Weight Loss After Pregnancy

When I had basically just had enough with being a bloated mess, I decided to kick my exercise program into high gear. Or at least as high as my exhausted self could handle.

As soon as I got the all-clear form my obstetrician to get moving again, I signed up for a step aerobics class at the local YMCA. Why spend the money and the time for something I could do at home at my convenience? I knew myself too well, and I knew at that point of my life if I left it totally up to me, myself and I to find the time and energy to exercise, I wouldn't.

So I plopped down $50 for 8 weeks of classes and knew with our hard-earned money on the line I'd make a point to get there. And I was right. Now, maybe some women can say they're going to do something and actually do it, but I'm not one of them, and if you're not either, consider signing up for a formal class to give you that added push of incentive.

Once I started formally exercising two evenings a week, I found that I had a lot more energy during the day and decided to take my new baby and toddler for a walk every afternoon after lunch.

That's when I discovered another benefit: it helped my baby relax and fall into a deep sleep which often turned into a three hour afternoon nap, and tired my two-year-old out enough to sleep as well when we got home. And I'll admit, that on some days when I was especially tired, I'd take a nice long nap myself. But on most days I found the walk invigorated me enough to get some work done around the house while the kids were asleep.

With my exercise routine underway, I decided to try my hand at some healthier eating. I stopped buying sugared sweets and drinks and stocked my refrigerator with a bunch of tasty low-calories snacks.

For those times when I craved something less nutritious I hid a pack of small bite-sized candy bars in the freezer. By having them out of the way (and out of sight), I found that I didn't reach for them nearly as often as I once had.

After all, I was too busy taking care of a house and two small children to take the time to dig through the freezer every time I was hungry, so I opted for grabbing some fresh cut fruit, rice cakes or a sugar-free pudding cup from the refrigerator instead.

With my eating well under control, and a dedicated exercise program in place, it wasn't long before I noticed that my pants weren't fitting anymore. In less than 6 months I had lost all of my baby fat - and an additional 10 pounds!

And without really doing much more than taking my kids for a walk around the neighborhood every day, eating right and taking just two exercise classes a week!

Try it and watch your after-baby weight disappear too. Weight loss after pregnancy is not impossible if you just put your mind to it!