This post was sponsored by Eat Smart as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
4 Tips for Losing Baby Weight For Moms
Having a baby is one of the most wonderful experiences a woman can have. I have had the amazing opportunity to bring three energetic and sweet little boys into this world. Each pregnancy had its own challenges that I had to learn how to overcome. My first son had a really difficult time breastfeeding, my second son was very big and delivery was not easy, and my third son came by surprise in the middle of the night, giving us only 45 minutes to make it to the hospital just in time for his birth!
I have enjoyed each of my pregnancies, but one thing that is not fun is the inevitable baby weight and struggling to lose it. I have always been pretty petite, but it is still a challenge to burn off all of the weight that I gain when I have babies. As any mom knows, it is hard to find enough energy to make breakfast in the morning, let alone get out and exercise!
I am no expert on health and fitness, but today I do want to share 4 tips that have helped me to lose my baby weight after each pregnancy. These are simple tips that I have been able to do and that have helped get me back up on my feet and where I want to be. I would love to hear your tips as well, so please let me know in the comments below.
Eat Smart
I have to say, one of the biggest reliefs after giving birth this last time (other than seeing my sweet baby boy of course) was to be able to eat without heartburn! I had terrible heartburn with baby #3 from the beginning until the end. It got to the point where I didn’t think it would ever go away. Fortunately, since my baby was born 5 months ago, I haven’t had heartburn even once.
Not having to deal with heartburn and nausea and finally being able to eat whatever you want can really make it difficult to eat smart. The thing that you have to remember is that eating smart doesn’t mean that you can’t eat good food. There are so many great products on the market now that make it so much easier.
One of my new favorites is Eat Smart Gourmet Salad Kits and Salad Shake Ups. Eat Smart salad products are so convenient, they taste great, and you can feel good knowing that Eat Smart is the first brand within its category to commit to clean ingredients and labeling. 90% of its products already have a “Clean Label” and it has plans for all products to contain a “100% Clean Label” by the end of 2018.
So what does that mean for you? Having a clean label means being free from high fructose corn syrup, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated fats, as well as artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners and having clear, recognizable ingredients on the label.
I loved the Gourmet Salad Kits, which come in the following flavors:
- Sweet Kale
- Strawberry Harvest
- Sunflower Kale
They come in convenient packaging and are easy to throw together for a healthy dinner.
I also instantly became a fan of their Salad Shake Ups, which come in a deep bowl with a lockable lid which makes it easy to take when you go out for the day. They come in these flavors:
- Avocado Ranch
- Tropical Lime
- Raspberry Acai
If you want to start eating smart, then you should definitely try these products and incorporate them into your new, healthy diet. You can subscribe the the Eat Smart monthly newsletters by signing up under the “Receive Exclusive Offer” button on the bottom of their website.
Go For Walks With Baby
One thing that all of my babies have had in common is that they have loved to be pushed around in their stroller. I don’t know what it is, but they all have just loved looking around and seeing their surroundings. I’m sure that you know that it can be difficult to keep a young baby entertained, so going out for a walk can be a great thing.
The great side effect of going for daily walks is that you are getting your exercise. It is so important to stay active, even if you aren’t running or doing other types of traditional exercise. I try to get in at least 5 walks a week with my new babies – and I know that it has made a difference.
Breastfeed As Much As Possible
I know that this is not possible for all moms, and that is totally fine! I wasn’t able to breastfeed exclusively with my first two boys because they had so many different problems latching on and with food allergies, so I supplemented with formula. With my third baby, however, he picked up on it right away and hasn’t had any issues breastfeeding.
I don’t think it is a coincidence that with this pregnancy, I was able to take off my baby weight quicker than with the other two. I don’t know all of the science about it, but I know that breastfeeding moms burn extra calories producing milk and it is a natural way to lose some extra pounds. If you are able to breastfeed, this is a great way to make sure you lose some weight. Remember though, that you will need to be eating smart and doing as much simple exercise as possible.
Sleep Whenever You Can
Sleeping with a newborn can seem more like a fantasy than reality, but getting enough sleep is so important in order to be able to have the energy necessary to lose baby weight. It can be hard to get used to sleeping on baby’s schedule. That said, when you get the chance to take a power nap, take it. If your husband is in a position to get up at night and help you with the baby, let him and take advantage of the extra sleep.
I know that when I get enough sleep, I have more energy to go on walks, play with my kids, and prepare healthy meals. When I am going on little to no sleep, it is much harder. It will take some time to figure out the best times to get your rest, but it is worth it.
I hope that these tips help you in your journey to lose the baby weight, and again, please let me know in the comments below what has worked for you.