Set Yourself Up to Lose the Baby Weight

Be Ready to Lose the Pregnancy Pounds with These Plan-Ahead Ideas

As an Exercise Physiologist, I have devoted my career to helping my clients get and stay in shape. I knew that after I had my first baby, it was going to be harder to find the time to fit in my usual fitness routine. So I thought ahead and got ready in the last few weeks of my pregnancy and it really paid off. At just 12 weeks post-partum, I had lost all of the 30 pounds I had packed on and a couple of extra!

Whether this is your first baby, your last, or one somewhere in the middle, getting the extra weight off as soon as possible probably seems over-whelming, especially in the last few weeks of your pregnancy. But with a few preparations in these last weeks, you will be ready to start getting healthy as soon as you get home from the hospital. With these simple steps, you will feel like getting back into shape is just a new lifestyle for you, not some impossible-to-reach goal.

1.) In these last few weeks make healthy, low calorie casseroles and meals for your family and immediately freeze one small serving size from each meal. Then when the baby is born and you are hungry, you can just pop one meal in the microwave for an instant healthy meal. You won't be as tempted to eat sugary or salty snacks if the healthy food is so easy to grab. By just saving 100-200 calories per day, you will see the pounds slowly drop off. By eating nutritiously, your energy will be more constant so you can make it through those first few tiring days at home with your new little one. Here's a few ideas: lasagna with whole wheat pasta, lentil soup, beef stew, any chicken or turkey casseroles, chicken noodle soup with whole wheat noodles, whole wheat ravioli with marinara, and grilled chicken (sliced to go on a salad or sandwich). Approximate calories saved by substituting one 350 calorie meal for a cheeseburger and fries = 350!After just 10 days, that adds up to one extra pound of fat lost!