Healthy weight loss while breastfeeding?

[LoveIsContagious]

I'm trying to work off some of the weight I gained from my pregnancy. I am exclusively nursing my 8 month old daughter. Recently, I added exercise to my day. I do a workout which averages about 250 calories burned. I figure nursing alone burns about 300 calories. I try to stay between 1500-1700 calories eaten a day. I read that I'm supposed to eat back my exercise calories, or the deficit will be too great and I'll stop producing. But I'm wondering, what's the point of working off those calories if I just eat them back? Any tips on how to lose weight in a healthy way, for me and my baby, while nursing?

[timetowaste]

La Leche recommends an 1800 calorie diet for lactating mothers, but definitely above 1500 cal. When I was breastfeeding and trying to lose, my doctor told me the same thing. To eat an extra 100 calories for every mile run or 15 min of workout. Your metabolism is increased with lactation and if you're netting too few calories, it will slow your metabolism back down and make your body start saving your energy reserves. I know it doesn't make much sense initially, but it will help facilitate weightloss.

[kheserthorpe]

I would not diet while breast feeding. Eat healthy. Exercise sure. Let the breast feeding take the weight off

[LoveIsContagious]

I'm not technically "dieting." I certainly don't restrict myself if I'm hungry. ;)