| Most women, especially those who were in pretty | | | | on. |
| good shape before they became pregnant, want | | | | 7. Look beyond the "nonfat" label. A lot of |
| to lose those extra "pregnancy pounds" as soon | | | | companies would like to trick you by putting "No |
| as possible after they deliver their baby. Here are | | | | Fat" or "Low Fat" many of their foods. However, |
| some suggestions you should follow that will help | | | | in many cases, these foods come packed with |
| you lose that extra weight. | | | | calories, or even with hyrogenated oils. Neither of |
| 1. Make an agreement with a friend who also has | | | | these is healthy, so read those labels carefully. |
| a child to join a gym together. This way, on your | | | | 8. Walk. Walk a lot. Walking is a friend to all who |
| gym day, she can watch the kids, and you can | | | | want to get back in shape. It works especially well |
| return the favor on her day. Be sure to go to the | | | | with new moms, since you can always take your |
| gym faithfully, at least three times a week. | | | | baby along with you in a stroller. |
| 2. Make a habit of drinking ten to twelve glasses | | | | 9. Look out for ways to sneak in some extra |
| water each day. This is not as much as it might | | | | exercise--sch as taking the stairs instead of the |
| sound like, especially if you cut out most of your | | | | escalator, parking further away from the store, |
| high-sugar drinks such as sodas and tea, and | | | | etc. |
| replace them with water. This alone could cut out | | | | 10. By all means, breastfeed! Many mothers don't |
| hundreds of calories each day. | | | | know it, but you can burn 500 calories a day |
| 3. Each week, shop for healthy snacks. Then | | | | breastfeeding. So the longer you do so, the more |
| make sure you keep these within easy reach, so | | | | calories you can burn. |
| that when you feel a hankering for something, | | | | 11. Don't be impressed by all of those celebrity |
| you'll snack on something healthy rather than | | | | mothers you hear about who lose weight |
| something fattening. Good snacks include such | | | | seemingly overnight. Remember that these people |
| things as popcorn, nuts, raisins and wheat | | | | have the money to pay for personal trainers, |
| crackers. You should try to completely cut out of | | | | dietitians and nurses. The rate that they lose |
| your diet store-bought junk food like potato chips | | | | weight is unrealistic for most women, so they |
| and doughnuts. | | | | should not be looked upon as role models for |
| 4. When you eat meats, make sure they are lean | | | | your own fitness goals. Remember that for the |
| items such as lean beef, turkey, and boneless | | | | average woman, it will take as much as six |
| chicken. | | | | months after you deliver your baby for your |
| 5. Stand fast against the temptation to visit the | | | | body to get back to its normal condition. |
| fast-food joint down the street. And if you find | | | | The moral of all of these tips is that you should |
| yourself in a situation where you must visit one, | | | | by all means pursue a return to fitness. But as |
| choose the salad, not the burger and fries. | | | | you do so, remember to be realistic, and to be |
| 6. Replace white breads and grains with whole | | | | patient with yourself. You'll have your former fit |
| grains such as wheat bread, brown rice, and so | | | | body back before you know it! |