Currently, living in a perfect world includes having a plan for your pregnancy. It involves having your ideal weight. However, a lot of women are not realistic. While pregnancy ought to be an exciting time, it is a dilemma for overweight women. This is due to the additional weight that comes with pregnancy.
However, losing weight during pregnancy is not only possible but also beneficial. It is applicable for women with a Body Mass Index of over 30.
According to Jason Fung's "The Obesity Code", Obesity is defined in terms of a person’s body mass index, calculated as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. A body mass index greater than 30 is defined as obese.
Nonetheless, for women with healthy weight during pregnancy, losing weight is inappropriate. Consulting a doctor before losing weight during pregnancy is advisable. If the doctor advises on pregnancy fat loss, here are some ways to do so safely;
1. Know the amount of weight to gain
During pregnancy, being overweight can push a person to focus on just losing weight. However, it is a fact that you will gain weight. The key focus should be on the amount of weight to gain since you are carrying a human. Based on your weight before pregnancy, you can stipulate your weight addition as follows;
• BMI 30 or more gains 11 to 20 pounds
• BMI 25 to 29.9 gains 15 to 25 pounds
• BMI 18.5 to 24.9 increases 25 to 35 pounds
2. Cut down your calories
The best way to lose excess weight is by cutting down your calories. The reason for excess weight gain is eating calories that your body struggles to burn off. Reducing your calories will also help reduce belly fat. However, during pregnancy, ladies should consume approximately 1,700 calories daily. A dietician can help in sampling the best food plans. Besides, check the nutrition labels for calories. Taking prenatal vitamins ensures that you get all the nutrients required by the fetus. Folate reduces the risk of congenital disabilities.
3. Regular exercise
There is a misconception that practice harms the baby. It is, however, not true. Activities such as sit-ups can be harmful but are beneficial. Exercises help women to loose fat while pregnant and still help them in losing weight after baby is born. Thirty minutes of daily exercises are the recommended exercise time for pregnant women. Swimming, walking, and gardening serve as the most appropriate exercises for pregnant ladies.
4. Address your weight concerns
It is normal to gain weight during pregnancy. However, most weight gain happens during the second and the third trimesters. The baby grows rapidly in the last two months of pregnancy. It is advisable to address weight issues during the first trimester. According to research, fat loss for pregnant women rarely happens to ladies who were advised between 7 and 21 weeks of pregnancy. Weekly support group meetings are also beneficial for weight loss.
Pregnant women find weight management safer than weight loss. Although having a lower BMI during pregnancy is beneficial, losing weight is not appropriate for all women. There are concerns about some ancient weight loss programs. Watching your calorie intake and exercising during pregnancy is beneficial. However, overdoing could harm your baby. In case of any concerns, consult with your doctor.
