Women around the world are anxiously awaiting the day they will give birth. Many wonder if they will be able to maintain their weight during pregnancy. As a growing fetus takes up more room in the womb, the question of whether or not to lose weight becomes more challenging. For some mothers-to-be, the answer is a resounding no. For others, the answer is a cautious maybe.
When Is The Right Time To Lose Weight?
While there is no clear answer as to when a woman should begin losing weight during pregnancy, many experts agree that it is better to begin as soon as possible. The American Institute of Stress recommends that women who are already five to six months into their pregnancy schedule workouts twice a week. This allows them to get a sufficient amount of exercise as well as stimulate the growth of the baby’s muscles.
If you are concerned about your weight, you should discuss this with your doctor. Your OB-GYN can provide you with an honest assessment of your condition as well as offer you guidance on how to get back on track. Even if you have been active your whole life and are at a healthy weight, the need to lose a little weight to give your baby the best chance at survival outweighs many risks associated with becoming overweight. The benefits of regular exercise for both you and your baby are innumerable.
Why Are Some Mothers-To-Be Opting To Stay At A Healthy Weight?
For some mothers-to-be, maintaining a healthy weight is a top priority. With so much focused on them as they grow bigger and bigger inside of them, they fear that if they put on too much weight, their baby will be born into the world undersized. This could lead to a number of health complications for both the mother and her baby. The mother may have to go through additional pregnancies to produce a second or third child, and each time she does, the risks associated with being overweight increase.
Others who opt to maintain a healthy weight have had bad previous experiences with eating disorders. They may have suffered from anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, and are anxious about falling into that pattern again. They want to ensure that when they do fall pregnant, they will give birth to a healthy baby who will not be at risk of developing health complications because of their weight.
What Should Your Diet Look Like?
The type of diet you should follow to lose weight while you are pregnant is high in fiber and low in fat. This is also the type of diet needed to maintain a healthy weight after you give birth. Make sure to eat plenty of vegetables and fruits to promote good health for both you and your baby. You should avoid eating too much sugar, as it can cause health complications for both you and your baby. If you are used to eating a lot of fast food, you should try to reduce the amount of junk food you consume, as it is bad for both your health and your baby’s health. It is also high in calories, which can cause you to gain weight even if you eat less than you normally do.
There are plenty of healthy and natural foods that you can incorporate into your diet to lose weight while you are pregnant. Focus on eating a diet rich in whole foods and avoid processed foods, which can be high in preservatives and chemicals that are bad for both you and your baby. You can read more about a diet that suits both your needs and those of your baby at BabyCenter.com.
Whatever your motivation for wanting to lose weight while you are pregnant, you should not be discouraged. With a little planning and research, you can ensure that you are eating the proper foods for your condition and that you are exercising regularly, which will help you to lose the weight and be at your optimum birth weight by the time your baby is born.