Dieting Pitfalls Of New Moms

[caption id="attachment_829706" align="alignleft" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/Family Having Breakfast In Kitchen Together[/caption] If you think you can return to the diet and exercise regimen you were on before having a baby well, sorry to say, but that won’t be easy. Nothing about life will be the same after having a baby, including how much time you have to cook, how much patience you have to be in the kitchen, your energy levels, your schedule and more. Having a baby takes over your life, and anytime anything takes over your life, you lose a little control over your diet and exercise plan. Furthermore, there are unexpected temptations around every corner. Even though happy hours and Margarita Mondays may be on the decline, motherhood comes with its own dieting downfalls. Here are dieting pitfalls of new mothers. [caption id="attachment_706515" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Eating like your child

Your child will have goldfish, cheerios, pudding and the like everywhere. It’s easy to think, “I’ll save money on my own snacks by sharing my kids.” But those foods don’t have the nutrients your body needs—and it needs a lot because it just made a baby.           [caption id="attachment_715049" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Forgetting to shop for you

Grocery store trips can become all about the baby, but make sure you make them about you, too. Maybe you can go to the store with your friend or partner and one of you takes the baby’s shopping list, and one of you takes the grown up shopping list.         [caption id="attachment_701180" align="alignleft" width="420"] Instagram[/caption]

Relying on the wrong food for fuel

When you are utterly exhausted, somehow a giant bagel seems so much more energizing than an orange and some nuts. But right now, sugar crashes will hit you even harder than they used to, and you can’t afford the sugar crash when you’re taking care of a child.         [caption id="attachment_702827" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Letting friends cook for you

They mean well, but they bring over fatty casserole, lasagna, macaroni, and cheese etc…If your friends really want to cook for you, tell them you desperately need healthy dishes like salmon, brown rice, and kale.           [caption id="attachment_825107" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Nuts mix in a wooden plate[/caption]

Failing to keep mom snacks in the baby bag

If you’re already lugging that well-packed bag with you everywhere you go, why not put some healthy mom snacks in there? Bring nuts, dried fruit, and string cheese to help you avoid the drive-thrus and donut shops.           [caption id="attachment_719293" align="alignleft" width="417"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Eating a lot when you have the time

Even though it’s tough, try to make time to eat a little something every three to four hours. If you wait until you finally have some down time, that could be in seven hours—you’re a mom after all—and then you’ll gorge.           [caption id="attachment_701290" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock.com[/caption]

Being too strict, too soon

Your body cannot handle the diet it did before you had a baby. If you expect it to, you’ll be greatly disappointed, and may give up on your efforts entirely. Be realistic; your body just went through the biggest job of its life.           [caption id="attachment_707904" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Choosing exercise over a nap

Sometimes, your free time may be better spent taking a nap. Sleep exhaustion lends itself to cravings and overeating. If you’re already tired, then you go for a jog, you only increase the chances of overeating to gain energy.           [caption id="attachment_710885" align="alignleft" width="428"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Not breastfeeding

If you need one more reason to breastfeed (in addition to all the benefits it has for your baby) keep in mind that it can help you lose weight.                 [caption id="attachment_711705" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Not getting help from boo

No matter how feminist your husband is, women often fall into the mindset of, “I can do all of this on my own.” For goodness sake, have your partner cook you a nice meal.             [caption id="attachment_714816" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Expecting rapid results

Your body will not respond as quickly as it used to to diet and exercise. And guess what? Nobody expects you to have a tiny waist and six pack abs again anytime soon. You just had a baby.               [caption id="attachment_712870" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Not splurging on pre-cut produce

If ever there were a time to spend a few extra dollars on the pre-cut produce, it’s the year after having a baby. You know you won’t take the time to chop up the amount of vegetables and fruit you need.             [caption id="attachment_713648" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Cutting calories fast

Your body is replenishing right now—it just gave a lot of itself to making this baby. It actually isn’t safe to try drastic calorie-cutting diets the way you used to.               [caption id="attachment_716969" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Ignoring the magic of indoor exercises

Why not treat yourself to some fun pole dancing workout videos? This way you can workout, try all different types of exercises (the options online are unlimited) and stay near your baby.           [caption id="attachment_625480" align="alignleft" width="380"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Snacking each time you get up to feed baby

You don’t need to eat each time your baby eats. In fact, it may be a good idea to have a feeding station away from the kitchen so you don’t grab a muffin every time you get up to feed your little one.

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