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The best way to get rid of the excess fat gained during pregnancy is to expend more calories than what is being taken in. As stated above, a low calorie diet is highly recommended, coupled with exercise. Below is a list of guidelines that a new mom should keep in mind when thinking of losing weight after giving birth.

Understand the needs of the body and the baby. The body has just experienced an enormous amount of strain for the past 38-40 weeks, that is, from conception to delivery. Furthermore, the new addition to the family entails more energy from the mother since she is now tasked to take care of the baby, day in and day out. Trying to lose a lot of weight during the first few weeks post-partum only depletes needed energy and may lead ro a “strained relationship” between mother and child. Naturally, when the mother is nutritionally challenged, she wouldn’t have enough strength to look after the baby, and further results in not being able to address the needs of the infant.

Be on a nutritionally-balanced diet. This is highly essential during this stage, primarily because of the reasons stated above. Foods rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, are a necessity. Eating junk foods and going on a crash diet are the biggest mistakes one can commit when trying to lose weight. Consulting a dietitian to determine the right diet for your body type always proves to be beneficial.

Exercise gives you the much-needed energy while losing weight. It may seem ironic because losing weight is translated to losing calories, and interpreted as loss in energy. However, it should be pointed out that exercise provides an individual more of the needed energy by improving blood circulation in the body. You may start a 10-minute exercise, gradually increasing it to 30 minutes per day. You may even consider working out with a friend or another new mother. After all, exercising with a companion beside you always makes you feel better and enables you to do the routines regularly. Just remember that you have to wait 6 weeks after giving birth before starting to exercise.

Yes, a new mother can start exercising 6 weeks after giving birth as long as the exercises are not strenuous. Simple ones will do.

Be patient. Going back to your pre-pregnant weight normally takes months. On the average, 8 months are needed to lose the excess fats gained during pregnancy. Do not get frustrated if you are not able to reach your desired weight soon after giving birth. Consider also that there may be permanent changes in the body brought about by having a baby like fuller hips and larger breasts.