to be one of them. Follow some basic steps to ditch the fat and get you back into the body you recognize.
Step 1
Drink water. According to Weight Loss Guide online, you should be drinking at least 10 to 12 8 oz. glasses of water each day. Water helps suppress your appetite, and it helps your body to metabolize stored fat. Drinking water will especially help you lose fat if you drink it in the place of sugary beverages like soda and concentrate fruit juice. If the taste of plain water turns you off, flavor it with a citrus fruit wedge.
Step 2
Move. You don't need to run a marathon to get some exercise right after you have given birth. Take a walk around the block for some light exercise. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, you can resume exercising as soon as you feel that your body is ready, but your physician may tell you to wait until you go to your six-week postpartum check-up so that she can assess you. However, if you had a normal vaginal delivery and you exercised during pregnancy, you can generally start with slow to moderate walking within a few days of having your baby. Build up gradually as you regain your strength.
Step 3
Build muscle. After your physician has given you the thumbs up for exercising, you can start to build up your muscles in order to burn off more fat. You can even avoid paying for a gym membership and spend time bonding with your baby as you do weight training exercises. Hold your baby to your chest as you do lunges, or lunge behind your baby's stroller during your walk. Additionally, you can lie on your back and do multiple repetitions of "baby bench presses". Carefully lift the baby from just above your chest and press him up toward the ceiling.
Step 4
Eat well to keep yourself healthy and--if you choose to breastfeed--to make sure that your baby gets plenty of nutrients. Make sure you that get a variety of foods, including whole grains, fresh fruits, lean protein, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Don't skimp out on nutritious food because you think it will make you gain weight. Your body needs everything, including some fat, to repair itself after childbirth. Eat five or six small meals in a day to keep you from experiencing energy spikes and plunges, and to keep yourself from overeating. Note that foods rich in fiber, including figs, raisins, whole wheat crackers and many vegetables, aid in digestion and help you feel full longer.
Step 5
Sleep. Though the word "sleep" may sound foreign to you in the first months of your baby's life, you should do everything you can to get some of it. Sleeping when your baby does helps to keep your energy levels high enough for moderate exercise, and it helps curb your cravings for the sugary, high-calorie foods that keep you alert. Moreover, getting plenty of sleep can help keep your metabolism running.
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