Returning To Normal Weight After Pregnancy

Now, it’s time for new mothers to unload a lot of things they have thought about during pregnancy. No wonder, it’s the weight loss in priority for most new mothers. So here are the ways to shed weight:

Most women lose half their weight immediately after the baby is born. The remaining weight is shed by following a healthy diet and by exercising regularly. It is essential to give yourself time until your 6-week after birth of the baby, before trying to slim down. If you are breastfeeding, wait until your baby is at least 2 months old before you try to lose weight.

Breast feed:

Some studies find that breastfeeding exclusively may help to return to your pre-baby weight faster compared to women who bottle feed.

Diet:

Consult your Nutrition Expert who can help you with a personalized healthy diet plan post pregnancy. General guidelines are listed below for new mums:

1. Cut down 500kcal a day from your diet.

2. Eat 3 small meals and healthy snacks in between to meet your RDA, as you may be lactating.

3. Don’t fad diet and starve since it may result in fatigue and unexpected weight gain.

4. Keep different snacks in the house to binge on when you feel hungry so that it gives you energy throughout the day. Few such snacks can be fruits, vegetables, baked foods, wheat crackers etc.

5. Cut down on fried, oily foods and junk foods.

6. Avoid eating outside as much as possible to prevent unwanted calories.

7. Cut down on sugars, colas, sodas and other fizzy drinks as they are empty calories

8. Drink good amount of water to speed up your metabolism.

Good sleep:

1. This may be a strange, but the connection between good sleep and weight loss may help to speed up metabolism which in turn helps in weight loss.

2. Try to ask for help from your friends, spouse, and family members so that you can take nap in between when the kid is done with feeding or playing. This will help to reduce stress and anxiety in new mums therefore helping you in a gradual weight loss.

Exercise:

1. Trying to work out of 30 min a day can be tiring. So break up your time into 10-minute and increase gradually from 20-30 minutes.

2. You can join a gym/ yoga who can guide you in an effective weight loss depending on your body’s condition

3. If you have trouble finding time to exercise, include your baby in your routine. Take your baby for a daily walk in a stroller or baby carrier.

Be it diet or exercise; make sure you restart these after the approval of your physician, especially if you have had a C- Section.