| First of all, congratulations! Your body has just | | | | promotes over-eating. Remember that your body can |
| experienced an amazing miracle! Rejoice in that and | | | | only metabolize so much as once. Meals that consist |
| don't be too quick to jump into a weight loss plan. | | | | of more than 400-500 calories typically end up as |
| Make "good nutrition" your goal instead of "losing | | | | stored fat. |
| weight." | | | | - Make yourself a rule that you won't eat after |
| Make sure you give your body the time it needs to | | | | 7:00-8:00 at night, depending on your lifestyle. Don't get |
| adjust. You created life! It's going to take some time | | | | in the habit of grabbing a "little" bite of something when |
| for your body to bounce back from that. Don't forget | | | | you get up with the baby at night! |
| that it took nine months to gain your extra weight and | | | | - Post a chart on your refrigerator to keep your |
| it should take at least that long to take it off. | | | | journey "visual" and to help motivate you. Include your |
| There are several important factors that will affect | | | | measurements and weight, but don't check them more |
| your weight loss after you come home from delivering | | | | than once a week. |
| your baby: | | | | - Check out any local post-natal programs that might |
| - The type of delivery you had is a major factor. | | | | be offered by the YMCA, recreational centers, or |
| Recovering from a C-section will definitely slow down | | | | hospitals. This is also a great way to connect with |
| your progress. Doctors agree that it takes at least six | | | | other new moms. You could form an early-morning |
| weeks to fully recover from abdominal surgery. | | | | walking group. Exercise is always more fun with |
| - Whether or not you breastfeed will play a role. This | | | | friends! |
| has been a controversial issue for years, but studies | | | | - Keep the baby's changing table upstairs to force |
| conducted at the University of Michigan and the | | | | yourself to walk the stairs frequently. |
| University of California, Davis confirm that women who | | | | - Take your baby for walks daily. The fresh air will be |
| breastfeed do lose weight more quickly. The process | | | | good for both of you. |
| of breastfeeding draws upon your body's "energy | | | | - Walk slowly on a treadmill or ride a recumbent bike |
| stores", burning up fat! The study further reports that | | | | while holding your baby. The noise of the machinery |
| the biggest difference (in your weight) between | | | | will probably be soothing to your baby. Holding the |
| breastfeeding and bottle-feeding shows up between | | | | baby's weight will be a workout for your arms. |
| 3-6 months after birth. You need an extra 500 calories | | | | - Purchase or check out (from your local library) |
| a day when you breastfeed, but your body burns | | | | fitness tapes. You can use these in the privacy of |
| 600-800 calories a day in the breastfeeding process, | | | | your own home while your baby is close by. |
| so you do the math! Just be careful to adjust your | | | | - Weight training will help boost your metabolism, but it's |
| intake accordingly when you stop breastfeeding! | | | | not essential to go to the gym or purchase equipment; |
| - Your level of fitness prior to pregnancy is probably | | | | you have your baby! Postpartum fitness expert, |
| the most important factor. If you were fit before your | | | | Renee Jeffreys suggests that you do lunges while |
| pregnancy, you'll find it much easier to get back into | | | | holding on to the back of the stroller, or hold your baby |
| shape. | | | | carefully to do arm presses over your head, while lying |
| Below are some EASY TIPS you can follow to help | | | | on a bed. |
| you stay healthy and lose that baby-fat: | | | | - It is widely known that there is a relationship between |
| - Your weight loss should be gradual...a pound a week | | | | sleep deprivation and weight loss. Who is more |
| at the most! Make sure your doctor clears you for | | | | deprived of restful sleep than a new mother? Take a |
| exercise before you begin. | | | | nap when your baby does. Nothing else that needs to |
| - Clean the pre-delivery junk food out of your house | | | | be done is as important as you being rested and |
| and stock up on healthy, nutritious foods. Get plenty of | | | | refreshed. Your unusual sleep patterns will play havoc |
| lean protein, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and | | | | with your metabolism, so get sleep when you can! |
| fresh fruits and vegetables. Only allow yourself 1-2 | | | | - Finally, cut yourself some slack! Enjoy each moment! |
| bites of those foods that you know won't help you | | | | You don't want to remember how fat you felt after |
| reach your goals. Don't eat empty calories! | | | | your baby; you want to remember every joyful, |
| - Eat frequent, small meals. This will help keep your | | | | precious moment you spent together! |
| blood-sugar levels balanced. An imbalance frequently | | | | |