I cried when I had to wear my maternity pants home from the hospital after my baby was born. I thought I would be able to squeeze into my old jeans… but no way! So as soon as I got home, I began my quest to lose the baby weight. Within four months, it was gone, and although I never did wear those old jeans again, I fell in love with my new body. Here’s my advice on how to lose those extra few pounds you gained when you were expecting. The first one is the easiest!
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Nurse Instead of Bottle-feeding
New mothers who breast-feed their babies, rather than bottle-feeding, lose their baby weight much faster, especially in the first six weeks. But not only is it better for your after-baby body, it’s better for your new baby, too!
Don’t Gain It in the First Place
Most women do NOT need to gain a lot of weight while they are pregnant! Don’t use your pregnancy as an excuse to eat everything you can get your hands on. Talk to your doctor about how many calories you need to consume while you’re expecting, and how much weight you should gain, and STICK TO IT.
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Get Your Rest
If you’re sleep-deprived, you’ll be more inclined to eat foods that you shouldn’t, just to try and perk yourself up. Sleep when the baby sleeps. Doing the dishes or folding the laundry can wait!
Exercise
There are so many easy ways to squeeze in a little exercise with a new baby. It can help you lost the weight, get your figure back, and give you more energy. Check out some mom-and-baby workout DVDs from the library, or strap your new bundle of joy into the jogging stroller and go for a run!
Drink Water
Whether you’re nursing or not, you need to drink water. A LOT of water, 64 ounce per day.
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Switch to Low-fat or Skim Milk
Nursing or recovering mothers need to drink milk, but it doesn’t have to be whole milk. My doctor recommended 2% or even 1% instead.
Find a Friend
Has a friend or family member also had a baby? See if they want to buddy up so you can encourage each other and keep each other motivated.
Ask Your Doctor
If you’re having a hard time getting going, ask your doctor for help. They will know better than anyone what is normal and what is not. They can help!
Eat Your Fruits and Veggies
You might not feel like cooking every night, so keep fresh fruits and veggies around instead of going for fast food. An apple or some carrot sticks are a much healthier choice than McNuggets or a Whopper.
Close the Closet
Don’t think that just because you can’t wear your pre-maternity closes again yet must mean you’re not losing weight. Sometimes the weight stays in places it didn’t before, so your old jeans may not fit. That’s okay. I’ve never loved my body more than after it got a little more curvy when my children were born. I’m not fat, I’m fit… but I have curvier hips now, and a tinier waist, so my old pants won’t fit. I’m okay with that.
Avoid the Scale
Do not weigh yourself every day, or even every week. Wait two weeks before weighing yourself, so you don’t get discouraged by every tiny set-back.
Love Your Body
Your body just performed a miracle! You had a baby. What could be more womanly and sexy than that? It’s okay if your body doesn’t look the same as it did before. YOU’RE not the same, either… so enjoy it!
It might seem impossible to lose the weight after you have a baby, but trust me, it’s not. I weight five pounds more than I did before my first pregnancy. You will lose the weight, and you will love your new, improved body. Give it a little time, and you’ll be you again.
Top Photo: ~ 4 Sweets ~
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