If you’ve just had a baby, you are probably staring into the mirror and screaming “What the **** has happened to my body?”. It’s not easy to get your preferred shape back when you have been growing life inside you for nine months. While breastfeeding helps reclaim some normality, there are other things you can do to help you get back into shape.
Understanding Postpartum Weightloss
First things first. You need to realize that your body has changed forever. Hips and pelvis are never going to be in exactly the same position again. Your posture has taken a serious hit, and you may have noticed your ribs aren’t where they used to be at all. Posture can be improved, and your ribs (along with your internal organs) will come back down in a few weeks. Your uterus has been stretched out of shape, and this may show along with a saggy belly for a while yet. So go easy on yourself – you’re meant to look like this right now.
Adjusting to pregnancy, the postpartum period, and learning to care for a newborn can be a difficult time for any mother. Statistics show that pregnancy causes an average weight gain of between 25-35 pounds–but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! Gaining an appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy is linked to improved pregnancy outcomes and is also associated with healthy lactation in mothers who wish to breastfeed. However, once the baby arrives and nursing has been established, mothers often look to regain their pre-pregnancy figures. Restrictive diets, rigorous exercise, supplements and shakes all advertise solutions; however postpartum weight loss should be viewed as a slow process. It’s important to remember that our bodies took 9 months to adjust to pregnancy, so it’s just as important to take time for your body to adjust afterward.
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To improve your strength, flexibility, health, and general fitness, the exercise would be a good idea. Don’t undertake drastic diets and excessive exercise to change your post-body shape. You have a baby to care for now, so take things easy. If it has been less than six weeks since the birth, or you are still bleeding, speak to your doctor before undertaking any physical exertion.
Start with walking. Make the most of the baby in a pram. This means you can go at your pace in the direction of your choosing. If you don’t know what I’m on about, just wait till they are toddlers! Get the rain covers out, and off you go. Whatever the weather, commit to a good walk around the block every day. Or to the supermarket and back, or round to a friend’s house. Walking every day will quickly build your stamina and improve your emotional well-being. It is also important for the baby to get natural light and fresh air each day too. You may notice a dramatic improvement in both of you regarding sleeping habits.
Next, think about your diet. You are not eating for two, and you do not need two portions of everything to maintain a good flow of breast milk. Eat your five a day to ensure all the natural nutrients are there and treat yourself once a day. You are working hard, so you will need a small number of extra calories. Breastfeeding makes you hungry and thirsty, but try drinking water before you succumb to snacking. It is difficult when you are up several times in the night as well. You could try grazing to keep your energy constant, rather than eating heavy meals.
Small hand weights are an excellent tool for effectively enhancing and regaining muscle tone lost during pregnancy. What’s even better is that you can conveniently utilize them while enjoying some much-needed rest with your feet up! Investing a little time in strength training for the neck, shoulders, back, and arms can significantly reduce the risk of injury when lifting your precious baby, especially during moments of fatigue. By incorporating these exercises into your routine, you’ll not only build strength but also establish a strong foundation for safely caring for your little one.
