Beating the Baby Bump: How to Lose Weight After Pregnancy

One of the major concerns for new mothers after giving birth is losing the baby weight. Many mums struggle to juggle their new routine with a healthy diet and exercise plan. Although weight gain is completely normal and a necessity during pregnancy, getting back to a healthy weight is just as important if you are looking to conceive again. In today’s article, we have a look at how new mums can lose weight after pregnancy, so read on to find out more!

• Enlist The Help of a Weight Loss Clinic

As a new mum, your days are probably filled with a million activities, leaving you little to no time to come up with a diet and exercise plan of your own. This is why we highly recommend enlisting the help of a weight loss clinic to help you reach your weight goals. The best part about enlisting professional help is that you will be provided with a detailed and in-depth weight management program that is tailored to your individual needs. These services not only help you in shedding pounds but can instil lifelong healthy eating and exercise habits that you can pass on to your children in the future. 

•    Breast Feed The Inches Away

Did you know that breastfeeding can burn between 200-500 calories a day? Producing breast milk and breastfeeding is something that burns calories naturally, without you having to do a thing! How much you burn will depend on how much you are producing, but generally speaking, most new mothers lose about 0.5 kilograms a week when they combine breastfeeding with a healthy diet. 

•    Consider a Diet Overhaul

It is not uncommon for pregnant individuals to throw caution to the wind during their pregnancy and eat everything that they are craving without worry. Whilst not restricting your body from food is important in helping your child develop, it is something that all too often becomes a permanent dietary habit. If you find yourself snacking on unhealthy junk food even after your baby has arrived, it may be time to consider a diet overhaul. This entails getting rid of unhealthy food around the house and stocking up on vast quantities of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins. Getting your partner to change their diet will also be incredibly helpful in keeping you motivated and on track towards achieving your pre-baby body in no time.

•    Engage in Light Activity

Most new mothers are encouraged to stay away from strenuous exercise for at least a few months post-partum in order to allow their bodies to heal and regenerate. This, however, doesn’t mean that you can’t partake in light activities such as going on walks with your baby a few times a week. Getting some fresh air and stretching your legs once or twice a week is a great way to de-stress amongst the chaos of being a new parent and can help you get some physical activity in that will allow your body to burn calories and help shed the baby weight.

•    Avoid Alcohol

We know, we know, alcohol was off-limits during the pregnancy, and now we’re telling you that you still have to stay away from it? Whilst the occasional glass of wine or two won’t hurt, we highly recommend staying away from alcohol if you are trying to lose the baby weight. Not only is alcohol full of empty calories that are void of nutrition, but it can also lead to more fat being stored around your organs over time. Avoiding alcohol is especially important if you are breastfeeding as it can reduce breast milk volume and even be passed through to your baby – something you want to avoid at all costs. 

•    Be Patient With Yourself

Last but not least, weight loss isn’t a sprint – it’s more like a marathon. You didn’t put the weight on overnight, so there is no reason to expect it to disappear instantly either. Taking care of your mind, body and spirit is important as a new mum, and being patient with yourself is key when it comes to losing the excess pounds. Don’t be too hard on yourself (stress can inhibit weight loss!) and allow yourself to go at your own pace when it comes to weight loss. 

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Losing weight as a new mum doesn’t have to be difficult. By adopting a healthy diet and exercise plan, you’ll watch as those pounds melt off almost by magic. We hope that this article has given you a few ideas on how you can get started on your postpartum weight loss journey!