Weight Loss after Pregnancy

Although becoming a mother is the most remarkable experience for any woman and it’s quite natural that after so many months of bearing that extra weight you now want to get back to your pre-pregnancy shape as soon as possible. But it’s very important for you to understand that this is very delicate stage of life. You may face problems because of which you have to cut across your plans of loosing weight. So it is better to take it easy!

Weight Loss after Pregnancy --- When to Start?
It is recommended that you should wait for 2 to 3 months after giving birth to your baby and after that you may start following some vigorous exercises with healthy low fat diet. But you should not go for fast weight loss plans rather you should consult your health professional for a healthy weight loss plan. You should aim to lose 1 pound per week and continue to focus on taking nutritious diet and exercise.

Required Duration for Weight Loss after Pregnancy to Regain the Shape
The duration of weight loss depends upon how much weight you gained during your pregnancy. The average weight gain in most women is approximately 25 to 35 pounds; out of which 12 to 14 pounds is typically lose while delivery leaving behind 12 to 21 pounds of weight. These 12 to 21 pounds can easily be lost within 6 to 8 months after the first 3 months of recovery. So if you gained 50 pounds then it will take approximately 10 months to regain your pre-pregnancy shape. However, this is just an example so do not take these figures too factually.

Guidelines for Weight Loss after Pregnancy
Below is a list of few effective guidelines which may help you to lose weight faster:

* Breast-Feed your Baby

The first good way to weight loss is breast feeding. One of the main reasons of your weight gain during pregnancy is to help store the caloric energy it takes to breast feed your baby and that is about 200 to 500 extra calories per day. And if you breast feed your new born baby; you will be producing 850ml of breast milk per day. So, you should follow a diet plan suggested by your doctor as well as take advantage of losing calories in the natural way.

* Do Regular Exercises

Exercise is highly recommended and it should be start immediately after returning home. But it does not that you start vigorous exercises; rather you should start with easy and gentle exercises such as walking, swimming or yoga. It is a good idea to consult your physiotherapist or doctor so that he can explain you the benefits of exercise; which include physical and mood benefits and also it will not interfere with your breastfeeding. Your doctor would advice you an exercise program and it will be your responsibility to stick to that. You may enroll the company of your spouse, mother or any friend.

o Start slowly and Regularly

It is recommended that you should start slowly with a 10 minute exercise and then gradually increase it. You should keep a limit of approximately 30 minute on your exercise time but in case of any sign of dizziness or short of breath you should immediately cease it.

o Work Out at Home

There are many after pregnancy exercises can be carried out at home such as yoga. Most women took yoga classes before or during their pregnancy; if you are one of them then put on some relaxing music and start those exercises.

o Pelvic Floor Strengtheners

Kegel Crunches is a good way to tighten up your vagina after the birth of your baby and the best thing is that you can practice these virtually anywhere. What you have to do is simply tighten up the muscles of the vagina just as you do while trying to interrupt the flow of pee and then count to five. This increases the circulation to the pelvis as well as tightening the muscles.

o Go For a Walk

The best and most easy form of exercise is “walking”. It is so simple; all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes! You may also take your little bundle of joy along with you.

* Eat Properly and Healthily

Besides exercising, a healthy diet is the best way to lose those extra pounds you gain during pregnancy. You should concentrate on nutrition and not only on weight loss. So, consult your health professional so that he can advice you about the nutrition and healthy foods that are important for you and your new born baby. Eating properly and healthily provides enough calories and nutrients to your body; giving you the energy and nutrition required by your body after pregnancy. The American Medical Association recommends a “nutritionally sound” diet for women after pregnancy which includes:

+ a low fat diet
+ a diet full of vitamins and minerals
+ a high fiber diet

However, you should avoid the two types of food or they will make you fat and unhealthy:

+ junk food
+ crash diet



Important Reminder

* It’s OK: Pregnancy and weight gain goes hand in hand and it's good for your health. So, do loose those extra pounds but sensibly!
* NO Strict Weight Loss Diet: You should wait for at least 3 months before getting on any strict weight loss diet.
* Wait for 6 months: You should allow yourself 6 to 8 months to regain your pre-pregnancy weight.
* Say “NO” to Dieting: You should not start dieting in order to regain your pre pregnancy figure. It's guaranteed to fail and make you ill.
* Well Balanced Diet and Exercise: You should take a well balanced diet coupled with light exercise.
* Take Rest: You are you! So, do not follow Hollywood stars that are working out within hours after their deliver. This is really unhealthy. You should take as much rest as possible after delivery.

Weight Loss Surgery

Introduction
Before making the decision to take part in weight loss surgery it is important to note that it can be a life altering occurrence.

* This is why you should get as much information as possible before making this type of decision.



* The best resource for information will be the surgeon or nurse that would perform the surgery. They are the most valuable source because they have been through the whole procedure and they know what to expect.

You will find that the surgeon will be able to more readily answer all questions that you have and give you the reassurance about the procedure. This will all work to calm your nerves and give you the sense of relief. There is no virtue in remaining quiet about your questions and fears. This will only create problems down the road and make for possible complications.

