Things You'll Need:
- Desire to lose weight after childbirth
- Commitment to dedicate time to exercise and proper nutrition
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Step 1
The first step toward losing weight after pregnancy is a desire to do so. If you are tired of looking blobby, it has to escalate from a nagging annoyance to a willingness to get up, as least for a while each day, and do something to take off the poodge.
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Step 2
Once you know you want to get your pre-pregnancy body back (or at least close to that), you can shop around for gym memberships, explore working out with other moms, or research jogging trails near your house. For the really new moms, just getting used to walking again can be daunting. Another option is to check out a "pregnancy" or "baby and me" workout video and exercise to them at home in the privacy of your living room. Later, as you get stronger, you could look into trying a sport you wanted to try, such as sailing or circus arts. If you're not in the mood for adventure yet, look into more traditional workouts like jogging, walking or tennis at your local park. Although pricey, trainers can be helpful for the timid and those very new to the "gym experience."
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Step 3
The other component of achieving post-baby fitness is getting your diet in order. Go to a library or bookstore and find a book on cooking that you like. Experiment with recipes, but always have basic staples on hand like pasta, for those nights that cooking something new is too daunting. Some might even want to begin educating themselves to get the tools needed to structure the healthiest diet possible and still lose weight. Nursing moms need to get regular, quality protein in order to keep a continuous milk supply and keep from getting anemic. Food co-ops and farmers' markets are good places to look for organic meats. If you don't eat meat, good substitutes are hard-boiled eggs, cheese, cottage cheese and beans.
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Step 4
One trick I have used for years is to start meals with the fruit and/or vegetable portion, eating slowly before moving on to dairy, grain and protein later in the meal. This allows your stomach a few minutes to signal your brain that food has been added and you are no longer as hungry. If you start getting yourself full on the low-fat stuff, you won't want as much of the "fattening" stuff like meats, cheeses, pastas, pizza and sweet desserts. Invite friends over or people you know can cook well, and have them give you a mini cooking lesson. Really new parents may want to get the friend to cook the entire meal for them. (Maybe the friend will share her cooking tips later while you are all enjoying the fabulous food!)
