Dr. Randy Martin: I bet a lot of you know that having babies or young children at home is really tough, but could be bad for your health? An interesting study in the journal Pediatrics found that new parents, especially mothers, often gain weight. I met with Dr. Lynley Durrett, a gynecologist and obstetrician at Piedmont Hospital to learn more.
According to Lynley Durrett, M.D., a gynecologist at Piedmont Hospital, the number one complaint she hears from new moms is that they have gained weight. “The cause of the weight gain in new parents is lack of exercise,” she says. “Running around after your kids keeps you busy, but it is not a cardiovascular workout.”
To keep your weight down and your metabolism high, she recommends fitting regular cardiovascular workouts into your life. “Carve out a scheduled time to exercise if necessary and enlist other family members, such as your husband to help [with childcare],” advises Dr. Durrett.
Another cause is of weight gain in new parents is eating on the run and consuming the same high-carbohydrate foods that their children prefer – like macaroni and cheese.
“There are plenty of ways to watch what you eat – there are even applications on your smart phone that help you track what you eat so that you can eat healthier,” she says.
Dr. Durrett’s number one message? “I tell new parents that they have to make a commitment to taking care of themselves and staying healthy so they can be healthy for their families.”
Dr. Randy Martin: Moms, you definitely have to make time for exercise and choose healthy foods in order to maintain a healthy weight. In fact, if you are busy with your kids, you can even take them with you and teach them good habits early in life.
Is Being a Parent Bad for Your Health?
According to Lynley Durrett, M.D., a gynecologist at Piedmont Hospital, the number one complaint she hears from new moms is that they have gained weight. “The cause of the weight gain in new parents is lack of exercise,” she says. “Running around after your kids keeps you busy, but it is not a cardiovascular workout.”
To keep your weight down and your metabolism high, she recommends fitting regular cardiovascular workouts into your life. “Carve out a scheduled time to exercise if necessary and enlist other family members, such as your husband to help [with childcare],” advises Dr. Durrett.
Another cause is of weight gain in new parents is eating on the run and consuming the same high-carbohydrate foods that their children prefer – like macaroni and cheese.
“There are plenty of ways to watch what you eat – there are even applications on your smart phone that help you track what you eat so that you can eat healthier,” she says.
Dr. Durrett’s number one message? “I tell new parents that they have to make a commitment to taking care of themselves and staying healthy so they can be healthy for their families.”