Lose the Twin Pregnancy Weight

Posted on June 8, 2011 by No Comments

In order for you to have a healthy twin pregnancy it’s necessary to gain around 35 – 45lbs but now that your twins have been born you will be eager to shed those extra pounds.

It can be extremely frustrating for twin mums who not only have more weight to lose but have the challenges of raising twins and even their siblings too.  How do you make time to exercise?

The great news is that caring for your twins should help you initially to shift those extra pregnancy pounds without doing too much else.  Your twins will be exercise enough for you so don’t worry if you can’t spare the time or energy to participate in a vigorous exercise plan just yet.

Breastfeeding

On top of all the benefits to your babies, breastfeeding is an excellent way of helping you to get back in to shape after your twin pregnancy and even more so with twins as the demands on your body are even greater.  Breastfeeding helps the uterus shrink to its original size, it burns calories and your body relies on your fat stores to create the breast milk.

Drink Plenty of Water

Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day.  Drinking sufficient water encourages the body to flush fat stores.  Keep a glass or water bottle handy and sip throughout the day.

Pace Yourself & Your Expectations

It is important to pace your weight loss and remember that rapid weight loss can be dangerous.   You still need to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your babies.  It is far better to lose the extra pounds gradually.  You must also keep your expectations in check.  Pregnancy changes a woman’s body and sometimes it never returns to its pre pregnancy condition.  Even as the pounds are shed, you may find that your pre pregnancy clothes do not fit due to your hips being wider or your rib cage for that matter.

Nutritious Snacks

It can be so difficult to maintain a balanced diet whilst taking care of your twin babies.  You often have very little time to grab a shower let or to make dinner therefore it is very important to have some nutritious snacks available for you to grab on the run rather than reaching for the nearest chocolate bar.

Family Life

Use family time or days out to fit some exercise in and spend the day at the park or in the woods; the fresh air and walking is good for all the family.

Exercise Plan

As you settle in to a routine with your twins you may find it possible to begin to exercise. It is true that the key to any successful weight reduction is exercise. The benefits of regular exercise are not only weight loss but it energises you which in turn will help you with the challenge of caring for your twins.

If you plan to start exercising as soon as possible you will need to check with your doctor or health visitor to know what is safe especially if you delivered by C-Section.

Walking is one of the cheapest, most convenient and most effective forms of exercise. Your twin buggy or stroller is going to be heavier than the regular singleton variety and the load will only get heavier.  A walk out with your twins may be exactly what is needed when the going gets tough so use it as a way to burn off those extra pounds and to tone your muscles as well as to help relax your mind.  It’s also a great opportunity for you and your partner to talk and have some time together.

You could try some of the many methods of exercising at home although you need extra self discipline for these methods.  If you don’t want to spend too much money on exercise equipment, buy yourself an exercise DVD or alternatively put the music on and let your babies enjoy watching mummy dance along.  If you have older children perhaps you could have a bounce on their trampoline in the garden.  Every little helps.

If you are able to leave the house to exercise and can join a gym or participate in an exercise class then do so.  It’s a great way to have a break away from your babies as it is benefiting you in more ways than one.

Drink Green Tea

Swap your regular cup of tea for a cup of green tea. Not only is green tea full of antioxidants it apparently helps speed the metabolism giving you an extra helping hand with burning those extra pregnancy pounds.

And Finally

Treat yourself to a well deserved shopping trip for some new clothes and perhaps a new hairstyle too!