Losing the baby weight is hard, a new study outlines how moms can lose weight by walking with their baby in a stroller.

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Women on average gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy and one study concluded that only one third get back to their original weight. Discouraging I know, but read on to learn how you can fit in a cardio workout, while walking with your baby to shed those unwanted pounds.

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Why losing the baby weight is so hard.

Many factors attribute to a woman holding on to the weight.

Lack of sleep:

New moms get an average of 5 hours of sleep or less (source). Not getting enough sleep hurts weight loss efforts.

Sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on two hormones that regulate appetite and hunger.

Lack of exercise

With lack of sleep comes no energy to exercise. Not to mention that new moms take awhile to heal. I remember every joint in my body hurting after I gave birth and it took weeks to go away.

Unhealthy eating

It is much easier to grab something quick and unhealthy then prepare a healthy meal when you have a baby or toddler. Often times you grab a handful of something you find in the cupboard (chips, crackers, cookies) rather then prepare a veggie heavy salad.

Stress

Moms are under an enormous amount of stress. Stress hormones increase appetite. ‘Eat your feelings’ is a popular saying for a reason.

So how do I lose the baby weight?

The odds are stacked against you as a mom of young children to lose the weight, but hope is not lost.

I successfully lost the baby weight by walking. Yup. No gym. No running. No starvation. Just walking with my baby in her stroller everyday.

A new study found similar benefits of stroller walking, see the awesome calorie burning info below.

Want to clean up your diet too? Click here for my favorite Jump-Start Cleanse to get back on track.

Stroller Walking – How Much And How Fast?

The study published in the Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy found that pushing a stroller at 3 mph meets the criteria for a cardio workout.

Another study quantified that by finding that the calorie burn was on average 18% higher when walking 3 mph with a stroller vs walking without one. At 3.5 mph the burn was 20% higher!

Lugging around that oversized baby bag finally has its benefits!

So to help shed those pounds head out for at least an hour a day (you can break it up into 2 x 30 minutes) to burn those extra calories without ever leaving your baby. Amazing.

Before you start:

3 mph is a fairly fast pace, here are some things to keep in mind – to keep you and your baby safe:

1. Listen to your body and your doctor- build up to this pace and don’t go against doctor’s orders if they tell you to hold off on walking

2. New baby’s lack head control, don’t take them out walking on rough terrain or in a regular stroller if you are going to walk on bumpy ground. Even jogging strollers recommend your baby have head control. Instead walk on smooth sidewalks or inside in the mall or indoor track.

How to Stay Motivated

Buy a fitness tracker. I have a fitbit and I love it.

Tip: You can’t wear a fitness tracker on your wrist while walking with a stroller since your arms aren’t moving. If your pants have pockets put it in there, it will track with the movement of your legs.

If you’re in tights or work out pants attach it to your ankle. Keep that in mind when you order it measure your ankle not your wrist.

Find a friend to walk with or compete with them!

One reason I love my fitbit is that you can compete with friends. Once you have an account you can connect with fellow fitbit-ers and participate in friendly challenges.

My sister in law and I did this and since she walks more than me it pushed me to go out for an additional walk in the morning and do things like park in the farthest parking spot so I could beat her. We are both super competitive. Find that friend!

Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Activity Tracker, Graphite/Black, One Size

3. Get some new gear– don’t try to put on your old workout clothes. Just don’t.

You will get in them one day!

But for now get some really cute new gear like this adorable shirt from Etsy:

Conclusion – Lose That Baby Weight By Walking

I hope this motivates you to walk a little farther everyday and a little faster. Maternity leave is a great time to walk as much as you can. If you’â„¢re back to work, go out after work or weekends are great too!

Related:

Wild Rose Cleanse – Ultimate Guide

Places To Go With A 1 Year Old

The Importance of a Mother’s Love – Reduce illness later in life for your child