5 Ways to Reclaim Your Pre-pregnancy Weight

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 05/19/2011 - 17:57

  • Figure out your daily basic caloric needs. This means the number of calories of balanced nutrition you can consume to maintain your feeling of well being yet not gain weight. Remember, most breastfeeding mothers will need approximately 500 extra calories for lactation. Most postpartum mothers can eat around 2,000 nutritious calories per day and still expect a gradual weight loss
  • Exercise one hour a day. This could be something as simple as walking briskly while carrying baby in a sling. Brisk walking or swimming for one hour burns off around 400 calories. This exercise plus abstaining from one unnutritious treat each day (one chocolate chip cookie is around 100 calories) means you have a deficit of 500 calories each day or 3,500 calories per week -- enough to lose one pound of body fat. Gradual weight loss is best during breastfeeding. Burning off fat quickly is not safe because the body stores pesticides and other contaminants in fat. Quick weight loss releases these contaminants into your milk.
  • Breastfeeding women often experience their greatest weight loss between three and six months postpartum, when they are producing a lot of milk for their babies. So don't get frustrated if the pounds aren't coming off at first.
  • Chart your weight loss, and tailor your exercise and eating habits to reach the goal you set.
  • Invest in some nice, comfortable clothes that fit your postpartum figure. If you focus only on getting back into the jeans you were wearing nine months ago, you could get very depressed. And no one wants to keep on wearing maternity clothes for weeks after the birth. Some pants or leggings with an elastic waist and a few colorful tops will help you feel better about your still-changing body. Two-piece outfits that are easy to breastfeed in will make it easier for you to get out and around with your baby.

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