March 4, 2019

Because of the weight gain that comes along with pregnancy, many women try to lose weight and improve their fitness levels before becoming pregnant. While priming your body with healthy food and physical activity is a good idea, taking extreme measures isn’t.

Crash dieting or extreme fitness can have negative impacts on a woman’s body. Here are some of the downsides and possible implications of taking extreme measures to lose weight during preconception.

Impact on Energy Levels & Mood

To lose weight, your daily caloric intake must be less than what your body burns or metabolizes. However, weight loss should be done in moderation. Drastic deficits in calories may result in fast weight loss in the short-term. But you may find that in the long run your energy levels and mood are affected.

Impact on Metabolism

Metabolism is the sum of all the chemical reactions that take place within your body that provide energy for vital processes. You might be surprised to learn that losing weight can actually slow your metabolism. If you eat fewer calories than you burn through daily activities and exercise, you will lose weight. However, a body that weighs less also requires and burns fewer calories, which means that over time your metabolic rate will slow down. This can be a problem if you revert back to eating more calories because it will be easier to regain the weight that you’ve lost.

Impact on Reproductive Function

Perhaps the biggest downside to crash dieting for someone preparing for pregnancy is its impact on reproductive function. Studies have shown that there is an increased risk of anovulation, a condition where the ovaries do not release an egg during the menstrual cycle, in extremely heavy exercisers.1 Body weight and energy balance disturbances are thought to be the explanation. A rapid increase in energy expenditure accompanied by weight loss has been shown to disturb ovulation.^1,2 For someone who is trying to become pregnant, having accurate timing of ovulation is important to improve the odds of conception.

Prepare for Pregnancy the Right Way with Prenatal Vitamins

If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, focus on diet, nutrition and exercise in a healthy way that is approved by your health care provider. Skip the crash diet and focus on incorporating healthy habits over time. A daily prenatal vitamin may help you fill nutritional gaps. Prenate^® Vitamin Family is a line of prenatal vitamins that can serve as a supplemental measure to ensure mothers get the necessary vitamins and minerals they need.

The nutritional forms in the prescription prenatal vitamins offered by the Prenate^® are selected for their tolerability and absorbability. Plus, they are formulated with the latest recommendations from obstetric and pediatric organizations in mind. Talk to your doctor to see if the Prenate^® Vitamin Family’s prenatal vitamins are right for you.