Baby Yourself
by Alexa Joy Sherman |
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A Healthy Body
We know, we know: The one thing you will do for yourself
is return to your pre-pregnancy weight immediately. Hey, if
Denise, Heidi, and Britney did it, so can you - right? Slow
down. Losing the baby weight at celebrity speed isn't necessarily
good for you or your little one.
While you may be so busy you forget to eat, it's crucial
that you get enough nutrients after the baby arrives. "If you
nurse, eating fewer than 1,500 calories a day can put you at
risk for nutritional deficiencies, lower your resistance to
fight illness, and lower your energy levels," says Curtis. The
National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) recommends
1,800 calories a day to get the vitamins and minerals
you need. Your doctor may also advise you to keep
taking prenatal vitamins, particularly if you're breastfeeding.
Aim for five small meals a day, but keep them simple. "You
don't have to do a lot of cooking," notes Sherri L. Dodd, an
A.C.E.-certified trainer and lifestyle and weight management
consultant in Santa Cruz, California, and author of Mom
Looks Great: The Fitness Program for Moms (BookSurge
Publishing, 2005). "Graze on things like whole-grain bread
dipped in olive oil, or fruits or vegetables with low-fat dressing."
For breastfeeding moms, Curtis suggests nine servings
of whole-grain starches, four fruits, five vegetables, three
servings of dairy, and eight ounces of protein daily
(bottle-feeding moms can reduce those servings to
six, three, three, two, and six ounces, respectively).
Limit fats, oils, and sugars to four teaspoons daily if
you're nursing, three if you're not.
Getting some light exercise as soon as you're up
for it is a good idea too, but the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests taking
things slowly and gradually working up to more challenging
activities. Walking 20 to 30 minutes a day is a
good starting point and a great thing to do with your
baby. "It's exhilarating to get out and breathe some
fresh air, and your baby will thrive on it as much as
you will," says Dodd. It's good not only for weight
management, but also for your emotional well-being.
"I took many walks," Knickle recalls. "Getting out really
helped my state of mind."
After six weeks, do as much as you're up for doing
and you will get your figure back (maybe even improve upon
the previous model). "Getting the weight off was extremely
important for me," says Woolf, who gained 60 pounds while
pregnant. "I walked daily and started hiking five times a day
at six weeks. I ate small portions frequently, downed water,
and stayed away from alcohol." Five months later, she had
lost 50 pounds. "I wanted to feel sexy again," Woolf says.
"Confidence makes a huge difference when you're strolling
the neighborhood in clothes stained with spit-up!"
Of course, appearance isn't everything, but when you
look better, you feel better - and that's what really matters.
The health and vitality that you get from taking care of
yourself - inside and out - will benefit your whole family,
including your baby. 
Alexa Joy Sherman is a freelance writer based in Encino,
California, who is striving to take good care of herself, her
husband, and her newborn son.
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