The Truth About Losing the Baby Weight According to a Postpartum Fitness Specialist

There are various products and programs out there that claim to help moms lose baby weight in a matter of weeks. And while this may work for some, the truth is shedding the extra pounds you gained during pregnancy varies from person to person.

To learn more about this, I sat down with Sarah Bowmar who is a fitness expert, published author, and a prenatal and postpartum fitness specialist. Sarah has worked with countless individuals from all walks of life–helping them not only achieve their fitness goals but stay in shape throughout the various stages of their lives.

What is the fastest way to lose weight after pregnancy?

I really believe that when it comes to weight loss, especially after pregnancy, people should focus on a sustainable, healthy option as opposed to a “fast” one. The way to do that, is of course, through calorie deficit and exercise. It’s important to go for programs that allow you to get all the nutrition you need to properly heal while still working on your goal. If you’re breastfeeding, you should be eating at maintenance + 500 calories.

How long does it take to lose pregnancy weight?

It is going to vary from person to person based on a multitude of factors, including metabolic age and lifestyle. Another major factor is how much you gained while pregnant.

Why is it so hard to lose weight after having a baby?

This is a misconception. It isn’t hard, it just takes time. It took you nine months to gain it, don’t expect to lose it in a few weeks unless you really starve yourself, which is unhealthy both for you and your family. It’s almost important to note that hormones fluctuate quite a bit during the first few months postpartum but it doesn’t make it impossible! 

How can I slim my stomach after pregnancy?

The tummy area is one of the hardest to target not just for moms who just gave birth but practically for anyone. You need to do two things to lose inches off your waist–first is calorie deficit. This will help address the subcutaneous fat, or the jiggly fat under the skin. You also need to change the quality of the food you eat so that you address the fat that wraps itself around your abdominal organs, a.k.a. Visceral fat.

In order for you to do both, you need to consult with a licensed nutritionist and have them create a program just for you. Again, it’s important to keep in mind that this will take time. Slowly but surely is the best way to get the job done. 

Aside from her work as a fitness consultant, Sarah is also the founder and CEO of highly successful sports nutrition brands, Apex Protein Snacks and Bowmar Nutrition. Included in her list of many certifications are her Postpartum Fitness Specialist Certification from the American Fitness Professional Association (AFPA) and a Prenatal and Postpartum Fitness Specialist Certification from the American Fitness Professional Association (AFPA). She has both an undergraduate degree and MBA in Marketing from Ball State and is the author of the Amazon bestseller, “Zero to a Million Without Showing Your Butthole”. She is also a blogger and, together with her husband, Josh Bowmar, hosts the podcast, The Bowmar Show. She also owns her own jewelry business, Brack and Pine.

To know more about her, you may visit her blog www.sarahbowmar.com or follow @sarah_bowmar on Instagram.