Pre and post-pregnancy weight control for new dads

June 25, 9:54 AMAtlanta New Dads ExaminerEric Skates

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Be healthy for your baby

It is an obvious assumption that all women tend to gain weight during pregnancy. The average woman will gain 15-30lbs. Often returning to their pre-pregnancy weight could take months or even a few years. For many women, this becomes a source of constant concern following childbirth.

But, did you know that men are also effected around their waist line as well? Were you aware that the average dad can gain between five to twenty extra pounds during the first few months their child is born? Your partner has been eating for two, but a lot of the times, so have you!

While your wife, girlfriend or fiance enjoyed a scoop of ice cream during a late night movie, on the couch, did you share a scoop too? If your partner was craving some chocolate cake did you savor a sliver as well? Many of the cravings your "baby mama" ate you enjoyed as well. Did you notice your face becoming a little fuller and your pants a little tighter? It's a very common issue for new dads. It is hard to find time to work out, or make it to the gym, when you know your partner is at home seven to eight months pregnant.

For the dads who are in the post-pregnancy stage it seems as if your regular workout routine has been dropped by the wayside due to helping with late night feedings and the constant rocking to soothe your baby to sleep. Many father's work full-time and whenever they arrive home they do not have the energy to drive to the gym or even exercise at home. A quick 30-minute workout just doesn't fit their new schedule. Moreover, there are a lot of stay-at-home father's who certainly do not have the time to break a sweat because they have been on daddy duty all day while mom is at work.

New dads start getting depressed and with this comes disgruntled and radical mood swings. If you do not feel good in your own body it will effect your mood profoundly.

What do you do? Discuss this with your partner and make a plan so you can get back into shape so you can be a healthy father figure for your son or daughter. Create a goal for yourself and stick with it.

But, I don't have a gym membership, you say?

That's okay, visit your local Atlanta Target or Dicks Sporting Goods and purchase some free weights (between15-35 lbs) so you can "pump up" in the privacy of your own home.

But what if I can't afford to buy weights?

That's alright too! There are so many workouts you can do, at home, that do not require weights. Check out www.menshealth.com, www.askmen.com or www.thefitdadsays.com. These sites give wonderful free information about getting back into shape. Ed Scow aka Fit Dad, is not just a personal trainer and fitness guru, but he is a daddy blogger as well. His blog, www.fitdadsays.com has many workout videos, online, that you can follow at your leisure.

Quick tip: Get a fitness ball and whenever you are holding your baby you can rock back and forth and work your abs in the process of soothing your little one.

It is important to work on your core, arms and back guys, because lifting a stroller in and out of a car can wear on your body. An eight pound baby may not sound very big at first, but after carrying around an eight pound weight, constantly, you will soon start to feel the effects on your neck, arms and back.

Dads, get fit and healthy so you can enjoy your baby-time to the fullest.

Please note: weight loss after childbirth, for men and women, is naturally a slow process that takes its own time. Everyone's situation is different. You may have a few pounds to lose or many.  Women have the option to breastfeed; in which can burn their calories ten times faster than a man.

Rapid weight loss is never permanent. Rational weight loss (1-2 pounds a week) and can be maintained with the right mix of exercise and nutrition. In other words, you cannot plan to workout and eat whatever you want. It must be worked together in a delicate balance. Proper exercise and nutrition combined is the way to go. A book, by the name of, Eat this, not that, can be a strong ally in reaching your goal. It can be purchased at your local Atlanta Barnes & Noble or Target store. You can also preview it online at Amazon.com.

Good luck!

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