New moms, especially first-time moms, are really keen to get back into their pre-pregnancy pair of jeans.
There are umpteen celebrities who have made this appear as easy as switching on your TV. Push the button and you have all that you want! But is it that easy and more importantly, is it advisable? Doctors’ opinions vary on when new moms should actually start worrying over their appearance and weight, and go on punishing diets. Let’s have a look at how you can approach your post-baby weight loss plan.
1) Go easy on yourself. Pregnancy is like putting your body in a ringer for 9 months. It has taken 3 trimesters to pile on those kilos, so it’s a given you need to give your body time to lose them as well. Doctors stress that crash diets and strenuous exercise programs are a strict no-no, more so if you have had a difficult pregnancy or a C-section.
Motherhood need not rob you of a healthy and fit body.
2) Your body needs rest and nutrition. Pregnancy is taxing on one’s physical strength and stamina. It is advisable you give your body all the rest it requires and also adopt a healthy and well-balanced diet. It is extremely important you restock your body with all the depleted and lost nutrients. The postpartum period should be used to restore your nutritional status and energy.Doctors forbid diet control until six weeks post-delivery.
3) Demands of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a fat-burning activity. Milk production requires energy and sufficient calories. If the required energy is not derived from food, it will be drawn from the fat reserves in the body which can lead to tiredness and fatigue. To help in milk production, your food needs to be rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins. Drink plenty of water and remember that breastfeeding should not be looked upon as a weight-loss aid.
4) Exercise gets the green flag from the docs. Though dieting is not recommended until at least 6 weeks post-delivery, you can start with light workout sessions as soon as you feel you are ready for exercise. Many new moms start walking and pelvic-floor strengthening exercises within weeks after delivery. The latter workout is essential because during pregnancy the muscles get loosened and stretched. Also the pelvic area has been carrying the weight of the baby for the whole duration of your pregnancy. Hence pelvic area requires due attention and care from your side.
How to get started with your workout regimen
Let’s see how you can slowly ease your body into easy and simple exercise routine, but always remember to take your doctor’s expert opinion beforehand.
Go easy on yourself. Pregnancy is like putting your body in a ringer for 9 months. It has taken 3 trimesters to pile on those kilos, so it’s a given you need to give your body time to lose them as well.
1) Walking. This is the simplest and easiest form of exercise. You can start with slow and short stints, say of 10-15 minutes each. You can gradually increase the period and speed of your walking sessions and turn it into a calorie burning workout. Stroller workouts are most popular because your baby can also join in the fun.
2) Light core-strengthening exercises. Sit-ups and exercises directly straining your abdominal region should be avoided. You can start with Kegel exercises and slow pelvic tilts on your back.
3) Get your baby involved. In addition to these you can also join ‘mommy and baby’ yoga or dance classes. There are several exercise videos for new moms, but you need to be cautious and find what is safe and suitable for you.
4) A word of caution. Never put major stress on your joints which are already loosened by the pregnancy hormone relaxing. This may lead to injury. Never overwork yourself and immediately consult a doc in case of excessive bleeding or other physical discomfort.
Conclusion
Motherhood need not rob you of a healthy and fit body. With proper care and exercise you can attain a trim figure in a reasonable amount of time.
Author Bio:
Korie Cantor has been working as a freelance writer for a long time. She has a diverse background in health and fitness and is always on the lookout for new stuff and cool freebies in this regard. She loves sharing her opinions on the latest issues affecting women.
