Postpartum weight gain can happen for a number of reasons, from the fact that you're fatigued or don't have time for a regular excercise routine, or because of an underlying health condition that requires attention, such as postpartum thyroiditis, diabetes, or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
Holding onto to some extra pounds after pregnancy is normal
Most women who gained the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy, remain 2-5 lbs. above their pre-pregnancy weight a year after giving birth. A sizable minority, 15-20% of women, will hold onto 10 lbs or more.
And lastly, being a new mom is stressful, and stress hormones can promote weight gain, and women are more likely to eat when they are stressed. So there you go, thyroid problems, sleeplessness, and stress contribute to postpartum weight gain.
A healthy diet combined with regular exercise is the best way to shed the pounds. Exercise will help you lose fat instead of muscle. Once you are ready to start losing weight, eat a little less and move a little more each day. It may be tempting to push yourself into a hard routine for fast weight loss.
"You'll have to slowly build up post-pregnancy to your usual fitness level which may take time to rebuild any lost muscle mass. Muscle mass directly affects metabolism so this may decrease the rate at which you lose weight until you build up your muscle again," says Shapiro.
Why is postpartum belly fat hard to lose? Your belly is a primary storehouse area of body fat, especially during pregnancy. Hence, it's natural that it will take some time to lose the fat in your stomach after birth.
Your body will generally hold on to an extra 5-10 pounds above your pre-pregnancy weight, until several weeks after weaning and this is to protect your ability to produce milk, in case of illnesses or famine/severe calorie restriction, which is often seen in fad diets.
How Long Does It Takes To Lose 20 Kgs. If you are following a proper diet as recommended by your dietitians then you can achieve your goal in one month. But if you are following no regular diet chart then you should target at least 6 months which is a realistic one.
Your postpartum belly won't instantly go back to how it was before you were pregnant – it's a process that can take months or even years, while some bellies may take on a different shape permanently. Some moms may experience a bulge caused by diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy.
Epidemiologists have observed that the average person typically puts on 1 to 2 pounds a year from early adulthood through middle age. The CDC's numbers show that much of the increase is concentrated in the 20s, for men and women.
Thanks to biological and behavioral changes, it's totally normal to gain weight when you stop breastfeeding. "It's really common that women will stop breastfeeding and their weight goes up," G. Thomas Ruiz, M.D., an ob/gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, tells SELF.
According to Flynn, you might lose the weight over the course of a year or longer, depending on how much weight you gained during pregnancy. “Most women lose about half of the weight they gained in the first few months,” she says. “You may lose a pound a week early on and then about half a pound a week after that.”
If your weight retention or gain is related to breastfeeding, whenever you decide to stop breastfeeding you may find it easier to lose weight – if that's what you want.
6 to 12 weeks postpartum
This leaves about 7.5 pounds left to go. A third of all women will lose the entire amount by the sixth week, but most will have a few pounds remaining. Because this weight comes from the fat stores you needed for a healthy pregnancy, it isn't as easy to lose.
Water retention.
After giving birth, your body will continue to hold on to water because of an increase in progesterone. You may notice the swelling in your hands, arms, feet, ankles, and legs. Edema shouldn't last much longer than a week after delivery. If it does or if it gets worse over time, consult your doctor.
If you still look pregnant or experience abdominal pain weeks or months after giving birth, you might be suffering from a condition called diastasis recti, or abdominal muscle separation.
While it's not a feasible goal for everyone, some individuals with a good metabolism may achieve a 10kg weight loss in a month through healthy lifestyle changes. However, it's crucial to note that quick fixes or extreme diets may not be sustainable or safe for long-term weight loss.
Weight loss story: “I lost 20 kilos by walking 10,000 steps daily” | The Times of India.
However, to seem more attractive based on some universal standards of beauty, men and women need to lose about 6.3 and 8.2 kilograms (which is about 14 and 18 pounds), respectively. Any BMI calculator or chart will tell you that a 'normal' or healthy BMI ranges between 18.5 to 24.9.
Overall maternal adaptations during lactation include increased basal metabolic rates and mobilization of fat stores [22–24]. Maternal fuel metabolism is altered markedly, with a 15 %–25 % increase in energy expenditure for milk production [24, 25].
The average mom exclusively breastfeeds for the baby's first 6 months and then gradually introduces other food while continuing to breastfeed for 2 years or longer. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months after birth.
What are the recommended guidelines for weight loss? Breastfeeding mothers should consume at least 1800 calories a day and can safely lose around 1 lb/week (La Leche League, 2010; Lauwers & Swisher, 2015). Aim to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables while minimizing empty carbohydrates and junk food.