subject: Post Baby Weight Loss [print this page] Almost every new mum has the same response after she steps on the weighing machine for the first time after giving birth: Utter horror followed by deep disappointment. New Mom's first worry typically is "How can I lose weight following my pregnancy?"
Lots of women develop the wrong impression that after they've given birth, they will drop back to their pre-baby size within a brief time. The difficulty is this image is far from the realism of how a woman's body functions.
For illustration, if Mom had a lot of IV fluids throughout labour, it's likely that her body is retaining this liquid. Nobody knows the reason why this happens; it's almost as if the body says: "Whoa! I'm going through a large ordeal now. Better hold onto this water, just in case things go wrong."
The fortunate news about fluid retention is that it barely lasts for a couple of weeks. It may possibly move on even sooner if Mother is able to start exercising, which induces perspiration and drinks lots and we do mean LOTS water to help the kidney to function better. (Yes, Mother will need to go to the bathroom more often but she must be used to that bearing in mind the final months of her pregnancy).
So what about the remainder of the baby fat? Try a number of of these proven techniques:
* Dump the fizzy pop, as well as diet soda. Extensive inquiries that has been prepared shows that for some reason, diet pop makes a person keep body fat. Instead, drink lots of run or flavoured run with the intention of has thumbs down calories and is low in sodium.
* Ditch the chips and other garbage food and swap them with low-salt, low-butter popcorn, fruit, whole-grain crackers and nuts.
* Ditch the refined flour. Choose whole-grain pasta and bread as an alternative.
* Pick skinless, boneless chicken, salmon, lean beef and white fish for protein. Avoid fish that may possibly have high mercury counts such as tuna, especially if you are breastfeeding.
* Speaking of breastfeeding, there's great news here, too: Breastfeeding is not merely great for your baby; it's good for you as well. The uterine contractions that you get from breastfeeding get you back in condition sooner, while feeding the baby can take up 550 calories of your fat reserves every day.
* Keep healthy treats handy such as raisins, popcorn, wheat crackers, and nuts.
* Learn label language: Nonfat or no-sugar-added doesn't mean "no calories." Many of these products are made with hydrogenated vegetable oils the "bad fat" and high fructose corn syrup, loaded with sugar. Watch out for these on all food labels and if you get them, place the item back on the shelf.
* Wave bye-bye to fast food meals unless it's a salad with low-calorie dressing.
* Get going as early as you can. Start by tucking baby into a snuggle sling and going out for a 10-minute stroll around the neighborhood. Next, put the baby in a buggy or infant jogger and little by little increase your walking to 20 minutes each day. It's even better if the two of you walk with Grandma, Auntie or a good friend. And make the new dad off the couch as well; he's probably gained a small amount of pregnancy pounds, too.
If the body fat seems to come off little by little, remember this: It took nine months to put it on and it's going to take a little time to take it off. Try to be patient but persistent and you will be fit and slim sooner than you expect.
