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Having a baby is an amazing experience for any women but when it comes to weight loss afterwards, it can be difficult to shed those unwanted pounds.  A healthy woman should gain around 25-35 pounds but depending on the size of the woman , the baby, her health and other factors many women gain upwards to 60 pounds during pregnancy.  It is understandable that you want to get back to your pre-baby shape as soon as possible, but with the challenges of being a new mother, it is not always that easy.  Here are three tips to help you get back into shape after pregnancy in a healthy way:

1.  Take it easy. It may have felt like it only took a few weeks to put on that weight but in reality it took about nine months. Don’t expect to get back to your pre baby weight right away - it take more time to lose weight than put it on. Your body has been through a lot during pregnancy and giving birth, so give yourself time to recover. It takes up to 6 months after pregnancy for your body to return to normal, so even if you aren’t breast feeding, don’t be in a hurry to slash calories.  It is more important to be healthy and have energy for your baby than it is to lose weight.

2. Exercise when you feel up to it.  You will do more harm than good if you return to exercise too quickly after you give birth. You should be active but don’t push yourself too quickly. Avoid any type of vigorous exercise until you have had a post pregnancy check up and your doctor gives you the go ahead.

3. Drinks tons of water and eat plenty of small meals throughout the day.  It is important to drink at least 10 glasses of water a day which will keep you hydrated, keep your energy levels up and will curb your hunger. You should also be eating plenty of healthy meals and snacks throughout the day, especially if you are breastfeeding. You need extra calories at this time but be sure that they come from wholesome sources and not junk food.

It is important to remember that after you have a baby, the focus should be on being a good mother and being healthy to take care of your child. It is understandable that you want to get back to your regular body, but try not to put too much focus on it.