I am sure you have probably read a lot on weight loss after pregnancy. So many out there are writing and commenting on this subject. And believe me, if you want to read up on this matter, you are sure to find plenty of information, too much in fact!!!

When I was reading and researching on this topic for myself, I found so much information that it actually confused me and left me not really knowing what to do. There are so many different approaches, so many different backgrounds, so many different options and opinions, and so many different promises, that I really did not know what to choose for myself, what would work, or what was true.

I just wanted to know about a real mom's approach to postpartum issues, without a hidden agenda. Just the honest truth, experiences and advice, PERIOD!!!

Therefore, what I offer here, is the naked truth on experiences with weight loss and getting back in shape as a new mom. Simple, real and honest.

A diet after pregnancy??? Boy, this is a tricky issue!!!

Wouldn't we all just love to look smashing a few weeks after giving birth?? The media reinforces this sentiment and pressure. I mean if most celebs out there can do it, why can't we???

Well, before rushing and maybe taking not so healthy approaches, please take into consideration important factors, the first of which is your health and your baby's health.

There are plenty of diets that will have you eating 1000 calories at the most to lose the weight, and yes, they work, but to what expense?? If you are breast feeding for example, and decide to take this few calorie approach, then count on your milk supply on going nill. To make milk, you need to eat a certain amount of calories. And please beware that this does not mean that you should eat junk and over indulge on unhealthy foods. It is a time to start eating healthy, but you must eat. This is because even if your baby is out now, he/she will still eat what you eat. Milk is made of whatever foods you eat. Which reminds me, this is why you should also avoid some foods as well (beans (gives baby very uncomfortable gasses), garlic, alcohol, coffee).

I breastfed exclusively for six months. Some weight dropped off naturaly, especially on the first two weeks. But then I remained on a plateau for the rest of the first six months. This was due to the fact that the amount of calories I was having to eat to have a good milk supply was much more than what I would normally need. I also could not exercise for 3 months since I had a c-section, so there was little I could do. I wanted a healthy baby and I was determined on breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months, so I made the sacrifice.

When I started supplementing my baby's feeding with formula, the pounds started coming off slowly. I kept on eating a few more calories than what I needed, as he was just starting with the formula and was still very dependant on breastmilk. When we got to the point where his formula intake was greater, I was able to cut back on calories a bit more freely and the pounds started coming off faster. Finally when I started him on solids and he was only having breastmilk in the morning and before bed, I was on my pre-pregnancy eating routine and calorie intake. It was then when the pounds really finished coming off (about the 9th month).

An example of a good and healthy diet when you are breastfeeding exclusively is:

On the other hand, if you decide not to breastfeed, then you can follow a lighter diet. Please don't rush and go into an unhealthy starvation diet, which will only backfire in the long run. Remember it took 9 months to get where you are.

According to your size, you need a certain amount of calories to be healthy. If you also exercise, then you will really see wonders. My recommendation, before you commit to any new diet, is to think and write out how your diet was before pregnancy (it is important to write down because in 9 months you tend to forget how you were eating). Write yourself a meal plan according to this. Make it a flexible one (don't write salmon, broccoli and a small baked potato for luch, instead write a portion of protein, a small portion of healthy carbs and a healthy portion of vegetables). This way, if you are out and about, you won't get yourself into trouble. Start following this diet, tape it to your fridge and carry it with you.

As you progress and feel that following this meal plan is starting to feel natural, then adjust what you may need to.

Below is a sample menu of a very strict diet that some celeb moms, like Jessica Alba, have followed.

Evidently, you do need extra vitamins after pregnancy as well. There are different suggestions on what you might need and in which amounts. I am personally cautious with what I take. All those cases of "new research finds that such vitamin does this and that" and the next day "new research finds that consuming too much of this same vitamin is harmful" has me worried about the intake of vitamins.

You do need a supplement though, because whatever you don't get enough of will be taken from your own body (if you don't get enough calcium, then it will be taken from your teeth and bones). To be on the safe side just keep on taking your prenatals after you've had your baby, especially while you are breastfeeding. This will give you exactly the right amounts of all vitamins that you and your baby will need, without the possibility of having too much of something. If you are sure you are not getting sufficient calcium, then take this vitamin separate as well.

Getting back into an exercise routine or starting one for the first time after having a baby is not easy. Even if you kept active throughout your pregnancy, you will notice that you can't just take off for a run, as your body will not allow it. Your lungs are still getting back to their normal size and space, your joints are still loose (so be careful), and your muscles are not as strong as they were 9 months before.

So to make your life easier and to feel progress, start slow. Day by day and week by week you will be able to intensify an/or prolong your workouts safely. Don't over do it, because you can seriously harm yourself and will just end up setting yourself back as you are going to need time to recover before you continue with your exercise. Also, even if you want to start at an intensive level, believe me you will see the need to bring it down, as the sleepless nights and general tiredness will not allow for an intense workout.

From all the reading I have done, and from my own experience I recommend starting out by walking. Yes, I'm sure you have heard it before, even I have mentioned it before, but it does not hurt to mention it again. Walking has so many benefits, physical and emotional, that really it is a great activity to start and continue with. It is easy to shape and intensify your walking any time and without needing expensive machines. You can even bring baby along.

Start taking a 15 to 20 minute walk everyday. When you start feeling better and less tired take a longer walk, or simply take two short walks a day. By the third or fourth week of postpartum, when you joints are nice and secure again, then start a step program intensifying week by week, not only on time but hills, intervals and so on. This will also help you stay focused and not lose track of the routine. Jotting down your progress will give you an incentive to do more.

When you really get the hangs of it and are truely in love and addicted to your routine, you can even get a pedometer or a heart rate monitor to get those workouts to do even more for you and your shape.

When you do start walking and intensifying your routine, always listen to your body. If your joints ache or give you trouble, give yourself time. Go back to basics and give it a week or so.

Get ideas on a Beginner's Walking Plan here

You can get an excellent Walking Log To Print here (requires a pedometer)

To me, this is a controversy in itself. I have read a lot about losing weight after pregnancy, nutrition, exercise after pregnancy, getting back in shape, tips, secrets and so on. It seemed like a lot of sources out there were promoting breastfeeding as an aid on weight loss. Even most articles on celebrity weight loss were proclaiming this to be one of their secret weapons. In my experience this was not so.

I have read this "tip" so many times and everywhere. The problem is that I have NEVER seen an important clause written next to it:

Clause: As I explained previously, breastfeeding will help you lose weight only when you are watching your caloric intake and your diet. This is not recomended when your baby is only relying on your milk, as you will deprive him/her of essential and important nutrients and vitamins. If you are breastfeeding as a complement and this is not your baby's main food source, then this is will be efficient and not harm you or your baby.

Finally, do anything you have to, to learn to come to terms with your new self. There will always be something that will not remain the same. Get the most out of life and out of your little one. BE HAPPY!!!

If you need a little boost and/or mom to mom support, take a look at the website on the right...

1. What to expect when you are expecting
2. What to expec the first year
3. The post-pregnancy handbook: a superb resource and must have for all new moms.

IMPORTANT: Please know that our written work is licensed under the Creative Commoms Copyright License which states that you may NOT use it as your own.