After your baby is born the task of losing the excess weight can seem virtually impossible – especially if you allowed those cravings to pack on a bit more than needed!
Every woman is different, but these 7 tips will have you well on your way to your pre-pregnancy body… or better!
1. GET UP AND GET OUT
Most new moms are sleep-deprived and overwhelmed – an steady exercise routine isn’t feasable.
Start slow – walk around the block. If it feels good then walk a little more the next day. Do this until your six-week checkup, after which you should be ready to do 20 to 30 minutes of cardio 3 to 5 times a week.
Get creative – pushing a stroller, walking/jogging up stairs, and body weight workouts can be accomplished at home.
2. BREASTFEED
Breastfeeding burns between 600 and 800 calories a day. By feeding your baby you can be losing weight.
BUT as soon as you stop or taper off breastfeeding, your daily calorie needs will decrease. You could really pack on the weight if you don’t lower your calorie intake and/or increase exercise.
3. LIFT WEIGHTS
Weight training will greatly boost your metabolism. You can join a gym, or buy some dumbbells and workout at home.
If you’re unsure about what you’re doing, hire a personal trainer with a certification in prenatal and postnatal fitness for a few weeks to get you on the right track.
4. LIMIT FAT CALORIES
Pass on empty-calorie foods like sodas and chips, as well as fad diets that eliminate entire food groups. Eat a variety of small nutrient-rich meals containing lean protein, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy products.
5. NAPS
Plenty of sleep will help with weight loss because you’re not compelled to binge on high-calorie, high-sugar foods for energy. Strange sleep cycles like those forced on you by a newborn can upset your metabolism and make it harder for you to lose your pregnancy weight.
Don’t sacrifice sleep for exercise time in those early weeks. If you don’t sleep enough, you won’t have enough energy for satisfying workouts, anyway.
6. EAT HEALTHY SNACKS
Too much sugar can send your blood-sugar levels on a roller-coaster ride. When your blood sugar drops, you’re more likely to eat the first thing you can get your hands on!
To avoid temptation, keep only nutritious foods at your fingertips. And stock up on low-fat milk and yogurt for snacks. Also, eat high-fiber snacks like figs and raisins or whole-wheat crackers with veggies – they can fill you up and help with digestion and regularity.
7. GET WITH OTHER NEW MOMS
It can be helpful to connect with other moms for regular exercise. Having a jogging group, walking buddy, or your own special mommy fitness class is not only fun but will motivate you, keep you on track, hold you accountable, and give you others to talk about baby issues!