When you are pregnant it is normal to gain weight

When you are pregnant it is normal to gain weight. You need to be eating  more so that you and the baby are healthy. The baby is going to need  certain nutrients and you are going to need the energy to take care of  the baby. After you give birth you may need to make some changes. You  are still going to need to eat a balanced diet. You are still going to  want to lose some of that baby weight. These are some postpartum tips  and suggestions on what you should expect as far as weight loss after  you had the baby.

How much weight should you lose after you gave birth?
After you give birth you can expect to drop some pounds  naturally. This will depend on several factors. You can instantly lose  weight due to the weight of the baby. You are no longer carrying around a  baby and this leads to instant weight loss. Most women will lose  between 5.5 and 8 pounds after they give birth. This will vary based on  the size of your baby. Some women that have larger babies can lose  almost 10 pounds right away. While this is not fat loss it is less  weight that you will need to carry around.
             

You can lose an additional three to four pounds right  away while giving birth. The placenta has some weight and once this  passes it will lead to weight loss. You will also lose the amniotic  fluid that has surrounded the baby in the womb. Since the baby has been  born there is no longer a need for this fluid and it will be released.  This can account for some weight loss. A week after you have your baby  you can lose a little more weight in terms of these fluids. You may  notice that you are sweating or urinating more than usual. This is your  body releasing these extra fluids.
             

Losing anywhere from 12 to 14 pounds after giving birth  is a good start for this weight loss. The average woman will gain  between 25 and 35 pounds during their pregnancy so this is a good start.  some of the weight that you have gained will be stored as fat. It will  take the body some additional time for you to lose this fat and burn off  the fat cells. Postpartum weight loss is not so much about getting your pre baby body back but it is about getting back to a healthy weight.
             

It will take some time for your body to adjust to the  change. After you have given birth your body will still look different  even after this weight loss. Your uterus was enlarged so that it was  able to hold and carry a baby. It will take time for your uterus to  return to its usual size. This can take as long as six weeks for it to  shrink back down. During this period your stomach will still look  swollen and will have the round shape that you had during pregnancy.
             

How long will it take to lose the weight postpartum?
There are many factors that will go into weight loss  after having a baby. The time frame will vary based on your body type  and metabolism. After having a baby you should focus on keeping the baby  healthy and making sure you are getting enough sleep. There are some  general guidelines to help you know if you are losing weight at a  healthy pace. Most women are able to drop the weight they have gained  during pregnancy six months to one year after they have given birth.  Many weight loss experts say this is a safe timeline and it is  reasonable considering everything else that is going on.

That timeline is for women that have gained a normal  amount of weight during pregnancy. Every body is different and some  women gain more than others. Some women can gain more than 50 pounds  during pregnancy. If you have gained this amount or more your timeline  is going to be different. You are going to need to allow yourself some  extra time for weight loss. It may take you as little as 10 months or as  long as two years to lose this weight.
             

Even when you do drop the pounds your body still may look  different. You may not be as toned as you once were. If your nice that  your belly is softer and not as a firm this is normal. There is some  exercise you can do to firm up this area. You may also notice that your  hips are wider. This is another normal change to the body after  pregnancy. The size or shape of your breast may have also changed. Once  you have completed breast feeding you may notice that your breast has  become smaller.
             

Will breast feeding help you lose weight?
If you choose to breast feed your baby you can expect the  body to burn between 400 and 500 additional calories each day. The body  is using this energy to produce breast milk. The body will even take  some of this energy from fat cells that have built up. This will help  some women lose a few extra pounds. Producing breast milk will allow  also the body to release additional hormones that may be able to shrink  your stomach.
             

While breast feed will help your burn additional calories  it should not be your only means for weight loss. According to moms  that have chosen to breast feed they are hungry during the day and they  are eating more. This does make sense. The more fuel your body is using  the more energy in food it is going to need. While the body is getting  the energy it is not as easy to lose weight. If you cut back on the  amount of food you are eating your body may not be able to produce the  amount of breast milk that the baby needs. You need to eat to feed the  baby. During breast feeding is it okay to eat a little bit more than  normal. Once you have stopped breastfeeding you will need to reduce the  number of calories you are consuming so that you can lose weight.
             

