Tuesday, July 8, 2008

How to Lose Weight After Pregnancy



How to Lose Weight After Pregnancy
by: Balaji B

Weight control is a prevalent concern for many women after pregnancy. Although common during pregnancy, weight gain is difficult for many women to handle emotionally. Many women are unclear about how to separate fact from fiction concerning this "post-pregnancy" weight control. First of all, women need to understand how much weight gain is actually "normal" during pregnancy. Do try to keep in mind that your pregnancy weight wasn't gained overnight so it won't disappear that quickly, either. As a matter of detail, you gained that weight so that you would have plenty of reserves for feeding your baby.


Eat healthy foods. This really is unnoticed, though. Emphasize nutrient rich foods, which are not having too much fat. Avoid oily snack foods and so-called healthy foods like cheese and complete milk. Eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, pastas and beans and avoid red meat and salads laden with dressing. Try to build some outdoor activity into your day. In some way walk with your baby every day and try to get a jogging stroller added to your wish list. Sling makes carrying your baby more resourceful and burn more calories. Drink plenty of water. Avoid soda, cool drink and juice. Some foods are they were truly empty calories. Combining 200 fewer calories per day of higher fat foods that's just a couple portion of dressing or a piece of cheese with 20 minutes of a good walk with your baby will lead to exactly the weight loss and conditioning you want. Add in a little formal or informal yoga and stretching and you'll get there even sooner.


Weight loss after pregnancy can be slow and many new mothers find it difficult to continue a diet after having a baby. Babies do not recognize your desire to lose weight and regain your figure. As a result regular meals can be difficult. However, please avoid the fast or 'starve' yourself into regaining your pre-pregnancy shape. Stock up with healthy, filling, convenient snacks, like soups, low-fat pasta sauces, lean meats, whole meal bread and cereals, fresh vegetables and fat-free dairy products.There seems to be a myth that weight loss after pregnancy can only be successful if it occurs quickly. Somehow, many women feel that if they have not lost all the pregnancy weight by 1 year after delivery, something is wrong with them, they are not standard, or they have failed in some way. In fact, the truth is that weight loss after pregnancy can take a very long time, sometimes even few years, without signifying that something is wrong.


Gradual weight loss is the standard, not the exception, and the rate of weight loss depends on several factors, such as whether there were difficulties with the pregnancy or delivery. Pregnancy complications can make a woman feel weak with her mobility. Certain diseases like postpartum inflammation of the thyroid gland, which is a general complication that shows itself soon after delivery, can cause massive weight struggles if they are severe. Exercising every single day, even if that exercise is just walking, is an absolute must and the lack of exercise is what often holds up the process.


Consulting a dietician is a best way to obtain an individualized plan. The dietician will assess key issues like your food preferences, schedule.. etc in order to create a customized individual plan. As well, while you follow the dietician's plan, you needsto keep up daily exercise to optimize your weight loss. We are only human. Fast weight loss will not stay off, but rational weight loss will stay off. Weight loss will simply not be acceptable if exercise is lacking. This is true for many reasons; including that exercise helps to keep your body's metabolism from decreasing extremely while dieting.



WEIGHT LOSS

HOW MUCH SHOULD I WEIGHT?
This is not an easy question to answer because there are differences in bone structure between people. Some people have a heavy bone structure and yet look thin and vice versa. So, what should I pay attention to? The question should really be:

How much of my weight is muscle weight and how much represents fat weight?

There are various ways to determine this, I will mention only two:

1 BMI: This stands for Basal Metabolic Index. This is a calculation involving height and weight.
2 Body Composition Analysis: This is a calculation performed by electrical impedance. It measures the percent and pounds of total body fat as it relates to muscle as well as the percent and pounds of lean body mass a person have.

Why I Am Fat?
The main factors in most people are:
1- Eating too many calories
2- Inactivity, not enough exercise
3- Hereditary factors

These problems are the real basis for our weight problem. We eat more than we use up or burn, so the calories not used up are stored in our body in the form of fat.

1- Reduce the amount of calories you take.
2- Become more physically active.
3- Do both.

This is easier said than done, otherwise, everyone would do it and be thin.

• The long - term success is more about identifying behaviors that have caused you to eat more food (and richer foods) than your body can burn.

• Choose an activity you enjoy and do it. It will take some discipline to form a new habit, but it will be worth the effort. So, decide to change your lifestyle; change your habits for long-term benefits and weight loss results.

There are important decisions you have to make if you want to lose weight. You have already made the most important of all, to come and seek professional help. I will try to do what I can to help you reach your weight loss goal.

STICK TO IT, NEVER GIVE UP!

Make sure you follow the instructions that will be given to you. You will lose weight with our program if you stick with it and don't deviate from it. You will probably have questions once you start. Feel free to call Family Practice Center (956) 668-0044 or Beautique Medical Spa (956) 664-1234 and ask for Obed or Dr. Sanchez for your concerns.