| With a little effort and commitment, you will easily be | | | | Keep yourself accountable by writing down every |
| able to shed those extra pounds after giving birth. | | | | single food you consume, whether it is a handful of |
| Weight loss after baby may seem intimidating at first, | | | | nuts or a whole pizza. This will not only keep you |
| but you may be surprised how easily the pounds | | | | accountable, but it will help you keep track of the |
| come off. Many women get into the best shape of | | | | calories you are consuming daily. |
| their lives after having a child. | | | | Eat healthy foods: Avoiding processed foods and |
| Watch those calories: When you are pregnant, it is | | | | sugars will help you go a long way toward achieving |
| easy to excuse those late night cravings and midday | | | | your goals. Drink lots of water and fill up on fresh fruits |
| snacks. After all, baby needs it, right? However, once | | | | and vegetables so you will not crave that hamburger |
| these habits have been formed, you will find that it is | | | | and fries so much. Allow yourself to eat snacks, just |
| not so easy to stop the day after baby is born! Now | | | | make them healthy: nuts, fruits, and yogurt. |
| you need something to keep you in check daily. While | | | | Exercise Regularly: Find an exercise program that |
| counting calories is not your main priority during | | | | works for you and stick with it! You will have to wait |
| pregnancy, if you are serious about losing weight, you | | | | at least 6-8 weeks before starting this, so make sure |
| need to start now. | | | | you get your doctor's approval before starting. But |
| An achievable goal for you to set would be to lose | | | | once the doctor has given the go-ahead, it is time to |
| one pound per week. One pound is equal to 3,500 | | | | get at it! |
| calories. So you need to cut 3,500 calories out of your | | | | The best post-partum workout will include both cardio |
| diet each week to achieve this goal. | | | | and strength training. You need to burn off those extra |
| Keep in mind if you are nursing that you are burning up | | | | calories, which can be accomplished with the |
| to 500 calories or more per day while doing this. Talk | | | | cardiovascular activity, and strength training will build |
| to your doctor about how many calories you should | | | | your muscle mass and make you stronger and |
| be consuming daily while doing this. You want to make | | | | healthier. Daily exercise will benefit you in many ways |
| sure that you do not starve yourself or your baby. | | | | and help prevent many serious health conditions. |
| However, breastfeeding is a great option to help | | | | Having a new baby can be tiring, and if nothing else, |
| women lose a few extra pounds without any effort. | | | | this gives you a daily escape from household routine |
| Some have claimed that keeping a food diary has | | | | and helps you to stay in good spirits. A daily workout |
| helped them be successful with their weight loss goals. | | | | can give you the energy you need to keep going! |