We are going to revel to you our top tips for losing weight after pregnancy.
Being a mommy is tough, but do you know what is almost equally as difficult, being pregnant!
Your diet and sleeping habits get thrown out the window and putting on your shoes is now a 10-minute aerobic exercise.
It’s no wonder that us mommy’s to-be have a little extra weight to shed once baby has arrived—and that’s okay! But, it is important to a lot of new moms to get back to some sense of normalcy, which may include trimming back down to pre-pregnancy weight.
So, without further ado, here are 10 tips to losing weight after pregnancy.
Don’t Rush Right into It:
You just pushed a small human being out of your body! Your body needs some time to rest and recuperate.
It takes a bit of time, around four to six weeks, for your body to heal after childbirth.
Rushing straight into losing weight right after your pregnancy can lengthen this healing time-frame. It is recommended that you wait at least six weeks before you make any drastic changes to your diet.
Breastfeeding:
It is estimated that new moms burn about 500 extra calories a day just from breastfeeding, so it’s no wonder that it is kind of the miracle weight loss hack.
Our favorite products that help support breastfeeding:
It is also said that mothers who are breastfeeding can consume and extra 300 calories a day with no adverse effects to their weight compared to moms who do not, so go ahead and let yourself have that extra piece of cake!
Just make sure that if you are breastfeeding, you don’t let yourself use it as an excuse to eat whatever you want. Just like anyone else, you still need to limit yourself to a healthy level of consumption.
Eating a Healthy Diet:
Another tip for losing weight after pregnancy is eating a healthy/balanced diet. I know this seems like a no-brainer but dieting right after delivering a baby is slightly different than just picking up a diet like you may have previously. It is important, especially for those who are breastfeeding to be cautious when making any change to the diet.
The most important thing to stress is that you do not skip meals. Skipping meals not only slows down your metabolism, but it will also reduce your energy levels making it even harder to lose weight. It is also recommended that you try to reduce the amount of sugar, saturated fats, trans fats, and that you stick to dairy products that are either non-fat or low-fat.
When choosing the foods that you are going to eat, try to plan them around a five to six meal a day schedule. It is healthier to consume a higher number of smaller meals compared to the average three large meals a day that we are used to. Of these five to six meals, make sure that you are remembering to eat breakfast. Eating first thing in the morning is a great way to jump start your metabolism and energize yourself for the day.
Drinking Plenty of Water:
It is important that you drink plenty of water, so that you do not become dehydrated. Research shows that keeping your body properly hydrated may lead to a higher metabolism. Drinking plenty of water also helps fill you up. In fact, some studies say that a lot of the time we think we are hungry, we are actually just thirsty. If you’ve eaten a full meal and you still feel hungry, try drinking some water.
Our Favorite Water Bottle: Bevgo Infuser Water Bottle
It is recommended that you drink half your body weight (measured in pounds) in ounces of water every day. So, as an example, if you weigh 160 pounds it is recommended that you consume 80 ounces of water a day. You can also check the color of your urine in order to determine whether or not you are consuming enough water.
If your urine is a dark yellow, you are dehydrated and need to increase your water intake. Your urine should ideally be a translucent, almost clear, with a tint of yellow.
Exercise:
While eating healthy is a big contributing factor to losing weight, it is also important that you try to maintain an active lifestyle. Now, by no means should you rush to the gym every day. You are a new mom after all and you’re trying to tend to a newborn.
Simple exercises such as walking are a great way for you to get some exercise and also an opportunity for you and baby to get out of the house for a bit. Yoga is also a great non-strenuous form of exercise that you can easily do when baby is sleeping. It is recommended that you aim for anywhere from two to three hours of exercise a week.
For the moms out their struggling with post-partum depression, exercise will have a positive effect on your mental health as well. Studies show that living an active lifestyle can help alleviate depression and anxiety. You’re going through a lot of changes right now that may be the cause of some of your stress. Try working that stress out!
Avoiding Alcohol:
Now, I know that this might seem like a real bummer, but avoiding alcohol while you are trying to lose weight is a wise idea. Not only does alcohol contain empty calories, but it has also been linked to weight gain, especially in the storage of fat around the organs—or belly fat.
Alcohol has also been linked to a reduction in breast milk production in some mothers, so if you are breastfeeding this is something else to keep in mind as well.
Getting Enough Sleep:
What of the most important tip for losing weight after pregnancy is making sure you are getting enough sleep. I know this seems ridiculous to all the newly sleep-deprived moms out there; but, regardless of lifestyle changes, getting an adequate amount of sleep is crucial to your overall health. It is recommended that you aim for at least eight hours of sleep a day.
I know it may be tempting to try and get stuff done while baby is sleeping; but, if you’re running on four to five hours of sleep, you may want to consider trying to squeeze in a nap instead.
It is also okay to ask for help. When your partner is home try and use this time to get a little bit of extra sleep if you need it. And, when friends are offering to help you out, take them up on their offer! Even if it’s only an extra thirty minutes, the difference it will make in your overall health and mood is huge.
Remembering to Take Time for Yourself:
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, even when it comes to trying to lose weight. Forgetting to take time for yourself can lead to frustration, stress, and even depression. You need to remind yourself that it is not only okay for you to take time just for you, but also that you need to dedicate time in your schedule just for yourself.
Whether it be getting your nails done or catching up on your favorite television series, taking time to focus on yourself will make a world of difference in your overall mood. And, a positive mood leads to more motivation and higher levels of energy.
Set Realistic Goals:
Another way to losing weight after pregnancy is to set realistic goals. Motivation is a high and it can be very easy to jump right in, full-throttle. However, it is unrealistic to expect yourself to jump straight back down to your pre-pregnancy weight right off the bat. You should also keep in mind that pregnancy creates a lot of changes in a woman’s body, so even when you return to your pre-pregnancy weight it is common to not return to your pre-pregnancy shape.
You will most likely still have stretch marks and soft, loose belly skin. There are remedies and exercises that can help lessen the effects of these things, but time is the ultimate factor. These things will get better with time, so don’t stress yourself out if you are not noticing an immediate change. Keep your goals simple and attainable.
Setting goals that are unrealistic will make the progress you do achieve seem minute and unimportant. You just delivered a baby! Even if you only lose five pounds, you’re still killing the game! Be kind to your body and understand that some things just take time.
Finding a Support Group:
Studies have shown: Those who partake in group-based weight loss are more likely to lose weight compared to those who attempt to do it alone.
There are many different ways that you can find a support group. It could be a friend or even an online support group. Find people that will hold you accountable, but also cheer you on when you need it.
Here are some more tips for 1st time moms.
Like most difficult things, it is hard to get through them alone. Don’t feel embarrassed if you are longing for someone to walk through your weight loss journey with you.
