by Jaime Lafond

Created on: June 30, 2009   Last Updated: July 02, 2009

As a child, I asked my mother why she had a big belly; her response was that she had a big belly because she had two kids. When I was a teenager my mother would profess that when she was my age - before she had two kids - her figure was as good as mine. As a young adult who had just completed a four year degree in Physical and Health Education, I asked my mother why she didn't start an exercise program; her response was that it wouldn't make a difference, her body was the way it was because she had two kids. Shortly after the birth of my son, when I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight and size, my mother decided that she'd have my figure if she only had one kid!

The reality is that it is possible to get your pre-pregnancy physique back and to maintain it after having children. Women's bodies are essentially designed for pregnancy and through the magic of hormones and other biological processes, our bellies (more specifically our uterus') have the ability to expand to accommodate our growing babies and contract after giving birth. A woman who starts out with a healthy pre-pregnancy weight should gain 25 to 35 pounds throughout her pregnancy. In order to meet this goal, an extra 150 to 200 calories a day in the first trimester, and an extra 300 calories a day in the second and third trimesters should be sufficient. Even though you are eating for two, clearly there is no need to double your intake of food calories.

Theoretically, after giving birth a woman who only gains the recommended 25 to 35 pounds should only be left with 6 to 8 pounds of body fat stores. (Where does pregnancy weight gain go?). It is not unrealistic to assume that 6 to 8 pounds of extra body fat can be shed safely in two months with a healthy diet and exercise*.

Unfortunately, when it comes to maintaining your figure after having a child - the real difficulties actually arise after birth. Time constraints and fatigue are the culprits when it comes to post-delivery weight gain. New mothers prioritize their child's wellbeing over their own and forget to take care of themselves. Too often, regular meals are replaced by on-the-go high calorie snacks, periods of starvations and, consequently, overeating. Furthermore, other than the occasional stroll to calm a crying baby on a beautiful day, exercise often becomes non-existent.

It is important that new mothers force themselves to take time to look after their own wellbeing. It is not something that they can put off until the baby

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