Many women are under the assumption that as soon as they have their baby, they will automatically lose the pregnancy weight they gained. The truth is that it took your body nine months to put on the weight, and along with hormonal and physiological changes, chances are your weight loss will not be immediate.

In fact, healthy weight loss after pregnancy will take around the same amount of time as it did for you to gain it. If you lose weight too quickly, or if you go on a crash diet, chances are you won’t keep it off.

It is important to remember that eating well by consuming nutritious foods is the key to a healthy life. Additionally, the three tips will put you on the road to losing the pregnancy weight.

1.  Make time for EXERCISE. New moms are often stressed. Getting adjusted to a new schedule and taking care of a newborn takes time. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to make time for exercise. If the weather is nice, taking a walk WITH your baby can do wonders for your stress levels and your weight loss goals. When your baby is napping, forego cleaning up the kitchen and make time for an exercise DVD. In other words, don’t forget about you. Exercise can help you recharge your physical and emotional batteries, reduce stress and help with your weight loss goals. Your exercise program doesn’t have to be set in stone, and you don’t even have to leave your home.  Doing 20-30 minutes of cardio exercise per day can help boost your metabolism and help you lose weight.

2.  Drink plenty of WATER! Much of the weight gained during pregnancy is water weight gain. Strange though it seems, drinking plenty of water can help you shed the water weight gain. For breastfeeding mothers, water is also essential to your milk production. Water is a great go-to drink that you can turn to when you feel like snacking or eating empty calories. Don’t like plain water? Try adding a lemon or lime slice to give it a little flavor.

3. Make SLEEP a priority! You may have to adjust your sleeping schedule around your newborn. Not getting enough sleep can make you sluggish and slow down your metabolism. If your newborn takes a nap, nap with him. Go to bed a little earlier than usual to make up for your early mornings. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. One of the worst things you can do is neglect your own sleep needs. And experts have shown that a lack of restful sleep can also lead to increased cortisol levels, which can cause you to gain weight.

One of the most important things to do is to learn to love your body the way it is. Just think about the amazing miracle your body just created. Be easy on yourself and don’t judge yourself too harshly. Eventually, you will lose the baby weight – but even so, your body may be changed forever. The sooner you learn to love your new post-pregnancy body, the happier you will be.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

You gave birth to your beautiful bundle of joy, and you’re getting into the swing of being a mommy. So why does your tummy still look like you’re pregnant? You probably knew your stomach would not be flat right after giving birth, but you may wonder when you’ll get rid of that post-pregnancy pooch.

First off, cut yourself some slack. Your belly slowly grew as your baby grew. Your tummy did not expand all at once, so don’t expect it to flatten all at once.

It’s normal for your tummy and the rest of your body to take a while to get back to its pre-pregnancy state. If you’re expecting to fit into your skinny jeans by your six-week postpartum checkup, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment.

It’s also important to remember, every woman is different. Try to avoid comparing yourself to a celebrity on the cover of a magazine or even your friend who had a flat tummy two months postpartum. How fast your tummy tightens depends on several factors, such as your genetics, how much weight you gained and your current diet and activity level.

Although tummy toning may not be as fast as you like, rest assured various changes are taking place that help your tummy decrease in size. For example, your uterus is slowly contracting to go back to its pre-pregnancy size. Hormonal changes are also occurring, which help you lose excess fluid you held onto during pregnancy.

If you’re anxious to have your pre-pregnancy stomach back, there are several things that may speed up the process. For instance, breastfeeding is not only great for your baby, but it’s also good for you. Nursing increases the number or calories you burn and may help with postpartum weight loss.

Exercising is also a great way to tone your midsection. Once your doctor gives you the OK, carve out some time for fitness. Include cardiovascular exercise to burn fat, which helps your tummy flatten.

Add in abdominal exercises, such as crunches, pelvic tilts and planks to help tone your stomach muscles. Try to work your abs from different angles to get an overall workout. Be sure to start gradually and talk to your doctor about any precautions to take if you are recovering from a C-section, or if your stomach muscles are still separated and the gap in the middle has not closed yet.

Lastly, remember what your body just accomplished and try to be patient. You can have a toned tummy again after giving birth. It just takes a little motivation, work and time.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.