After the overwhelming joy of childbirth has passed, moms begin to stress about losing weight. When they see an old photo of themselves or pictures of slender celebrities clutching their newborns, they get tempted to cast about for quick fixes. With all the weight loss trends out there, such as Phentermine, it’s tough not to get sucked in.
But, is it safe? Read on to find out.
Why Lose the Baby Weight?
Losing all the excess pounds that a woman has gained over her pregnancy might seem like a task, but it is vital to reclaiming a healthy body. Most pregnancies result in substantial weight gain, which may lead to the development of obesity. Women who are already overweight or obese tend to gain more weight within the nine-month pregnancy period. Weight gain before and during the pregnancy isn’t only detrimental to a woman’s health but keeps her from enjoying a full life.
After delivery, a new mom will have to deal with many challenges, such as sleepless nights and breastfeeding dilemmas. Only when a mom is on top of her health and fitness can she manage these challenges. If she fails to bounce back to her pre-baby body or at least something closer than that, she can be at risk of many complications in her next pregnancy. An obese pregnant woman usually undergoes complicated labor and runs the risk of having an emergency C-section.
Is Phentermine Safe?
Phentermine is a prescription weight-loss medication that comes as tablets and extended-release capsules. It belongs to a class of drugs called anorectics and works by decreasing the appetite. Those who want to speed up their weight loss journey, such as moms, can benefit from taking Phentermine.
It’s an excellent weight loss aid that moms can buy legally with a prescription. It has been formulated to help retain energy levels, exactly what a mom needs to post-pregnancy. Most often than not, a mom is allowed to take Phentermine at any point after her pregnancy. This is only if the mom isn’t breastfeeding.
The drug can find its way into breast milk, damaging the baby’s health and behavior. Harmful effects of Phentemine on a breastfed baby include irritability, tremor, diarrhea, sleeplessness, and decreased appetite.
Overall, Phentermine is safe – but only for the mom. If the mom is keen on losing weight and taking Phentermine right after pregnancy, she should stop breastfeeding. Otherwise, she might get back to her tip-top shape at the expense of her baby’s safety and health.
Alternative Ways to Lose the Baby Weight
Breastfeed your baby
Although losing weight after pregnancy might seem like a lot of work, breastfeeding can help melt off the excess pounds in record time. Depending on how much milk a mom produces, breastfeeding can burn up to 500 calories per day. Besides, breastfeeding stimulates the release of hormones that shrink the uterus and post-baby belly.
Eat enough food
After delivery, it is only proper for a mom to acquire ample nutrition. No matter how excited she is to squeeze back into her old clothes, dieting as early as 4 weeks after delivery is highly discouraged. Crash dieting comes with a lot of risks. For nursing moms, eating insufficient calories allows the body to produce less milk. In other words, the growing baby will also go on a diet with the mom.
What’s more, cutting on calories creates confusion in the body. It will think that the mom is starving, thereby slowing down the metabolism. This confusion makes it harder for the mom to lose those extra pounds in the long run.
A breastfeeding mom’s calorie needs are even more significant than when she’s in the last trimester of her pregnancy. To accurately ascertain the number of calories a breastfeeding mom should consume, she must speak with her doctor. The exact number of calories will vary depending on her BMI before pregnancy and her activity level.
Toss out those highly processed foods
While fast foods, ready meals, prepackaged foods, boxed mixes, sugary cereals, and processed cereals sound like the best go-to-foods for a busy mom, they actually counteract the weight loss efforts. This is because these highly-processed foods are often high in sugar, salt, fats, and calories. Research has even associated the consumption of these foods with addictive eating behaviors.
As a replacement, moms are encouraged to eat foods that are high in protein and fiber. These foods increase the feelings of fullness and suppress appetite. With these foods, a mom can go on with her day without binge eating now and then. A high-protein diet and soluble fiber, therefore, plays a significant role in weight loss. They increase the metabolism and burn more calories throughout the day.
Get lots of sleep
When a mom gets the chance to sleep, she should take full advantage of it. Contrary to popular belief, insufficient sleep can cause the mom to hold into excess weight. Also, not getting the highest quality of sleep makes a mom crave sugar and to snack excessively. Hence, why being well-rested is vital to any weight-loss effort.
Incorporate low-intensity workouts
Some moms return to high-impact exercises a few months after delivery, and this can result in pelvic issues, diastasis recti, and simply overexertion. Doctors recommend that moms should focus on low-intensity workouts for the first several months. Accordingly, moms should recognize that their bodies have changed a lot and not rush things. The best way for the weight to come off is to ease into exercise again slowly, such as low-impact cardiovascular exercise. However, for moms who had a C-section or tore during birth, it might take longer to get the doctor’s approval to start a postnatal exercise. Once the mom begins her workout regimen, she should increase her calorie consumption. This way, she can ensure that her body has the nutrients needed for milk production.
However, for moms who had a C-section or tore during birth, it might take longer to get the doctor’s approval to start a postnatal workout. In the meantime, they can try brisk walking while pushing the baby in a stroller. Walking is a low-impact exercise, which makes it safe for moms who birth by C-section.
Get a baby carrier
Baby wearing is an excellent way to shed some pounds after pregnancy. When a mom carries her baby as she works around the house, she’s losing weight and helping the baby fall asleep easier. Babies love to be held closer to their moms, and what better way to do this than with a baby carrier.
Final Thoughts
Taking Phentermine in the hopes of losing baby weight might sound like the right approach, yet, it’s only ideal if the mom isn’t nursing her baby. Alternatively, a mom can explore other ways to lose the baby weight- such as breastfeeding the baby, eating enough food, tossing out those highly processed foods, getting lots of sleep, incorporating low-intense workouts, and wearing the baby. There is no fixed period for getting back into prenatal weight, so a mom can give herself a timeline of eight to twelve months to reach realistic and achievable goals.
Even when a mom achieves her goal weight, she might find that her body’s shape is never the same. This is perfectly normal and one reminder that birthing another being is no mean feat.