Healthiest ways to manage weight post-pregnancy

If nobody has ever told you, pregnancy not only brings additional love to the family but also brings along some extra pounds.

During pregnancy, you'll realize that you are eating a lot more than you did pre-pregnancy, finding yourself getting hungrier more often during the pregnancy. This is because there's someone feeding right from you.

Once you deliver, you'll be left to handle a flabby stomach. When nursing, you'll continue eating more. For nearly three months, the baby weight will be consistent, and actually, it may increase.

However, once you begin weaning your child, you may begin considering getting back in shape. There's no pressure though, but here are some steps you can try:

Count your calories

If you are used to eating food 'carelessly' without checking on your calories, it may be high time you did.

Checking on your calories should be a priority when you are trying to shed off some baby fat. This consciousness will allow you to decide how fast you can shed off.

However, you should know that this doesn't happen overnight.

Consider breastfeeding

Although you may actually gain weight in the first three months post-pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding is considered a way to help you cut down. It consumes energy to make you lose some weight.

Eat lots of fibre foods

Fibre foods are a great way to check your weight. Soluble fibre is important in making you fuller and hence making you eat less.

You'll end up with a good regulation of your eating habits.

All these work well in reducing your baby fat.

Avoid crash dieting

Crash dieting is used by many women to lose weight fast.

It may involve hard dieting and fasting. You should know that you still need enough nutrients so as to heal post birth and also breastfeed.

Crash dieting may give you worse results than you actually intended. Maintain a balanced diet at all times.

Avoid processed foods

Sausages, cheeses and more processed foods are tasty and melt in your mouth, but won't be doing you any good in your advent of losing weight.

Processed foods contain nitrates which may be harmful to you and have high cholesterol levels too.

You're more likely to get diabetes post-partum if your diet is filled with these.

Keep processed sugars away

Are you a sweet tooth? It's tempting for everyone.

Processed sugars not only affect your teeth but also your diet. Their high rate of calories will only increase your weight.

By exercising, drinking a lot of water and sleeping well, you'll be pacing yourself for a good weight loss regime. Remember, consistency is everything here.