What’s the fastest way to lose weight after a baby? Most women ask this question even before giving birth. After your baby is born, you probably have a great desire to get back your pre-baby body, or at the very least, see your feet again! Pregnancy weight gain can do a number on your self-esteem because of the way it alters the way your body looks. No one wants to be compared to or feel like a blimp, even if you are growing your child in there.

Clearly it’s important to have a plan to lose all that baby weight if you want to do it in a way that leaves you healthy enough to take care of a newborn. Here are some great tips for finding the fastest way to lose weight after a baby.

The most important tip for finding the fastest way to lose weight after a baby:

Losing weight too quickly can be unhealthy, so it’s important to know what the guidelines for healthy weight loss after pregnancy are. so that you don’t overdo it or worry too much about your progress. The U.S. National Library of Medicine believes that you should aim to lose half your baby weight within the first six months, with the other half to follow six months later.

Ideally then, you should be aiming to lose all your pregnancy weight by the time your baby is one year old. Give yourself some time though after the baby is born before you go full tilt in finding the quickest way to lose weight after having a baby. Usually, your six-week checkup is a good time to start the weight loss process.

Baby Weight? Diet Carefully!

The healthiest way to quickly lose weight after having a baby is to mind what you eat. That doesn’t mean skipping meals. In fact, skipping meals can signal to your body that it needs to store the fat it already has! Instead, focus on things like your vegetable and fruit intake, which will give you the vitamins and minerals you need.

Cut down on sugar and make sure to select lean cuts of meat or fish. Speaking of diet, breast-feeding might even help you lose weight. The best way for how to reduce post-pregnancy weight is it to aim for a 500-calorie reduction in your diet.

Exercise is the fastest way to lose weight after a baby.

Taking care of a newborn is hard work. Period. There will be days when it seems like the only exercise you get is running to the nursery to take care of the baby. Try to carve out small increments during the day (like when the baby is asleep) to exercise gently. Get out the stroller and take short walks with the baby around the neighborhood.

You might even want to look at the schedules for your gym, community center, or community college. Many of them will offer mommy and me classes that encourage exercise and interaction with your baby. Not only will you be able to exercise and shed the baby weight, but you’ll also be able to make some new friends who are in the same boat.

Finding the fastest way to lose weight after a baby is all about mindful eating and exercise. If you do it right, you should experience having a little more energy right when you need it as a wonderful bonus. Just remember that you gained weight all this over the course of nine months, so, for your own good, don’t expect it to melt away in an instant – that wouldn’t be healthy at all.