No matter how active or fit you were before and during pregnancy, after giving birth you tend to have a few extra pounds to shed. It is important to note that you should never feel ashamed or embarrassed by your post pregnancy body. The extra weight and change in your body shape supported the growth of a healthy, happy baby. That is something to rejoice.
They say the more children you have the more difficult post pregnancy weight loss becomes. Is there truth in that? Maybe. But it doesn’t have to be the case for you. For 6 weeks after giving birth (or perhaps longer if you have a c-section), you are instructed not to workout. For many women, this feels like the longest 6 weeks of their lives. Try to be patient and enjoy this time. Post pregnancy weight loss can take time, but with hard work and perseverance you can regain the pre-pregnancy body you are yearning for.
Beginning Your Post Pregnancy Weight Loss Journey
After you have been cleared by your doctor to resume physical activity, you may be wondering where to begin your post pregnancy weight loss journey. You have a brand new baby who is demanding all your attention, you are sleep deprived, your house is a mess, and you feel like your world has been flipped on its side. If you are breastfeeding you may find yourself starving and consuming more calories than you did throughout your pregnancy, after all, breastfeeding burns a lot of calories. To get you started, the experts at Total HealthcareMD have put together a few post pregnancy weight loss tips:
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fiber rich foods.
- Minimize your intake of fast food, sweets, and fatty foods.
- Start with daily gentle exercises such as stretching or walking and eventually practice more strenuous exercises.
- Group fitness classes as well as exercising with a baby are great ways to lose pregnancy weight.
When to seek guidance
If you are struggling with post pregnancy weight loss, it is okay to ask for help. At Total HealthcareMD, beginning at 6 weeks postpartum, each week you’ll meet with our registered dietitian and medical team to customize a nutrition plan to meet your postpartum weight loss goals. You’ll also receive support in dealing with postpartum depression, healthy sleeping habits, and exercise. Total HealthcareMD uses an approach called metabolic (calorimeter) testing to determine your caloric needs. By determining how many calories you need to be consuming on a daily basis, we can ensure you are getting the nutrients you need throughout your post pregnancy weight loss journey.
Further information about post pregnancy weight loss
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for recipes, inspiration, and helpful tips.
Interested in learning more about our physician supervised post pregnancy weight loss and wellness programs?
Contact Us Today and tell us more about your needs.