You’ve chosen to breastfeed your beautiful fresh baby, because you feel that it’s the best thing you can do for your baby’s health. And in my opinion, you’re exactly right.
But what about you, Mama? Are you struggling to lose those last few pounds of pregnancy weight, or maybe a little more?
For some lucky souls, nursing a baby is all it takes to shed that weight, but for the rest of us, it takes a little more. I know what you’re asking yourself. Is it even first-rate to diet while nursing a baby? The answer is yes, it can be honorable, but doctors do recommend that you strive to lose no more than a pound a week (or up to five pounds a month) in order to maintain your milk supply and quality. So where to begin?
Talk to Your Doctor
Before beginning any weight loss or exercise understanding, especially after having a baby, be sure to discuss it with your physician. Most doctors advise waiting until four weeks post partum to begin.
Choose a Plan
First things first, decide the route you’re taking. There are many genuine diet alternatives for nursing moms. The bottom line, though, is that a nursing mom should try not to go below about 1800 to 2000 calories per day. Remember, though, that your body is burning an extra 400-500 calories per day in order to create milk for your baby.
For some, sticking to a sure amount of calories will be sufficient. For others, like me, a more controlled plan works better. Personally, I like the Weight Watcher’s Plan for nursing moms. It’s well structured, but allows one to eat in the “real world.” No prepackaged foods are required, and it’s even simple to dine out on the plan.
Exercise is also distinguished for anyone trying to lose weight. Not only do you burn extra calories with consume, but you also effect muscle. Muscle mass burns more calories at rest than fat. It’s a simple fact, and adding employ to your program will most certainly help to effect the process faster, as well as help you to maintain your loss.
It’s important to pick a plan that works for you. Score something that you can live with, and something that fits in your schedule. This is especially important for nursing moms, as time becomes a premium during the first several months of the baby’s life. You might try walking with your baby in the stroller, or doing a DVD while baby naps. There are even workouts available now that include your baby. Whatever you choose, impartial make sure it’s something you can appreciate, or at least tolerate. Otherwise, you will earn reasons to avoid it.
Get Support
Finding wait on in weight loss is essential for anyone starting this endeavor, but especially so for new moms. We tend to become isolated during the first weeks and sometimes even months of our child’s life. There are several ways to get great succor.
First, you could enlist the help of a friend. Getting together a couple times a week to work out or even just discuss your weight loss goals and accomplishments can be a huge motivator to stick to your program. You could also make a daily phone date to discuss progress.
Another view is to join a weight loss assist group. There are many of these available in most areas. You could join Weight Watchers and attend their weekly meetings for a small fee, or any number of other commercial groups. You could join a group at your church or community center, such as Overeaters Anonymous. This could cost you nothing but time.
I have found that online support works the best for me personally. I subscribe to Buddy Slim, which is a free weight loss support community. The site was created by a physician, and offers many tools, including food and exercise logs, calorie counters, BMI calculators, and more. My favorite feature, though, is the blogs. Most Buddy Slim members blog daily, or at least a few times a week. Other members then read and comment on the blogs, and offer great support, suggestions, and encouragement. I have found that reading and commenting on other members’ blogs also helps me to stay on track and motivated.
Increasing Motivation
Aside from getting outside support, try making a list of reasons you want to lose weight. Maybe you want to look sexy for your husband, or maybe you want to set a good example for your kids. Maybe you want to be able to hurry up the stairs without losing your breath. Whatever it is that drives you, write it down, and refer to it often.
Visualize yourself at your ideal weight, and ask yourself what sorts of things you would do at that weight. Maybe you would make more of an effort to dress attractively or start playing tennis on the weekends. Why not do those things now? You’ll feel better about yourself and further increase your drive to get the weight off.
Follow Through
Most importantly, don’t let yourself get discouraged. Yes, it’s hard work to lose weight. But you and I both know that it’s worth it. You will feel better, live longer, and provide a better example to your children. Let’s not forget that you’ll look incredible too!
Stick to your plan, and if you slip up now and again, forgive yourself. Don’t say, “oh well, I screwed up today, so I might as well begin again tomorrow.” That is the death sentence of all diet plans. We know all too well that tomorrow becomes next week, which becomes next month, and so on. Immediately after going off your concept, eye what caused you to slip, forgive yourself, and get right back on program. This is so vital to weight loss success.
Don’t forget to stay in contact with your support system as often as possible. This will help you to stay on track and to maintain motivation. Above all, decide what works for you and stick with it. Get ready to shine, and remember that YOU are worth it!
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