Losing the Pregnancy Pounds

When it comes to pregnancies, no two moms are alike. Some women are lucky enough to not gain too much and lose the baby weight in a matter of weeks or a few months. For most women this isn’t the case. Although having a new family member is one of the greatest experiences in the world and the thrill of being a parent either for the first time or again is incomparable to anything else in the world you still have to figure out how to live healthier and slowly un-teach yourself eating habits you might have developed in the 9 months prior to child birth. I have heard some pretty intense stories of women famous or otherwise who have really struggled to lose all the weight and get back to their pre-baby hot bodied selves. What’s really great about being alive in the 21st century is that there are some awesome options for anyone who is looking to shed a few pounds or maybe even lose a significant amount of weight. Here are a few pointers to help you get started.

Aim to be healthy:

Gaining weight is not always a bad thing. Women naturally need to be able to provide nutrients to the children that they are carrying and at times, I feel we can all admit that our babies control what goes into our bodies. One day you’ll be craving chocolate covered potatoes the other you’ll start dry heaving at the sight of ice cream. The human body is interesting, I read somewhere that it takes about 30 days to make or break a habit. Even though you might not be hungry you might find yourself eating items that you were craving when you were pregnant, out of habit. We understand that it’s a stressful time and that having children takes a real physical and mental toll on everyone but at the same time you have to keep in mind that you have to stay healthy not only for yourself but for your baby. Eat foods that are good for your body things that are rich in protein, vitamins, whole grains and fiber. It is a process but it is definitely an attainable goal. When trying to get in shape keep in mind that being healthy outweighs looking good. If you focus on staying healthy instead of aiming for that perfect body you will actually enjoy working out or eating right.

Avoid diet fads:

There seems to be a new diet trend almost every other week, but remember that it is only a fad and that most of these extreme diet programs aim to either deprive or overuse a specific type of food, vitamin or supplement. This might get the pounds off but it won’t necessarily mean that the weight will stay off once you get back onto your original diet and exercise routine. It really comes down to changing your lifestyle and staying consistently healthy….but you’re only human and you need to eat, right? That’s perfectly ok and you should definitely continue to enjoy the foods you love just do it in moderation. Opt for healthy alternatives and stay consistent. The good news is that there actually are some really good diet programs the incorporate natural healthy weight loss that will not only make you look great but feel great too. There are some great healthy recipes for traditional dishes that cut calories include nutrient rich ingredients. Try them out I guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised at how good they look and taste.

Go Green:

A couple of years ago there was a documentary about an overweight man who went on a juice diet that consisted of eating nothing but fruits, vegetables and more importantly juicing, juicing, and juicing some more. Although his situation was a little extreme the big takeaway message was to pay attention to the amount of vegetables you are consuming. Greens have micronutrients that are crucial for keeping your insides clean and you outsides glowing. You don’t have to stop eating regular foods just add more fruits and veggies to your current diet. You’ll be amazed by the results.

Get Moving:

Working out is a great way to relieve stress and keep your blood flowing. Research shows that people who get 30 minutes of exercise a day tend to avoid heart problems, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Exercising doesn’t necessarily have to be at the gym or on a running track there are some great home exercise routines that fit anyone’s schedule and even some that cater to busy mothers specifically. Being a mom isn’t easy but at the same time it doesn’t mean you’re dead. Invest in yourself and in the long run you will be happier. Take a class that you think would be fun, like dance, rock climbing or even swimming; you’ll look great and feel even better.

Losing baby weight is never quick but that doesn’t mean you should give up on it completely. You owe it to yourself and your children to be happy and healthy. Make small changes and stay consistent you’ll be surprised by what an extra 20 minute walk or daily apple can do to your wellbeing.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Herbal Magic Canada. The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I  believe will be good for my readers.