The elation a new mom feels soon after giving birth to a beautiful baby eventually and inevitably gives way to the despair she might feel when she looks in the mirror. Pregnancy, for many women, is a period of joy and delight; however, the downside can be experiencing excess body weight after birth. Often, a new mom is discouraged because she is not back in her pre-pregnancy clothes the day she brings her new baby home from the hospital. Unfortunately, this is just not realistic.

The average weight gain for a woman during her pregnancy is between 25-35 pounds. During and immediately following the birth, a new mom can expect to shed about 13 of those pounds. That leaves anywhere from 12-22 pounds of extra weight to lose. This can be a source of great frustration for her.

Weight loss after pregnancy is possible, but it requires some realism, patience, and a lot of work. It is reasonable to assume that it may take a new mom about 8 months to a year to get back into fighting form. This is losing a sensible 1-2 pounds per week. It would be wise to not lose any more weight than that, because it could be unhealthy. Losing the baby weight can take longer, because every body is different, so don’t get discouraged if you are losing weight at a slower rate than other new moms you know.

Here are a few tips for getting rid of the excess weight after pregnancy:
 

• Don’t diet for the first three months postpartum. Start out by just eating a well-balanced diet and moving your body. Once your menstrual cycle normalizes, you can follow a sensible weight-loss program if you feel that you need to.

• Start out slow with exercise. If you didn’t exercise during your pregnancy, don’t jump into a vigorous routine right away. Your body is still healing, and it needs time to adjust to the new movements. Start by taking walks around the block with your baby. Walking is an excellent (and low-impact) way to get your body primed for more vigorous exercise at a later date when your body can handle it.

• Eat several small, healthy meals a day. This keeps your energy up, especially if you are breastfeeding, as well as keeps your metabolism primed.

• Store healthy and fresh foods in your kitchen. Try to avoid highly processed and fatty foods. In other words, back away from the chips and dips! Eating plenty of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products will not only help you lose weight, but it will also stick with you longer.

• Be patient. Though it might seem like other new moms are able to lose their postpartum weight right away, keep in mind that every woman’s body is different. If you eat right and exercise regularly, the weight will come off!

• Most importantly, seek advice from your doctor before changing your diet or starting any new exercise program!

The postpartum period for a new mom is rough on many levels. You are exhausted, excited, and exasperated. Concentrate on your new baby, but don’t neglect yourself. Weight loss after pregnancy is possible if you eat healthy foods, get sufficient exercise, and take a few moments for yourself when you can. Don’t give up hope, you can do it!