How to Lose Weight Healthily When You're Pregnant

Gaining weight while pregnant is a natural occurrence. In general, you should gain about two to four pounds during your first trimester, and one pound a week for the remainder of your pregnancy. Gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy is a good sign that your baby is getting all the nutrients it needs. If you gain too much weight while pregnant, however, you can safely lose some of it as long as you pursue it in the right way.

Instructions

• 1

  Start a weekly workout routine that is not strenuous and doesn't involve any rapid, shaking or jerking motions. A good example would be walking outside or on a treadmill for about 45 minutes a day, four days a week. On your off days from walking, add an easy weight workout with light weights to tone and strength your muscles.

• 2

  Eat five to six small, frequent meals every day. According to the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, pregnant women can safely eat up to 12 oz. of seafood and fish such as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, catfish and cod a week.

• 3

  Consume about 1,000 mg of foods high in calcium such as yogurt, spinach, cheese and cereal.

• 4

  Drink water, club soda, or mineral water to avoid extra calories. Limit sweet or sugary drinks, such as soft drinks, fruit punch, fruit drinks, iced tea, lemonade, or powdered drink mixes. These drinks provide many calories with few nutrients and won't help you lose weight while you're pregnant.

• 5

  Do not add salt to foods when cooking. Salt will cause your body to retain water. Also use fats --- such as cooking oils, margarine, butter, gravy, sauces, mayonnaise, regular salad dressings, lard, sour cream and cream cheese --- in moderation. Instead, use lower-fat substitutes that are available for these foods.

• 6

  Use low-fat cooking methods like baking, broiling, grilling or boiling to help you lose weight healthily while pregnant.

• 7

  Eat fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt, angel food cake with strawberries, or pretzels as lower-calorie snack and dessert choices as opposed to sweets and other high-calorie snacks.