Common questions prior to surgery:
Below are some common questions you should ask prior to surgery:

* Will I have a lot of pain?
* How long will I be in the hospital?
* What are the risks of this surgery?
* Is this procedure covered by medical insurance?
* What kind of lifestyle changes should I expect?



Another valuable resource for information about this type of procedure is other patients. Often times, your doctor will have a list of patients that are willing to discuss their experience about this type of surgery with others.

* Contact those patients and ask them how and what to expect when you go through this procedure yourself.



* The internet is also a wonderful resource for information on this type of surgery. Because this surgery is now gaining world wide acceptance, the amount of information available on the internet is plentiful to say the least.

* Be sure that the resources you are using are responsible and correct. Just plain websites may give you incorrect information and give you a false impression of the procedure.



* Check and see if the site is maintained by a medical professional or if it was created by a person who had the surgery. If neither of these are accurate then you may need to seek out other internet sources to get the correct type of information.



What is weight loss surgery and how does it work?

There are two main types of weight loss surgery that are currently being practiced in this world.

* Restrictive Surgery
* Malabsorptive Surgery

Restrictive weight loss surgery
This procedure uses a technique whereby the amount of food that can be taken in is restricted. Using a band, the surgeon will actually make the area of the stomach smaller, thereby decreasing the amount of food that it will hold. This creates the illusion that you are full a lot sooner than normal. With the research that has been done, people have reported great success with this type of surgery. The main reason being is that it works on two levels.

* First off, the amount of food that can be taken in is drastically reduced. This is the physical portion of the procedure. The stomach storage area is reduced, sometimes by half, making it impossible to take in more food. When this occurs, you will have the sensation of being full.



* The second part is mental but it is directly attached to the physical part. When you feel full because of your limited capacity for food intake, you begin to change the way you eat by way of how much. The amount of food that you will begin to eat will decrease as your brain logs the point at which you will become full. When this point is reached, you are no longer hungry but sitting at the edge of satisfied. When this occurs, you find that there is no more that you can do.

This surgery has shown great promise but it does come with some strict dietary restrictions. Before and after the surgery the surgeon will discuss with you the types of foods that you should no longer eat and how often you should be eating. This will be something that you will need to follow to the letter or there could be some dire circumstances that will occur.

Malabsorptive weight loss surgery

* With this procedure the surgeon will do a small bypass of the small intestine. In doing this he/she will alter the way that your body digests food. When this occurs, the amount and rate at which the food is absorbed will be greatly increased and thereby more useful.



* With this procedure, the doctor hopes to increase the rate at which the food is broken down thereby changing it to energy before there is the chance of it becoming fat.

* More and more, this surgery is actually being used in conjunction with the restrictive type of surgery. The culmination of these two procedures has greatly decreased the weights of the patients.



* There are however more side effects and risks that are associated with this procedure, especially when it is used in conjunction with restrictive procedures. Your doctor will discuss all of the risks that are involved prior to the surgery.



Can I have these types of surgery?
There is no definite answer about who can have these types of surgery. Because of the risks that are sometimes involved, not everyone is a candidate. Even though there is the great chance that you will lose weight and thereby increase the health of your body, the risks are sometimes too great for the surgeons to overlook.

If you have or ever had any of the following, you may not be a candidate:

* Stroke
* Heart Attack
* Heart disease
* High Blood Pressure
* Angina
* Crohns Disease
* Cancer


There are several other risk factors that doctors must take into consideration but this list will give you the basis to work with. It should also be understood that this is not a guaranteed cure for obesity. Even though the procedures work well to help a patient lose weight, they also require that you make a lot of lifestyle changes, some of which may be difficult.

Hoodia Gordonii

Hoodia Gordonii is a natural appetite suppressant herb that has gained a widespread popularity as a potential weight loss pill. Hoodia extracts are marketed as ‘weight-loss pills’.

Hoodia Gordonii is a succulent plant that grows in the African Kalahari desert. It thrives in extremely hot weather typical of the Namib Desert, ranging from Central Namibia to southern Angola, especially in plains and rocky areas, and it takes many years to mature. Hoodias are also grown as garden plants. Hoodia Gordonii is very rare and is protected by national conservation laws in South Africa and Namibia. It can only be collected or grown with a permit.

Hoodia is a genus in the plant family Apocynaceae, in the part of the family previously treated as a separate family Asclepiadaceae. Its common names are ‘Bushmans Hat’ and ‘Queen of the Namib’.

The indigenous populations of Southern Africa (Bushman) had been using Hoodia for the medicinal purposes since long times. The native Bushmans name for this plant is Xshoba and used it for treating indigestion and small infections. The Bushmen also ate Hoodia to help them ward off hunger when on long trips in the desert.

The scientists have revealed that one molecule in the plant is responsible for the appetite reducing effect. This molecule has been named P57. Phytopharm owns the patent to P57, and no other company or individual can sell Hoodia as a weight loss aid.

Hoodia is currently being sold online by various companies and individuals. They are selling dried, powdered Hoodia. However, the appetite suppressing ability of Hoodia Gordonii is only found in large fresh pieces of the plant. The powder contains such a small amount of P57 that it cannot produce the desired effect.

