Post Pregnancy Weight Loss Made Easy

Pregnancy is not the time to start dieting. In fact, one of the fun things about being pregnant is being able to indulge in all your food cravings without worrying about weight gain. This is, after all, the one time that you should be putting on weight.

However, even though you will be eating for two, it is a good idea to take stock of your daily routine, refrain from indulging in high calorie foods if only to make it easier to lose weight post pregnancy.

How much Weight would you Typically Gain?

Most women will put on an average of 25-40 pounds in a typical pregnancy. This weight includes the weight of the baby, the placenta, the amniotic fluid and the maternal fat and nutrient stores.

Weight gain during pregnancy is certainly nothing to worry about. However, here are some tips to promote a healthy weight and lifestyle while you are pregnant so that it becomes easier to bounce back to your pre-natal weight after your baby is born.

Stay Active

Stay active during your pregnancy is paramount for your good health during and after your pregnancy. Go for brisk walks everyday. This is an easy, low-impact exercise that you can do both early in your pregnancy as well as in the last few weeks.

There are also many choices out there for Prenatal exercise classes.  Finding a Prenatal Yoga class can help you locate your new center of gravity and help you stretch your muscles. This is great as your body expands and your muscles contract.

A water aerobics class is another option. It can give you some serious cardio while taking some of the baby’s weight off your lower back.

These classes are also great ways to meet new mommies-to-be and have fun while you are working out.

Drink Plenty Of Water

Water was important before you were pregnant and it is even more important now. Dehydration is the number one cause of preterm labor in the summer months so staying hydrated is important, all year long. Drinking water also helps alleviate the swelling in the legs and feet that occurs later in pregnancy. Watermelon, asparagus and cucumbers are also great aids in reducing swelling at this time.

Eat More Meals, Eat Smaller Meals

During your pregnancy, you might find that you cannot keep your food down easily. Now is not the time for you to be starving yourself! Make sure you eat properly and consistently. Smaller meals eaten more frequently will  not be too heavy on a queasy or bloated stomach. Crackers and toast are great for queasiness, as is ginger.  Nuts and fruits are healthy and vitamin rich snacks that will keep you satisfied.

Breastfeeding

After your baby arrives, the most successful way to lose weight is to breastfeed. Breastfeeding helps contract the uterine wall, helping you regain your pre-pregnancy waistline sooner.

Women burn about 500 calories per day while breastfeeding. That is as much as you can lose swimming!  With breastfeeding, you are giving your baby the best nutrition and giving you the benefit of speeding up weight loss. Make sure you keep eating the same number of calories you did while pregnant! You are burning more than usual and you need to make sure your baby still gets the right nutrients.

Staying fit and healthy during your pregnancy will help you enjoy those 9 months and will also give you a huge head start with post pregnancy weight loss.