Working to Lose: How Young Mothers Can Make Time to Lose Weight

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Being a young mother myself, I know first-hand how difficult it can be to lose weight after having children. Between caring for your little one and trying to make time for yourself, losing weight can seem like a lost cause. As moms, we don't have time for strict diets and long, drawn-out exercise routines. Fortunately, there are simple weight loss tips for young moms that will allow you to see big results.

 

Focus on your health, not the scale.

The first mistake that women make when trying to lose weight is focus on their weight instead of lifestyle changes. Being healthy is far more important than how much you weight. Pay attention to your daily life, and start changing things day-by-day.

Let's say you're eating lots of high-calorie snacks and sweets. Gradually replace those snacks with healthier options, such as whole-grain crackers and hummus, vegetables with fat-free ranch, or even chopped up fruits with fat-free vanilla yogurt.

Implement more vegetables into your diet.

Sometimes, we as moms forget to eat our vegetables, even though we spend so much time reminding our little ones. Try to consume at least three servings of vegetables each day. If you're unable to bear the taste of certain green vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli, invest in a blender and start making green smoothies. Coconut milk, fat-free yogurt, and your favorite fruits can make an otherwise tasteless vegetable taste amazing.

Consider vitamin supplements.

Because you're so busy with appointments, errands, and other responsibilities, sometimes it's difficult to get all of the nutrition you need. Fortunately, there are vitamin supplements that can make sure you're getting what you need. A women's daily multivitamin should be enough to provide you with the minerals and vitamins your body requires.

Some young moms have also had weight-loss success with Human chorionic gonadotropin, also known as HCG. The hormone is found naturally in pregnant women, which is said to allow the body to protect the developing baby by breaking down fat and making it easier to develop lean muscle. You can find out more at hcgdropsexplained.com.

Put your body in motion.

With children, it's nearly impossible to devote enough hours to the gym every week to make it worth the membership cost. Instead, start taking small steps to get your body moving. When you're grocery shopping, pick a parking space far away from the store and power-walk on your way in. Weather-permitting, put your child in his stroller and walk around the block a few times, or even take him to the park. Once you get to the park, chase your little one around. Play tag. Climb the monkey bars. Dance around on the jungle gym. There are so many ways to get moving with kids, and not only are you spending time with him, but you're also on your way to a better life. Just because you're a mom trying to lose weight doesn't mean you can't make it fun and stress-free.

Indulge every now and then.

No, this does not mean that you can go eat a whole bag of Hershey Kisses by yourself (sorry). It simply means that you shouldn't feel bad if you eat what you like to eat, but in moderation. If you're craving chocolate, then by all means, have some! Half of a dark-chocolate bar should be enough to satisfy that craving. Another delicious, yet healthy snack option is chocolate popcorn. That's right. Drop a handful of M&Ms into a warm bag of unbuttered, unsalted popcorn and shake! Believe it or not, popcorn itself is quite healthy--it's the salt and butter that make it an unhealthy option.

Pack snacks when you're out.

If you're out on the road, resist the urge to stop at a fast-food restaurant for a quick bite. Even the salads at these restaurants are laden with sodium which causes water retention and bloating. Instead, before you leave the house, pack up! Bite-size vegetables such as baby carrots or chopped up celery make a great snack, especially with a side of peanut butter. Fill a bag with flax seed, sunflower seeds, or nuts for a quick pick-me-up when you're feeling hungry. For lunches, a turkey wrap with raw spinach, feta cheese, and a bit of low-fat mustard is a great alternative to a fast food burger.

Early to bed, early to rise.

Stop staying up so late and get to bed at least an hour earlier than usual. Set your alarm so that you have exactly 7 to 8 hours of sleep, and try to get up before your children. This will allow you to get a little bit of exercise in before they wake up. If getting up before your children is nearly impossible, exercise with them! Not only does it teach them healthy lifestyle habits, but you're also spending time together. Don't forget to stretch before and after!

Stay hydrated!

This is one of those things that most people forget when trying to lose weight. You must keep yourself hydrated. Not only is water one of the most important "ingredients" to weight loss, but it's also the most important ingredient to keep your body healthy. Drink at least 48 ounces of water each day. It may sound like a lot, but it's only six 8-ounce glasses of water per day.

Changing your life and getting on a road to better health and smaller "mom" jeans starts with small lifestyle changes. Don't forget to stop using the words, "I can," and instead, start telling yourself, "I will."

DISCLOSURE: I have no relationship to any brand mentioned in this post.