If you choose to breast feed experts say that you can  exercise and eat low calorie foods. This will allow you to lose around a  pound a week. Do not take diet pills to participate in crash diets.  This can affect milk production. If you choose to breast feed or not  this is a personal decision. If you do not breast feed you are not  missing out on significant weight loss.
             

What foods should you eat postpartum?
After you have a baby you need to make sure your body has  everything it needs. You are going to need a lot of nutrients. Carrying a  delivering a baby is tough on the body so you need to make sure that  your body is able to recover. After you give birth you may want to delay  dieting for a few weeks. Experts say that you should not diet until  your baby is at least 6 weeks old. During these six weeks, you need to  give your body some time to recover and fight off any infections that  may happen. No matter how much you want to get back into the shape you  need to give your body some time.
           

Before beginning any diet or exercise plan you need to clear  it with your doctor. This will show that you are able to get on with a  plan and you are healthy enough for diet and exercise. You cannot  drastically cut your calories. You are going to need to have the energy  to keep up with a baby. At first, some small changes may be made to help  you.  
               

Experts recommend that you try to lose around one to two  pounds per week. If you are breast feeding and losing more weight this  can taint your breast milk. Your body will lose water and lean tissue as  well if you are losing weight too quickly. If you are not consuming  enough calories your body will think it is starving. This will prevent  weight loss. If you are not consuming enough calories this will slow  down your metabolism. The body will think there is a problem. It will  not burn calories as quickly and you will not be able to lose weight as  you would expect. If you are not sure how many calories that you need to  lose weight you should speak to your doctor. They will help you  determine your ideal body mass and your activity level.  
               

When looking at weight loss and calorie intake an  average woman needs to consume around 2,000 calories each day. If a  woman is breast feeding she should take in an additional 500 calories.  This will help keep her at her current weight.  
If you are trying to lose weight you will need to burn  off an additional 3,500 calories per pound. You should aim to eat 500  fewer calories a day. You can also exercise more to burn off additional  calories. If you cut back your calories by 500 each day you should be  able to lose around a pound a week. You will need to make sure you are  getting enough nutrients but reduce your overall calories.  
               

Foods for Post Baby Weight Loss  
If you want to make sure you have all of the nutrients  needed to stay healthy but still want the feeling of being full there  are some suggested foods for you to enjoy. You should eat plenty of the  following:  
               

• Fruits and Vegetables  
  You can enjoy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables as  long as there is no sugar added. This will allow you to get plenty of  vitamins and minerals without adding all of the extra calories.  
                 
• Whole grains  
  If you are looking for fiber and something that is  filling whole grains is a good choice. You can have a bowl of oatmeal in  the morning. You should also switch out white bread and rice for brown  rice and whole grain bread. They are better for you and they are still  going to allow you to have the foods you enjoy.  
                 
• Lean Proteins  
  Lean proteins will allow you to get the protein you need  for healthy muscles. The more lean muscle mass you have the easier it  will be for the body to burn fat and calories. Some great lean proteins  include shellfish, eggs, beans, and even lean cuts of red meat.  
                 
• Low Fat Dairy  
  You are still going to need milk to stay strong. You can  switch to a low fat or a nonfat version. You can also get many  different types of low fat cheeses and yogurts. When purchasing yogurt  make sure there is no sugar added. Those with fruit flavors or fancy  flavoring may have more sugar than what is needed.  
                 
• Healthy Fats  
  Some fats are okay to eat and will give the body what  you need to stay healthy. These good fats that are needed by the body  include nuts, avocado, and cooking with olive oil.  
                 

When to Start Exercising?  
Your body has been through a lot carrying a baby and  giving birth. Exercise is a good thing but there are some things that  you should know before you start an exercise program. One of the best  things you can do is listen to your body. If you are in the baby or are  working out too hard slow things down. This will be the best thing to do  for you and your baby.  
               

