MANY women have problems losing weight after pregnancy, and some go for months, even years, with the tell-tale post-baby paunch. Others even go on to have other children without losing weight from the first pregnancy, leading to long-term mid-section issues.

Nutritionist Donovan Grant said the success of weight loss after pregnancy is dependent on the state of the new mother’s health, the age of her child and the way the child was delivered.

Grant said because each pregnant woman is different, keen attention would have to be paid to her health conditions before the process of losing weight can begin.

“If she did a C-section, you would have to be careful about exercise and make sure that the stomach is healed,” he said.

With health conditions out of the way, Grant suggested a few ways in which shedding the extra pounds gained during pregnancy and reclaiming your body may be achieved.

1. Breastfeeding

Allowing the child to suckle will bring the body back to near-normal weight.

2. Regulating child feeding habits

When children get to a certain age and they are introduced to solid foods, some parents tend to clean up after them by consuming their leftovers. Grant cautions against ingesting these extra calories.

3. Controlling appetite

While pregnant, the appetite will increase as the mother has to nourish herself and the baby. For some, this remains long after childbirth. Cutting portions and forcing the body to feed on reserves may help with the weight loss process. Reducing your intake is best, because if you continue to eat as if you were pregnant it won’t help the weight.

4. Strategising

Losing weight before you’re pregnant can help with achieving weight loss after pregnancy. “I usually tell my clients that if they get married and want a child and say for instance we estimate that they will gain 30 pounds during pregnancy, I suggest that they lose 30 pounds before being pregnant so that when they gain the weight they are where they were before.”

Grant said being void of health complications should allow the woman to incorporate exercises into her weight loss regimen. He suggested light exercises such as walking, swimming and stretching, but cautioned new moms to ensure that the condition of their body is fit for exercise. If you are in the clear, he said starting slowly and repeating each exercise as you go along should work.