If you are a celebrity who’s just had a baby, you probably don’t need to read this article on how to lose baby weight. It seems that celebrity moms possess some magical formula that allows them to lose all their baby weight within 8 weeks of childbirth.
Until those moms release their secrets, we have to rely on good old-fashioned healthy eating and exercise. Unfortunately, new moms soon find out that it not as easy to lose weight as it was pre-baby because of a lack of time and energy.
New moms need to give themselves some slack and not expect a huge amount of weight loss in the first few months. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll find that some of your weight will melt away as you nurse your baby but if you continue to eat the way you did when you were pregnant, then you will quickly gain that weight back. At least, that’s what happened to me.
The first step you should take is to record what you are eating every day for a week. Eat what you normally eat and record the calorie counts. Then the following week, decide how much you want to lose per week ( a pound or a ½ pound) and cut 500 calories a day from your diet, whether it’s from what you eat or how much you exercise or a combination of the two.
One pound equals 3500 calories, so to lose one pound every week, you need to cut 500 calories per day (500 x 7 = 3500). If this is too much, cut 250 a day and you’ll lose half a pound per week.
Cutting calories does not mean eating less, by the way. Substitute high energy, low calorie foods like protein and complex carbs (vegetables, salads, fruits) for the quickly burning carbs in breads and pastas you might be eating now and leaving you hungry soon after eating them.
Exercise is a key factor in losing baby weight. Even if it’s only 10 minutes a day, consistency is the key. Start slow and increase exercise as your energy level allows and as your body responds to your new healthy diet. If you are too tired to exercise, you may not be eating enough of the right kinds of foods or getting enough rest. Talk to your doctor if you are eating right and still too tired to exercise for 10 minutes a day.
If you find that you are exercising and eating right but still struggling with weight loss because of cravings for carbs and sweets, you may need to take a look at the type of vitamins and supplements you are taking. These are important to take since we can’t get all of the nutrition we need from food.
Plus, as a new mom, you are dealing with fluctuating hormones as your body adjusts to post – baby life. Eating a good diet and exercising will help you get more energy but may not help your mood. In some cases, you might need help from supplements that can help with depression such as 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) which increases serotonin in your brain, helps you feel calmer and experience less cravings for sweets and carbohydrates. Beware of taking an antidepressant since these medications can sometimes cause weight gain.
Taking phytoestrogens (plant based compounds that have a mild estrogenic effect) may help your body deal with mild mood swings. (If you are pregnant, lactating or taking a prescription medication, make sure you check with your doctor to make sure it’s safe to take these types of supplements.)
More than anything else, you need to be gentle with yourself and not expect too much weight loss too fast. Enjoy your new baby and don’t let weight loss issues rule your life. If you are consistent in your efforts, you will lose weight and be healthy as well.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WeightLossEasily/~3/MulfMIlan2A/how-to-lose-baby-weight-3
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