Tips on Losing Baby Weight after Pregnancy

So you’ve finally had your baby!  You’re overjoyed, overwhelmed, and OVERWEIGHT!  As a new mother, you find yourself focusing solely on your new baby and less on yourself.  Losing baby weight especially after a c-section is one of the most difficult things to do.  Your mind and body are tired, and you’re not interested in wasting what little energy you have left on a tiring workout regime.  I understand completely and have been there myself, but it is very important as a mother to focus on your well being as well as the well being of your child.  You will find that when you’re feeling great, you’ll be able to pass along that happiness to those around you.  As tired as you may feel working out can be your best solution. 

 First off it is crucial that you do not set expectations that are too high.  I found that setting a reasonable weight loss goal put less stress on me mentally.  I decided to try to reach the weight I was before pregnancy.  This may be different for each woman since we all come in different shapes and sizes.  Perhaps another goal would be an additional 5-10 pounds after you reach your target weight.  I gained 30 pounds during my pregnancy and lost 6 pounds in the first few weeks after birth.  The extra weight plus the fact that I was recovering from a c-section made working out the last thing on my mind.  I was sluggish and had difficulty getting around my house.  I felt fat and was dealing with a newborn, which basically meant sleep was non existent.  I didn’t begin my workout right away, but I planned in my head what I wanted to do.  I wanted to lose 30 pounds and fit into new clothes for summer.  I immediately purchased my new clothes and looked at them everyday to remind me what I was working towards.

 I went to Wal-Mart and purchased a reasonably priced exercise bike.  On my first exercise attempt, I foolishly decided to go for gold and tried to ride on the highest tension.  I lasted 3 minutes!  Clearly I wasn’t ready and seriously out of shape.  The next day I started on the lowest tension and rode for 15 minutes straight.  It felt great!  I continued for a month and had lost 3 pounds.  Seeing some sort of result no matter how small was the motivating factor I needed to keep going.  Gradually, I increased my workout time to an hour a day, 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night.  I’ve been working out consistently for 7 months now and have lost 17 pounds in total.  I changed my eating habits during this time, completely avoiding fast food and not eating after 8pm.  I snacked throughout the day on fresh fruit and vegetables while eating fish, chicken breast and rice for lunch and dinner.  This schedule worked well for me but since every woman is different, I’ve listed some helpful hints that may assist in losing the baby weight and regaining confidence: 

• Take walks with your baby.  Plan a walk in the early morning when your baby wakes up or early evening before their bedtime.  Not only will the fresh air and walking do you good, getting out will make you feel less trapped in your house.

• Try to workout while your baby is up and active.  I know this may seem impossible to do, but it is so important.  Why?  Because when your baby is asleep, Mommy should take a nap as well.  Taking time away from these valuable naps will only leave you drained and less motivated.  Put your baby to play in the crib or put her in a high chair with a snack and start your workout

• Rest when your baby rests.  As I previously stated, resting while your baby rests may be the only time during the day that you can actually sleep.  So don’t workout during these precious moments!  Sleep because you will need the rest.

• Keep a goal in your head and work towards it (a dress you’re dying to fit into will work well).  My motivation was the summer.  I wanted to fit into summer clothes and feel good about myself, so I purchased clothes in a smaller size as motivation and my goal was to fit into them.

• Dedicate the same amount of time to your workout each day.  You may focus on other areas of your body during each workout, but don’t cut your time in half.  Start off by trying to reach 15 minutes then 25 then 30.  Once you reach 30 minutes try not to go below.  If anything try to go higher from 30-40 minutes, then 40-60 minutes.

• Eat the healthy foods you’re feeding your child.  Since you’re trying to feed your child healthy foods, why not do the same for yourself?  Fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish and multigrain breads are healthy and easy to prepare during times when you have a lot to do and very little time.

• Mark your weight loss on a calendar every month.  Celebrate every pound you lose, and don’t feel discouraged if you don’t see big results right away.  

• Try not to eat too late.  Try to have your last meal before 8pm.  Eat small meals or healthy snacks when you’re baby eats and you’ll probably not feel hungry at late hours.

• Tell yourself you can do it.   Stay motivated.  Enjoy the results!!!  I lasted less than 3 minutes the first time I got on my bike.  I wanted to give up because my goals seemed unattainable, but I stuck with it because I knew the end result would benefit me.

In conclusion, I managed to drop several sizes and fit into the new clothes I purchased for summer.  It felt great knowing that I lost the weight on my own terms.  I still have 13 pounds to go to reach my target of 30 pounds, but I am confident that target will be reached by years end.  Remember to set your workout to suit your schedule, change your eating habits, and focus on reaching your goal.  It won’t be easy, but the end result will benefit you tremendously, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and confident.