Losing weight after having a baby is tricky. You should talk to your doctor before starting any post-baby weight loss regimen. Most doctors will suggest waiting six weeks after having a baby to start dieting and exercising; women who have had C-sections also need to wait until they get a doctor's approval. If you are nursing, dieting is not recommended until much later because you will actually be eating a little more for milk production. Your doctor will be able to pinpoint a safe daily caloric intake.
Once you get a doctor's approval, there are many different ways to lose that baby weight. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. It took you nine months to put on that weight, and it should take about that long to take it off. You should aim for a 0.5-1.0 pound weight loss per week. Any more than that can be dangerous.
The other thing to keep in mind is that your body has changed a lot because of baby, so you may have to do things differently to get in shape. Exercises for new moms should start out gradually; you want to work up to an intense workout. It is important to start out slowly because you will notice that you are more tired and more worn out because of the demands that baby brings; doing too much at one time can be unhealthy.
There are lots of exercises that will get you back in shape after baby, and some of them can even be done with baby!
1) Take your baby for a walk around the neighborhood with the stroller! This is a great way to get outdoors and bond with baby! Walking daily or even walking on a weekly routine will do a lot to help burn some of that baby weight.
2) Dance around with baby! Doing a few 10 minute dance sessions a day will help burn some fat and it will be fun for baby, too!
3) Do a crunch workout when baby is napping. The belly area is the biggest problem area for new moms, and crunches will help you get your abdominals back in shape.
4) Lift weights. Doing a few 10 minute weight lifting sessions (using 3-5 pound weights) will make a big difference. The more muscle you build, the more fat your body will burn!
5) Find another new mom to workout with! Having a buddy will be very beneficial because it will give you someone to be accountable to; you might also be able to exchange baby-sitting sessions so you can go to the gym once you've worked up to gym workouts!
Workouts can be broken up into segments. Three 10-minute sessions are just as effective as one 30-minute session. HyperStrike has some helpful hints on finding time for fitness, and they also have some great exercises that require no equipment. This workout is easy to do at home!
Dieting can be tricky for new moms. Nursing moms have some additional nutrition requirements, but nursing moms can still watch their weight while providing for baby. Focusing on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will provide baby with the nutrition he needs and also give you a healthy alternative to eating a little bit more. The key to getting your body back after baby is taking it slow. Enjoy your new little one and take your time taking the weight off!
