Your body pads itself with excess
fat during pregnancy to help nourish your baby and to ensure a healthy
milk supply. Actively trying to lose weight interferes with this process
and puts you and your baby at risk for vitamin and mineral
deficiencies. On the other hand, obesity during pregnancy increases your
risk of pregnancy complications and puts your baby at risk for being
obese later in life. You can lose some of your belly fat during
pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor about your
plans to lose stomach fat. The American Congress of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists only recommends weight loss for women with a BMI greater
than 40 and only under the supervision of a doctor.
Free Keyword Rank Checker Rank checker checks and graphs SERP results for 100s of your keywords. whatsmyserp.com
Step 2
Work with your doctor to
determine the number of calories you should aim to eat each day.
Pregnant women at normal weights need only 150 to 300 additional
calories per day, according to MayoClinic.com. Your needs will likely be
less, especially in the first trimester, when the least amount of
weight gain typically occurs.
Step 3
Eat a nutritious diet, which
will both nourish your baby and encourage weight loss. Choose
low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables,
whole grains and fat-free dairy. Pick lean proteins and experiment with
vegetarian proteins.
Step 4
Start an exercise routine that
gets your heart rate up and burns calories without being strenuous. Try
walking, swimming or stationary cycling at a medium pace. Exercise burns
calories, which is the key to weight loss. You cannot lose weight in
just one area of your body alone -- you must burn more calories than you
take in until you lose fat over your whole body --including your excess
stomach fat.
Step 5
Take a prenatal vitamin as an
insurance policy to make sure you're getting the adequate number of
nutrients. If your doctor recommends you cut calories, even slightly,
you might risk nutrient deficiencies. However, do not rely on vitamins
to provide your nutrition. Rely on a nutritious diet.
Step 6
Strengthen core and abdominal
muscles to help tone your abdomen. Strong core muscles bounce back
faster after pregnancy, and more muscle burns more calories. Try
parental yoga or core-strengthening classes designed just for pregnant
women. Avoid exercises that require you to lie on your back.
Step 7
Your pregnancy should end with
you having gained 11 to 20 lbs., according to the American Pregnancy
Association, even if you lose belly fat.
No comments:
Post a Comment