How To Lose Weight While Pregnant | Lose Weight Safely During Pregnancy and Feel Great Again

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The media seems obsessed with showing us photos of the latest celebrity mum-to-be and how little weight she's put on by following the latest faddy hocus pocus weight loss diet.

Let's get something straight...

You can lose weight while pregnant but you should only lose excess weight...in other words weight that you and the baby can afford to be without - in fact would be healthier without.

I must stress that pregnancy is certainly NOT the time to be dieting in order to lose weight. Depriving yourself and the baby can do unnecessary damage to both of you. In saying that though, you can still make sensible, informed and healthy lifestyle choices to ensure you stay at an appropriate weight for you and your little one. Exercise will be an important factor in this.

Many women when looking to lose weight while pregnant, tend to overlook the question of whether they are actually excessively overweight in the first place.

This raises an interesting question about what is the right weight for a pregnant woman. We all know that weight gain is part of pregnancy but we want to know whether we are gaining too much or not enough, and if we are gaining too much then what we can do to lose weight while pregnant as safely as possible.

Anywhere between 25-45 pounds depending on the woman, some will be more, some will be less, but this is useful as a ball park figure to get an average.

Check with your doctor or health professional for your own ideal weight, and then you'll be much better equipped to when setting goals to lose weight while pregnant.

You don't have to go through your pregnancy feeling overweight and unattractive. By getting fit to deliver your baby, you'll not only lose excess weight by shaving off those pounds, but will enjoy an easy labour, feel great, and you'll be in a great position to lose your pregnancy weight quickly after delivery without all the drama of stretch marks, nausea, fatigue and misery.

By taking steps now you can prevent yourself getting sagging breasts and cellulite, and be back at your pre-pregnancy best in no time at all.

It's Time To Become The Hottest Mom In Town! :)

ARRRRGGGGHHHH! Cellulite!

Cellulite during pregnancy is a fairly common affliction among most women and is therefore a source of real frustration. People will often tell you not to worry about it, but that's easier said than done, right?

Fortunately there are simple steps that you can take to help avoid and reduce cellulite during pregnancy.

The cellulite itself is basically a build up of small pockets of fat that bulge against the skin, causing the classic 'cottage cheese' or 'orange peel' look.

Since cellulite during pregnancy is a fairly common affliction there's no need for you to feel alone and self-critical. In many cases the cellulite problem will reduce or virtually disappear after the baby is born, particularly if you maintain an active lifestyle with good diet and regular exercise. By understanding how to lose weight while pregnant you can reduce and later eliminate your cellulite problem.

Kegel Exercises

While not particularly designed to help you lose weight while pregnant, Kegel exercises are excellent to perform during your pregnancy as they help to strengthen your pubococcygeus muscles (pelvic floor muscles), which support everything inside the pelvic cavity (such as the uterus, the bladder and rectum) and are like a hammock slung in your pelvis. Good old Wikipedia goes into a lot depth on Kegel Exercises

By performing Kegel exercises during your pregnancy, you should end up with an easier labour, as you will have developed far more control over these muscles. It can also reduce the chances of you having bladder leaks and hemorrhoids - two very common problems during pregnancy.

How to do Kegel Exercises

Imagine you are trying to stop the flow of urine or trying not to pass gas. By doing this, you are contracting the muscles of the pelvic floor.

While doing Kegel exercises, it's important to try not to move your leg, buttock or abdominal muscles.

Work up to keeping the muscles contracted for 10 seconds at a time, relaxing for 10 seconds between contractions.

Don't hold your breath or anything...just breath easily.

Perform a set of 10 of these contractions 3 times a day

It should not be obvious to anyone watching that you are actually doing Kegel exercises - this is the beauty of these exercises...you can do them anywhere, anytime...whether you're waiting for a bus or watching your favourite tv show.

Swimming

Swimming is an excellent way to keep fit and healthy and help you to lose weight while pregnant. It is a fantastic way to get some low-impact exercise, while improving stamina, strength and overall well-being. The extra buoyancy you'll feel in the water will come as a welcome bonus and will reduce the stress upon your back muscles. Swimming regularly is a great exercise to really help to tone your thighs and lose weight while pregnant.

Take a look at your local swimming baths or leisure centre for special classes for pregnant women. It's a great way to meet other mums-to-be and make new friends as well as improving your fitness and health.

Is Yoga Any Good While Pregnant?

While not a great exercise to specifically help you lose weight while pregnant, performing yoga during your pregnancy can provide many benefits.

These days yoga is very popular as it can strengthen your body, give you more flexibility, prevent aches and pains and improve your breathing. There are many classes specifically for pregnant women, but make sure your instructor is properly qualified and has experience with yoga for pregnant woman. Yoga is not fantastic on it's own as a way to lose weight while pregnant, but it is great as a complimentary activity and can help you feel better, more energised and more motivated.

Staying in shape while pregnant will help you not only feel better and healthier while carrying your baby, but will also stand you in good stead to lose weight after pregnancy

***Have a read of my article here where I go into greater detail on the right and wrong ways to exercise during pregnancy to help you lose weight while pregnant***