It’s no secret that the “baby weight” can be hard to lose after giving birth. In fact, one study found that 61% of women retain their pregnancy weight or more 1 year after childbirth.
But what if you do want to lose some of that postpartum pooch? Or maybe you just want to make sure you’re eating a balanced diet and getting enough exercise as a new mom?
Fortunately, there are plenty of apps for postpartum weight loss on the market today. Here are our top picks.
Best Apps For Postpartum Weight Loss
You’ve welcomed a beautiful new baby into the world—congratulations! But now, apart from taking care of your newborn, how do you take care of yourself?
Pregnancy may cause you to gain weight, but it can be incredibly hard to lose it, especially when you’ve got a million other things to do. However, it’s not impossible to fit into your favorite dress again! Use these six helpful tips and the related apps to get your body back on track.
- Think About What You’re Eating
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hollestic app dinner recipes
hollestic app lasagne recipe
hollestic app breakfast snacks lunch dinner recipes
Your body has been through a lot, so it needs the right nutrition to recover. Plus, eating the right food is essential if you’re breastfeeding. At the same time, you’ll need to adjust your diet now that you’re no longer eating for two.
Try to avoid eating excessively sugary foods and stick to eating plenty of fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products, and healthy fats.
For some healthy postpartum recipe ideas, download the free Hollestic app. This app is a great resource with a wide range of healthy, easy-to-cook meals that your whole family can enjoy.
Whether you’re cooking breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the Hollestic app provides simple recipes to follow as well as nutritional information. Thai red fish curry, tomato and red lentil soup, and beef fajitas are just some delicious recipes you can try.
Download: Hollestic for Android | iOS (Free)
- Set Goals for Yourself
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Coach.me app habits and goals
Coach.me app 1st check in goal completed
coach.me app goals habits page
To have any sort of motivation to lose weight and be healthy, you first need to set yourself some goals. Now, don’t set unrealistic goals that you’ll struggle to come close to. Keep them small at first, and you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when you reach them.
Remember: you’ve given birth to another human, so don’t be so hard on yourself if it takes longer than anticipated to reach your goals and make new habits stick. You can make it easier to reach your goals by using a goal-tracking app like Coach.me.
This app isn’t just for learning a new skill or being more productive; it’ll also help you on your post-baby weight loss journey.
In addition to long-term goals, such as going to the gym, bringing a healthy lunch to work, and eating with intention, you can also set personal weekly targets.
Download: Coach.me for Android | iOS (Free)
- Monitor Your Calories
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Myfitnesspal calorie counting app daily meals
Myfitnesspal calorie counting app breastfeeding
Myfitnesspal calorie counting app breastfeeding diary entry
There are a number of pros and cons to using calorie counting apps, but in many cases, they can be valuable tools as you’re watching your dietary habits. If you’re not seeing results on your own, a calorie counter may be just the help you need.
Instead of focusing on how dull and time-consuming logging food can sometimes be, think about how a calorie counting app like MyFitnessPal can help you eat healthier, encourage exercise, expose overeating, and track your progress.
MyFitnessPal is an amazing app that has features for just about anyone, including new moms that are nursing. This is important to note because when you’re breastfeeding you need to consume about 450 to 500 more calories per day. This app lets you log breastfeeding as calories you’ve burned so you can properly factor that in.
All you need to do is type “breastfeeding” in the search bar, and you’ll find a range of options. From there you can plan out your meals and how many more calories you need to eat for the day.
Download: MyFitnessPal for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)
- Do Regular Exercise
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workout for women app exercise timer
Eating the correct food and the right amount of calories is vital when it comes to postpartum weight loss, but the best method is to simply get moving!
Whether it was two weeks or six months ago, your pregnancy is over, and you need to make sure regular physical activity is a part of your routine. When you feel ready to work out again will depend on your body. Don’t force yourself to do anything strenuous if you’re not ready.
Start off with light exercise by doing a quick walk around the neighborhood, and you can even bring your baby along in the stroller. If you prefer to do alternative workouts because you hate the gym, a great exercise app or online class will come in handy.
Whether you’re looking for exercises to do while you’re pregnant or afterward, you can use the Workout for Women app. The app offers a variety of programs, including a six-week Postpartum Body Rewind program with daily workouts that won’t take you more than seven minutes.
Aside from the programs available on the app, you can also check out the endless selection of workouts. From yoga and HIIT to advanced ab exercises, there’s a workout suited for everyone.
Download: Workout for Women for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)
- Get the Right Amount of Sleep
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Huckleberry sleep app sleep feeding settings
Huckleberry sleep app child profile
Huckleberry app sleep timer
Did you know that sleep affects weight loss? If you don’t get enough sleep, you may make bad food decisions that could negatively affect your weight loss journey. Although it may seem incredibly difficult to get the right amount of sleep when you’re busy looking after a baby, it is achievable.
