Motherhood is a beautiful journey, but it can easily take a toll on your physical and mental health as a woman. If you are used to staying fit and have never imagined yourself so deformed, the sight of that protruding belly might be very frustrating for you. Most women try to jump the fitness bandwagon as soon as they pop out the baby. It is very important to balance your health and your weight loss journey after childbirth. Here are some quick tips that will help you get back in shape without compromising your health.
Allow Yourself to Heal
Childbirth is an exhausting journey itself, reminds BBC. However, the postpartum phase is much more sensitive than the entire pregnancy. Your body has gone through many complicated changes during the past nine months, and your hormones are most likely pretty messed up. It is understandable how you must be sick of moving around in your maternity wear and longing to get back in shape again. However, you must acknowledge your body needs at this time and avoid any unhealthy practices that can impact your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
The first step in a healthy weight loss journey after childbirth is to acknowledge your body’s needs and have a diet that allows it to heal adequately. Start by identifying how many calories your body needs. Remember that a postpartum body, especially if you are a nursing mom, will need a few additional calories than your regular body requirement. Avoid anything that will bring down your energy levels.
Watch Your Diet
You just brought a human into this world and are responsible for looking after the tiny bub. This will require a lot of energy; therefore, steer clear of any crash diet programs. Eat healthy food and add lots of proteins and green vegetables to your diet. Make sure you are eating enough to fulfill your daily calorie count. This is where the tricky part comes in. You should not be starving yourself or eating less than the calories that your body needs. However, if you are nursing, there is a high chance your body will crave more food, and you will get hunger pangs. This is where you can easily go overboard unconsciously.
Divide your total daily food intake into multiple smaller meals and snacks. Try eating every two to three hours instead of stuffing yourself at any one single mealtime. Take fresh veggies like cucumbers for snacking at odd hours or to satisfy your unwanted hunger pangs. This will not only keep you hydrated and energetic but will also keep you full. Cut down on carbs, fats, and sodas and add yogurt to your diet. Avoid cold water and take your supplements religiously.
Exercise
This is not new knowledge that you need to work out for weight loss. However, remember this is not your regular body we are talking about. This is an exhausted postpartum body. Although there are many exercises to lose belly fat (see fitwirr.com), not all are suitable for a postpartum body.
The kind of workout regime you can take up depends on how healed your body is, any underlying medical conditions following childbirth, and your method of childbirth. Generally, mothers who deliver naturally heal faster and can do most exercises after six weeks of giving birth. However, if you have had a cesarean, your body will take much longer to heal. Make sure you consult your doctor and a fitness coach before starting your workout. Start with very gentle exercises such as walking and gradually increase the intensity.