Five Do’s and Don’ts of Losing Pregnancy Weight

November 8th, 2008 by Teresa Brown

by Teresa Brown

Exercise is the last thing on a new mom’s thoughts when she’s busy with her new born. Of course, some moms eventually start losing pregnancy weight natuarally from breastfeeding but many of us aren’t so lucky and end up either resorting to fad diets or living in procrastination and denial. Don’t get trapped into a unsuccessful cycle when trying to trim your tummy - use these top five do’s and don’ts to help you lose the baby fat.

1. Don’t obsess over your daily calories. Skipping meals or becoming too strict with yourself could lead to binging when hungry and purging to ease the guilt. Committing to eating healthy meals for losing pregnancy weight should be a gradual transition so it won’t sabotage your efforts by being a shock to your system and psyche. Choose natural foods and healthy low-calorie receipes and snacks that cater to your tastes.

2. Do include healthy snacks. Indulging in your favorite sweet or salty treat every now and again helps to keep you sane and in a postive mindset, but remember not to let your reward backfire on you. Paying attention to what you’re eating can help when losing the pregnancy weight - so make sure you snack more often on a handful of almonds and a small glass of apple juice than of a bag of chips and a can of Coke.

3. Don’t forget to stretch out those muscles. Returning your body back to its pre-baby shape after giving birth can be challenging. Muscles in your neck and lower back, hips and arms could benefit with a good morning strecth. When stretching always include a brief warm-up and cool-down. Stretching helps when losing pregnancy weight because it helps enhance physical fitness by reducing muscular soreness and tension.

4. Do resistance training. Give your workout a boost to burn the baby fat with some exercise Ball crunches or rubber resistance band bicep curls or even getting an at home BOSU Ball for squats. Resistance training is an excellent way to losing pregnancy weight because it tones the muscles and therefore effectively burns more calories.

5. Don’t avoid getting some shuteye. It can be hard to hit the sack when you have a little one but make sure you get a naptime too! Losing pregnancy weight can be hard when you are exhausted. Your muscles, metabolism and nerves need a rest and so get some rest while you can.

Being healthy can make you feel and look better. A happy mom makes a happy home and a healthy mom results in a healthy family. Losing pregnancy weight with these five do’s and don’ts will keep you focused and remind you that you have to make this process fun to make it successful!

About the Author:

What’s the use in being able to lose pregnancy weight fast with a qucik fix diet only to re-gain more weight? Why not burn the baby fat nature’s way by living a healthy lifestyle? It’s the difference between staying the size you wear now and getting to and remaining the size you want to be. Teresa Brown is an enthusiastic supporter of women’s health and wellness.