How long it takes to lose weight after having a baby depends on how much weight a woman gains throughout her pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist points out that healthy weight gain during pregnancy is based on a woman's body mass index before she becomes pregnant. While most women gain an average of 25 to 35 lb., they usually lose between 10 and 15 of those pounds immediately after giving birth. That means focusing on a healthy weight loss strategy to lose those additional pounds.
Step 1
Accept that your body will not immediately look like it did before you were pregnant. But if you are like most women, you will lose between 10 and 20 lb. during those first weeks as your body loses excess fluid and your uterus shrinks back to normal size.
Step 2
Start out with light exercise and then gradually work your way up to more moderate exercise. Increase the duration of time you work out each day. Be careful not to overdo it at first. Keep in mind that breastfeeding can deplete your energy more. Several short workouts throughout the day may work better for you, as shorter durations of exercise are just as effective.
Step 3
Push your baby in the stroller. Once you regain your strength after giving birth, keep active. You will be amazed at how many pounds you can lose simply by moving. Exercise such as walking helps to relieve stress as well, particularly since it can be stressful having a new baby in the household.
Step 4
Breastfeed your baby to burn off some calories. Do not restrict your calorie intake while you are nursing. Your body needs fuel to breastfeed, and if you cut out too many calories from your diet, you can reduce your milk supply. Depending on how much breast milk your baby drinks, you could burn an extra 500 calories or more in one day. A general rule of thumb is 20 calories burned for every 1 oz. of milk produced.
Step 5
Drink eight to ten 8 oz. glasses of water every day. If that sounds like a lot of water to you, but you really aren't sure if you are drinking enough, consider the number of trips you make to the bathroom. People who are drinking an adequate amount of fluids normally have to go to the bathroom about every 3 hours, and their urine is fairly clear in color. Drinking water also fills you up and may boost your metabolism.
Step 6
Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. This may be difficult depending on how often your infant wakes throughout the night; however, getting fewer than 5 hours of sleep each night can actually prevent you from losing weight. When your body is deprived of sleep, it releases stress hormones that essentially can promote weight gain. Get sleep whenever you can, even if it means napping each time your baby naps.
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