Your bundle of joy has arrived, leaving behind the bundle still strapped to your mid-section. Now what you ask? The 100 million plus babies that are born yearly leave 100 million plus women asking that exact question of how to lose the pregnancy weight. I too, after having my first child, was panic-stricken leaving the hospital in my maternity clothes that I was so sure I would never-ever need again. I was wrong, oh ever so wrong. We first timers live in a fantasy world that the baby is born, we go immediately right back to our pre-pregnancy size. However, I failed to realize that I gained 55lbs, but my baby weighed all of 5 pounds. So, where did the other 50 excess pounds come from? You asked, so here it is, it was from an extra bowl (or sometimes two) of cereal EVERY night after my dinner. Yes ladies and gentleman, after eating a full course meal, I still had room for cereal. I now ask myself how to lose the weight. Having a background in nutrition and weight loss consulting, it should be relatively easy to quickly lose the pregnancy weight.
Right? The basic science behind weight loss is calories consumed and calories burned. It’s essential to have 3 meals a day, with small snacks thrown in between meals to keep your metabolism running. The meals of course should be nutritionally balanced as well as portion-controlled. Snacks can be as easy as fruit, low-fat cheese, or heart-healthy nuts.
A lot of people prefer keeping a food journal to keep you more accountable. If you eat it-write it! There are a lot of great resources online for food plans geared towards weight loss. Find the one that best fits your lifestyle, which will be your number one priority in being successful with quickly losing the pregnancy weighrt.. If you’re breast-feeding, aim to eat around 2300 calories a day to ensure proper nutrition for yourself and your baby.
Exercise is just as equally important. Just being active, 5 times a week for 30 minutes lowers your chances of heart disease, heart attack, diabetes and other associated health risks with being over weight or obese. Start off slow, especially if you haven’t been active in awhile, or if you had any health issues during your pregnancy. A great investment is a heart-rate monitor. They come with and without the chest strap. They are a fantastic tool in helping you get to a fat-burning heart rate, without hurting yourself. They’re purchasable at Wal-Mart, Target, and sporting goods stores. It’s also important to keep track of your progress to celebrate your achievements.
Set small goals, and keep track of your measurements. I recommend measuring yourself at least once a month. Weighing yourself is up to you, if you don’t get discourages by the numbers, then weight yourself as much as you would like. If numbers can make or break your day, weigh yourself once a week, at the same time of day, wearing the same thing. Now, put your slimmest foot forward, begin losing, and start moving towards a happier, healthier you!
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