How fast should you lose baby weight?

[Penny]

I know that it’s important not to rush to exercise and diet when you’ve just had a baby but I read that there was a study that says that mothers who don’t lose their baby weight run the risk of certain health problems later in life. So if that’s the case, how fast should you actually focus on losing the baby weight to make sure that you can stay healthy?

Is there a length of time in which that extra weight needs to be lost to avoid those health problems or is that different for everyone?

[tracy1976]

Let your doctor guide you. You shouldn't feel that it is urgent to lose it right away, but it shouldn't be something that you let slide, either.

[freddyboy]

Let your doctor guide you. You shouldn't feel that it is urgent to lose it right away, but it shouldn't be something that you let slide, either.

That's really the most important first step for just about any kind of weight loss program, whether you're getting rid of baby weight or a beer gut. I didn't really think that it was and I figured I pretty much knew what I was doing, until I did actually bring it up with my doctor when I was in for something else, and I have to admit that I learned a lot. I guess that's why they're the medical professionals...they know a lot of stuff.

[Maggie]

There isn't any rush at all. Your first concern is for your baby, making sure that everything is alright, and just surviving through that first while that is very challenging without any sleep! Take it easy and don't be too hard on yourself. Focus more on being healthy than on your actual weight. You'll be able to work it all out eventually.