Were you ever curious about why celebrities find it easy to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight? The reason is that they only gain enough weight for the development of a healthy baby. Any weight that is from the baby's development, placenta, womb, and additional blood supply for the baby, is not considered extra weight. According to many physicians, the majority of women can give birth to a healthy baby without gaining too much weight. With these tips, you will know how to avoid gaining those extra pounds.

Normal vs. Extra Weight Gain

The first thing you must understand is how much weight gain is normally expected during pregnancy as opposed to what is considered to be too much weight gain.

The average woman will put on 25 to 35 pounds during the nine months of pregnancy; underweight women should put on 28-40 pounds, and an already overweight woman should only gain 15 to 25 pounds. In most cases, this weight is gained slowly during the course of the pregnancy. During the first trimester, you can expect to lose 2 to 4 pounds; each week thereafter about 1 or 2 pounds is gained until delivery.

What purpose does this weight serve? This weight includes the growing baby, your womb, tissues and everything else that is necessary for development of a healthy baby.

Detailed accounting of weight gain:

* The baby's weight will be approximately 7 to 8 pounds.

* The uterus will weigh 2 to 5 pounds.

* The placenta surrounding the fetus weighs approximately 2 or 3 pounds.

* The breast tissue has expanded and now weighs about 2 or 3 pounds.

* Fat held in reserve for nursing and delivery account for 5 to 9 more pounds.

* The weight of the amniotic fluid is about 2 or 3 pounds.

* Four pounds of weight comes from the extra blood needed for the baby.

Generally speaking, any weight gain above these amounts is extraneous and is not necessary for the development and growth of the baby. It is this weight that proves so difficult to eliminate after the birth of the baby.

Eating for Two

Eating for two is a fallacy and may cause pregnant women to gain more weight than necessary. Celebrities are aware that a healthy woman must merely consume an extra 100 to 300 calories daily for development of a healthy baby. This is about the same amount of calories found in a bowl of cereal and an apple. You may be disappointed to hear that if you are consuming more than that amount, the extra calories are being stored as fat. During your pregnancy you may not notice the extra fat, but when you try to get into your pre-pregnancy clothes, it will become painfully apparent.

Therefore, in order to avoid gaining too much weight, it is vital that you refrain from frequent splurging while pregnant. Keep your food choices smart by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. This nutrition is vital for the growth of your baby and it helps keep you fit and trim as well.

Move that Baby Bump

You will frequently see pictures of pregnant celebrities out for a walk in all of the tabloid magazines. Have you ever wondered why? According to most physicians, there is no problem with healthy expectant mothers exercising. Going for a long walk can assist in burning off any extra calories eaten during your last craving session, and your mood may improve too due to the increased blood flow. This is just another secret way in which stars keep their weight in check!

Please note that this advice only applies to healthy women who have consulted their doctors about not gaining excess weight during pregnancy. It is unwise for women to avoid gaining weight at all during her pregnancy as this could result in unhealthy side effects for both the mother and the fetus. Once more, consult with your physician.