How To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding (Without Hitting The Gym)

March 27, 2015

While it’s tough to find time to exercise when you’re a nursing mother, detoxing to lose weight can be a better idea to cut the flab. But as your baby depends on you for nutrition and a sudden change in diet can hamper milk production, be extra careful before making a detox weight loss plan.
Here are 5 tips to lose weight detox the right way while breastfeeding with the help of a detox.

1. Plan Those Water Breaks
Water is essential for a good detox, as it helps the kidneys in flushing out the toxins. It prevents constipation and softens your stools. Your kidneys depend entirely on water to filter out the waste products from the blood, remove toxins from your urine and get water-soluble toxins from the liver. While you’re breastfeeding, your body constantly loses water. Ensure you make up for the loss by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. (Related Article: Water: The Elixir For Good Health)

Keep a jug of water and a glass on your bedside table.
Drink a glass of water after each nappy change or feed time.
Drink another glass every time your baby falls asleep.

2. Quick Power Naps
It’s easier said than done, but sleep plays a crucial role in helping your body carry out its functions properly. Adequate sleep regulates two crucial hormones in your body – leptin and ghrelin. Leptin makes your body realize it is full, while ghrelin stimulates your appetite, which means getting enough sleep will stop you from overeating. Sleep also helps reduce belly fat and gives your body the energy you need as a new mum. (Related Article: 6 Herbs That Will Help You Sleep Better)

You may not be able to get an entire night’s sleep at a stretch, so make up for it by taking small power naps as and when you can.
Ditch the chores for now and concentrate on your rest.
Sleep when your baby sleeps, even if it is only for 20 minutes.

3. Say Yes To Fiber
Eating a fiber-rich diet will help your system eliminate toxins and aid in a healthy digestive process. Insoluble fiber travels through your intestines and results in speedy elimination of toxins and stool from your body. Soluble fibers keep your stomach feeling full for longer, reducing the urge to overeat. Include the following in your diet to make up for fiber content. (Related Article: High-Fiber Diets: What You Need to Know)

Insoluble fiber – Whole wheat and whole grains, brown rice, zucchini, dark green and leafy vegetables, barley, cabbage, broccoli, root vegetables.
Soluble fiber – Oats, nuts, flax seeds, carrots, cucumbers, beans, lentils, apples.

4. Home Meals
Try and prepare your meals at home. Avoid packaged and processed foods and instead of skipping meals, go for small nutritious meals every two to three hours. (Also read: 6 Quick Recipes To Deal With Mid-Day Hunger Pangs)

Prepare foods that you can refrigerate for a few days.
Hand your baby to your partner and try out some quick meal ideas.
Invest in fresh vegetables and healthy dressings. Make some quick salads that will be filling and healthy.
To make your instant home meals (like mac and cheese) healthier, add some vegetables to them.

5. Have Lots Of Natural Juices
Make it a point to have two to three glasses of fresh fruit juice or smoothies to stay hydrated and full. Try the following combinations to help lose weight in a healthy way: (Related Article: 4 Healthy Drinks To Have During Pregnancy)

Celery, kale, apple, parsley, lime, lemon and ginger – rich in potassium, magnesium, folic acid, iron, phosphorus, manganese, calcium and essential amino acids.
Beetroot, apples, blackberries and ginger – rich in folate, vitamin C, potassium and manganese.