Postpartum Weight Loss: A Safe & Sustainable Approach

Question
I am a 34 year old female, 5'3'', 133 lbs, and 9 weeks post-partum with my 3rd child.  Non-smoker, cholesterol is 204 (hereditary), blood pressure is always 100/60.  I take no medications.  No major health issues except tachycardia.  I know that 133 lbs might not sound like a lot to some people, but I am desperate to get back to my usual 116 lbs weight.  This is where I look my best and feel healthy and comfortable and do not have rolls everywhere.  It is sooo hard for me to lose weight after I have children.  I never lost it all after my first and I ballooned up with my second and I worked really hard after her to lose it and looked great for 5 years until I got pregnant with my third and gained 28 lbs.  My challenge is that I am breastfeeding and plan to do so for the next 10 months and I do not want to wait until that's over to lose weight.  How can I diet effectively when I have to have all of these extra calories?  Also, exercise has always been a challenge for me.  I am not lazy by any means but once my heart rate gets up my tachycardia takes over and I start to get an arrythmia, and then dizzy and sometimes pass out.  And this is even with moderate exercise, I don't have to be over-doing it by any means.  A friend of mine took Alli as an aide along with diet and exercise and lost 40 lbs.  Since I only want to lose 17 I thought it might help but not sure it's safe for a lactating mother.  Help!

Answer
Hi April,

The good news is, you've done it before, so you know you can do it again :)
Take heart! Breastfeeding consumes about 750 calories a day so this is the body's natural way of helping you lose weight after childbirth.
Desperation isn't going to help, so take a deep breath, aim to lose slowly (2 or 3 pounds a month), and take it one day at a time.

Laurie