| Every woman gains weight when she's pregnant, | | | | through the neighborhood instead of always |
| and many women lose all the extra pounds soon | | | | putting him in the stroller. The baby will enjoy |
| after the baby is born. For others, though, every | | | | being close to mom (it's a great way to put a |
| new child adds an additional 10 to 25 pounds that | | | | fussy baby to sleep), and you'll have more fun, |
| seems almost impossible to get rid of. | | | | too. And you'll lose more weight when you walk |
| If you know that you tend to put on weight | | | | because you're carrying the baby. |
| during a pregnancy because you never really lot | | | | Since you now have a new family, it's a good idea |
| the extra pounds after your last baby was born, | | | | to learn as much as you can about healthy eating, |
| it's a good idea to discuss the issue with your | | | | so all of you can feel your best and be as healthy |
| doctor during your prenatal visits. | | | | as possible. If you've slipped into sloppy eating |
| She'll make sure you're getting the nutrition you | | | | habits during your pregnancy because cooking |
| need, and will help you avoid gaining more weight | | | | right just seemed like too much trouble, now is |
| during the pregnancy than you should. However, | | | | the time to snap out of it and put those veggies |
| with the various hormone changes, weird food | | | | back on the menu. |
| urges, and the lower rate of exercise that most | | | | Eat a big salad at the beginning of every meal, |
| of us get when we're carrying a baby in the | | | | and make them fun - with lots of variety and |
| womb, it's not always easy to follow the doctor's | | | | taste - so it starts to become second nature. Be |
| advice. If you have "morning" sickness all day long, | | | | sure you always have more veggies on your |
| ice cream is sometimes the only thing you can | | | | plate than anything else, as well, because that |
| get yourself to eat. | | | | way you'll be able to fill up and feel satisfied |
| So, what do you do to get rid of the extra | | | | without being tempted to weigh yourself down |
| pounds after the baby is born? | | | | with the calories that hide in bread, pasta, red |
| First of all, have one more talk with your doctor. | | | | meat and desserts. |
| Make sure that you don't have any lingering | | | | The one thing that will be the most helpful to you |
| nutritional deficiencies, such as anemia, that a diet | | | | is to remember that the way you eat now will |
| could make worse. | | | | influence your new baby's health for many years |
| If you find yourself eating "comfort food" to | | | | to come. Many people have discovered that they |
| counteract unhappiness or stress, ask your | | | | have a hard time losing weight until they realize |
| doctor to check to see if you have post-partum | | | | their own eating habits may be hurting their kids. |
| depression. Depression is common after a child is | | | | Doing something for yourself might feel like a |
| born, and it often causes people to gain weight, | | | | bother and too much work, (especially if it means |
| but it's treatable - so there's no reason to let it | | | | cooking a real meal instead of grabbing a pizza), |
| drag you down. If it's a problem for you, talk to | | | | but doing the same thing for people you love is |
| your doctor. | | | | fun and feels completely worthwhile. Of course, |
| If you're going to breastfeed, getting nutritional | | | | your baby wont be eating those veggies for a |
| advice from your physician is particularly | | | | while, but you'll want to get in the habit now. |
| important. Fortunately, nursing your new baby | | | | Like most people, you'll probably discover that it's |
| may actually help you lose the extra weight - but | | | | easier to stay committed to your baby's health |
| under any circumstances you need to make sure | | | | than your own. It's just human nature. |
| you don't short-change the baby (or yourself!) by | | | | Fortunately, good eating habits help both of you |
| going on a crash diet. | | | | stay healthy, and it will help you lose weight. |
| With your doctor's approval, you'll want to get | | | | If your baby grows up in a household where |
| back into normal daily routines as soon as you | | | | good, wholesome food is always a high priority, |
| can. Don't over-do, of course, but start moving | | | | and where sweets and other treats are only |
| again if you tended to sit a lot during your | | | | given only on special occasions, your child will grow |
| pregnancy. Habits are easy to build, and difficult to | | | | up strong and healthy. If you take the time now |
| break. | | | | to learn how to eat right, you'll naturally lose your |
| To help you get back into walking for exercise, | | | | extra weight while you eat those veggies, and |
| think about getting a front carrier or sling so you | | | | the whole family will benefit from your efforts. |
| can take your baby with you on short walks | | | | |