While you might want to celebrate every bit of your baby’s progress, there are some things that you need to be aware of. Pregnancy is a time when your body is changing dramatically, and it’s not always as pretty as you’d like it to be. The average woman will gain around 60 pounds during her pregnancy. That’s a lot of weight to lose after only being weighing 22 pounds when she first found out that she was pregnant!
Whether you’re expecting a baby or are just beginning your journey toward having one, you’re going to need to make some adjustments to your life to accommodate this new addition to the family. One of the most challenging things for expectant mothers is losing the weight they’ve gained during pregnancy. After giving birth, many women are faced with the daunting task of getting back to their pre-pregnancy weight. If they’re not careful, it can take them months to achieve their pre-pregnancy weight. That’s a lot of calories that they’ll have to avoid if they don’t want to put on more weight than what’s healthy!
Here are 8 ways to lose weight while pregnant in a healthy manner. Try out these tips and see how quickly you can lose the weight, and feel better about yourself once more.
Eat Healthily
When you’re expecting a baby, it’s important to eat a nutritious diet that will provide your baby with the right nutrients for brain development. Aim to eat 5 to 7 meals a day, with healthy snacks in between. Avoid eating too much sugar, and opt for fresh fruit instead. Your diet should consist mainly of foods that are low in fats and high in fiber. The healthier the food, the faster your baby will grow! You’ll find a wide array of nutritious foods that you can incorporate in your diet, including veggies, fruits, beans, lentils, and whole-grain products. Try to avoid eating too much sugar, as it can cause health problems for both you and your baby. The American Institute of Stress suggests that a diet rich in sugar can aggravate existing stress levels.
Exercise Regularly
Getting sufficient amounts of sleep and exercise is key to maintaining healthy levels while pregnant. Women who get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night have lower BMI’s than their counterparts who get less than 7 hours of sleep. Exercise can also greatly reduce the food cravings that many women experience during pregnancy. Staying active can also help you manage your anxiety and depression symptoms. If you’re not used to being active, starting off with some gentle yoga or belly dancing will help get your body moving again.
Reduce Stress
One of the major factors that influence your baby’s health is how they’re developing in your uterus. The developing baby is highly sensitive to stress, so it’s important that you manage your stress levels as best you can. This is especially important if you’re pregnant with multiples, as the stress associated with having more than one baby can cause problems for all of them. Ways to reduce stress include taking long walks, listening to music, or reading a book. You might also want to consider seeing a professional if you’re finding this difficult.
Eat What You Want
It’s incredibly frustrating when you arrive at your final month of pregnancy, and you still haven’t reached your pre-pregnancy weight. One of the best things that you can do for yourself and your baby is eat what you want. When you feel hungry, eat as much as you want, when you feel tired, eat what makes you feel better. You should feel free to eat everything in moderation, and try not to deprive yourself of any foods that you love. This way, you’re less likely to get sickle cell anemia, which can be fatal to the mother and the baby. According to the National Institute of Health, around 10,000 cases of this disease are diagnosed each year in the United States. This disease is caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin gene, and it leads to extreme anemia, excruciating pain, and sometimes, death. One of the best things that you can do to prevent this disease is have a healthy diet, and make sure that you’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods are high in vitamin C, which helps form the protein that makes up the hemoglobin in your blood. Vitamin C deficiency has been known to cause anemia in infants, as well as in adults. It can also make a person more susceptible to infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungus.
Take Breaks
If you’re constantly working hard, taking a break every now and then is essential. Sitting down for at least 10 minutes every hour will help reduce the wear and tear on your joints, as well as improve the quality of your sleep. You might want to consider taking a walk, doing some light yoga, or going for a bike ride. You should try to get at least 10 minutes every hour, as long as feasible.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Plenty of water is key to maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Your baby’s developing organs need water to grow, so it’s important that you stay hydrated. Drink at least 16 ounces for every hour that you spend outside, and you’ll be doing your body and the baby’s health a favor. You should drink at least 16 ounces for every hour that you spend outside, and you’ll be doing your body and the baby’s health a favor. The American Institute of Stress suggests that drinking adequate amounts of water can help reduce your anxiety and depression symptoms. It can also help keep your skin looking young and healthy. Remember to drink plenty of water even when you don’t feel thirsty, so that your body stays hydrated. Your baby will thank you for this, as they won’t have to go through the pain of dehydration, which can lead to serious health complications.
Reduce Bad Habits
There are certain habits that can hurt your baby’s health, even at this early stage of their development. You should know that if you’re drinking alcohol or taking drugs, this can harm both you and your baby. Smoking during pregnancy can also lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. You should try to eliminate these bad habits as soon as possible, to the best of your ability. These habits can lead to health problems for both you and your baby, so it’s important that you change them now!
Be Careful With Your Diet
A healthy diet is important throughout pregnancy. However, you must be careful about what kind of food you consume. Some foods are better for you than others, so you need to be mindful about what you eat. For instance, processed foods and foods with added sugar should be avoided. Instead, you should aim to eat more fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber. This will help keep you regular, and make you feel fuller longer. If you’re craving something sweet, have a piece of fruit instead.
Get Help From Mental Health Professionals
If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression during pregnancy, there are professionals who can help. A good therapist can help you work through your problems, and find a healthier way of thinking and feeling. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your doc for a recommendation. They should be able to give you a list of therapists in your area. It’s never easy being pregnant, and having experienced depression or anxiety myself, I know how helpful it can be to have a professional help you work through your problems. You’ll find that there are many more options available to you than you ever thought possible, and with some effort, you can do this on your own. However, it can be difficult to find the right information, so it’s important to find a therapist who is well-versed in prenatal psychology.
Try Not To Underestimate The Value Of Friends
Having supportive friends and family is extremely crucial during this time. They’ll be there for you anytime that you need them, and this will help you feel less alone. When I was first pregnant, and was having a hard time getting my weight loss goals, my mom was the one who helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. She encouraged me to keep going, and not to give up. I’ve since lost a lot of the weight that I had gained, and I’ve even managed to lose some more, and it’s all due to my mom’s continuous support.
Similarly, if you’re feeling down, or believe that you’re not capable of doing this on your own, have friends and family to talk to. They might not always have the answers, but they can often provide you with some much-needed support. If you’re finding this difficult, seek support from people that you trust. Having a friend or family member that you can talk to, and who can listen and give sound advice is invaluable at this time.