For most women addressing their pregnancy weight gain, returning to their pre-pregnancy state is a major challenge that's difficult to accomplish without some type of help or assistance. As a personal trainer, I have encountered dozens of postnatal women who have joined the gym in an effort to shed pregnancy weight gain.

By joining a gym and committing to a program of weight-resistance training, these women couldn't have made a better choice to not only lose the pregnancy weight gain but to firm and tone their muscles as well. From tightening up the skin to increasing bone density and burning fat, the benefits of weight training for women are huge.

One common question I was asked almost invariably was, "what should I be eating?" I would always reply with "what are you eating?" This was not the reply they were looking for. Their pregnancy weight gain was obviously enough of a concern to bring them into the gym, but most all of them seemed unsure as to exactly what or how they should be eating.

Although I would encourage a client to use common sense, one thing I've learned about the diet and supplement industries is that confusion and controversies are manufactured to create profit. There is definitely a better and more correct way of eating to burn the fat and lose the pregnancy weight gain, but the bull can be tough to sort through.

For those who asked for my help, I would promise to explain correct eating habits to them if they would commit to a simple exercise of a different kind. After agreeing, I would grab a piece of paper from the front desk and scribble my name at the top followed by their goal to lose 15 pounds, shed pregnancy weight gain, firm up their arms and buttocks, etc.

After handing them this piece of paper, I would inform them that they must write down everything that passes into their mouths the following day, including any liquids they drink. "You can cheat no one but yourself." Now, you've probably heard of this being done before, but I'd be willing to bet that you have never completed a full 24 hour day writing down everything you have consumed in that time. It's a real wakeup call. For almost all of these women, it was the first time they truly paid attention to what they were eating. Granted, it was merely one day, but the point was made.

There is no such thing as "dieting", it's a misnomer. To lose the pregnancy weight gain and keep it off for good, you have to commit to changing your eating habits. Those who temporarily restrict calories during a "diet", end up storing more fat once they resume their normal eating practices. Integrate correct eating habits into your lifestyle, and you will melt away the fat from pregnancy weight gain forever.


Copyright 2008 John Franco. John Franco has been directly involved in the Health and Fitness Industry for close to thirty years. Learn how to eat to permanently strip fat, increase energy and maintain good health, visit http://www.fatfreemommy.com and grab your Free Guide, "5 Secrets Weight Loss Companies Don't Want You To Know", at Fat Free Mommy.