Post Pregnancy Weight Loss

Almost all women will want to loose the weight which they have gained over the course of their pregnancy as soon as possible. If you step on the scale several days after you give birth then you will likely have one of two reactions – disappointment or complete horror – as your weight loss is either not as much as you had hoped, or in some cases, your weight might not have changed much.

Forget About Celebrity Moms Who Lose Weight Instantly

You must remember that celebrities who give birth and loose all their pregnancy weight -and then some – in the space of a few weeks are surrounded by dieticians, nurses and fitness experts. So, if you are thinking you can lose your pregnancy weight as fast as Nicole Richie, then you are only going to be setting yourself up for disappointment and they are not a good example upon which to base your own postpartum weight loss goals.

Breastfeeding – Does It Work?

Mothers who breastfeed their baby will need to produce and average of 850ml of breast milk each day. In order for you to do this you would need to consume approximately 500 extra calories per. The good thing about breastfeeding is that is burns up calories, so the longer you breast feed the longer you will burn those calories

Eating Healthy – Give yourself Time To Recover

You should also take into account that it may take up to 6 months post pregnancy for your body to return to normal -even if you are not breastfeeding. Childbirth and pregnancy both place tremendous strain on your body even if your pregnancy has run smoothly and your childbirth was a relatively smooth

Alternative Methods To Loose Weight

• Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water every day.
• Keep healthy snacks handy such as raisins, popcorn, wheat crackers, and nuts.
• Eat lean meats such as boneless chicken and the leanest cuts of beef.
• Eat whole grains (breads, cereals, pastas) instead of the “white” versions
• Don’t be fooled by foods that are labelled as non-fat. Most are loaded with calories and can have hydrogenated vegetable oils and/or high fructose corn syrup
• Resist the urge to indulge in a fast food meal.
• As soon as you feel ready, start your exercise routine again. When you do start – start light exercise first and then work your way up.

How Long Will It Take?

How long it takes you to return to your pre-pregnancy weight and shape largely depends on how much weight you gained while pregnant, if you followed a regular exercise program, how healthy you ate and if you breastfeed or not. If you allow for a 3 month recovery period after giving birth then you should easily be able to get back to your pre pregnancy weight within 6-8 months Just remember it took 9 months to gain the weight – you won’t be losing that weight in a week or two.