Saturday, October 25, 2008

Losing Pregnancy Weight - 5 Practical Do's and Don'ts

By Teresa Brown

Exercise is the last thing on a new mom's thoughts when she's busy with her new born. Of course, some moms eventually start losing pregnancy weight natuarally from breastfeeding but many of us aren't so lucky and end up either resorting to fad diets or living in procrastination and denial. Don't get trapped into a unsuccessful cycle when trying to trim your tummy - use these top five do's and don'ts to help you lose the baby fat.

1. Don't go cold turkey. It's important to stick to the rules while organizing your food plan but remember to reward yourself with a favorite snack. Losing pregnancy weight shouldn't be a round the clock chore but an on-going shift to healthy eating habits for you and your family.

2. Do include healthy snacks. Indulging in your favorite sweet or salty treat every now and again helps to keep you sane and in a postive mindset, but remember not to let your reward backfire on you. Paying attention to what you're eating can help when losing the pregnancy weight - so make sure you snack more often on a handful of almonds and a small glass of apple juice than of a bag of chips and a can of Coke.

3. Don't forget to stretch. Getting your body back to normal after having a baby can be hard. Your hips could hurt or your arms are tired. Stretching helps when losing pregnancy weight because it helps build and repair the muscles. Yoga at home or just a series of simple stretches at work will help you keep relaxed.

4. Do include some resistance training in your routine. Sometimes it's hard to give up the comfortable jog you're used to and throw in some ball crunches or rubber resistance-band bicep curls. Resistance training is a strong ally to losing pregnancy weight fast because it strengthens the muscles and this makes the body burn more fat.

5. Don't avoid getting some shuteye. It can be hard to hit the sack when you have a little one but make sure you get a naptime too! Losing pregnancy weight can be hard when you are exhausted. Your muscles, metabolism and nerves need a rest and so get some rest while you can.

No matter how you've decided to go about losing the pregnancy weight, make sure you take care of yourself. These do's and don'ts simply help you stay focused and relaxed at the same time. It can be super stressful being a new mom but just remember to take time to breathe and take things one day at a time. - 15343

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