Why Haylie Duff’s Body Message Is Positive for All Women
Photo: Instagram/HaylieDuff
Thank you, Haylie Duff, for reminding us that healthy beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.
While many celebrities seem to bounce back to their prebaby body in record time, new mom Haylie Duff recently boasted of not being overly concerned about the number on the scale.
“I have not put pressure on myself to lose everything right away,” the host of the Cooking Channel’s Real Girl’s Kitchen show and blog told Wonderwall.
While she explained that she had every intention of dropping the pregnancy pounds after giving birth to her daughter, Ryan Ava, nine months ago, the 30-year-old sister of actress Hilary Duff realized that her priorities have changed.
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“I had sort of an interesting situation when I was nursing where if I was working out too much or cutting my calories, my milk supply really went down,” she told the site. “So for me, it was a struggle because I really wanted to focus on losing weight and getting my body back. But at the end of the day, I had to sit down and make the decision that meant the most to me — and that was breastfeeding my baby.”
Photo: Instagram/HaylieDuff
And since Duff is nursing, she’s doing what is best for her and her little one.
“Weight loss when breastfeeding is recommended at a slow pace, about a half pound per week, to prevent a decline in milk supply,” Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, author of Walking Off the Weight for Dummies, tells Yahoo Health.
She further explains that breastfeeding does increase the body’s total energy expenditure by about 500 calories per day — which can certainly be helpful in shedding those unwanted pounds. “However, drastically reducing one’s calories or excessive exercise may decrease milk supply in some individuals.”
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Palinski-Wade adds that when it comes to weight loss, every woman is different. “Some drop the baby weight just by breastfeeding without cutting calories or adding exercise, while others reduce their weight slowly, returning to their prepregnancy weight over time,” she states. “Losing weight after your baby arrives is not a race. What is most important is the health of the new mother and baby.”
Her overall advice: “Focus on a diet rich in plant-based foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats,” says Palinski-Wade. “Plus, increase your overall physical activity, such as walking with your baby, when medically appropriate.”
Duff added that while returning to her pre-mom shape has become a “slow and steady process,” she couldn’t be happier with her decision.
“I’m gonna focus on doing what’s right for her for a while, and who cares if it takes me a little bit longer,” she said. “I’m feeling positive about it. … It’s just gonna be what it’s gonna be. The plus side is I have a beautiful, healthy little girl.”
More Celeb Inspiration from Yahoo Health!
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