My 3 Priorities For Postpartum Weight Loss

by | Feb 11, 2023 | Blog

Several years back, I lost over 130 pounds after struggling with yo-yo dieting and obesity for most of my life. Here I am again, after having 4 kids in less than 2.5 years, on a postpartum weight loss journey.

Fortunately, I’m not interested in diets, plans or programs. I simply want to be fit, healthy, confident and have a rock solid relationship with food. I’m not interested in counting calories, macros or the latest restrictive way of eating that promises fat loss.

I could have said all the same things when I lost 130 pounds, but things are a little different this time. I’m older, I’m a bit wiser and I have 3 kids under 2 (so I don’t have the same amount of flexibility that I did years ago!) I talked about this in episode 1062 of the Primal Potential podcast in a lot more detail, but I wanted to summarize the 3 pillars of my postpartum weight loss approach. I’m always learning, rethinking and fine tuning, so here’s where things stand today.

The 3 Pillars of My Postpartum Weight Loss Approach

  1. Healing comes first
    I’m not sick. I haven’t been sick. Years ago, if someone had talked about prioritizing healing, I’d probably have tuned out because I didn’t think I had anything to heal from. Here’s what I know now: just looking at 3 pregnancies, 3 c-sections and 4 babies – there’s healing to be done! Then if we add in stress, antibiotic use, overeating, trauma from the loss of my daughter, lack of sleep (and more), there’s A LOT of healing to be done! I’m specifically talking about healing the gut. All the things I mentioned, and many more, break down the protective barrier in the gut, causing the immune system to kick into overdrive.As that happens, our inflammatory response is triggered and that leads to everything from brain fog to metabolic impairments to hormone imbalances, weight loss resistance and more!Because I want to be as healthy as possible and make weight loss easier, one of my primary priorities for postpartum weight loss is to heal my gut. (Tune in to episodes 1061 and 1062 of the Primal Potential podcast for a lot more about this! In these episodes I talk about how I’m doing this and some of the supplements that help. I’ll also link to them below.)
  2. Protein is a constant priority
    Every time I eat, whether it’s a meal or a snack, it will contain protein. Protein is essential for healing. It’s also essential for satiety and helps to reduce cravings. Most of us aren’t consuming enough protein. That doesn’t mean I’ll be going crazy with protein shakes and steaks the size of my head, but as a way of supporting blood sugar balance and warding off excessive hunger and cravings, protein will be present each time I eat.Some of my favorite ways to fit in protein are greek yogurt, eggs, protein smoothies (this is the protein I’m currently using), chicken thighs, salmon and cheese.
  3. Get strong as hell
    Okay…on this one, you first need to listen to episode 538 of the Primal Potential podcast. Seriously. Stop what you’re doing and tune in to that episode. It doesn’t matter if postpartum weight loss is a goal of yours or it’s not. Everyone needs to listen to this episode at least a couple of times.I’m weight training (at home) 4 times weekly with the goal of getting STRONG. Cautionary tale: if you’re afraid of getting “bulky” if you lift weights, please know that only happens if you’re eating a caloric excess. If you are getting bulky and don’t want to be, that is a food issue, not a weight training issue.

    In getting strong and putting on some muscle (which has nothing to do with getting bigger – that’s a common misunderstanding), I’ll not only improve my fitness, improve my balance, my health span and my ability to take care of my loved ones, but I’ll also look better naked! And, one of my favorite benefits, because muscle is more metabolically active than other tissues, I’ll be able to eat more without putting on weight or preventing weight loss.

    But seriously – listen to episode 538 if you haven’t yet! Don’t skip it!

Here are some podcast episodes that you should listen to for more details:

Episode 1061: One of the Most Important Health & Weight Loss Episodes I’ve Done

Episode 1047: 10 Tips for Fat Loss

Episode 538: If You’re Over 30, You Need to Hear This

Supplements I’m Taking for Postpartum Weight Loss

GBXFit

Probiotics

Mentabiotics

GBXBurn

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase from the link, I could receive a small commission. This does not increase the price you pay. 

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