Pregnancy will always cause women to gain weight, it's a natural part of the process. 'Baby weight' refers to the weight that has gained not only by the growing fetus and the enlarging womb but also the deposition of fat around the abdomen. It can be quite difficult for most women to shed this extra weight after they have had the baby. For mothers who had some excess weight before they became pregnant, it can be harder for them to shed the baby weight as well.
In this article we shall take a brief look at some of the steps that can be adopted to lose weight after pregnancy.
1. Don't forget to stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water after pregnancy to make sure that dehydration is not an issue. The extra liquid that you consume will also contribute to a fuller feeling in the stomach, which also helps some to avoid eating too much food. Be sure to have lots of fluids, but don't have so many that it could be harmful, listen to your body.
2. Strict dieting is not good
It seems counter-intuitive, but breast milk needs to be replenished from the food you eat, and when it is not sufficient, the nutrients to the baby may not be rich enough. Dropping a lot of weight quickly is also not thought to be healthy, and doing it over time by having a sensible diet is thought to be much more beneficial. Losing weight the healthy way and getting all of the proper nutrients can be aided greatly by eating fruits and vegetables frequently.
3. Exercise regularly
Plain old exercise is still quite effective. Excess calories can be burned in many ways, including cardiovascular exercises like aerobics which will maintain muscles and bone density. Jogging, brisk walks, cross-training, and swimming are all very effective ways to get some exercise. Mood is greatly affected by exercise as well, due to the release of endorphins. When the new mother uses exercise to lose weight, it has the added benefit of helping to reduce stress levels. Prior to beginning any exercise regimen, it's very important to consult a physician.
4. Breastfeeding should be continued
Breastfeeding provides the infant with the essential nutrients and fats that are helpful in building up immunity and providing the necessary nutrition. The effects of breastfeeding on weight loss are debatable. Even if it doesn't, it is no reason to stop breastfeeding an infant.
5. Rest is important
Going through pregnancy can be taxing on the body, and looking after an infant can raise stress levels even further. Studies have revealed that new mothers must get over 7 hours of sleep a night in order to lose pregnancy weight.
Summary
A new mother can use these simple techniques to effectively lose the weight that the pregnancy has caused for them.
