Avoid Gaining Weight After Pregnancy

For many pregnant women, gaining weight is a big concern. The problem arises after the baby has been born. It is difficult to lose a lot of weight after the delivery. The woman becomes self-conscious and fears that she has become unattractive to her partner so she wants to lose the excess weight quickly. Some of the factors that lead to weight gain are a lack of time to exercise, abnormal hormone levels and food cravings. This is why guides like Pregnancy Without Pounds have become very popular.

Prevention
The key to this weight gain issue is to stop the problem before it starts. It is important to gain just enough weight during pregnancy for the baby to be healthy.

The recommended weight gain range is from 25 to 35 pounds depending on the woman's weight prior to the pregnancy. Pregnancy weight trackers are also available online for estimates on how much weight should be gained. To get more accurate figures, it is best to consult a health care professional.

Diet
A healthy diet is very important for a pregnancy without gaining excess pounds. You should eat food with high nutritional value in order to support the development of your baby. You shouldn't just give in to all your food cravings and eat everything you want just because you are eating for two.

The baby needs only about three hundred calories a day above your normal dietary calories. This is about the number of calories in three large bananas or two glasses of milk; don't go overboard and double what you normally eat.

Avoid junk food and fast food that are just full of empty calories, fat and sugar. A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, poultry, meat and dairy products should be included in your daily diet. Calcium, iron and protein are very important for the development of your baby. Ask your health care provider if you need prenatal supplements.

Remember to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep hydrated. Caffeinated drinks like coffee, hot chocolate and soda should be avoided because caffeine, even in low levels, can increase the chances of miscarriage and slow fetal development.

Exercise
Moderate regular exercise is very healthy for pregnant women. It is one of the best ways to control weight gain and to strengthen the body in preparation for childbirth. Exercise will also ensure you do not gain excess weight after childbirth. The Pregnancy Without Pounds review covers this in more detail.

Remember to ask your health care provider if it is safe for you to exercise. Remember to drink lots of water before, during and after your workout in order to avoid dehydration. Exercise should be at least 25 minutes a day or three to five times a week depending on the advice of your health care provider.

Low impact kinds of exercise are recommended for pregnant women. There are exercises specifically designed for pregnant women like prenatal yoga, aerobics and water workouts. Cardiovascular exercise is very important for pregnant women but strenuous workouts should be avoided. Walking, swimming and dancing are the best forms of cardiovascular exercise for pregnant women. Take a closer look at Pregnancy Without Pounds to find out more information.