4-Day Postpartum Weight Loss Challenge

Are you desperate to loose your postpartum baby weight? Is your pregnancy pooch causing a serious muffin top? Are your postpartum thunder thighs creating so much friction that you are becoming a walking fire hazard? Is your post delivery butt so big, you go to sit down in a chair and realize you already are?

Well, sister, you are not alone. There are millions of us still waddling around months after delivering our little bundles of joy. I have met more moms than not who tell me not to worry, “It took 10 months to pack on the pounds, so give it 10-12 months to take it off” or, “Just wait until you hit that one year mark” or the constant promise of  “The weight will just start melting off when you start chasing a toddler.”  As much as I would like to find comfort in those words, I don’t. 

I believe wholly that “Diets” are a complete waste of time.  To me, DIET stands for Dammit I’m Eating That? A diet eventually ends. A healthy life style lasts forever. Also, exercise does not have to mean 2-3 hours in the gym 5 days a week. Especially now that I am a mom, that kind of commitment is not realistic.  Doing just 30 minutes of exercise three to four days a week is. It’s just important not to over due it, especially in the beginning.

Before baby I was a fairly active and healthy person. Throughout my life I have met with nutritionist and personal trianers. I had to use every tool I learned from those experiences to come up with this jump start plan.  It actually worked!  After two solid weeks I see a difference. So, I thought I would share it. 

Anyways, to the challenge!

I challenge you to spend 4 days in a row doing the following things.

1.     Make the best possible choices when it comes to eating.  I say “best possible” because going out and buying an entire kitchen of healthy food is not realistic.  However, over time filling your refrigerator and pantry with healthy food is not such a bad thing. Cut back on salt, sugar, empty calories... just cut back on bad, increase good.  Simple! ; ) 

I have not had a cupcake since last Saturday.  I am not having another cupcake until I can comfortably button my pre baby pants! Yes, it’s time to make some sacrifices.

2.     Spend 30 minutes doing some sort of activity. Go for a walk, shop at the mall, take a trip to the zoo, garden, clean the house… I have been going for a walk every morning with Oliver before it gets too hot. After two weeks, I now look forward to the walk.  It’s quiet and peaceful.  I can listen to my music or just think about my attack on life.  This is my favorite time of day. 

3.     Use your baby as a dumbbell. Do the following exercises while keeping your abdominal muscles engaged throughout the entire workout. By doing so you will give your back support , and give your abs a constant workout too. (It might actually be best to do this workout the first day without holding your baby. Get your balance down first.)

1.            Squats- Hold your baby out in front of you while you sit back into a squat position (like you are sitting in a chair). Do not let your knees go over your toes! Do five squats the first day, increasing 5 squats every day. Working up to 20 squats on your fourth day.

2.            Lunges- Start with your feet together. Take a large step forward with your right leg. Bring the knee of your left leg down towards the ground.  Do not go too far down, stop before it becomes uncomfortable.  Hold for five seconds and straighten back up. Do five lunges on each leg, increasing 5 lunges every day. Working up to 20 on your fourth day. The trick here is to do the lunge comfortably.  Do not step out too far or lunge down too far, you just want to feel a slight burn

3.            Bench press your baby- Ok, not literally, it just sounded good! Start with your baby out in front of you eye level, slowly lower to your bub to waist level, then slowly lift back to your eye level. Do five times working to 20 by the fourth day.  Don’t forget to smile and coo!

I propose this “4-Day Challenge,” because by the 5th day you will not want to stop! I know I didn’t. I felt noticeably better, no way was I stopping. Give yourself a break for a day, then start back up. Aiming for at least 4 days a week of activity, and eating healthy meals 6 days a week.

If you fall off the workout wagon, climb back on and do the 4-Day Challenge all over again.  This is not a diet with a workout, this is a new healthy life style. In a matter of days you will feel noticeably better.  In a matter of time this will all be second nature and your family will be maintaining a healthy lifestyle!




Two confused parents=One amused baby Hopelessly we are trying raise a baby who is clearly smarter than both of us. April is an award-winning writer and blogger. Her work has been published in over ten countries and four languages. From books to newspapers, to print/online magazines and everything in between, you can find her work. For more on April, Visit AprilMcCormick.com