How to Lose Weight After Pregnancy and Childbirth

12:30 PM
Having a baby changes your life - it also changes your body. You may be surprised at some of these changes if you are new to motherhood and wonder why it takes a long time for your belly to return to its natural state and how to lose weight from pregnancy and whether your body will return to normal.

Image Credits: motherandbaby.co.uk

If you look at some celebrity mothers you might think you should get out of the hospital with a tight body. But, reality is a bit different. The birth of a baby affects every part of the body in contrast to what happens in Hollywood, and it may take up to a year to make your body go back to normal. Find out what you can do to help your body get back to its previous state and lose weight that you gained during pregnancy.

Why do I still look pregnant?
One of the most important things observed by newborn mothers is that they appear pregnant even after several months. This is perfectly normal since you have been pregnant for nine months. From the moment of birth, your body begins to work to reduce your tummy to return as it was before pregnancy, but it is a slow process. 

It takes about four weeks for the uterus to return to its normal size. Many women lose about 8 to 20 pounds (about 3.5 to 9 kilograms) during the first two weeks of delivery, as the body disposes of all additional fluids.

It also takes some time for the buttocks and pelvic area to return to pre-pregnancy, so it is normal for things to be out of control after birth.


How can I lose weight?
Although you may be eager to start a workout or diet, using light exercise is important to keep your body safe and free from injury. Even math mothers may find it difficult to return to exerciseas the birth of a child is a great ordeal and it takes time to recover from it. You will need your doctor's permission and depending on what type of delivery you have undergone, it may take 4 to 8 weeks before you can participate in regular exercise.

Things to help:
Breastfeeding can help you lose weight, requiring 500 extra calories each day and helping you reduce some of the fat you gained during pregnancy.

If you are breastfed, make sure you supply your body with the fuel needed for that extra energy requirement. This time is not considered appropriate for a diet where too much calorie restriction can reduce your milk supply, and losing too much weight (more than 2 pounds or 1 kilogram per week) can actually release toxins that reach the milk.


The good news is that you can exercise if you are breastfeeding. Studies show that moderate exercise will not affect milk production as long as you supply your body with enough calories.


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