By Chelsea P. Gladden

Let’s start with the obvious: Pregnancy will cost you your figure, but just how much will it cost for you to regain it? There are a variety of answers.

Diet

If you think about it, dieting can actually save you money because you will be eating less. If you can get your baby daddy on board, splitting dinners out together can cut calories and costs. However, you just had a new baby and don’t have the time to think about anything let alone not many opportunities to sneak in a dinner out at first. In fact, it’s impossible to think about much, so you’re likely to put whatever is convenient in your mouth. There may be times you’re just happy to have found the time to eat let alone worrying about the fat grams.

For a more splurge worthy approach, diet delivery plans make eating on the go easy with little effort or forethought. Even better, they’re delivered to your door. Examples of these are The Zone diet, which would cost around $1000 per person per month for three meals and two snacks a day, for five days a week. Nutrisytem also delivers and for much cheaper at around $300 per month. If you’re breastfeeding, check with your doctor before enlisting in any plan. Of course breastfeeding is a great approach itself, burning up to an extra 500 calories a day!

The most cost effective approach to taking care of your body by eating healthy while watching the weight whittle away is to make meals in advance of the baby’s arrival and freeze them. If this sounds like too much work, companies such as Dream Dinners and Supper Solutions have the ingredients ready for you. Just visit their store, pack up meals and take them home. For those who really want to splurge, Hireachef.com is a great way to find someone to come to your house and cook for you! Pricing varies but would run you roughly $450 a week for just dinners.

Exercise

While you may be happy just to take a shower let alone find the time to break a sweat, it’s a good idea to start with a leisurely stroll around the block working up to a vigorous walk with your doctor’s permission. You could even save on jogging stroller costs and allow for daddy bonding time if the father watches the baby. Naturally, this would be the cheapest approach to exercise, however, it takes a lot of motivation.

To get moving in a group, there are programs such as stroller strides that meet during the day and allow for some adult talk with other moms while getting back in shape with the baby along for the ride at costs starting at $15 per class.

Of course there’s also yoga, Pilates and various aerobics classes offered at gyms or privately, also for fees. A gym membership will workout a dent of around $50 per month, in addition to joining fees. Private classes are $15- $20 an hour, but can come down if you buy a series of classes.

To really splurge, a personal trainer will cater to your body type and needs but will run you at least $50 an hour.

No matter the approach you take to diet and exercise, taking care of yourself will keep you better equipped both mentally and physically to take care of your child. In other words, it’s an investment worth making.

For other weighty issues, The Street.com recommends for gaining financially: The Perfect Stock for the Obesity Trend.

Exercise your right to discuss this topic! Visit Couples & Money and Financially Frugal Families.

PHOTO CREDIT: earl53 | Morgue File

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