Reduce coffee intake, rest aplenty… How to lose pregnancy weight

Weight gained during pregnancy is a serious source of concern for women the world over.

Even though research shows that it takes at least the same amount of time used to gain weight (9 months) for the body to return its normal size, some still find it hard to return to their former body size, even after that period of time.

May Simpkin, a nutritional therapist at Healthista, United Kingdom, has shared four tips to show how women can lose accumulated pregnancy weight.

Sufficient rest

Several studies have shown that lack of sleep has a lot to do with the hormones (leptin and ghrelin) regulating the appetite.

The hormones are active when you are awake and they tend to send a signal to the brain that you are hungry when you are up.

They also communicate with the brain when you are asleep.

Reduce coffee intake

Several women take coffee to stay awake in order to attend to the newborn.

Simpkin advises that you should cut down your coffee intake as it triggers the release of the stress hormone, cortisol.

Once the hormone is triggered, there would be cravings for sugary foods and this would contribute to your weight gain.

After taking 1 or 2 cups of coffee, try supplementing it with herbal teas. This would improve your hydration and help you avoid blood sugar fluctuations.

Be mobile

Walking around will help you lose baby weight and help increase your pace over time.

25-30 minutes’ daily walk coupled with your house chores are enough exercise activities for the day. These would make you burn fat and equally invigorate you.

Watch what you eat

It is normal for pregnant women to consume more than what they used to eat.

It is, however, important that you cut down the food proportion as you are no more eating for two but just yourself.

Eat healthy foods; the role they play in your weight loss quest is extremely important.