When it comes to losing weight after giving birth, celebrity moms always seem to be a step ahead of the game. One minute swollen celebs like Jessica Alba and Heidi Klum are waddling down the streets of Beverly Hills in their third trimester, the next minute these svelte stars are back on the red carpet rocking form-fitting gowns and, in Klum's case, strutting down the runway of a Victoria's Secret fashion show. So what do high profile celebrity moms do differently than the rest of us to get back in shape so quickly after giving birth?
Motivation is Key
Celebrity moms have plenty of tools at their disposal to help them lose weight, including personal trainers, dieticians, and private chefs. While this kind of support makes losing extra baby weight easier, it still requires complete adherence to a rigid dietary plan and exercise routine to shed the pounds quickly.
For most celeb moms, the dedication to slimming down after giving birth goes beyond the desire to look good for a movie premiere. With cameras following them 24/7, A-list celebrities have the added motivation of knowing that the entire world is watching them. The fear of unflattering photos popping up in the tabloids is just one of several career-related motivating factors that keep new celebrity moms on track with a strict (some might say severe) post-pregnancy diet and exercise routine.
Breastfeeding and Weight Loss
Celebrities like Christina Aguilera have spoken openly about how breastfeeding helped them lose weight after giving birth. Studies show that breastfeeding can help burn hundreds of extra calories each day in the months following birth. But breastfeeding alone is unlikely to give typical new moms the kind of results achieved by stars like Naomi Watts, Jessica Alba, and Nelly Furtado - all proponents of breastfeeding as a post-pregnancy weight loss method.
Most celebs (including Christina Aguilera) combine breastfeeding with intense workout sessions and diets heavy on protein, greens, and other healthy foods packed with nutrients. So while celebrity moms sometimes give the impression that breastfeeding alone is responsible for their dramatic weight loss, it is most likely the combination of breastfeeding, healthy eating, and regular exercise that is helping these stars get back in top shape in a matter of weeks.
Bouncing Back through Exercise
Celebrity moms are able to regain their slim physiques quickly after giving birth in part because they are usually extremely fit before they conceive. They also tend to exercise throughout their pregnancies, some right up until their 35th week. This gives them a leg up on new moms who may be transitioning into a new exercise routine after giving birth rather than easing back into an established routine.
Celebrities also jack up their exercise routines into high gear in the months after giving birth. While the typical new mom might be able to squeeze in workouts every other day (and that's probably being generous given the hectic schedules of new moms), celeb moms like Kate Hudson, Heidi Klum, and Jessica Alba reportedly worked with a trainer an hour a day, six days a week after giving birth. New mom Jennifer Lopez even had a new gym built in her house during her pregnancy and began intense workouts with her trainer as soon as her doctor gave her the go ahead.
Celebrity Diet Secrets Revealed
Celebrity post-pregnancy diets run the gamut from strict low-carb, high-protein plans to a 30-day detox. These diets are designed to achieve quick results, but leave little flexibility for new moms on the go.
Post-pregnancy diet staples for stars like Cate Blanchett, Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba, and Christina Aguilera include everything from brown rice to grilled chicken, steamed vegetables, and green tea. Alba, who was back to her pre-pregnancy body just two months after giving birth, reportedly took in just 1,700 calories a day to shed her pregnancy pounds quickly, burning up to 600 calories with daily workout routines. Another celeb diet shortcut: Jennifer Lopez, who dropped a whopping 40 pounds in the months after the birth of her twins, relied on an all-natural food delivery service to supply her with four small meals a day.
Lessons from the Stars
While some celebrity moms make it look easy to drop the post-pregnancy pounds, the reality is that they struggle just as much as any other new mom to slim down after giving birth. Not all of the weight loss methods of the stars are worth following, but there are some valuable lessons that can be learned from new celebrity moms, including planning ahead. If you are fit before you conceive and practice healthy eating, it will require less work to drop the excess pregnancy weight after giving birth.
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