Weight-loss tips for new moms

I am often asked for weight-loss and exercise advice by brand new moms, and it is much easier than you might think. Here are some tips to help you get started

Eat enough and often

This advice goes for nursing moms, moms of toddlers and every mom in between. We get caught up in our days and often end up skipping meals. However, countless nutrition specialists all urge that you don’t.

By eating three wholesome meals a day, with two to three healthy snacks in between, you keep your energy level up and your metabolism working, so that you can start losing weight.

This is especially important if you are breastfeeding, because you need enough calories to fuel milk production, plus your daily physical and mental activity requirements. So if you aren't eating properly, your baby can’t eat properly either. Also make sure you’re getting enough water too, drink at least two litres of water each day to keep hydrated.

Resist fad diets

I can’t express enough how bad fad diets are for you and any weight-loss aspirations you may have. The problem with most of these fad diets is that they cut calories so drastically that as soon as you start eating normally again, you’re going to gain all of that weight back, and often more. You can’t live off cabbage soup and magic pills either, so there is no way around it.

Don’t fall into the fad diet trap, rather make sure you’re eating healthy, fresh food like fruit and vegetables along with whole grains and legumes, and a little lean animal protein. The important thing to remember is that you must not cut out carbs. When cutting out the good carbs that your body needs for energy, you send your body into exhaustion, your brain into a mental fog, and your emotions all over the place, which is the last thing a new mom needs.

Fibre and fluids

A common problem for many women post-delivery is suffering from constipation. It is unpleasant but can be prevented by making sure you drink at least eight glasses of water each day. This is especially important if you’re nursing.

Fibre in the form of fruits, vegetables and whole grains is vital for a healthy digestive system, but might not always be enough. Don’t be shy to go to Granny’s old favourite: prunes and prune juice to get things going. If your digestive system isn’t working at 100%, your weight-loss plans aren’t going to work either.

A rule of thumb for new moms is to always speak to your medical professional or midwife when you feel ready to start working out again. When in doubt, ask your healthcare practitioner and always follow their advice.

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