There is nothing like becoming a parent. Becoming a mother is very joyful, but for some mothers the extra weight that comes with housing this new amazing baby is not a fun part of the process. With all the time and energy it takes to care for a new child, there is not always much time left for mommy. Remembering that it took months to put the weight on and it will take months to get the weight off will help the most.
Diets
After having a baby, it is not a smart idea to start a strict diet. Mommy's body needs food to help heal from delivery, plus if mommy is breastfeeding cutting calories will not help one bit. The best plan for a diet after giving birth is to concentrate on eating healthy. A healthy, balanced diet should be around 2,000 calories a day, with plenty of water. Cut out all pop and sports drinks, and keep juice intake at a minimum. Try to have 4 or 5 smaller meals throughout the day, with a good amount of fruit and vegetables. Try to avoid fast food and restaurant-sized portions. If you really want to drop the weight the fastest, stay away from white bread and pasta, as well as sugared cereals.
Exercise Early
As soon as mommy feels well enough to start some light exercise, she should start walking. Taking the baby outside can also do wonders for a newborn. Focus on getting at least 10 minutes in a day for a week. The next week increase to 15 or 20 minutes. This exercise can start as soon as two days after birth. Once mommy gets the "go ahead" from the doctor, she can start to incorporate weight lifting and more challenging cardio. The important thing is to start slow and listen to your body. If it is too much, then cut back. Another great option for low-impact exercise is yoga at beginner levels. In order to safely lose weight, it takes time and effort.
Getting Help
For those new mommies that have the financial means and help with the baby, looking for a personal trainer can be a great option. An option for those women on a tighter budget, try to put aside a few dollars a week during the pregnancy for a gym membership or a personal trainer after giving birth to help lose the weight. Most local gyms have personal trainers on staff. If a personal trainer is out of the question either because of the cost or because there is no one to watch your new baby, you can look for exercise DVDs at the library. The basic plan to really drop extra weight should include 30 to 60 minutes of cardio 5 times a week, a couple of days of strength (weight) exercises and a healthy diet.
Tags: personal trainer, after giving, after giving birth, extra weight, giving birth, great option, months weight