Trying to lose those extra pounds after having a baby takes a little more time and effort than under normal circumstances, but the same weight loss principles apply. If you've just given birth, I'm sure you are anxious to pack up all those maternity clothes and pull out all your old stuff (or better yet, go buy some new clothes.) In this article I'm going to give you some easy lifestyle changes that will help you shed those pregnancy pounds and get your body back as soon as possible.
The biggest difference between weight loss after pregnancy and normal weight loss techniques is that you need to take baby steps (pun intended). Your body is readjusting itself to your normal hormone and body fluid levels. If you are breastfeeding, you need to take extra care not to lose weight too fast, because your body is producing milk for your baby and the calories you take in will be used primarily for milk production and whatever is left over will be used to maintain your health and energy level. (Try not to drop below 2200 to 2500 calories a day)
Your body will naturally want to get back to a normal weight, but there are things that you can do to significantly accelerate that weight loss.
Drink Plenty Of Water - Especially if you are breastfeeding. It takes a lot of fluid to produce milk and new moms often find themselves being overly thirsty. By drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day (stay away from caffeine) your body will come to expect that it will get the water it needs and as a result it won't store it up in your cells, or ankles or all those places that we feel bloated. Water is heavy (8.33 pounds per gallon), so by not storing it up you will avoid the extra water weight.
Get Adequate Sleep - This is a total catch 22 for new parents, but getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep a day (it doesn't have to be continuous) is vital to maintaining many different bodily systems. If you are consistently sleep deprived, you can actually start to gain weight (it happened to me, my baby was a horrible sleeper). Get your hubby to bring your baby to you to breastfeed so that you don't have to actually get up 3-4 times a night. Nap when your baby naps. Don't worry about keeping the house spotless, there will be time for that and you can always invite your mother or mother-in-law over to help. They will do anything to spend time with their grandchild.
Start A Low Impact Exercise Routine - After the birth of my son, we went on a walk every morning (granted, it was June and very warm). He loved seeing the world and the fresh air and light exercise was invigorating. You'd be surprised how just walking 4-5 times a week for at least 30 minutes will help you lose those pesky pounds.
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