Weight Loss During Pregnancy
The average woman should gain less than 20 pounds during the entire duration of her pregnancy. In any woman, it could be that greater weight gain could actually contribute to the obesity and larger size of the baby, which is unhealthy once it gets past a certain point in fat. Yes, a baby shouldn’t be too small. But there are more acceptable variances, and just because you are having a baby does not mean that you are actually eating for 2!
We have all seen celebrities who gain 30, 40, even 50 pounds and subsequently take it off in a few weeks. This is obviously extremely unhealthy. For some women, a fair amount of the weight gained is water weight. So realistically speaking, that weight will come off in the few days following birth. But one can definitely tell the difference, and evenso, many doctors may have serious concerns about that kind of weight as it may indicate serious medical conditions.
What may surprise some however is the fact that some women should actually lose weight during a pregnancy! If you are on a healthy diet and exercise program which can include light cardio during pregnancy, you should be able to maintain a relatively fit body with of course a bulge in one particular area. But doctors say that some women who qualify as obese should actually lose weight during pregnancy in order to maintain the health of the fetus. This weight loss could result from a change in diet, from added exercise, from changes in lifestyle that would promote greater health pregnant or not.
It involves all the basic ideas. Stop eating when you’re part way full and wait to see if you’re still hungry in a little while. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Even if it is just light exercise like walking, take at least 30 minutes, preferably 1 hour minimum per day to walk, run, or otherwise involve yourself in cardio. Focus on lean proteins and other whole grain foods, nutrient dense foods. And eat regularly in small portions throughout the day.
Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, the fetus is a tiny and rather insignificant part of the body. It is not a fully sized person, and therefore it does not need all of the food that a full grown person would. In fact, if you eat this amount, most of it will just turn into fat. But getting the right nutrients and not being malnourished is obviously even more important than ever, and certain women of certain weight classes can actually continue to lose weight through the duration of their pregnancy. But most women of a healthy weight with the right plan can maintain weight and regain their basic shape following birth. The idea that pregnancy has to lead to more fat is a misconception and a myth born of many other old myths and ideas.