Monday, April 11, 2011

How to Lose Belly Fat While Nursing

How to Lose Belly Fat While Nursing

Losing belly fat while nursing a baby can be difficult due to the high amount of calories new mothers need to take in. You should never consume fewer than 1,800 calories per day. According to Waystoburnfatquickly.com, portion control, healthy eating habits and exercise can help you burn off your extra belly fat while you are breastfeeding without hurting your milk supply. It may take six months or more to lose all the extra weight you've gained while pregnant.

Instructions

    1

    Eat frequently. Every three hours is ideal. This will take the edge off your appetite and allow you to more easily control the portions you eat. Eating a snack such as nuts between meals is a good way in which to do this. Even if you want to lose belly fat, it is important to eat enough calories to keep you healthy. Breastfeeding will cause you to lose about 850 calories each day, but you must eat enough to satisfy that calorie requirement as well as that of a healthy diet.

    2

    Drink as much water as you can to fully hydrate yourself. This is especially important if you plan to engage in a workout regimen. Dehydration can cause undue fatigue. You will be able to tell if you are drinking enough water by the color of your urine. If it is light yellow, you are well-hydrated. If it is a dark color, you need to drink more water.

    3

    Choose foods high in nutrients and protein over foods that are not or that could be considered junk food. Not only will this help you lose weight, but also it will improve the nutritional value of your breast milk. Peanut butter and milk are examples of foods high in healthy calories and nutrients. Fruits, vegetables and foods high in fiber are also important components of a healthy postpartum diet. Avoid fatty foods.

    4

    Do exercises that work out your abdominal area, or your core. Simply tightening your abdominal muscles regularly will aid in toning the muscles there. Pilates offers many effective exercises that firm up your core. Use rubber bands or weights for resistance training, and exercise at intervals that are high in intensity. But first, consult your doctor as to when is a good time to begin doing these exercises. Depending on the nature of your pregnancy and delivery, you might need to wait a bit after delivery to begin working out your abdomen.

    5

    Do cardio workouts regularly. A workout as simple as power walking can lead to quick and effective weight loss all over, including your belly. You may even do this while pushing your baby in a stroller around the neighborhood. However, do not work out too aggressively. This can cause undue stress to a body recovering from pregnancy and delivery.

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