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.

Can you imagine what it would be like if men had to go through even half the body destruction and embarrassing moments women endure from pregnancy to childbirth? If they had to face the pain of contractions, the soreness of milk coming in, and the humbling nature of pooping on a table in front of a room full of doctors and nurses?

Surely, if it were men who had to give birth, we would be facing a world-wide population shortage.

But, it’s not men going through all that. It’s us. And you want to know the best part? The fun doesn’t end just because the baby is out!

That’s right. Now that you’re a few weeks post-partum, you’re probably starting to take stock of your body and what still isn’t working exactly as it should. Your abs may have a long way to go before they are back in pre-baby shape, but that’s not even the worst of it. The worst is the fact that you may be peeing a little every time you laugh these days.

Have no fear, post-partum incontinence (the medical term for “pissing yourself”) is pretty normal stuff. And there are at-home measures you can take to start getting those muscles back in fight form; or at least strong enough to hold your pee in.

Remember the Kegel exercises you were hopefully encouraged to do during your pregnancy as you prepared for labor? Resuming those now should help you to start building your pelvic floor muscles up once more.

If you’ve never done Kegels before, there’s not much to them. The goal of this simple exercise is to strength the muscles that hang between your hips to support your bladder and uterus. They tend to get a little messed up during labor, but Kegels can help.

To successfully perform a Kegel, try stopping the flow of urine the next time you are peeing. Pay attention to the muscles you use to do that, and then practice constricting those same muscles throughout the day when you aren’t using the bathroom. Tighten the muscles for five seconds at a time, extending that duration as it gets easier to hold your Kegel. Try to do at least 20 Kegels a day.

You can practice your Kegels when you are sitting at your desk at work, as you are cooking dinner, and even when you are watching your favorite shows at night. Don’t worry, no one will be able to tell, and you’ll be well on your way to laughing without leaking in no time!

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

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.