Losing baby fat won't happen overnight. The Cleveland Clinic reports that it can take up to a year before you get back to your former weight -- and perhaps even longer, if you breastfeed. If you didn't have any complications with your delivery, you should be able to work on burning pregnancy pudge almost right away. However, always get your doctor's OK before starting a post-natal weight-loss plan.
Set Realistic Goals
The latest issue of a celebrity magazine sports your favorite actress-turned-mommy looking slim and svelte only a month after giving birth. Don't hold yourself to impossible standards. According to American Dietetic Association spokesperson Melinda Johnson, MS, RD, in a November 2008 CBS news report, celebs whip themselves into shape so quickly with rigid dieting. "A lot of them do it by getting back into activity before their body is really ready for it," Johnson stated. Take the slow, steady approach instead. The Cleveland Clinic notes that post-pregnancy weight loss is safest when you lose 1 to 2 lb. a week. This is the same rate of weight loss recommended for all adults who want to shed extra pounds.
Dieting and Calories
Make good nutrition a priority. A rigid diet can actually be a setback in disguise if you deprive yourself of the foods you're accustomed to eating. Choose healthy meals and snacks comprised of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy foods and lean sources of protein, such as fish, skinless poultry and beans, advises MayoClinic.com. Trim portion sizes. Eat only when you're hungry. Get high-calorie, fatty foods and snacks out of your kitchen so they won't tempt you.
Get Moving
Put on comfortable workout clothes, grab your water bottle and head out for a brisk walk -- bring baby along in the stroller, too, for more bonding time. Physical activity is one of the best ways you can lose baby weight. MayoClinic.com notes 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic activity is recommended -- that's about 30 minutes a day. Pick an activity you enjoy. If you're not fond of walking, try swimming, cycling or post-natal group exercise classes at the gym. Exercise also decreases your risk of depression, gives you more energy, helps you sleep better at night and strengthens your cardiovascular system.
Other Tips
Cut your post-pregnancy body some slack. MayoClinic.com notes that some of the changes that come along with pregnancy such as excess skin and changes in bone structure are permanent. The best way to lose baby weight gain is to keep yourself at a healthy weight during pregnancy. And one of the best ways to do this is to eat a nutritious diet and stay physically active during your pregnancy by getting 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity almost every day.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Exercise After Pregnancy
- Mayo Clinic; Weight Loss After Pregnancy
- Cleveland Clinic; Exercise After Delivery
- CBSNEWS HEALTHWATCH; 8 Tips for Losing Weight After Pregnancy; 2008
- Mayo Clinic; Pregnancy and Exercise
- American College of Obstetritians and Gynecologists; Getting in Shape After Your Baby Is Born
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