So you’ve just had a baby and you’re ready to lose some weight. Having a baby is the most wonderful thing, but many new mothers don’t love the fact that shedding those baby pounds can be hard work. While it can be a struggle to get back to your pre-baby weight, you can do it. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated on your weight loss journey.
Be Patient
The most important thing to remember is to be sure to be patient with yourself. It is going to take some time. Your life has just changed pretty drastically, so it will take some time to get used to having your baby and all the new and different responsibilities. You will be tired, and it will not be easy, but it will be worth it. When you are trying to lose that baby weight, realize that it will take some time, and be kind to yourself. Not only will it take time, but you also have to be realistic about your goals. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to lose lots of weight in a short amount of time.
Look in your Cabinets
The first thing to do when trying to lose weight is to make sure you have healthy food stocked in your cabinets. If you have tons of snack food, chances are, you will eat it. Since you are going to be overtired and feel like you have little time, the easiest thing to do is a snack. Be sure your cabinets are filled with healthy snacks that are high in protein and low in carbs. Get rid of juice, dessert baked goods, and anything that has lots of refined sugar in it.
What to Keep
Once you have gotten rid of the foods that you should avoid, you will need to stock up on healthy foods. Eat lots of clean, organic whole foods such as greens, other vegetables, and meats that are low in fat. You can eat nuts, legumes, fruit, fish, and Greek yogurt. Most of your weight loss will come from eating right, but exercise can help too.
Ask for Help
While you are the only one who can actually do the work to lose the weight, you might need to get support from the people around you. You will likely want to head to the gym or go for a jog. You will need someone to watch the baby. Be sure to ask those around you for help, so that you can have the time to get some exercise in.
Schedule your Gym Visits
To make sure you work out, schedule your visits a couple of times per week. If something comes up, remind yourself that you are busy. Since you will need to schedule childcare for when you want to work out, this shouldn’t be too hard. It will help you to make sure you go. It is also a good idea to lay your clothes out for the gym the night before. This way, you will be all set to go when you have the time.
If You Can’t Make it to the Gym…
Perhaps you don’t have a gym membership or don’t have anyone to watch the baby close by. If that is the case, then you can do workout videos at home while the baby is playing or sleeping. There are lots of workout videos on YouTube and you can probably find videos where you don’t even need any equipment. If the weather is nice, you can also go for a walk or a run with the baby in a stroller. It will be great to get some fresh air and exercise at the same time! The ride also might put the baby to sleep.
Keep Track of Calories
This might seem like a lot of work, but it will be your best friend for losing weight. You can use an app or do it on your own, but be sure you are getting enough of the right amount of food. If you happen to be breastfeeding, you will need more calories than normal, but the good news about that is breastfeeding can actually help you to lose weight.
Drink Lots of Pure Water
It is important to stay hydrated. Drink at least 64 ounces of water per day, if not more. Drinking a lot of water can help with your metabolism. It can also help you to feel fuller in between meals and will reduce your appetite, thus reducing calories. It is also very important if you are breastfeeding to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated and help with milk production.
There are many things you can do as a new mom to shed pounds. It will take time and effort, but it is possible. Be sure to be patient with yourself and realize what you see on TV or from celebrities is not always accurate. At the end of the day, know that you are beautiful and are doing a great job taking care of your newborn.
Born in Belarus, 1985, a pedagogue and family psychologist, mother. Taking part in procedures of social adaptation of the foster children in new families. Since 2015 is a chief editor of the motherhow.com project, selecting the best and up-to-date material for those, who are planning, expecting, and already having babies.