5 Ways to Safely Lose Weight After Baby

Congratulations! You have welcomed your new bundle of joy home and are settling into life as a family. You will need a few weeks to rest and recuperate after having your baby before getting started losing the baby weight.

Remember that you don’t have to be back in your skinny jeans the moment you walk out of delivery. It took you nine months to get where you are, give yourself at least that much time to get back. Once you are ready to begin getting healthy again following your baby’s birth, you can follow a few simple steps to ensure you are safely losing the weight.

Breastfeed

This may not be an option for everyone, but if it is possible, utilize it. Breastfeeding can help your body shed pounds in the weeks and months following your baby’s birth and is incredibly healthy for your child. You and your baby will benefit from the bonds built during feeding and you will save money on formula! Eat Healthful, Small Meals

Changing your diet to a series of small meals throughout the day can help keep you healthier. You will want to be eating often, especially if you are breastfeeding, and you want the most beneficial nutrients going to your baby. Avail yourself of high-protein, lean meats; full-fat dairy; and plenty of fruits and vegetables. This will help keep you and your baby healthy in the first few weeks postpartum.

Utilize “Superfoods”

Superfoods are foods that are high in nutrients, but low in fat and calories. Fish is one of the most essential foods; it is high in DHA which can help your newborn develop healthy brain and nervous system function. The best options are cold-water fish like salmon, sardines, and light canned tuna (stay away from albacore which can be high in mercury).

Exercise!

Following pregnancy, you should have your doctor’s approval before beginning any exercise regimen. Once given the go-ahead, the ideal exercise program will have you up and moving for about 150 minutes per week.

The benefits of exercise are numerous. Getting your blood pumping can help stave off depression, help you sleep at night, and relieve the stress of being a new parent. If you find yourself struggling to have 30-minute periods for exercise, try breaking them up into 10-minute workouts throughout the day.

You can either go to the public gym to fulfill your quota of exercise each day or you can set up a home gym for that. The latter offers more benefits. For starters, having a home gym provides the convenience of exercising whenever it fits into your schedule. As a new parent, your time can be limited.

With a home gym, you can work out at any time without worrying about commuting or adhering to the public gym’s operating hours. This flexibility can enable you to integrate fitness into your routine more easily. Besides, new parents face challenges finding suitable childcare arrangements while they go to the gym. By setting up a home gym, you can eliminate the stress of finding a reliable babysitter.

Alternatively, a home gym can save you money in the long run, although there may be an initial investment involved in constructing and equipping it. Public gym memberships typically require monthly or annual payments that can add up over time. By investing in your own gym equipment — you can either buy them or lease gym equipment from Hirefitness — you can avoid recurring membership fees and have access to the equipment whenever you want.

Drink Plenty of Fluids

If you are a breastfeeding mother, especially, you should be drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day. Water can help keep your stomach full so you eat less and some say it can help speed up your metabolism. With proper hydration, you should be going the bathroom every 3-4 hours and your urine should be clear.