Get Ready to Say Goodbye to Pregnancy Weight Gain

It’s no secret that postpartum moms may be anxious for weight loss. It’s normal to feel this way. You’re supposed to gain weight when pregnant; 20 extra pounds is the bare minimum.

You’re expected to increase in size to support your growing baby. Over the course of your pregnancy, your doctor or midwife will make sure that you’re gaining an adequate amount of weight. This is a fact of being an expectant mama that we all know and accept. It’s your time to nourish and grow new life.

Even so, after baby arrives, it may seem like you’re never going to go back to your pre-pregnancy body… and that can be disconcerting. But all is not lost.

Today we’ll explore some concerns new mothers share about wanting to return to their prepregnancy body. We’ll also cover some realistic expectations and a timeline for your weight loss.

Moms who have just had a baby will likely have questions as they embark on their postpartum weight loss journey: • How should a breastfeeding mom approach postpregnancy weight loss? • If you bottle feed, how can you speed up your metabolism? • What’s a safe rate of weight loss for someone who just had a baby? • How soon after having a baby can you begin an exercise routine? • Is it safe to restrict calories if you’ve just had a baby and are trying to lose weight? • What about breastfeeding moms? Is it okay to limit calories then? • What exercises are safest and most effective for postpartum moms? • How will you fit exercise into your busy motherhood routine? • How to deal with the emotions of knowing how much your body has changed postpregnancy? • What should a healthy weight loss eating plan look like for a postpartum mom? Feeling Different… Whose Body is This? Post-Pregnancy Body Blues

It’s natural to feel down about your looks after you have a baby. While you’re pregnant, everything’s coming up roses. You feel amazing. Everyone stops to admire that beautiful, round belly.

But now that baby’s here, there’s so much to learn. You’re exhausted... and when you look in the mirror, you’re a different, bigger you than you were before.

Remember that this change in your body can be temporary if you stay on the path to good health.

Women who have had babies do bounce back from gaining pregnancy weight all the time. No, not every woman will, but she can. It’s about the choices you make. Eating right and exercising make all the difference.

Lots of moms even gain and then lose the pregnancy weight more than once… some even more than twice. Remember this the next time you’re feeling like

you’ll never rock a bikini or squeeze into those skinny jeans again. Losing the baby weight really depends on several factors, many of which you will actually have control of. These include… • How much you’re able to stick to a healthy eating plan • Your commitment to regular exercise • How much healing needs to happen before you can start to focus on weight loss goals • The health of your baby. Your child’s development comes first. • Limiting sugar and unhealthy fats • Your energy levels • Your ability to control and regulate your weight loss at a steady, even pace • Whether your emotional needs are being met • If you have support at home Remember that you didn’t get to this size in a week, after all. It will take some concerted effort, and definitely some time, to return to your former size and shape. The key is to be patient with yourself. Keep your hopes up, and don’t quit.

Of course priority one right now is baby’s health and wellbeing. You’ll be focusing mostly on nourishing your baby. There will be many doctor appointments, developmental goals to strive for, and lots to learn, adjust to, and worry about.

So don’t feel like if you’re not seeing weight loss results as fast as you’d like, that all is lost or that you should give up and just surrender to another pint of Ben and Jerry’s. Your present goal should be to simply work on being healthy, eating right and exercising. Weight loss, and a return to fitness, strength and good health, will come in time.

Some Simple Keys to Postpartum Weight Loss Success

You’ll have a lot on your mind with a new baby to take care of. Even so, don’t lose sight of your own health and wellness goals. Remember that old adage, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of you and striving for good health and fitness should be a part of the postpartum plan. Below, find some good goals to keep in mind: Strive for moderate exercise each day. It’s astonishing how much of a difference even just a half-hour walk around the block can make for your metabolism and energy levels. If the weather is nice, pack the stroller and bring baby with you – the fresh air and sunshine will be good for both of you.

FUN FACT: Did you know that Nordic women such as Swedes and Danes put their babies down for a nap in their strollers out in the cold? This may give you a new perspective on

the “excuses” American moms make about needing to stay indoors (read: not exercise) if their new baby had a winter birthday or if you live someplace where the weather gets cold sooner.

Ditch those poor eating habits you picked up while pregnant.

First-time moms especially may go a little overboard with treating themselves while sporting the baby bump. It’s not uncommon to hear of pregnant women keeping the freezer stocked with all their favorite flavors of ice cream, or normalizing a late-night sandwich snack.

These practices aren’t ideal for weight loss, and are likely to cause weight gain after pregnancy is over and done with. Once baby’s out, they’re hard to drop because now they’re habit. Your body now expects that ice cream indulgence or post-11 p.m. munch-fest.

Try to think of it this way: if you wouldn’t have eaten it prior to being a mom and having a baby because you knew it was going to cause weight gain… don’t eat it now.

It may take a while to ease off the bad habits you’ve developed, but the key is to find workarounds. Take it one day at a time. Even if you cave and go running for the ice cream spoon tonight, that doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel as far as trying to eat healthy and indulge in moderation.