If you are looking for a way to lose weight after your pregnancy the worst thing that you can do is to start starving yourself. Another thing that you should have in mind when you are starting this process is that getting back to the weight that you had before is not very easy, especially if you are one of those women who gained more than 30 pounds in nine months.
Losing weight after pregnancy in a fast way is unhealthy for you and for your baby too. It is a well known fact that you should take at least 2.000 calories per day if you are breastfeeding. With the sudden decrease of food intake you will worsen the quality of your milk. That’s why it is always a good idea to skip the weight loss plan while you are breastfeeding. Of course, you should avoid fast diets even after this period.
According to some statistics women gain at least 20 pounds while they are pregnant and some of them even more. This means that getting back to the previous state requires a long period. Some women are able to lose weight faster mostly because of their metabolism. In order to restore your body weight to the same level as it was before your pregnancy it is important to combine moderate exercising with a balanced diet. Remember that you should not expect results too fast as this is a gradual process.
Right after the birth you will lose weight instantly. In order to calculate this weight loss you need to know the weight of your baby. The average weight of a baby is around 6 pounds, 5 ounces and you can add around 2 pounds of fluid and blood loss during the birth. After the birth it is very important to have a good and healthy diet especially if you are breastfeeding. Keep in mind that you will lose weight by breastfeeding too. Many women are able to restore their weight especially if their babies are “fans” of breastfeeding. If you are not breastfeeding you can reduce your calorie intake but once again don’t starve yourself because your body is still fragile and needs time to recover.
Quick weight loss can only harm your health regardless of the method you use (food intake reduction or excessive exercising). Before you start exercising consult your doctor particularly in cases of caesarean section. In the first few weeks, be prepared for light exercises like walking. You can have more intensive exercises after few months, but remember to enter those exercises gradually. Once you develop a routine be determined and disciplined and the results will come.
When it comes to the diet, you must have regular meals. Of course, you can lower the amount of food that you consume but instead of drastically reducing the calorie intake you should focus on finding healthy foods that provide sufficient caloric value. Finally, don’t forget to consume plenty of fluids (avoid soft drinks) and don’t skip the most important meal of the day, breakfast.
