Losing pregnancy weight can be a difficult task for many women, but it is definitely a goal worth striving for. It’s important for brand-new mothers to remember that it will take some time to lose the baby weight. The majority of women cannot simply revert to their pre-pregnancy figure within a few weeks like celebrities often do.
Most postpartum women want to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight, but it’s important to not set unrealistic goals for yourself. If you try to cut back on calories too quickly, your body will likely hold onto the pregnancy weight longer, especially if you’re breastfeeding. So set a goal that’s attainable and focus on enjoying this precious time with your new baby! Breastfeeding may help you slim down by burning an extra five hundred calories per day, and it can also assist with reducing some pregnancy weight gain. Studies have shown that mothers who breastfeed are more likely to lose pregnancy weight than those who do not.
Despite the lack of time a newborn brings, there are still healthy strategies to lose pregnancy weight. One common area where women struggle to lose pregnancy weight is their diet. During pregnancy, a woman will become accustomed to consuming more calories; however, some women find that they continue this trend after they give birth, making it very difficult to slim down.
There are many factors that can attributed to why some women find it hard to stick to a post-birth diet. One reason may be that they’re breastfeeding and think they need the extra calories to produce milk. However, this isn’t always the case, as you can still lose weight whilst breastfeeding. It’s important to talk to a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian to come up with a plan that’s right for you and your baby.
As soon as you give birth, your body begins to try to shrink your belly back down to its pre-pregnancy size. However, this process can take some time. One way to help lose pregnancy weight quickly is to drink 10-12 glasses of water every day. Your hips and pelvic area may also take some time to change back to their pre-pregnancy state.
Pregnancy weight loss is different for everyone, so don’t get discouraged if it takes you longer to lose the weight than someone you know. Once you’ve had your post-pregnancy checkup, you can start increasing your exercise level if your physician gives you the okay.
After giving birth, it’s not uncommon for thyroid function to become impaired. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) slows down the body’s metabolism, making it harder to lose pregnancy weight.
Many moms are motivated to start working out and lose weight after giving birth, but often get sidetracked by other obligations as time goes on. Procrastination may now be dominating their once-determined mindset, but it is possible to get your pre-baby body back. It just takes some effort!
Losing pregnancy weight after having a baby is definitely possible, and it all starts with making healthy lifestyle choices. Even though it might not happen as quickly as you want it to, don’t get discouraged – the most important thing is that you and your baby are happy and healthy. So take things easy, breastfeed if you can and get help from your partner or family members when you need it. The extra weight will eventually come off, but in the meantime, try not to stress too much about it.
