Shedding the extra pounds you’ve put on from your pregnancy can be one of the most difficult things for a new mother to go through. A woman usually gains anywhere from twenty to thirty pounds during pregnancy, and for a lot of them, getting rid of that weight is a real challenge. Most women see some weight loss in the beginning, as their bodies get rid of the extra fluid and other matter left over from the pregnancy, but after that initial loss, it’s common for them to reach a point where they stop losing weight.
Any woman who has been through pregnancy knows that your body changes. You are carrying around this new life, and sometimes it can be hard to see the needle on the scale move. If you find yourself at a plateau, do not let it get you down. Know that there are ways to get yourself moving in the right direction again.
It can be difficult to immediately lose the weight you put on during pregnancy for a few reasons. For one, your body is still going through the motions of healing and recovering from the physical and emotional stress of childbirth. It’s not uncommon to need up to a month just to recover from the act of giving birth itself, making it hard to commit to any sort of weight loss plan right away. Secondly, new moms are often sleep-deprived and working on very little rest, making it tough to find the time and energy to fit in workouts or cook healthy meals. Lastly, many women experience changes in their metabolism after having a baby, which can make it harder to lose weight even when following a strict diet and exercise plan.
While you’re recovering post-delivery, you might not feel up to getting your sweat on just yet. But you can control what goes into your mouth, and that’s where eating healthy comes in. It can be tough to make all the right food choices when you’re pregnant and dealing with pregnancy cravings. But once the baby arrives, it’s time to get back on track with eating as healthily as possible.
If you are breastfeeding, nutrition becomes even more important. Your baby will consume at least 500 calories a day in breast milk. So, it is important that you are eating healthy food to make sure your child is getting the nutrients they need.
Easing into an exercise regiment is key for long term success and to avoid injury. Pushing too hard too soon is a common mistake that people make, which is why it’s important to listen to your body. Once you are feeling up to it, start with baby steps by working out for fifteen or twenty minutes at a time, five times a week. You will start to see results within a few weeks and feel better both physically and mentally.
