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Do you still look pregnant after having the baby? Dying to do away with that weight?

Written by Irine Nyanga
2011-12-02 11:37:00
Read 813 Times

Being a new mom comes with a fair share of its peaks and troughs. It changes your life and body completely. One of the first things new moms notice after having a baby is the fact that they may still look several months pregnant for awhile after giving birth. This is absolutely normal. Remember, you had a baby in there for nine whole months.

However, how quickly you return to your pre pregnancy size and shape will depend on weight gain during pregnancy, whether you had a cesarean section or not and many other factors

Wondering why it’s taking so long for your belly to shrink, or whether your body will ever be the same? Worry no more; here are some valuable tips to do away with the extra weight after the bundle of joy.

Remember, this is only if you had a normal birth. For those who underwent cesarean section, do not involve in any weight loss exercise unless you confirm with your doctor that it’s right and healthy.

 

Walk every day.

Walking 30 minutes a day also reduced the risk of keeping pounds and adding new ones for new moms. This doesn't have to be in long stretches. Even walking three times for ten minutes adds up and counts.

 Limit your television viewing.

By limiting your viewing of television shows by watching fewer than two hours a day, you can help lose weight postpartum. While it's easy to plop down with the baby, consider sitting down with a book.

 Eat less fatty food.

Now with better labeling this should become easier to track. But keep your diet as free of fats as possible.

 Do light exercise

Though you may be eager to jump into a workout program or diet, easing into light exercise is crucial for keeping your body safe and injury-free. Even the fittest moms may have trouble getting back to exercise. After all, having a baby is a major ordeal and something you'll need time to recover from. You'll need clearance from your doctor and, depending on what kind of birth you had; it may be 4 to 8 weeks before you can engage in serious exercise.

 Breast feeding

Breastfeeding can help you lose weight, requiring an extra 500 calories from you a day and helping reduce some of the fat you gained during pregnancy. If you do breastfeed, make sure you're giving your body the fuel it needs for that extra energy demand. Now isn't the time to go on a diet; restricting your calories too much can reduce your milk supply, and losing too much weight (more than two pounds a week) can actually release toxins that wind up in your milk.

The good news is you can still exercise if you're breastfeeding. Studies show that moderate exercise won't affect milk production as long as you're giving your body enough calories.

Here are the possible obstacles to Exercise

You may be eager to lose weight by ramping up your activity, but exercise can be tough during the first few months after giving birth. Just some of the issues you may face:

Exhaustion and fatigue: These are common after giving birth, especially if you're breastfeeding, which can deplete your energy. Be aware of your energy levels, and only do what you can handle.

An Erratic schedule:  For the first few weeks and months after you give birth, your baby's feeding schedule may change constantly, making it tough to follow any kind of normal routine.

Time constraints: You may find that you only have a few minutes here or there for exercise. If that's the case, take advantage of the time you have, and don't be afraid to spread your workouts throughout the day.

Mood swings:  As your hormones get back to normal, you may have some ups and downs, perhaps even dealing with postpartum depression. Exercise may help your mood, but you should talk to your doctor about the best way to handle your situation.

Guilt:  Many new moms feel guilty when they take time for themselves for exercise. It's tough to remind yourself that you'll actually be a better mom if you focus on getting stronger. Doing so will also set a good example for your child.

Exercise can actually help with some of these issues, and there are ways to make it easier to fit exercise into your life:

Split your workouts: Short workouts spread throughout the day are just as effective as continuous workouts.

Keep it simple: If you have a few minutes while the baby sleeps, take some laps around the house or trips up and down the stairs. Exercise doesn't have to be complicated; it only has to get you moving.

Find support: Talk to friends, family or neighbors about how they've handled having a baby and staying in shape. You'll be amazed at the creative ideas out there.

Focus on what's important: It's easy to get stressed out about losing weight, especially after inhabiting a body so different from the one you've been used to for most of your life. You will get back to normal, even if your body isn't exactly the same. Give yourself permission to enjoy your baby and your body, even if it's not what you hoped it would be.

Start slow and easy: Many new moms find they can tolerate walking, starting with about 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week. If you can handle more, try getting some kind of activity in every day.


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