Postpartum weight loss: Here is all that you need to know

There is no mom who doesn’t want to go back to her pre-pregnancy figure and fit into those old clothes.

Though it surely takes time to lose the weight you gained over 9 months, it’s not impossible.

If you are one of those moms who is eagerly looking for safe ways to lose post-pregnancy weight, here is the right way to go about it.

Around five to six kilos of weight, including the weight of the baby, amniotic fluid and placenta is lost right away as soon as the baby is delivered.

Here are five simple tips that will help you lose some extra weight post-pregnancy.

The debate about whether breastfeeding can help you lose weight or not is still on. There are various studies that claim breastfeeding can help you in losing the pregnancy weight faster, while there are studies that claim there is no difference in weight loss among women who breastfeed and women who don’t.

One thing for sure is that breastfeeding burns calories, (around 300 per day) which can help you lose weight. Also, breastfeeding is good for your baby’s health.

Going on a diet post-pregnancy can derail you from your post-pregnancy weight loss goals. Ignoring your cravings while you are already stressed about being a new mom can lead to weight gain.

Eating healthy and eating as per hunger, as you did before is the basic rule that works for most women in losing their weight.

Eating a well-balanced diet and having healthy snacks in between meals can give you the energy to sail through the day. Apple slices, carrot, wheat biscuits, fox nuts and peanuts are all healthy options to munch on.

Your body needs the maximum nutrition post-pregnancy, especially if you are breastfeeding your baby. Choose foods that are loaded with nutrients and have fewer calories and fat.

Fish, yoghurt, lean meat, chicken, fish are foods high in omega 3, fibre and protein. These will provide your body with the much-required nutrition and keep you fuller for longer.

Whether pre-pregnancy or post-pregnancy, keeping yourself hydrated is of paramount importance always. Having enough water also avoids unwanted cravings as thirst is often confused with hunger.

Studies have also found that having enough water speeds up your metabolism. One way to know if you are having enough water is by noticing the colour of your urine. If the urine is relatively clear and you are going every two-three hours, you are having enough water.

Either it’s losing the post-pregnancy weight or losing weight in general, a healthy diet along with a regular workout is the sure-shot key to shed extra kilos in long term.

If you cannot do proper workouts, just move more. Take short walks, do simple stretches or practice yoga to lose weight.

Remember, do not overdo it.