Pregnancy and Exercise  
Experts say that there is nothing wrong with some light  exercise during pregnancy. This will allow the body to stay in shape and  may even help give you some energy. If you had a vaginal delivery and  there were no complications your doctor may allow you to begin light  exercise within a week of giving birth. If you had to have a C section  or there were some complications with delivery you may need to wait at  least six weeks before starting an exercise program. This will give your  body the chance to heal. You should make sure your doctor okays any  exercise before you begin. This will allow you to know what you are  healthy enough for an exercise program.  
               

How to Begin an Exercise Program  
When you do begin an exercise program after you had the  baby you want to begin with 20 to 30 minutes a day of active movement.  You may need to break this up into several sections. You may get tired  after a couple of minutes or you may have to tend to the baby. That is  fine. You are going to want to do some exercise to help strengthen the  core muscles. The muscle may have become weak during pregnancy.  This  can be done by doing a few sets of crunches or you can do some brisk  walking. As your body gets used to moving once again you can increase  your duration and your intensity.  
               

How to Stay Healthy and Lose Weight After Birth  
It is important to stay healthy postpartum. You are  going to want to be healthy while you are losing this weight. There are  some tips to help lose weight while staying healthy. There are also some  tips that will help you stay on track to reaching your weight loss  goals which can be difficult with a newborn to take care of and you need  to take things slow.
             

There are some tips to help keep you going.
             

• Team UP
  If you have a support system this will allow you to be  more active and you will not forget to exercise. You will also reduce  the chance of making excuses when you want to exercise. If you have a  partner you can get them to join and support you. this will allow you to  stay on task. There are some small things you can do.  If you want to  go for a walk you can put the baby in the stroller and take them along.  The baby will get some fresh air and you will get up and moving. This  will keep you motivated and allow you to get some exercise.
               
• Healthy Snacking
  As you are taking care of the baby you are going to get  hungry. You should keep the house stocked with some healthy fruits. You  can also have some sliced veggies and dips such as hummus around. This  will allow you to have the feeling of being full without adding extra  fat and calories into your diet.
               
• Do something fun
  Exercise does not have to be tiresome. Exercise can be fun.
  If you do something that you can enjoy it will not be as much as a chore  to workout. This will keep you motivated and will keep you going.
               
• Small Steps Matter
  If you have a couple of minutes you can squeeze in a  couple of moves. You can add an extra workout throughout your day. You  can burn calories by taking a couple of steps and you can move from time  to time.
               
• Enjoy Little Things
  If you are not able to do everything at once that is  okay. New moms need some time to relax and to take care of themselves.  You can eat healthy foods most of the time. if you want to have a cookie  or have a scoop of ice cream occasionally you will be fine. You should  not have this daily but an occasional treat is okay as long as you do  not overdo it.
               
• Be Positive
  You need to look at all that you have done since having  the baby. You are taking care of a little one and you need to take time  to take care of yourself. You should celebrate the weight that you have  lost and you should celebrate the progress that you have made. If you  have lost even a pound this is something worth celebrating.  Even if you  have managed to lose one pound this is a lot of work and is something  to be happy about. Every little bit counts and this is something you  need to keep in mind as you are tiring to lose the weight post baby.
               
• Patience
  The best thing you can do is have patience. You are going  to have some good days when it comes to dieting. You are going o have  some no so good days. It is important that you have more good days than  bad. When you are struggling you need to take the time to think about  things. You had nine months of eating anything you wanted and you gained  weight during this time. The weight gain did not happen overnight.  After having the baby you lost around 10 pounds right away. You need to  give yourself at least a year to lose the weight that you gained. For  some women, it will be sooner and for some, it will be more. AS long as  you are eating healthy and you get some exercise during the day you are  on the right path to losing the extra baby weight.
                 

After having a baby you are going to have a lot of your  mind. While you want your baby to be happy and healthy you may want to  return to the way that you were before you had the baby. You may want  your pre baby body back. This will help you feel like you are once again  yourself. You need to take care of your baby but at this time you are  also going to need to take care of yourself.  You can be lost the weight  postpartum and feel good about yourself. According to experts you  should take things slow and reduce the number of calories you are  consuming. This will allow you to get into shape while still making sure  your body has everything that it needs.