Congratulations on your brand new edition! Now that your little one is safely in your arms, you may be looking for easy ways to lose those unwanted pregnancy pounds. How much weight you gained during your pregnancy will determine the number of pounds you will need to lose to regain your pre-pregnancy figure.
After giving birth, women naturally lose between 12 1/2 to 14 pounds from the baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid. During the immediate postpartum period, additional weight loss occurs as women shed retained fluids. However, fat that was stored during pregnancy does not vanish on its own and will require work to lose.
Proper diet and exercise are essential to lose weight and losing weight after pregnancy is no different. By observing a few simple techniques, easy weight loss after pregnancy is possible.

SIX EASY WAYS TO LOSE UNWANTED PREGNANCY POUNDS

1. BREASTFEED– There are numerous benefits to breastfeeding. Along with providing your baby with immunities to disease and all the vitamins and nutrients she needs, studies have shown that breastfeeding mothers typically lose more weight then mothers who formula feed. If you want to lose fat stores, breastfeeding is ideal because you will burn an additional 500 calories per day.
   
   
2. MAKE HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES– There are numerous low-fat alternatives to food items you consume daily. Choose 2% or skim milk instead of whole milk and low-fat cheeses in place of whole milk cheeses. When grocery shopping, select leaner cuts of beef and pork and prepare poultry without the skin.
   
   
3. KEEP HEALTHY SNACKS ON HAND – To resist snacking on junk food, keep healthy, low fat snacks on hand like raisins, unbuttered popcorn, pretzels, whole grain crackers and nuts.
   
   
4. BEGIN A FITNESS ROUTINE – When you feel physically ready, include exercise into your daily routine. For optimum health, it is recommended that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Moderate exercises includes walking (100 steps per minute), jogging on a treadmill, bike riding, gardening, and ballroom or line dancing.
   
   
5. REPLACE SUGAR FILLED BEVERAGES WITH WATER – By simply substituting water for high calorie beverages (sodas and juices) you can substantially decrease your daily caloric intake. Drinking plenty of water is also essential to weight loss. If your body is not well hydrated, it will not burn fat effectively.
   
   
6. MAKE FEWER TRIPS TO FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS – Fast food is notoriously fat laden. If you were to eat a fast food hamburger and a large fry, you would consume approximately 43 grams of fat! Only 20 to 30% of your daily caloric intake should be derived from fat.

Most importantly, be patient and give yourself time to reclaim your pre-pregnancy figure. It will not happen overnight. If you gained the recommended 22 to 30 pounds during your pregnancy, it is likely that you will arrive at your pre-pregnancy weight around 6 to 12 months after giving birth. By following the tips for easy weight loss after pregnancy listed above, you will lose those additional stubborn “baby” pounds while remaining healthy in the process.