Have you recently given birth a wonderful baby girl or boy? Then, if you are like a lot of women, you might be thinking about why post-baby weight is so hard to lose. This is a common question because, even though gaining weight is totally normal, as well as completely healthy and wanted, during pregnancy, many moms want to be able to get back to their pre-baby weight ASAP.
Did you know that, aside from women who are obese or overweight, pregnancy weight gain typically ranges from 25 to 35 pounds? It’s true! But, there are some women who end up gaining more than that while they are expecting, and they might even keep gaining weight after they have given birth, as well as while they are breastfeeding their baby. These women, especially, might wonder why post-baby weight is so hard to lose.
So, after you have spent nine lovely months growing your baby inside your belly, what can you do to shed the weight that you gained, especially if you are still feeling aches or low self-esteem because of the extra pounds? Below, we have compiled some helpful tips, as well as more information on why post-baby weight is so hard to lose, so you can take the right steps towards slimming down more efficiently and safely.
Why Post-Baby Weight Is So Hard to Lose
The first thing you need to realize is that losing weight after you have had a baby is definitely not impossible! But, it can definitely be harder than you might expect it to be. Also, it is important to bear in mind that a lot of changes occur after having a baby, and those changes might get in the way of your efforts to slim down.
Despite all of that, we have some good news for you: the majority of mothers do end up losing the excess weight after they give birth. Sure, there are emotional, social, and hormonal shifts that occur, but if you keep your eye on the prize, you can achieve amazing weight loss goals, as well as get rid of any sadness that you feel over the extra weight you continue to carry after having your little one.
What Can You Do to Lose Weight After Having a Baby?
Many of the discussions that you’ll encounter regarding losing weight after having a baby will end up focusing on eating healthy foods, while also recognizing your body’s own powerful beauty at every stage of the process. Keep in mind that this is about more than just how you look; it is also about how you feel, so don’t forget that!
In the event that you have been struggling with weight loss, regardless of how long it has been since you had your kids, we have some handy tips that you can use to regain balance and re-establish wellness. These tips are focused on the reasons why post-baby weight is so hard to lose. Having this knowledge can help steer you in the right direction. Let’s begin, shall we?
1. Breastfeeding will not provide a guarantee that you’ll lose weight
If you’re like a lot of women, you might assume that, as long as you breastfeed your baby, you will be able to shed those pregnancy pounds more easily. And, according to Healthline, this may be true.
Sure, you can burn around 300 calories daily by feeding your baby naturally, and this can certainly help you slim down. But, in reality, you might also continue gaining weight, or you might discover that you aren’t losing any weight at all, even if you breastfeed.
Wait, what does the research have to say about all of this? Well, experts have found that roughly half of mothers achieve weight loss benefits when breastfeeding. However, among women who did lose weight, it was roughly three more pounds compared to women who didn’t breastfeed for a year postpartum. Not much.
How could this be? Well, ask yourself if you tend to feel hungrier when you breastfeed. The answer is probably yes. This is actually normal because a hormone that’s known as Prolactin causes your hunger to increase.
Bottom line: if you are going to breastfeed, do it for your baby, not for the purpose of losing weight.
2. Your daily habits are different now
Here’s another reason why post-baby weight is so hard to lose: if you changed your eating habits while you were pregnant, and you kept following those habits after giving birth, it can be tough to change! In fact, this is one of the biggest reasons why women struggle with weight loss after having a baby.
Were you really easy on yourself when it came to indulging during your pregnancy? Did you give in to a lot of your cravings? Are you still finding that, when emotionally challenged, you search for food to comfort yourself? Then it’s time to make some changes. Swap out junk food for nutritious options.
Keep in mind that your nutritional needs are unique. Try to avoid consuming too many calories mindlessly, keep track of how much you’re eating, and focus on giving your body what it needs now that you have had a child. If you need help, turn to a nutritionist, doctor, or weight loss professional who can guide you in the right direction. That way, you can give your body the nutrients and energy it requires.
3. You waited a while to start
Something else to consider when it comes to why post-baby weight is so hard to lose: the longer you postpone starting your weight loss journey, the more difficult it will likely be to shed the pounds and increase metabolism. That’s because your mindset and behaviors will be even more set in place, so changing bad habits can be challenging.
Remember, when you weigh more, your body gets used to that. If you spend a long time overweight, establishing a healthy lifestyle can be difficult. So, no matter what, don’t wait too long to start losing the baby weight if you want to get back to your pre-pregnancy body.
There you have it: a few of the main reasons why post-baby weight is so hard to lose, and a few steps that you can take to change your ways and achieve better results sooner rather than later. What are you waiting for? Get started today!
