Trying to lose weight during pregnancy is very common for a lot of women. Understanding what really happens during this time can help in making this endeavor easier. The weight gain during pregnancy is a compensatory mechanism of the body. This is to ensure that both you and your baby are well nourished through the increase of calorie intake.
After delivery, weight loss can be a little slow owing to the hormonal changes you go through. Most women wrongly opt for crash diets and heavy exercises which can affect the body in an adverse way. It is essential that you give time for your body to recover from the physical stress brought about by the pregnancy. Remember, you need to be healthy for your baby.
Prior to starting your weight loss regimen, it is of primary importance that you consult your physician. This way, you will know the right way of losing that pregnancy weight without harming your body as well as your baby. Strenuous exercises are generally no yet recommended until after 6 weeks of the post-partum period.
Weight gain during pregnancy is natural and healthy, but most women can't wait to return to their pre-pregnancy figures. New moms lose about 12 to 14 pounds after giving birth while they gain an average of 25 to 35 pounds throughout the pregnancy. This means that there are at least 12 to 21 pounds of excess weight that is to be lost post-pregnancy. It is important that you plan this and you need to be steady and slow in losing weight. Here are some tips you can use to get back in shape:
- Replace high-sugar, high calorie drinks such as juices and sodas with water. Drinking at least 10 to 12 glasses of water every day is highly recommended in helping in your detoxification.
- Avoid junk foods, instant foods, and those with high amounts of preservatives. Replace them with crackers or raw fruits which are healthy for you.
- Everyone knows that including high amounts of fiber in your diet helps while you are trying to reduce your weight. As a rule, you should consider including a serving of fiber with every meal, even snacks. In fact, I usually recommend you include your favorite type of green vegetable with meals, such as a salad or celery sticks.
- Make a record of your diet. A lot of people are unaware of the importance of starting a food journal. They only find out how much they have been eating after they start writing it. This can help you identify what food groups you commonly eat and identify what you are leaving out. This may be confusing at first but it will definitely pay off.
- Breastfeeding aids in weight reduction after pregnancy. Nursing babies requires about 1000 calories daily, so breastfeeding is one of the most effective methods to ensure that the extra body fat and water during pregnancy are passed on to your newborn.
- Exercise is one of the best ways for losing weight after pregnancy. It is essential that you go through slowly with your exercise schedule. Wait at least 6 weeks post-delivery. 10-minute routines should be started first and then adjusted when you feel much comfortable with it. Do only low-impact exercises such as swimming, yoga, or walking. Come up with a program you are comfortable with and have someone to share it with like a friend or family. Stop and seek help if you are feeling dizzy or short of breath.
Always keep in mind that losing weight after pregnancy must be a natural process which should not be rushed by adding unnecessary activities.
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