How to Lose the Baby Weight You Gained

A pregnancy can be a time of joy. Yet, shedding the extra weight after you've delivered can be a challenging time. With a normal pregnancy, you can expect to gain up to 35 lb. for a single birth, and up to 54 lb. with twins, as indicated by Babycenter. Some of your pregnancy weight is attributed to water weight gain, amniotic fluid and blood, which is mostly lost after birth. Trying to lose the extra weight takes determination, as well as setting realistic goals.

Instructions

• 1

  Breastfeed your baby if possible.

  Try breastfeeding to lose the baby weight. According to FitPregnancy, breastfeeding women can burn up to 800 calories in a day. After you stop breastfeeding your child permanently, adjust your caloric intake to 2,000 calories a day, and adopt an exercise routine.

• 2

  Find an exercise routine.

  Introduce an exercise routine. If you weren't physically active prior to your pregnancy, walking and swimming are acceptable exercises. Otherwise, aerobics, jogging and weight training are good exercises. Start gradually.

• 3

  Exercise with your baby.

  Find exercises that include your baby, such as yoga. Yoga can help you lose weight, strengthen and tighten the abdominal muscles. Walking your baby in a stroller is another way to help lose weight.

• 4

  Work your abs.

  Do exercises that develop your abdominal muscles, as noted by the Mayo Clinic. A pregnancy can stretch the abdominal wall, and doing exercises for your abs can help tone these muscles.

• 5

  Cut out the junk food.

  Eat a healthier diet, including more fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. Exclude unnecessary foods from your diet, such as chips, soda and too many desserts. Eat smaller meals, more frequently to keep your blood sugar level, which will prevent snacking.