How to stay in shape during pregnancy

Staying in shape during pregnancy has lots of benefits it provides to the body. Research has shown that you might put on  7 pounds less than pregnant women who don’t exercise, and this will make you stay within the healthy weight-gain range.

In addition, you are less likely to be constipated, experience pregnancy aches and pains and it helps the health of your baby.

The following activities will keep you in shape and provide you with more energy to get you through your pregnancy period.

1. Walk

Walking is one of the safest and easiest ways to exercise during pregnancy. You should take a walk to go see a friend or to get groceries at the supermarket. It is convenient and gives you energy than you can ever imagine.

2. Healthy diet

During the period of pregnancy, medical experts always advise pregnant women to keep a healthy diet which is good for the health of the baby as well as that of the mother to-be.

One of the many benefits of keeping a healthy diet is that it helps you to stay in shape and you will be able to snap back to your pre-pregnancy shape after child delivery.

You should try to avoid unhealthy calories such as those found in sweets and junk food. Also, consult your doctor if you are suffering from nausea due to morning sickness or lack of appetite. Your Doctor can help you find solutions to get proper nutrition.

In addition, avoid alcoholic drink and smoking. This is because these substances can be potentially harmful to you and your unborn baby and may weaken your efforts to stay fit.

3. Drink plenty water

It is important that you drink plenty water during pregnancy. You should drink enough water per day to stay hydrated. During pregnancy, water is the most suitable liquid but you can also drink non-caffeinated tea, juices, clear, non-caffeinated soft drinks that can prevent nausea.

4. Stay active

Talk to your Doctor about the most suitable exercise you can do to help you stay active. This is to ensure your safety and also your baby’s safety. Your doctor may suggest meeting with a fitness professional to help you find the best and safest exercises for you and your baby. Most importantly, make sure you stay active because it will make your delivery process easy.

5. Listen to your body

Pregnancy is a delicate period and as such it is important you listen to your body during this period. This will help you identify if you are tired, if you need to hydrate, or you are experiencing the signs of a more serious problem. Hence, when you feel tired exercising, you should stop. Consult your Doctor once you see any unusual bleeding and permit yourself to rest once you feel tired.

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How to lose weight while breastfeeding

How to lose weight while breast feeding

Most women find it difficult to breastfeed and also embark on a weightloss journey. This explains why some wait till their babies have out grown the breastfeeding period to properly lose the fat accumulated from during and after the pregnancy.

We all know the importance of breastfeeding for the baby, but for some set of women, it also has the benefit of helping them burn some extra calories, which can help to shed extra pounds gained during pregnancy. Care and caution should be taken when trying to lose weight while breast feeding.

However, by eating the right types of foods, exercising, and taking good care of yourself, you can shed weight. Breastfeeding and taking care of a baby is very time-consuming, and losing weight might feel like an impossible task.

Weightloss while breastfeeding can be a slow process and it can take a long time for you and a short time for the next person because our bodies are different. Therefore, don’t feel sad about it but try to be consistent.

If you want to get your pre-pregnancy body back, the healthiest way to lose weight is through a gradual process and you need to start by eating healthy foods with a low-fat content. The good news is that you can go on the weight loss journey and still breast feed by following the tips below.

Five tips on how to lose weight while breastfeeding

1. Eat smaller but frequent meals

When you eat in small portions at frequent intervals, it helps to reduce your level of appetite which will prevent you from going for unhealthy choices when hungry.

In addition, waiting for a long time before you eat affects your hormone which affects the supply of milk.

2. Cut down your calories

It is also safe to go on diet while breastfeeding. But, your calorie intake should not be below 1,800 calories in a day and make sure you eat nutritious food because of the baby.

3. Look for healthy and nutritious alternative for snack

Most times, we feel that snacking is unhealthy for the body. This is actually not true, snacking is healthy and it keeps hunger away. Snacking should not be discouraged, just make sure youould take healthy snack like fruits and nuts.

4. Drink enough water

Drinking water is recommended to help with weightloss. Water helps to flush out harmful toxin from your body that can hinder the breakdown of the food you have eaten. Staying hydrated is important for successful breastfeeding, and it’s essential for healthy weightloss.

5. Start with exercise

Take up light exercise that won’t affect your breastfeeding. Pay more attention to aerobics and cardio workouts. You can start by taking 30-minute workout sessions three to five times a week. Take a stroll because it can also help and you can use this time to take your child out for some fresh air. However, don’t try to overwork yourself; take one step at a time.

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