| Sarah is a pregnant mother of three who | | | | accelerate weight reduction, exercise can help |
| continues to breast-feed her 18-month-old. After | | | | alleviate post-partum depression, improve your |
| each of her pregnancies, she has had difficulty | | | | mood, and boost your confidence. Exercise can |
| losing weight. With all of her responsibilities, weight | | | | also "clear your head" so that you're better able |
| loss isn't a priority. Still, she wishes that, once this | | | | to meet the demands of motherhood. You might |
| pregnancy is over, she will be able to return to | | | | consider joining a "Mommy and Me" exercise class |
| her pre-marriage weight. | | | | so that your baby can exercise right along with |
| The average woman gains more than 25 pounds | | | | you. Another helpful hint is to enlist the help of a |
| during her pregnancy. The procedure of childbirth | | | | friend or relative to act as your exercise buddy |
| may result in a weight loss of up to 14 pounds, | | | | so that you'll have some emotional support while |
| which means that new moms still have | | | | exercising. An added bonus of exercise is that it |
| considerable weight to lose once they leave the | | | | should boost your energy level, which is quite |
| hospital. However, some women simply assume | | | | important when battling the fatigue which comes |
| that this "baby fat" will never go away. Yet, it is | | | | from caring for a newborn. |
| entirely possible to lose weight during the | | | | Your diet should generally be low-fat but not |
| post-partum period. | | | | fat-free; vitamin rich; and high-fiber. Under no |
| A number of medical experts recommend easing | | | | circumstances should you go on a fad diet. Such a |
| into a weight loss program after the birth of your | | | | diet could be quite harmful to your health and |
| baby. This means that you will not start dieting | | | | could actually slow your recovery from childbirth. |
| until about three months following birth. You | | | | It's a good idea to set weight-loss goals, but don't |
| should combine a low-fat diet with moderate | | | | go overboard. Recognize that there's a limit to the |
| exercise in order to achieve weight loss. | | | | amount of weight you can lose during a given |
| Don't expect instant results. It will take you a | | | | period of time. |
| good nine months to get back to your weight | | | | You may see a number of actress-moms gracing |
| prior to pregnancy. A go-slow approach is best | | | | the covers of magazines shortly after the birth of |
| because you need to give your body time to | | | | their children. They appear svelte and elegant, |
| recover after childbirth. Certainly, you might be | | | | totally devoid of baby fat. In the accompanying |
| able to lose weight faster, but you might be | | | | article, they may even talk about exercising right |
| sacrificing valuable nutrients as a result. | | | | after childbirth. Such articles send new mothers a |
| Interestingly enough, breastfeeding actually | | | | dangerous message: that you must do all you can |
| enhances weight loss. The American College of | | | | to become thin as quickly as possible after your |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists has found that | | | | baby is born. Such a philosophy is not only |
| breastfeeding leads to the release of hormones | | | | ridiculous, it's also unhealthy. As a result, you'll need |
| which enable your uterus to return to its normal | | | | to "tune out" such messages from the media and |
| size. However, breastfeeding alone won't bring | | | | stay the course with your own gradual weight |
| down your weight. You need to combine it with a | | | | loss plan. |
| sensible diet and a moderate exercise program. | | | | The time right after the birth of a child can be |
| Keep in mind that you need to have at least 1800 | | | | quite challenging, taxing both your physical and |
| calories a day while breastfeeding in order to | | | | emotional strength. While it is certainly a good idea |
| keep yourself and your baby healthy. Still, stay | | | | to eat healthy, you'll need to pace yourself as far |
| clear of junk food during this period. You should | | | | as weight loss is concerned. Over time, you |
| rely on food with high nutritional value to maintain | | | | should be able to lose the weight you gained |
| the proper level of calories each day. | | | | during your pregnancy. In fact, you might find |
| There are many good reasons to exercise during | | | | that you're actually healthier after your baby is |
| the post-partum period. In addition to helping to | | | | born. |