Losing Weight After Having A Child
While glossy magazines show famous women who have recently given birth and look like they were never pregnant, the average women has a tougher time returning to her pre-pregnancy weight. It is common to gain more than 40 pounds during childbirth and this can be incredibly hard to lose. Women see themselves in the mirror and are horrified. Some embark on foolish crash diets while others simply give up and allow the weight to stay on. Losing the weight you put on after having a child is possible, it just requires patience, hard work and a plan of action.
Being Large Is Normal
Women are usually aghast at the sight of their bodies after giving birth because they still look pregnant. This is a natural phenomenon and occurs because the stomach is still enlarged. It takes a few weeks for the uterus to return to its normal size and anywhere from 10-20 pounds will be lost during this period as the body gradually removes the excess fluid remaining from the pregnancy. Therefore, it is important not to focus on what you look like after birth. Instead, think about how slim and sexy you were beforehand and imagine how wonderful it will be to get your old body back.
Slow Weight Loss
Patience is certainly a virtue and you cannot expect to lose dozens of pounds overnight. Extremely taxing exercise needs to be avoided for the first few weeks after childbirth in order to give your body time to fully recuperate. Interestingly, women who neglect to breastfeed their child are missing out on a simple weight loss opportunity. Did you know that breastfeeding takes up approximately 500 calories every single day? This equates to around one pound per week of weight loss. One problem with breastfeeding is that you cannot go on a diet because calorie restriction can lead to the creation of toxins which end up in your breast milk.
Jumping Hurdles
There are a dozen obstacles to weight loss after giving birth such as fatigue, lack of time, mood swings and guilt. Yes, new mums often feel guilty about taking any time off to exercise. However, by exercising, women will help improve their energy levels which in turn will help them be a better mother. Start off slowly with some simple exercises to get you back into the groove. For example, walk up and down the stairs or perform some bodyweight exercises (if you’re able) while the child is asleep. After a few weeks, you will be able to up your level of effort.
Exercise Ideas
It is important to strengthen your abdominal region after pregnancy. Try exercises such as ball crunches and pelvic tilts. Start jogging a few minutes a day, three times a week until you are able to handle more than 20 minutes at a time. If you are unable to jog, take up an online program such as Couch to 5K. It is a fact that weight training helps improve our metabolism which results in quicker fat loss. If you have the time, workout with weights 2-3 times a week.
The above are just some exercise ideas. Naturally, you should tailor your exercise regime to your schedule and level of fitness. Whatever method you use in order to lose weight after pregnancy, remember to start off gently, be consistent and keep a list of exercises you intend to do. You are far more likely to commit to exercise when it’s down in black and white.
While glossy magazines show famous women who have recently given birth and look like they were never pregnant, the average women has a tougher time returning to her pre-pregnancy weight. It is common to gain more than 40 pounds during childbirth and this can be incredibly hard to lose. Women see themselves in the mirror and are horrified. Some embark on foolish crash diets while others simply give up and allow the weight to stay on. Losing the weight you put on after having a child is possible, it just requires patience, hard work and a plan of action.
Being Large Is Normal
Women are usually aghast at the sight of their bodies after giving birth because they still look pregnant. This is a natural phenomenon and occurs because the stomach is still enlarged. It takes a few weeks for the uterus to return to its normal size and anywhere from 10-20 pounds will be lost during this period as the body gradually removes the excess fluid remaining from the pregnancy. Therefore, it is important not to focus on what you look like after birth. Instead, think about how slim and sexy you were beforehand and imagine how wonderful it will be to get your old body back.
Slow Weight Loss
Patience is certainly a virtue and you cannot expect to lose dozens of pounds overnight. Extremely taxing exercise needs to be avoided for the first few weeks after childbirth in order to give your body time to fully recuperate. Interestingly, women who neglect to breastfeed their child are missing out on a simple weight loss opportunity. Did you know that breastfeeding takes up approximately 500 calories every single day? This equates to around one pound per week of weight loss. One problem with breastfeeding is that you cannot go on a diet because calorie restriction can lead to the creation of toxins which end up in your breast milk.
Jumping Hurdles
There are a dozen obstacles to weight loss after giving birth such as fatigue, lack of time, mood swings and guilt. Yes, new mums often feel guilty about taking any time off to exercise. However, by exercising, women will help improve their energy levels which in turn will help them be a better mother. Start off slowly with some simple exercises to get you back into the groove. For example, walk up and down the stairs or perform some bodyweight exercises (if you’re able) while the child is asleep. After a few weeks, you will be able to up your level of effort.
Exercise Ideas
It is important to strengthen your abdominal region after pregnancy. Try exercises such as ball crunches and pelvic tilts. Start jogging a few minutes a day, three times a week until you are able to handle more than 20 minutes at a time. If you are unable to jog, take up an online program such as Couch to 5K. It is a fact that weight training helps improve our metabolism which results in quicker fat loss. If you have the time, workout with weights 2-3 times a week.
The above are just some exercise ideas. Naturally, you should tailor your exercise regime to your schedule and level of fitness. Whatever method you use in order to lose weight after pregnancy, remember to start off gently, be consistent and keep a list of exercises you intend to do. You are far more likely to commit to exercise when it’s down in black and white.
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