How to Lose Weight after Pregnancy

Posted: 1. July, 2010 1

Pregnancy is a beautiful, wonderful, and life altering experience, and our babies are our most precious gifts, but trying to lose weight after pregnancy is always frustrating and heartbreaking. Often our metabolism is damaged from 9 months of over-eating and our energy drained from months without real sleep, that nothing seems to work as we try to get back into our pre-baby jeans. It can be quite challenging to lose weight after pregnancy, but below are some tips and strategies to help you facilitate the process.

Mandy Lost over 17 pounds, 13 inches, Shed Her Mommy Belly and Has a New and Improved Post Baby Body - all in just 12 weeks!

• Breastfeeding uses up your fat stores! Breastfeeding burns about 500 calories per day so the longer you breastfeed, the more calories you burn.
• Drink at least 10-12 glasses of still water every day. Replace your sugar beverages such as lemonades and sodas with some water and a squeeze of fresh lemon. You can cut out hundreds of calories a day this way.
• Keep healthy snacks handy such as popcorn, wheat crackers, and salt nuts. Refuse to buy store-bought baked goods or junk food.
• Eat whole grains (breads, cereals, pastas) instead of the “white” versions
• Eat lean meats such as boneless chicken and the leanest cuts of beef.
• Don’t be fooled by foods that are labeled as nonfat. Some are loaded with calories and can have hydrogenated vegetable oils and/or high fructose corn syrup, neither of which are healthy. Read your labels!
• Resist the urge to indulge in a fast food meal. Or if you do, order the salad and not the fat-filled burgers and fries.
• Find easy ways to increase your exercise like parking your car farther away or using stairs instead of elevators.
• As soon as you feel ready, start light exercise. Weather-permitting, take a 10 minute walk with the baby every day and slowly increase your time to 20 minutes per day. Babies can be worn in a snugli or sling or you can use a baby jogger or stroller when they get too heavy. Even better, walk at a regular time with a friend.
• Consider joining a gym and trade babysitting hours with a friend so when you each go to do your workout, the other can watch the babies. Some gyms may offer babysitting services as well.

Just remember people gain pregnancy weight over the course of nine months and it can take just as long if not longer to lose weight after pregnancy. It’s not healthy to lose the pregnancy weight too quickly, and if you experience occasional setbacks in your post pregnancy weight loss goals, know that this is okay, and that you will be able to get back on track. Too many women are too hard on themselves, especially when it comes to losing weight. Make up your mind to be gentle and compassionate with yourself now and always.

More helpful tips how to lose weight after pregnancy you can find in Holly Rigsby The Fit Yummy Mummy Lifestyle System.

As Holly Rigsby points out: “Finally, you can fit back into your skinny jeans and wear tiny t’s without the fear of jiggly arms, thunder thighs, unsightly cellulite, or a muffin top bulging out from beneath.” More tips and tricks, how to get these results you can find in fityummymummy.com.

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