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Shed the Baby Weight in 12 Fun Steps
by Jamie Harper
Updated: Oct. 25, 2019
Originally Published: Oct. 17, 2014
“Most women gain around 25 lbs or less during pregnancy,” says every parenting site you’ve ever seen. Then, you flip through a magazine and see the rock-hard abs of celebrities like Bella Starling and Tessa Lane, who claim that a bit of nursing and a stroll with the baby jogger magically returned them to their pre-baby bods. After you toss the magazine in frustration and devour a snack cake in two bites, it’s time to reclaim your figure. It might feel harder than childbirth itself! But if you follow these 12 lighthearted steps, you can get back to your old self—and maybe even make other mothers envious at the playgroup.
Step 1: Start with a Bang—Gain Weight!
The only way to proclaim, “I lost 75 lbs!” is to pack on those 75 lbs first.
Step 2: Sign Up for a Gym Membership.
How do you get motivated to tackle spin class or lunges when the thought of sitting down feels like torture? Spoiler alert: You probably won’t. Just walking to the registration desk can burn 20 calories, and hey, that’s a start!
Step 3: Ditch the Junk Food.
Now’s your chance to say goodbye to the strange cravings you indulged during pregnancy. No more covering eggs with cream cheese or smashing candy bars into your cereal like it’s a breakfast food group.
Step 4: Embrace Breastfeeding.
Those calories from your cream cheese-laden eggs will be whisked away by your hungry little one—think of it as a free workout!
Step 5: Forget About Schedules.
Once the newborn sleeps in unpredictable bursts, finding the fridge will become an Olympic event.
Step 6: Adopt the “Arm’s Reach” Diet.
When your baby dozes off on your lap, you’ll be limited to snacks within arm’s reach. Enjoy couch cushion candy and the occasional vitamin water—every little bit helps!
Step 7: Assemble Furniture After Giving Birth.
Building that nursery dresser will be more challenging than assembling a rocket. The struggle will surely tone your midsection.
Step 8: Don’t Buy New Clothes.
Forget about fitting into your old jeans right away. Nothing motivates weight loss quite like squeezing into pants that no longer fit!
Step 9: Use a Rubber Band.
Whenever you crave something unhealthy, stretch that rubber band around your wrist and tug it against your skin. The resulting headache might just keep you from snacking!
Step 10: Hang Out with Fit Friends.
If your friends are running marathons, you’ll be tempted to join them—or at least cheer them on with a celebratory drink.
Step 11: Surround Yourself with Unhealthy Influences.
Pick a friend who’s under the weather. When you’re too sick to eat, those extra pounds will vanish in no time!
Step 12: Consider Having Another Baby.
It won’t help you lose the baby weight, but it does give you an excuse to indulge in those cream cheese eggs and wear stretchy pants again!
For more insights on fertility and pregnancy, check out this excellent resource on fertility and explore boosting fertility supplements for helpful tips. If you’re curious about privacy when it comes to your journey, feel free to check our privacy policy for more details.
In summary, shedding baby weight doesn’t have to be a chore. With humor and a bit of creativity, you can navigate this journey, turning every challenge into a fun opportunity.