Lose Weight after Pregnancy

Slimming down after childbirth should be an easy, quick, and not too tricky process because you are now more active than ever - a baby can be very demanding! Therefore, after pregnancy, you should lose the extra pounds without dieting, yet this doesn't happen. 

Weight loss after pregnancy can take time, but it is possible. The truth is: there is no easy way to lose weight after childbirth.  

Be patient, focus on eating healthily, and get regular physical activity. Continue reading this article to learn how to lose weight after giving birth. 

 Slimming down after childbirth requires following some rules 

Diet and exercise do not mean new moms have to resort to extreme dieting or start marathon training. A few small changes can help lose the extra pounds gained during pregnancy. See below how you can change that.

1.    Try sleeping more

After giving birth, you can feel overwhelmed; your baby needs you all the time. As a result, you sleep less, eat in a hurry, and at different times. But when you don’t get enough sleep, the hormones responsible for feeling hungry no longer work properly, and you might end up eating more and more often, preferring sweet snacks.

After the first few months, once you've got used to your baby and he's already got a well-established schedule, try to adopt a more orderly lifestyle yourself. 

Try sleeping when the baby is sleeping and ask someone in the family to help you clean up if that is your concern.

2.    Slimming down after birth: eat at the same times

Like many other moms, you are probably trying to diet after giving birth. You're very careful about calories, but often you end up eating the mushy remains of baby food. And during a walk in the park, you eat a banana and a few biscuits, between meals, of course. 

If you're looking for easy weight loss, you should stick to the most important rule for weight loss – 3 to 5 small meals a day, at set times. It will probably be more challenging at first, but you will succeed if you make a schedule and a menu beforehand.

3.    Choose superfoods 

Even if you are a new mother, remember that your body needs a rich and nutritious diet, especially if you are breastfeeding. So, choose foods high in the nutrients you need and low in calories and fat. 

Fish is one of these superfoods because it is rich in DHA, an essential Omega 3 fatty acid. Milk and yogurt are also superfoods for new moms as they are rich in calcium, which you need to keep your bones strong. 

 Don't forget protein: lean meat, chicken, and beans are low in fat and high in protein and fiber. They're good for you now and will help keep you feeling fuller for longer.

4.    Exercise every day

 The secret to losing extra pounds is not to go to the gym twice a week and do two hours of intense activity. The important thing is to get some exercise every day. 

Women who have given birth naturally can start light physical training as soon as the body has recovered, which can vary from woman to woman, but not earlier than 2-3 weeks because, during this period, milk production stabilizes.  

Women who had a C-section should wait at least four months before intense physical exercises. 

Even when you're in the park with the pram, you can do a bit of exercise if you adopt a brisk 10-minute walk. And at home, stretching and yoga exercises are best.

5.    Semaglutide injections for chronic weight management

According to one study, approx. 6% to 14% of women become overweight or obese within one year after childbirth. Obesity (Body Mass Index over 30) is an excessive accumulation of body fat that poses a health risk. 

Obesity treatment is costly and time-consuming and puts pressure on both the patient and the healthcare system. This is why scientists have been seeking to develop various new treatments.

In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved semaglutide injections for chronic weight management in adult patients with obesity, overweight problems, and weight-related health conditions. 

Semaglutide is a substance similar to that released into the blood by the gut after meals which helps to reduce hunger and increase satiety.

The efficiency of the weight loss injections has been investigated within a series of clinical trials carried out by the manufacturer during 68 weeks with the participation of more than 4000 volunteer patients. 

The volunteers in the studies were split into two groups: one that received a weekly 2.4 mg subcutaneous injection of semaglutide and the other that received the placebo. 

Helped by dietitians to establish a more balanced diet and get more exercise, volunteers treated with semaglutide lost an average of 12.4% of their initial body weight, compared to 2% in those who received a placebo. 

People who were administrated semaglutide injections were also found to have lower blood fats, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure, which are risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.

Semaglutide weight loss injections are already available on the market, but they are prescription-based only and should be included in a supervised medical weight loss program, along with a reduced-calorie meal plan and regular exercise. 

If you are interested to learn more about the efficiency of this new painless weight loss treatment, please reach out to Dr. Essie Yates at the Yates Institute of Medical Weight Loss in Fort Lauderdale. 

Dr. Essie Yates is a top board-certified plastic surgeon in Florida and can provide all the necessary information on the treatment plan, duration, costs, etc. 

Final words

Most women lose 13 pounds during birth; in the first week after giving birth, you will lose even more weight as you "lose" fluid retention, but the fat that has been deposited on your body during pregnancy will not disappear by itself.

 With diet and regular exercise as part of a healthy weight loss program, you can lose 1 pound a week. It is likely to take between 6 months and one year to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight, whether you breastfeed your baby or not. 

The expert advice is not to force your body, set realistic goals and seek professional help from a nutritionist, personal trainer, or doctor to make the necessary lifestyle changes.