Weight Loss After Pregnancy

How fast you lose weight after pregnancy will depend on a number of factors, including the amount of weight you gained during your pregnancy. Most women will lose anywhere from 10-14 pounds within the first 2 weeks of delivery which may be attributed primarily to the loss of excess fluid in the body, the baby's weight, the placenta and amniotic fluid.

As the uterus shrinks back down to its normal size and your hormone levels continue to fall, you will lose weight as most women gain at least 7 pounds of fat during pregnancy. This fat is meant to help women store energy while breastfeeding and is perfectly natural but how fast this weight comes off will depend on a number of factors including your genetics, overall health, diet and exercise.

As it took all of nine months to put on the weight you cannot expect it all to disappear as soon as the baby is born. Some women will hang on to the last few pounds they have to lose until they stop breastfeeding because your body may want to cling to a few extra pounds to ensure you have enough energy to provide adequate milk for the baby but every woman's experience is unique with respect to this.

However, nutrition specialists are able to provide healthy diet plans and with regular physical activity there is no reason why you shouldn't get back to your normal size and weight. The truth is that a large proportion of mothers will in fact have their old weight and figure back within that first year if they maintain a good exercise regime and healthy diet. Although some women seem to defy this average and have their normal shape back within as little as three months.

Weight loss after pregnancy can of course be difficult as most women's bodies change in order to be a mother. To enjoy permanent weight loss after pregnancy, a mother must realize that it should be achieved slowly as the long term benefits of this action will be improved health and fitness.

In addition, dieting right after pregnancy for a new mother who is breast feeding should probably be put on hold as a breast feeding new mother needs a significant amount of energy for the continual 24 hour care of her baby that may last for a year. Often once the baby has been born, some mothers cannot reverse certain changes that have happed to them but it will usually take around six months for their metabolism to return to normal and hormone levels to lower.

Don't forget, the average weight gain during pregnancy is between 25-35 lbs and during birth you can expect to lose about 12-14 lbs. With perhaps another twenty pounds or more to lose the mother should follow the previous steps and attempt to lose the weight slowly but steadily within the following six to eight months.