Tips For Losing Pregnancy Weight
As many women who have had a baby can testify, losing pregnancy weight is not very different from other types of weight loss. That being said, there are some things to keep in mind when trying to lose the baby weight.
First, all of the weight was not the baby. While a lucky few women lose most of what they gained immediately after giving birth, the majority of women do not. You will need patience and diligence in order to lose those extra pounds.
Secondly, if the weight in concentrated, for example around your ankles, it may actually be swelling rather than weight gain. If this persists, you will need to mention it to your doctor.
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Another tip to keep in mind as you are trying to lose the baby weight is that breast feeding burns hundreds of calories a day. Women who breast feed tend to lose weight at a faster rate than those who do not.
Here are some more tips for losing pregnancy weight. Again, some of the tips are the same as they would be for anyone trying to lose weight.
Invest in a Jogging Stroller
Some jogging strollers are appropriate even for newborns. Buy a jogging stroller and get right back into your pre-pregnancy exercise routine. Even if you have no plans to jog or run, the jogging stroller is also great for power walking.
If you want to lose weight and be at your optimum health, you will need to get in 30 minutes of cardio several times a week. Since being away from the baby isn’t realistic for a lot of new mothers, your best bet just might be getting a jogging stroller.
Skip the Fad Diets
You should skip the fad diets especially if you are breast feeding. The reason is that many of them completely eliminate a type of food, such as fats or carbs. A diet that eliminates them completely may not be the healthiest choice for you or for your baby.
Instead of jumping on the bandwagon of the latest diet crazy, adopt a lifestyle of healthy eating. Create a diet that is rich in whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Include lean meat and drink plenty of water.
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Don’t Go Hungry
If you are eating properly, you shouldn’t feel hungry. If you do, grab a healthy snack such as a piece of fruit, a wedge of cheese or a handful of nuts or raisins. Again, this is especially important if you are breast feeding, but the advice applies to everyone.
Get Enough Sleep
Many new mothers probably laughed out loud at that piece of advice, but the fact is that if you can manage to get at least seven hours, it will help you lose weight. The reason, according to a news story by CBS, is that when you are tired, stress hormones are released. These hormones have been linked to weight gain.
Obviously, there will be some nights when it may be impossible to get the minimum number hours of sleep, but make it a priority to try.
As with other types of weight gain, you didn’t gain the weight overnight, and you will not lose the weight overnight. In fact, some women work for a year to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight. However long it takes, it is important to get the weight off.
You have a brand new reason to do your best to stay healthy. That includes eating right and exercising. If you do those two things, your body will be back to normal sooner rather than later.