While you are pregnant it is so easy to put on weight. The great thing about it is you are supposed to be gaining weight; it is part of your job as a pregnant woman since you are growing a life inside. But once the baby has been born and you have left the hospital and all the visitors and helpers have stopped coming by to visit, you and your “new body” are on your own. The thoughts begin entering the mind and wondering how much longer it will be until you can fit back into your favorite pair of jeans.
The good news is there are things you can do to lose that extra weight a little bit faster. One of the best ways to burn calories is to breastfeed your baby. While pregnant, a body stores fat to prepare for the job of nourishing the baby. When you breastfeed, the fat stored on your hips, thighs and buttocks will melt away more rapidly than the mother who formula feeds her baby.
In addition, breastfeeding requires you to eat in order to produce milk. If you stick to the rule of healthy eating while limiting your intake of fats and sugars and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables; lightly increasing physical activity, can help drop about 4-5 pounds each month.
In addition to eating more healthy foods for milk production, you will also need to consume more liquids. Consuming water throughout the day will help with milk production but will also help burn calories. If drinking water was beneficial before you were pregnant, it is just as beneficial now.
A note about physical activity after pregnancy. Beginning a full fledged exercise routine right after giving birth is not recommended. Until receiving the ok from your doctor following your six week post pardom visit, take it easy. You may, however begin walking more frequently and for longer distances than you did toward the end of your pregnancy.
Actually, walking is a great exercise for you and your baby. Even if it is chilly outside, a baby can be bundled up and brought outside for short walks. Walking at a quick pace will increase your heart rate and burn calories that will aid in the loss of the left over weight.
Although newborns are pretty immobile when they are first born and don’t require any physical exercise, fresh air is like exercise to your baby. So get out there and walk off those calories while exercising your baby’s lungs.
Understandably as a new mother you do not want to leave your babies side for a moment. There are some great programs and exercise tapes that are available which show how to work out with your baby. Stroller Strides is a program that has been started in malls and neighborhoods across the country. It gets you, and other moms out walking with their babies. As your baby becomes a toddler, there are exercises which can be done by utilizing your baby as a weight. Think about all the running and playing which the body is actually exercising with your baby. What a great way to spend time with your child and do something good for yourself too.