Have you recently given birth a wonderful baby girl or boy? Then, if you are like a lot of women, you might be thinking about why post-baby weight is so hard to lose. This is a common question because, even though gaining weight is totally normal, as well as completely healthy and wanted, during pregnancy, many moms want to be able to get back to their pre-baby weight ASAP.
Did you know that, aside from women who are obese or overweight, pregnancy weight gain typically ranges from 25 to 35 pounds? It’s true! But, there are some women who end up gaining more than that while they are expecting, and they might even keep gaining weight after they have given birth, as well as while they are breastfeeding their baby. These women, especially, might wonder why post-baby weight is so hard to lose.
So, after you have spent nine lovely months growing your baby inside your belly, what can you do to shed the weight that you gained, especially if you are still feeling aches or low self-esteem because of the extra pounds? Below, we have compiled some helpful tips, as well as more information on why post-baby weight is so hard to lose, so you can take the right steps towards slimming down more efficiently and safely.
Why Post-Baby Weight Is So Hard to Lose
The first thing you need to realize is that losing weight after you have had a baby is definitely not impossible! But, it can definitely be harder than you might expect it to be. Also, it is important to bear in mind that a lot of changes occur after having a baby, and those changes might get in the way of your efforts to slim down.
Despite all of that, we have some good news for you: the majority of mothers do end up losing the excess weight after they give birth. Sure, there are emotional, social, and hormonal shifts that occur, but if you keep your eye on the prize, you can achieve amazing weight loss goals, as well as get rid of any sadness that you feel over the extra weight you continue to carry after having your little one.
What Can You Do to Lose Weight After Having a Baby?
Many of the discussions that you’ll encounter regarding losing weight after having a baby will end up focusing on eating healthy foods, while also recognizing your body’s own powerful beauty at every stage of the process. Keep in mind that this is about more than just how you look; it is also about how you feel, so don’t forget that!
In the event that you have been struggling with weight loss, regardless of how long it has been since you had your kids, we have some handy tips that you can use to regain balance and re-establish wellness. These tips are focused on the reasons why post-baby weight is so hard to lose. Having this knowledge can help steer you in the right direction. Let’s begin, shall we?
1. Breastfeeding will not provide a guarantee that you’ll lose weight
If you’re like a lot of women, you might assume that, as long as you breastfeed your baby, you will be able to shed those pregnancy pounds more easily. And, according to Healthline, this may be true.
Sure, you can burn around 300 calories daily by feeding your baby naturally, and this can certainly help you slim down. But, in reality, you might also continue gaining weight, or you might discover that you aren’t losing any weight at all, even if you breastfeed.
Wait, what does the research have to say about all of this? Well, experts have found that roughly half of mothers achieve weight loss benefits when breastfeeding. However, among women who did lose weight, it was roughly three more pounds compared to women who didn’t breastfeed for a year postpartum. Not much.
How could this be? Well, ask yourself if you tend to feel hungrier when you breastfeed. The answer is probably yes. This is actually normal because a hormone that’s known as Prolactin causes your hunger to increase.
Bottom line: if you are going to breastfeed, do it for your baby, not for the purpose of losing weight.
2. Your daily habits are different now
Here’s another reason why post-baby weight is so hard to lose: if you changed your eating habits while you were pregnant, and you kept following those habits after giving birth, it can be tough to change! In fact, this is one of the biggest reasons why women struggle with weight loss after having a baby.
Were you really easy on yourself when it came to indulging during your pregnancy? Did you give in to a lot of your cravings? Are you still finding that, when emotionally challenged, you search for food to comfort yourself? Then it’s time to make some changes. Swap out junk food for nutritious options.
Keep in mind that your nutritional needs are unique. Try to avoid consuming too many calories mindlessly, keep track of how much you’re eating, and focus on giving your body what it needs now that you have had a child. If you need help, turn to a nutritionist, doctor, or weight loss professional who can guide you in the right direction. That way, you can give your body the nutrients and energy it requires.
3. You waited a while to start
Something else to consider when it comes to why post-baby weight is so hard to lose: the longer you postpone starting your weight loss journey, the more difficult it will likely be to shed the pounds and increase metabolism. That’s because your mindset and behaviors will be even more set in place, so changing bad habits can be challenging.
Remember, when you weigh more, your body gets used to that. If you spend a long time overweight, establishing a healthy lifestyle can be difficult. So, no matter what, don’t wait too long to start losing the baby weight if you want to get back to your pre-pregnancy body.
There you have it: a few of the main reasons why post-baby weight is so hard to lose, and a few steps that you can take to change your ways and achieve better results sooner rather than later. What are you waiting for? Get started today!
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