Dropping the Pounds After Baby: How to Lose Weight Fast!

Let’s face it; pregnancy can take a toll on your body. And the biggest culprit is the extra pounds you put on during those 40 odd weeks of growing a human being. Weight gain during pregnancy is a normal and necessary symptom, but it can also lead to frustration after your little bundle arrives. Many mothers are surprised at how different their bodies look after the big day and with good reason. You can gain weight in the oddest places! Losing weight after your baby arrives should never be a first priority, but you can start thinking about a plan of attack and follow some simple tips that tell you how to lose weight fast and keep it off.

Before changing anything in your eating and / or exercising routine, you should always talk to your doctor and make sure it’s safe for you and your baby. Your doctor will want to make sure that you are ready to go after delivery before you embark on any weight loss programs.

After you’ve spoken to a health care professional and gotten the “all clear” start by assessing your eating habits and activity level. You may have been eating more than normal during your pregnancy due to fatigue and cravings; those kinds of habits don’t just disappear after the baby comes out especially if you’re breastfeeding. Keeping a food journal for a week will show you in writing what you are eating and when. Also, track your activity during the week and your level of alertness during the days. You may find some extra time to squeeze in some daily exercise.

You could also consider a weight loss program to help you. Although some of them can be costly, many have proven track records at helping people lose weight and keeping it off. The key to choosing the right program, is to pick something works for your budget, lifestyle and values. Some programs offer complete meal plans while others offer intense exercise. Yet others still offer healthy, all natural shakes for weight loss and some offer all-organic food. Most weight loss programs help you lose weight fast but in order to keep it off, other healthy lifestyle choices are required as well, like exercise and minimal snacking.

Beginning a weight loss journey is truly the hardest part. Here are some quick tips to jump start your pound dropping party:

• Throw your scale away. Pick out your favourite pair of pre-baby jeans and use them as a guide instead. The scale catches everything including muscle gain and water weight.

• Don’t starve yourself. Instead, look at your food, shakes and drinks as fuel. Your body needs fuel to keep running properly. (Candy is not fuel … and neither is wine.)

• Start an exercise program – slowly. If you’re an avid exerciser, great! Keep on moving. If not, then start slowly; find a half an hour a day to start moving. Walking, light jogging, strength training and dancing are all great ways to begin. There are two important things to remember about exercise: 

1. The hardest part is starting. 

2. Exercise is for health – not losing weight. Eating properly is the best trick for quicker weight loss. A mixture of both is the healthiest way to go.

• Be logical about what you eat. Obviously water and natural foods are better for you, so eat those instead of processed food. Grains, dairy, lean meats, water, fruits, veggies and legumes are natural foods. Stay away from processed flours, sugars and unnatural looking grub. Some weight loss programs even offer supplements and shakes that are all natural that can help you along the way as well.

• Create time for yourself. If you don’t take the time every day to think about “you”, you won’t succeed in the long term.
Dropping poundage after your little one arrives can be tough – millions of women struggle with it every year. But if you take a logical approach, you’ll be back to your old self in no time.
 

Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. She is a Mom of two and currently researching on weight loss (currently trying to lose weight) and has answered the question: what is Body By Vi™?