After giving birth, your body goes through many changes. One of the most significant is the pounds you will inevitably lose. While you may welcome the liberation of freedom that comes with motherhood, the post-pregnancy weight loss can be tough. It’s a common concern that post-pregnancy weight loss is not a desirable phenomenon, especially since so much of your pre-pregnancy weight was probably left on the bathroom scales. That said, it is important to remember that losing a few pounds after giving birth is normal and healthy. It can also be a good thing to achieve; after all, a smaller waistline is better than a larger one, as it signals that your baby’s growth has been stabilized and your body is functioning healthily again.
The Importance Of Losing Weight
It is well established that obesity is one of the major health problems in the developed world. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in 2014, 39% of the world’s population was classified as obese. In 2014, the global prevalence of obesity was 11% and this figure is projected to reach 13% by 2025.
Obesity has proven to be a dangerous condition, linked to a number of health problems. These include heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, liver disorders, sleep apnea, some cancers, and osteoarthritis. The WHO reports that in 2014, 4.9 million people died worldwide as a result of being overweight or obese. In other words, obesity killed nearly 500,000 people in 2014.
How Much Weight Do You Lose After Birth?
After giving birth, your body goes through many changes. One of the most significant is the pounds you will inevitably lose. While you may welcome the liberation of freedom that comes with motherhood, the post-pregnancy weight loss can be tough. It’s a common concern that post-pregnancy weight loss is not a desirable phenomenon, especially since so much of your pre-pregnancy weight was probably left on the bathroom scales. That said, it is important to remember that losing a few pounds after giving birth is normal and healthy. It can also be a good thing to achieve; after all, a smaller waistline is better than a larger one, as it signals that your baby’s growth has been stabilized and your body is functioning healthily again.
Signs Of Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss
While all mothers go through some form of post-pregnancy weight loss, not all will lose as much as they should or as fast as they could. Here are some telltale signs that you are not operating at peak efficiency and that you need to drop some pounds:
- Hormonal Changes Causing Weight Gain
- Uncontrolled Eating
- Neglecting To Exercise
- The Stress Of Parenting
These are all signs that you are not operating at peak efficiency and that you need to drop some pounds. If you can identify with any of these, then it may be time to reevaluate your current lifestyle and dietary patterns. If your weight loss slows down after giving birth, then it can be a red flag that you are not in the best of health and that you need to consider what may be causing this. Hormonal changes due to birth can cause you to put on weight, as can stress, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. It is also possible that you are under the misconception that motherhood automatically ensures you will stay slim. While that may be true, it is important to remember that it is not necessarily so. It is important for you to understand that post-pregnancy weight loss is a normal and healthy process, albeit a slow and sometimes frustrating one. In order to lose the weight you need to, you have to be determined enough to get started but you also need to know when enough is enough. That is something you can work out with your doctor or midwife after giving birth. They can advise you on how much weight you should lose and how to lose it. For now, though, it is important to remember that losing weight is a good thing and it is something your body will enjoy once you get used to it. Your baby’s health and well being depend on it.