Pregnancy
and Weight Loss
April 18, 2005
For the new mom, a very important concern is weight
loss after pregnancy. The average weight gained during
pregnancy is between 25 to 30 pounds. There are many
ways to lose the extra pounds in the post partum period.
But the best way is not to gain it in the first place.
If you gain too much weight, you'll have to work harder
to lose it. First, limit yourself to about 1800 calories
a day if you're nursing. If not, make it 1500. Next,
increase calcium in your diet because this mineral has
been linked to weight loss. Ideally a woman should have
between 11 to 1200 milligrams of calcium a day for pregnancy
and during lactation. As soon as your doctor gives you
the go-ahead, start an aerobic exercise program. If
you're nursing, you may have a tougher time losing weight.
The body hangs on to fat stores, and you produce a hormone
that stimulates appetite.
The mistakes to avoid during your post-partum weight
loss is (a) Eating junk food, or (b) Going on a crash
diet. Either action is guaranteed to make you fat and
unhealthy. If you gained no more than the average 25-35
pounds, it should take you between 18 and 26 weeks.
For extra weight gained, aim to lose 1-2 pounds per
week.
How much weight to lose after giving birth?
If you have gained the average amount of 25-35 pounds
during your pregnancy, you will have about 12-21 pounds
of excess weight to lose after the birth of the baby.
Always consult your doctor before starting on any weight
loss program.
Source: http://rdu.news14.com
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