Once the new baby is here, the new mom is usually pretty anxious to shed those pregnancy pounds. Once your doctor gives you the okay to begin exercising and watching what you eat, there are some simple strategies you can use to get back to your prepregnancy shape and size. But it's important to make sure that you're consuming enough calories to fuel your body each day--especially if you're breastfeeding. It's great to get healthy and fit as soon as allowed after pregnancy, but remember to take care of your body and your baby.
Step 1
Motivate yourself to exercise regularly. Exercise is probably the last thing you feel like doing when you're getting only a few hours of sleep per night. But once you feel up to it and your doctor says you're allowed, regular exercise can help you burn calories, melt away pounds and boost your energy levels and mood.
Step 2
Start off slowly, maybe with just a walk. Then increase your daily exercise as your body can handle it. Put your baby in a stroller and head out for a walk or a run, or even just push yourself to climb the stairs in your house several times whenever you have a couple of spare moments.
Step 3
Give up the pregnancy craving indulgences. Maybe you could justify a daily bowl of ice cream when you were pregnant, but those calories add up and keep those pregnancy pounds from leaving your thighs. It's time to get serious--and strict--about healthy eating.
Step 4
Cut out unnecessary calories--that means cakes, cookies, chips, sodas and sugar-laden coffee drinks. Stick to lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables and fruits to fill yourself up with nutritious calories.
Step 5
Try weightlifting. More muscles mean more calories burned, so focus on getting fit and toned with some basic weightlifting. Practice with your baby, some light dumbbells or even cans of soup. Perform lunges, bicep curls and more to strengthen muscles and burn more calories--and, you'll have more stamina for keeping up with your little one once she starts zipping around the house.
Step 6
Choose breastfeeding for an easy way to burn hundreds of calories without even getting off the couch. It's nature's way of providing your baby with the nutrients and immunities that he needs and helping you to slim down. Breastfeeding can burn as many as 800 calories a day, according to Fit Pregnancy, so take advantage of that easy workout and slim down to your prepregnancy weight fast.
Step 7
Treat yourself to a nap. Getting too little sleep can inhibit weight loss--bad news for a mom with a newborn. Indulge in a nap or two during the day (when little one is sleeping is a perfect time) to help your body recover.
Step 8
Allow yourself a snack. Regular snacking--on healthy snacks, of course--can keep up your metabolism and keep you from starving and indulging in a cheeseburger or pizza.
Tips and Warnings
- Motivate yourself with a buddy--get with a friend who is also a new mom and work together on your weight-loss program.
- Don't restrict calories or exercise until your doctor says it's safe. Always check with your doctor before taking action to lose weight.
