How to Lose Weight after Childbirth
Once the excitement of giving birth and getting used to the routine of having a new baby, you might start thinking about how you will lose the weight you may have gained during pregnancy. Here’s how to do it the healthy way.
Wait until six weeks after giving birth before resuming your normal exercise or going on a strict diet. Remember that your body needs to heal first before you resume normal activities.
If you want to lose weight fast, read this first.
Pregnancy weight is partly made up of several pounds of fluid retention. You should lose the fluid in three or two week, even sooner if you urinate or perspire more frequently.
Drink lots of water, around 10 to 12 glasses a day. Remove soda and other sugary drinks from your diet.
Snack on healthy food both at home and at work.
Choose whole grain over their white versions whether it be in bread, pasta or cereal form.
When eating meat, go lean. Eat boneless chicken, white meat and only the leanest cuts of beef or ****.
Eat fiber, which can be found in most vegetables and fruits.
Know what you’re eating. Read the dietary information at the back of every product. Avoid food products with high saturated fat, high calorie numbers, hydrogenated vegetable oils and high fructose corn syrup.
Avoid fast-food meals and restaurants. They rarely come in healthy versions. If you’re craving for burgers, french fries and other fast-food meals, make them yourself. That alone cuts a lot of the calories out.
Don’t jump into strenuous exercises just yet. After six weeks of recuperating, start with light exercises such as walking or climbing a few flights of stairs.
Breastfeeding is also said to burn a lot of calories for new moms, burning up to 500 calories a day. However, keep in mind that this may not be effective for some women, and other women may have to pair this with exercising and a healthy diet to actually lose weight.
Give yourself nine months to lose the weight. It’s only fair that you give yourself the same amount of time as you did gaining the weight.
Indulge every now and then. Being a parent is hard work and you deserve a treat every once in a while!