Pregnancy and Weight Loss, How to Lose Those Extra Pounds

Many pregnant women spend a lot of time worrying about their weight gain, and how long it will take them to loose those extra pounds after the baby is born. It's especially hard when you're trying to care for a brand new baby. Since you did not gain the weight quickly, you should not think that you will be able to lose the weight quickly.

But, our society tells us otherwise. Celebrities are shown in magazines with a very slim figure just a month after giving birth to a child. The give them very positive feedback like it is something everyone wants to do. However, healthy weight loss takes time. If you lose weight too quickly, your body may not be healthy and you main gain the weight back.

The best way to lose pounds is to breastfeed. Your body retains additional calories to nourish you baby after his birth, which is why you gain extra weight during pregnancy. Breastfeeding burns 200-500 extra calories a day. That is how mamma nature helps you to lose the weight you gained during pregnancy. As all mothers are not lucky enough to breastfeed their babies, there are other methods which could help you to get back in to great shape.

Eating healthy is not only important for weight loss but also if you are breastfeeding. You want your baby to be getting the most nutritious meal possible. If you are not eating properly, all the nutrients from what you are eating will go into your breast milk, leaving very little vitamins for you. Try eating 4-5 smaller meals throughout the day instead of 3 larger ones, this will boost your metabolism and keep you from being hungry.

It is imperative to drink a lot of water, especially if you are breastfeeding. Drink 8-10 glasses a day. This will flush the toxins from your body that are a result of the pregnancy. Water will also make you feel full so you will be inclined to eat less.

It is very important to engage in activities to improve your physical fitness right after giving birth. To begin with, it doesn't interact badly with breastfeeding, like dieting can. Secondly, exercise promotes endorphins that will help assist in preventing postpartum depression, and it heightens your mood as well.

Even mothers who lose the baby weight usually find that their body shape is not quite what it used to be. The muscles in your belly and thighs may appear flabby and your skin will sag from where it got stretched incredibly over the past months. Exercise will help tone these muscles and give you a firm and fit body.

It is important to remember to start out very slowly with your exercise regimen. Give your body time to rest, heal, and use this time to bond with your baby. When you do start exercising, start out slow with 10 minutes of exercise, and gradually increase the time, as you feel stronger.

Pregnancy has a powerful impact on your body. Don't allow your worries about your weight to cloud this precious time with your new baby. You can lose weight any time but babies aren't babies forever.