The Huckleberry app is here to help you out. Huckleberry will make sure your little one is on the right sleep schedule and getting enough sleep, which means more sleep for you. Features include one-touch tracking for sleep, sleep summary reports, notification reminders, and multiple child profiles.
Download: Huckleberry for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)
- Drink Enough Water
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Waterful app daily water goal
Waterful drink reminder app
waterful app additional factors
Drinking enough water to keep your body fully hydrated is extremely important when you’re breastfeeding your baby. But regardless of whether you’re breastfeeding or not, drinking enough water is key to losing weight. A good tip to keep in mind is to always keep a bottle of water next to you, whether you’re sitting at your desk, eating dinner, or reading a book. This will remind you to keep drinking.
Another great thing about drinking water while you’re eating is that it can help suppress hunger and leave you feeling full without overeating. If you’re struggling to drink enough water throughout the day, there are a range of hydration apps, such as Waterful, that will remind you to drink more water.
Waterful is an exceptional app that learns your daily routine and sends you reminders to make sure you drink the right amount of water. If you’re breastfeeding or pregnant, the Waterful app even factors that in and recommends more water during your daily routine.
Download: Waterful for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
Apps Can Help You Get Your Pre-Baby Body Back
Give these six apps a try if you need a little help during your weight loss journey. Remember, don’t be so hard on yourself—having a child takes a lot out of your body.
It takes a lot of work and a lot of patience. If you have both, you can successfully lose weight and have a healthy lifestyle with your new baby.
best postpartum workout program
Getting back into a workout routine after having a baby is usually floating around somewhere on a new mom’s endless to-do list. But the time, energy, and motivation (not to mention the child care) is simply not always there, especially during those first few months.
First, let us say: That’s more than OK. After all, your body went through a lot during those nine months of creating, carrying, and delivering your baby! One thing all postpartum experts agree on is that it takes time to get back into your ideal physical shape (whatever that might be for you).
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Why postpartum fitness matters
It’s not news that exercise is good for you, no matter what stage of life you’re in — it’s a tried-and-true prescription for injury prevention, weight loss, and muscle gain. But in addition to the physical benefits, exercise offers a plethora of mental and emotional perks that can be especially important to new moms.
“Exercise is proven to improve your mood thanks to feel-good endorphins and can play a role in helping prevent postpartum depression,” says Amanda Tress, certified nutrition coach, personal trainer, and mom of three.
“Working out can also give you added energy (necessary when you’re dealing with 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. feedings!) and help restore muscle strength, particularly in the abdominal muscles that were stretched during pregnancy.”
Thankfully, there are plenty of fitness apps and streaming services that don’t require you to go to the gym — or even leave the house. Many of these have programs that cater specifically to the postpartum crowd and are available to be streamed online and broadcast in the comfort of your own living room.
Safety first
Before we share our picks for the top at-home resources in the world of postpartum fitness, a quick reminder to always consult your OB before jumping back into exercise.
Not everyone’s timeline looks the same when it comes to postpartum recovery. As much as you might feel ready to start running or lifting again, you may not be cleared for takeoff until 6 weeks postpartum, so it’s always smart to check with your doctor.
How we chose
All the fitness apps and programs in this article were either recommended by experts in the health and fitness industry or are highly rated by members. They also all meet the following criteria:
contain programs specifically for postpartum fitness
offer a welcoming, all-levels friendly community
are compatible with iOS and Android or streamable from your computer
have a wide variety of workout styles
A note on pricing
Most of these products offer monthly or yearly membership options, and most typically have a free trial or introductory offer. To view the most accurate price, click the link in each section to visit the brand’s homepage.
At the time of publishing, every membership in this article cost $30 or less a month to subscribe — not bad if you don’t have to step foot in a gym!
Online postpartum fitness resources
Obé
Obé’s mission is to “meet you where you are,” which is an encouraging message for those re-establishing a workout routine and feeling like they have a long road ahead. Actually, “encouraging” is a perfect word to describe Obé — their brightly colored videos and peppy coaches make you feel like you can make it through one last rep of any move.
Obé offers a variety of live and recorded classes, including in the postnatal space. There are workouts in almost every category: dance, HIIT, cardio kickboxing, Pilates, barre, yoga, and more. Some workouts require minimal equipment, while others are completely focused on bodyweight movements.
“Specifically, there are ‘Mommy and Me’ classes and 10-minute workouts that can be a lifesaver for new moms who only have so much time to dedicate to exercise in a day,” says Tress.
Peloton
Peloton is no longer just for cycling — they’ve branched out to nearly every fitness category, including running, strength, toning, yoga and meditation, as well as postpartum classes for new moms.
“The classes are led by top instructors who keep you motivated even if you’re running on very little sleep,” says Tress. And no, you don’t need to invest in the stationary bike or treadmill to access the Peloton trainers and programs. There are over 10,000 on-demand classes and pre-programed workouts available in the Peloton app.
