Weight loss after pregnancy is achievable, however; it does require patience and some healthy changes to your lifestyle.
Many first time moms can get depressed about the dramatic changes to their bodies after childbirth. It is important to understand that the changes to your body are completely normal and overtime your pre-baby body will return.
Postpartum Weight Loss
Doctors advise to wait 4 to 6 weeks before making changes to your diet or introducing exercise. This is to allow your body to recover from childbirth.
If you are breastfeeding your baby, you will need to wait approximately 8 weeks before making any changes. However, the great thing about breastfeeding is that it will help your body metabolize fat quicker.
Then, once you have settled into a routine with your baby, it will be time to focus on weight loss after pregnancy.
Weight Loss After Birth
Avoid commencing a restrictive diet instead take healthy steps to reach your ideal weight. Give your body the essential vitamins and minerals that it needs. Try to eat the following foods recommended for losing weight after pregnancy:
- Best Foods: fruit and vegetables, legumes, wholegrain breads and cereals, nuts and seeds
- Good Foods: lean chicken and meat, fish, eggs, low fat dairy products.
- Fair Foods: saturated fats, sugary foods, processed and packaged foods
As well as a healthy diet, you should also aim to drink at least eight glasses of water every day to boost your postpartum weight loss.
Exercise After Pregnancy
When your pregnancy stomach is ready, postpartum exercise will give your body many benefits. Initially, it will assist your body in recovering from childbirth. Also, it will quickly return your body to its pre-baby fitness and shape. Additionally, you will experience an increase in your energy levels and find it easier to cope with stress.
Postnatal Exercises
Walking is a wonderful choice for a post pregnancy workout – and your baby will love the fresh air too.
Wait at least 3 weeks after childbirth and start with short 30 minutes of walking each day. When your fitness increases, try to speed up your walk and increase the distance of the walk. You can also include some hill climbs for extra resistance.
Alternatively, buy a few exercise DVDs and do your post pregnancy workout at home. Your baby can easily sleep in a cradle nearby as you exercise. You will find a wide variety of post pregnancy workouts available to you on the market today.
Pelvic & Pregnancy Stomach Exercises
Pregnancy stomach and pelvic exercises form an important part of postnatal recovery. If you have weakened stomach muscles, it will increase your risk of injury and potentially give your lower back pain.
Additionally, weak stomach muscles can give you the appearance of still looking pregnant. Make it a priority to commence your pelvic floor and pregnancy stomach exercises as soon as your health permits.
Weight loss after pregnancy is easily within your reach with just small changes to your lifestyle daily. Before long, you will be enjoying your pre-baby figure again and benefiting from an increase in energy.
