QuestionHi,
Just one month back i have given birth to my daughter..so uncommon but so true that i gained around 70 pounds in my pregnency but as i got a c-section and visited my doc for 2 weeks of incision check i lost 25 pounds in those 15 days..i am not in a hurry to loose weight neither i am looking for dieting just want to stick to low fat and healthy diet as i am breastfeeding but would definately want to know how can i loose my rest of around 30 pounds of weight, other thing is that as i am brest feeding my bust has become really large,i want to know will the weight loss will help me to loose my breast weight as well even if i am breast feeding, is there some specific kind of excercise that i can do to loose my breast weight..thanks a lot
AnswerI think that your plan of eating healthy, in the right amount for your body's metabolism is a great idea. It's normal to loose a significant amount of weight in the first month after delivery, then for a gradual decline in body weight in the next 6 to 12 months. Everyone has a "mommy body" in the year after pregnancy.
For some, breastfeeding enlarges the breasts significantly. When you think about it, you're operating a milk factory, and this takes increased fluids, infra-structure and energy, so it makes sense that your breasts would be larger.
Breastfeeding metabolizes stored fat. Because you are a little over your ideal weight, you do not need to consume extra calories to produce milk. Eat the highest quality diet that you can; lots of fruits and veggies (try to eat the rainbow daily), lean protein sources, whole grains. Keep up your calcium intake with either non-fat or 1 milk, or supplements.
Avoid all processed foods, fast foods, high fat foods, trans fats (listed as partially hydrogenated fat on food labels), sugars, both real and fake, and all food colorings and dyes. Limit your intake of refined carbohydrates, such as white flour, white rice, and pasta.
Don't try to "diet." The healthiest way to loose weight postpartum, is to eat the correct amount - not too little, not too much - day in and day out. This technique establishes good habits for a lifetime that you children will learn. Healthy family eating, lead by mom, is the best defense against childhood obesity.
As to exercise, try to walk briskly, with you baby in a front pack or stroller, for a minimum of 30 minutes on most days of the week. Or, join a stroller based mom and baby fitness class where you can get a great workout, tone up and burn calories with your baby and meet other new moms in your neighborhood.
For more information on weight loss after pregnancy go to:
http://befitmom.com/weight_loss.html
For information of abdominal reconditioning after pregnancy go to:
http://befitmom.com/abdominal_reconditioning.html
For resources to find mom and baby exercise classes in your area go to: http://befitmom.com/resources.html