If you do have the Peloton bike or treadmill, you can watch classes on your machine with a monthly membership (which is considerably pricier than the app). Yes, the total Peloton package is expensive. But based on member reviews, if you enjoy cycling and running it’s worth every penny.
Glo
If yoga and meditation are more your speed, you might consider Glo, an app that’s centered around mind-and-body classes. “Yoga, Pilates, and meditation are effective at reducing stress, improving flexibility, and strengthening the core after having a baby,” says Tress.
New moms will appreciate that the classes are offered in a variety of lengths — from 5 to 90 minutes — and that they offer programs focused on specific postpartum needs, like stretching for breastfeeding and strengthening the pelvic floor.
Daily Burn
One of the first names in streamable fitness, Daily Burn has been helping folks get their sweat on at home for years.
Their all-levels approach and giant library of at-home workouts make it easy to mix up your routine every day while staying at your own pace. Plus, a handful of the trainers are moms themselves and have pre- and postnatal training certificates to their names.
Although the app is available on Android and iOS devices, Daily Burn’s workouts are best streamed from the computer or TV as opposed to your smartphone so you can go big screen and feel like you’re right there in the studio.
P.Volve
P.Volve takes a personal approach by starting off with a brief quiz that touches on your fitness experience and interests. And while they offer options for just about every type of workout and fitness level, it’s nice that they have an entire section dedicated to pre- and postpartum fitness.
“This is a great low impact program because it focuses on light resistance strength training for the whole body,” says Chicago-based weight loss coach and corporate wellness trainer, Stephanie Mansour.
Workouts require a monthly membership, and you can purchase equipment (which is a pretty fun-looking ball and resistance band combo) if you choose. Streaming is compatible with a smartphone, computer, or tablet.
Tone It Up
“TIU has a great catalog of post-pregnancy videos, as one of their co-founders filmed videos after her pregnancy,” says Mansour. “They focus on low impact exercises that help get back your pre-baby body and provide precise instructions.”
In addition to at-home workouts, TIU offers up nutrition plans and recipes, which can come in handy big time when you have your hands full with your little one. Folks also love the encouraging community that comes with being a Tone It Up member, and the fun, seasonal recipes and workouts that occur throughout the year.
Body by Simone
If dance is one of your favorite ways to get your sweat on, Body by Simone might be best for you. The founder, Simone De La Rue, is a NASM-certified personal trainer and a pre- and postnatal specialist who danced her way through her pregnancy. (Her growing baby bump can be seen in many of the classes on the app and online!)
This app is also great if you have random exercise equipment lying around — resistance bands? Simone uses them! A small exercise trampoline? Dust that sucker off! Just be sure to have higher impact exercise cleared by your doctor before you get your bounce on.
Tupler Technique — Diastasis Recti Treatment Program
Price note: This program is a one-time payment.
Diastasis recti, or a split in the abdominal wall, is a condition that affects up to 60 percent of women postpartum. “It occurs from excessive pressure on the linea alba (the tendon that holds the rectus abdominis together) during pregnancy,” explains Brooke Taylor, certified personal trainer, mom of two, and creator of Taylored Fitness.
The Diastasis Recti Rehab program (also referred to as the Tupler Technique) was created by Julie Tupler, registered nurse and childbirth educator, and provides a nonsurgical alternative to healing diastasis recti.
“It’s a step-by-step course that I personally incorporated after delivering my son,” says Taylor. “It teaches you how to reactivate the muscles of the pelvic floor and transverse abdominis to aid in healing the abdominal separation.”
Although this program is well respected, it’s worth noting that the website is pretty chaotic and outdated. It’s hard to tell what the service itself is on the page linked below, but it’s a bundle of tools to set you up on an 18-week program. (Think streaming courses, a guidebook, etc.)
Or, go 1:1
While these programs tailored to postpartum fitness are great, you can also go another route: seeking out a fitness trainer that either specializes in postpartum fitness or works with women during various stages of pregnancy.
“Most trainers are more than willing to create home workouts or do virtual training for a fee,” says Roger E. Adams, PhD, owner of eatrightfitness. “One of the best ways to find them is the American Council on Exercise’s find a trainer resource.”
Takeaway
Easing back into exercise isn’t a one-size-fits-all prescription, but there are plenty of fitness apps that offer a wide range of postpartum-friendly workouts to fit your needs.
However you decide to restart your workout routine, be patient with yourself and remember that recovery lengths vary from person to person.
Try to focus on doing workouts you enjoy — dance if you like dancing, flow if yoga is your jam — and don’t feel pressured to block out more time than your busy new-mom schedule allows.
Last medically reviewed on May 7, 2021
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Medically reviewed by Jake Tipane, CPT — Written by Jenn Sinrich — Updated on May 20, 2021
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