The Tincture is one of the best forms of Hoodia. It is marketed by the company, Jenny Lee Naturals. The tincture turns off the hunger far more rapidly than the powder, which requires slow digestion to extract the chemical compounds. Also, the tincture works in relatively small doses.

The current supply of genuine Hoodia Gordonii is very limited, and is considered rare. The South African government has chosen to protect Hoodia Gordonii as an endangered plant. In October, 2004, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) provided added protection.

In the recently times some nutritional supplement companies are marketing Hoodia extracts claiming that it can lower blood pressure and reduce the appetite. However, only a single scientific study has been done and no broad double-blind scientific trials have been performed to investigate the safety of Hoodia as a nutritional supplement. The media hype and heavy marketing of nutritional supplement companies have created such a demand for Hoodia plants that a protected status was imposed in several countries like Namibia.

The media has been greatly lionized Hoodia as an effective weight loss medication, but the subject is still under scrutiny. There are various studies going on over Hoodia to study its efficiency and side effects if has any. Presently the medical science is ignorant about the side effects of the substance. The study that articulated that the substance facilitated weight losing, involved a small number of people. It could not derive clear facts about the subject. The available knowledge about Hoodia is partially collected from the result of studies and partially from the experiences of its users. The users personally narrate their experiences with Hoodia. According to them, the following are some important facts about Hoodia.

* Hoodia does help suppress appetite.
* The dosage of Hoodia necessary to truly suppress appetite is far, far larger than the dosages claimed by many websites selling Hoodia. While some Hoodia formulas contain only 100mg of Hoodia per serving, but a user found that he needed 1000mg of Hoodia three times a day to have any real effect. That's three grams of Hoodia per day, and the cost adds up quickly.
* Hoodia does not counteract the blood sugar drops that occur following the consumption of refined carbohydrates like soft drinks, cookies, white bread, white rice and other simple carbohydrates. Hoodia only appeared to work in conjunction with a controlled carbohydrate diet.
* Hoodia in no ways stops body from feeling intense hunger after a heavy workout. It doesn't cause body to lose its mind. The muscles still scream out for calories.
* Hoodia extracts or hoodia diet pills are marketed as 'weight-loss pills'.

The medical science still sans the complete knowledge on the substance. The subject is still under the deep dungeons of obscurity. The studies conducted so far are insufficient and experts have sparsely divided views on the subject. The subject still needs some more thorough studies to demystify the subject.

Quick Weight Loss

Introduction:

The term Quick Weight Loss is used for the quick weight loss programs. It is a fast method of losing weight using diet aids like drinks, prepackaged foods, or diet pills etc.

The Quick Weight Loss programs include special dietary programs fabricated & recommended by the experts.

The Quick Weight Loss program combines individual supervision with a well-balanced food program that is based on regular everyday food purchased from the supermarket, along with a specially formulated vitamin and other weight loss aids.

There are numerous the Quick Weight Loss centers all over the world. These centers offer comprehensive weight reduction programs to their customers. The programs are professionally supervised for the safest results and nutritionally designed to develop proper eating habits. The experts offer daily supervision, individual counseling, and behavioral education, all of which contribute to the safety and effectiveness of the programs.

A comprehensive health history of a person is recorded in a Quick Weight Loss program. The experts make thorough study of the health history and recommends specific dietary programs. The nutritional plans generally provide 1,000 to 1,500 calories daily and contain carefully planned foods that are low in carbohydrates, fats, and sodium. The caloric restrictions are determined by degree of obesity, health profile, and age.


Opinion:

The Quick Weight Loss method is a controversial method. The experts are divided over the Quick Weight Loss method. They have differences of opinions over the methods. The critics of the quick weight loss methods say that it does not provide lasting results. Some critics voice that the quick weight loss methods offer very tough unhealthy dietary plans. Thus its critics see various drawbacks in the method.

But on the contrary, the advocates of the Quick Weight Loss method say that it is highly efficient method and it can fetch the quick results. The advocates praise it for bringing fast results.

Flaws:

The Quick Weight Loss is no doubt fast and effective, but it is not flawless. It is not safe method of losing weight. The following are some drawbacks of the program.

* Doesn't Encourage Physical Activity — The Quick Weight Loss method doesn’t encourage physical activity. The physical activity helps to maintain weight loss over a long time. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease. It increases the risk of stroke, too.

* Drastic Changes In Eating Patterns --- The quick-weight-loss requires drastic changes in eating patterns; one can't stay on them for long. People on such diets don't learn anything about permanently changing their eating patterns.

* Fad Diets Are Unhealthy --- The Fad Diets, which are part of many Quick Weight Loss programs, are Unhealthy. The fad diets can cause weight cycling.

The Best Method to Lose Weight:

The Best Method to Lose Weight is to consume a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat dairy products, along with regular physical activity. It can help most people manage and maintain weight loss for both cardiovascular health and appearance. The experts recommend people to take a safe and proven route of losing and maintaining weight.