I'm 26 and just had a baby. How can I lose 20 lbs of pregnancy weight in 30 days?

Question

I'm about 5'6" and 150 lbs. I just had a baby four months ago. I was 135 lbs pre-pregnancy and would like to get down to about 130. My husband comes home from Iraq in a month and I want to look good for him again. Please help!!!

Answer 1

Healthy weight loss tips


* Take one pound at a time
Don’t get overwhelmed by how much weight you need to lose. Try to remember that "losing 15 pounds in two weeks" is nothing to celebrate. It is important to realize that the more quickly weight is lost, the more likely the loss is coming from water and muscle, not fat.

Since muscle tissue is critical in keeping our metabolism elevated, losing it actually leads to a decrease in the amount of calories we can each day without gaining weight.

Fat loss is best achieved when weight is lost slowly. Strive for a weight loss of no more than 3-4 pounds per week. One pound of weight is equivalent to 3500 calories.


* Set Reachable Goals
For instance, if you know you need to get more exercise, begin with a manageable goal of, say, walking 10 minutes a day that you know you can achieve. Then build your self-esteem by achieving the small goals you set yourself.

The same logic applies for losing weight.

* Stay off the scales
Don’t get discouraged when your progress seems to be slow according to your bathroom scales. They do not provide a true measure of what is going on with the body.

If exercise levels are adequate (5-7 days a week), you may be putting on muscle but losing fat, thus losing inches even if you are not losing pounds. It's always a good idea to do several body measurements to have a second objective way to monitor progress.

* Stay focused on being healthy, not thin
# Many people become more successful at long term weight loss when their motive changes from wanting to be thinner to wanting to be healthier. Change your mindset to think about selecting foods that will help your body's health rather than worrying about foods that will affect your body's weight. The Food Pyramid offers a basic outline of the types and amounts of food you should eat each day to give your body the nutrients it needs for optimal health.

* Fat Free?
We've known for some time that limiting high fat foods in the diet can be helpful with weight loss. That's because fats pack in 9 calories per gram compared to only 4 calories per gram from proteins or carbohydrates. To many, the message to limit fats implied an endorsement to eat unlimited amounts of fat-free products. Just to clarify, fat-free foods have calories too. In some cases fat-free foods have as many calories as their fat laden counterparts. If you eat more calories than your body uses, you will gain weight. Eating less fat will help you to lose weight. Eating less fat and replacing it with excessive amounts of fat-free products will not.

* Drink plenty of water
Drink eight glasses a day. Water is a natural appetite-suppressant. Nettle tea is a great weight-loss tea as it supports metabolism and has diuretic properties.

* Reward yourself
# Each time you reach a goal, such as losing 5 pounds, reward yourself with a gift or a massage.

* Seek help if you need it
# A big key in long term weight control comes from receiving encouragement and support from others. Find a friend to lose weight with or you can check to see if groups such as Weight Watchers, or eDiets offer programs and resources in your area by clicking the links. You may also wish to check with your local hospital to see if their registered dietician conducts group weight loss programs.

* Watch your portions
With the advent of "supersize" meals and increasingly huge portions at restaurants, our concept of normal serving sizes is a distant memory. Be mindful of the amounts of food you consume at a sitting. When necessary, divide your food in half and ask for a take home bag. It is all too easy to be a "plate cleaner" even when served enormous portions. Learn to pay attention to your hunger level and stop eating when you feel comfortably full, not stuffed.

* Eat your food slowly
Did you ever notice that thin people take an awfully long time to eat their food? Eating slowly is one method that can help take off pounds. That's because from the time you begin eating it takes the brain 20 minutes to start signaling feelings of fullness. Fast eaters often eat beyond their true level of fullness before the 20 minute signal has had a chance to set in. The amount of calories consumed before you begin to feel full can vary significantly depending on how quickly you eat. So slow down, take smaller bites and enjoy your food.

Answer 2

Losing 20 lbs of weight in 30 days is both unrealistic and dangerous. It could be also be dangerous for your baby if you are breast feeding. It is great that you want to look good for your husband, especially after his tour of duty in Iraq, but I am sure he'll be so happy to see you and his new baby, that he will think you're beautiful no matter what. Eat healthy, get some exercise everyday and the weight will go.

Actually, I just signed up at http://www.sparkspeople.com as the lady above suggested and it looks like a really good site, however they recommend a realistic weight loss goal of not more than 2 lbs per week.

Answer 3

I don't know if that's possible ... that's a lot of weight to lose in 30 days and it's probably not healthy either. I'd shoot for less weight loss but that's just me. In any case, you should eat smaller, more frequent meals, only whole grains, lots of fruits and veggies, drink lots of water and remember to eat protein at every meal. Stay away from appetite suppressants as you will lose the weight only to gain it all back. Exercise a few times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes. And if you don't lose all of the weight remember this your husband will be so happy to be home and he will think you're the most beautiful woman in the world!!

PS thank him for serving his country and protecting people like me!!!

Answer 4

I breastfed - weight just fell off - not 30 lbs but some - really watch what you eat but don't deprive if you are bf - if not - total count calories and walk with the stroller all over the place - may get you close!

Answer 5

My husband and I both lost 10 lbs in 14 days the first time we did low carb. It is the fastest way I know. Stick with it and drink lots of water and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. There are a lot of sites with recipes etc. Do the induction phase of Atkins or South Beach. Good Luck to you and your hubby.

Answer 6

I'm 32 weeks and have also gained 30lbs, I was 114lbs when I got pregnant so I really hope to lose the weight fast. My doctor told me it's all in the belly and will come off as soon as she is born. Hope the same goes for you too! Good Luck!

Answer 7

you should have started 2 months ago.. 20 lbs in 30 days isnt gonna happen.. see a nutritionist and make sure you do lots of cardio.
Im sure you look fine already

Answer 8

carry a cooler stocked with three bottles of water a six pack four pb js two oranges a bag of tortilla chips and 12 servings of cool cucumber salsa go to womenshealthmag allrecipes com for the recipe for 22 minutes

Answer 9

Keep fruits and veggies in the fridge to use for snaks

Answer 10

do 250 breaststrokes about 10 minutes