Weight loss after giving birth?

by Doris Lopez
(Fort Worth, TX)

I gave birth 10 weeks ago, although I already lost the 20 pounds I gained during my pregnancy, I'd love to loose more weight.

Before getting pregnant I had gone from 130 to 153 and the day I gave birth I was 173. When I went to my 6 week check up I was already at 153 pounds, but I want to go back to my 130 pounds!!

I haven't tried any exercises maybe because I'm sooo tired taking care of my baby, but he's 13 pounds so maybe that's a good exercise?? And also, I'm breastfeeding, so I can't diet.

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Weight loss with a new baby
by: Dr. Dan

Doris,

Probably the best thing you could do would be to take a walk everyday. You should try to go for at least 30 minutes.

You're right about carrying around a 13 pound baby -- it is exercise all right. But it kind of wears you out.

Walking, on the other hand, will tend to give you more energy. Take a nice walk, look around, smell the fresh air and look at the trees. You'll feel better.

Walking is about the most natural thing for a human being to do -- and it's still just about the best exercise for overall physical and mental well-being.

So give it a try.

Dr. Dan

Weight loss after giving birth
by: Danielle

Hi Doris! Congratulations on your new baby. First, I'd like to let you know that breastfeeding is one of the easiest and quickest ways to lose post-baby weight! Just another benefit of breastfeeding your baby! Though, I must admit, that breastfeeding can only take you so far... I would recommend doing a few short exercises every day. Light weights are great for toning up your arms, and simply taking a walk for at least 30 minutes a day can do wonders for your legs. Good luck!

We're on the same boat!
by: Chitra

Hi Doris,

Congratulations on your baby! It must be very difficult and challenging to take care of the baby, the home, and also spend some time just for yourself.

Well, I have a baby who is 16 months old now and on the move! I regret why I did not do more exercises before he learnedto walk around. Anyway, there's always hope to lose all that extra flab.

One thing that helped me lose a lot of weight is walking. I have recently started walking and have lost almost 5 pounds in a week and a half.

Another very good exercise to boost your energy levels and help you tone your body is yoga. It helps you to calm yourself down and concentrate on each and every muscle that you are working on, hence maximizing the effect.

I must say, I have also got compliments for the glow on my skin and I completely attribute that to my practice of yoga. Make sure you find a good yoga teacher.

Otherwise, find a companion who is strong-willed and start your walk immediately. Trust me, spending some time with just yourself or a friend as you go for a walk will most definitely brighten your day.

I am glad I have started this routine and the weighing scale has finally started moving downwards! Phew!

Good luck with your weight loss! Do let me know if you get to find out other easy ways of reducing weight ... especially on the upper arms!
Cheers!

Baby weight
by: Jen

I was very amazed at how quickly the baby weight came off after having my second child. Everyone had always told me that it gets harder with each child. This wasn't the case for me.

I think the biggest secret to my quick weight loss was the long breaks I took between bites. You know how they always tell you to eat slow as to feel full quicker? Well its true. Yet I always had a very difficult time doing that.

But after having my second child, I was so busy feeding him and taking care of his needs that I was able to eat much slower. I would take a bite of my meal, tend to my newborn's needs then return to my meal for a few more bites. I almost never finished a meal using this strategy.

I am someone who has always struggled with my weight. Not being overweight but always try to shed those extra pounds. The weight came off in less than a month and I hadn't started working out yet.

I also ate several very small snack-type meals a day instead of eating 3 large meals like I previously had before being giving birth. That has probably made the biggest difference in my weight overall since losing the initial extra weight.

Now I am actually 10 pounds less than what I weighed before I got pregnant!

In Agreement
by: Leanne

Congrats on your recent arrival!

I have to agree with the above posters. I have found the easiest way to lose weight since having my daughter is to go for a brisk walk every day with her in the pushchair. If your situation is anything like mine, you haven't the time to go to the gym, or the energy to do anything too high impact.

I find going for a walk not only helps me lose some of the extra weight, it also breaks up an otherwise monotonous day with the little one. I try to incorporate something "fun" with our walk (a trip to the park or to feed the ducks) so it feels less like a chore.

As a final note, please don't be in too much of a rush to lose too much weight - remember that it took 9 months for your body to change, therefore it may take just as long to return. Good luck! :)

losing pregnancy weight
by: Anonymous

First of all, Congratulations on your baby! I also had a baby in December 2007. I had not gained much weight during pregnancy. I gained only around 25 pounds as the doctor wanted. As soon as I gave birth to my baby, I had already lost 15 pounds. So I was left with only 10 more pounds to lose.

Bread feeding helped a lot for me. I have heard people saying that it doesn't help them, but for me breastfeeding worked very well. I lost another 10 pounds too within 3 months.

After 2 months, I also started working, so the job also helped a lot, I guess in reducing my weight. I also used to go for a walk for an hour everyday with my baby in the stroller. Walking really helps.

Take Baby Steps
by: Karen

Congratulations on the birth of your baby and on losing your pregnancy weight! I had my baby this past October and I too had lost my pregnancy weight by the time I went in for my six weeks check-up.

Even though your 13 pound baby is as good for lifting as weights, it's a weight that's quite active and tiring!

Since I wanted to lose an additional 10 pounds, I made sure to first keep myself hydrated with water which is essential for breast-feeding. Also, by remaining hydrated, I didn't make the normal mistake of confusing thirst for hunger. So I don't snack too much, and when I do, I eat fresh fruit and vegetables.

I realize that you feel tired caring for your baby (exhausted is a better word), but if you start out with daily short walks (15-20 minutes) you'll increase your energy level and decrease your stress level. The best walking would be outside in the fresh air! It worked for me.

And remember, be patient with your body. It's still going through a lot of changes since your pregnancy. Take baby steps in reaching your goal.

don't worry
by: alaa

You did a good job by losing the 20 lb. Just give yourself more time and watch your eating, especially the junks and sweets. Because of the feeding you may feel you need sugar or more food. There are easy things I did when I get birth my first baby: beside watching what you eat you can go for walking 30 min around your home with your baby. Assume this time like a rest from the home and the baby crying :)) For me the walking was very helpful. It was like a refresh for me, and you will have more energy to continue your day believe me you will need it. Drink plenty of water. That helps produce more milk and burn more calories. You can start to diet when the baby is 6 months and he can eat.

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