Motherhood is an indescribable joy. Those little toes and fingers give us happiness like nothing else. However, with a new baby also comes added responsibility, sleepless nights, raging hormones, and the much-dreaded weight gain. While it is very necessary for a new mom to eat for their own health as well as for the health of the baby, one should be vigilant about what they are eating if trying to lose weight. In this article, we will discuss how to lose weight after Pregnancy.
I could say from my own experience how stubborn the pregnancy weight is. Though there are moms who manage to lose weight just a few months after having a baby without any extra effort, that’s not the case for most of us. I myself had lost ten kilos of the eighteen I had gained throughout pregnancy immediately post-delivery. But the remaining eight needed a lot of hard work and effort. Are you also struggling with how to lose weight after pregnancy? Below are a few basic ways you can start your weight-loss journey:
1. Breastfeeding
WHO, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and various other organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding your newborn baby till 6 months of age. It comes with loads of good for you and your baby. Losing weight after pregnancy becomes easier with breastfeeding. This is one of the many benefits of breastfeeding. If you are being able to breastfeed, be assured that it will draw out about 500 extra calories from your body every day. Breastfeeding uses the fat cells stored during pregnancy as well as the calories you gain from your diet. Even though you might be eating extra calories for milk production and your overall health, weight loss can still happen through breastfeeding.
2. Eat healthily
We all know that throughout pregnancy we tend to eat more than what we normally do and sometimes even more than what we actually need to. This habit is very easy to continue even after delivery. If you have been overeating, it may be necessary to cut down the portions. During pregnancy, we need about 300-500 calories every day in the second and third trimesters. However, many of us may be eating more than we need. Post-delivery if you are not breastfeeding and continue to eat for two, your weight will not decrease but would further shoot up. If you are breastfeeding then don’t restrict your diet.
In either case, it is important to eat healthily. Avoid high-calorie food like processed food, aerated drinks, and high-fat foods. Choose a balanced diet consisting of lots of vegetables and fruits instead. As our body needs a lot of nutrients while breastfeeding, ensure to eat healthy so as to keep the body weight in check.
3. Keep moving
Yes, a new baby keeps us on our toes throughout the day. And it’s also very important for a new mother to get rest so that she can take care of herself and the baby better. But for your own emotional well-being and also to take care of all the extra weight, it is necessary to incorporate some physical exercise as soon as your doctor permits you. Even a half-hour of brisk walk is quite helpful in the initial days. If it’s not possible to get out of the house, there are innumerable cardio and aerobic exercises on YouTube that would help you stay fit and healthy. Take out a specific time when the baby is sleeping with a mat and your sports shoes and get started!
4. Walking with your baby
Going out for a walk with your baby is another option you can adopt for losing a few calories and some fresh air. The fresh air not only will rejuvenate you but also give you that extra strength for a fitter you. It would be a good way for both you and the baby to enjoy the outdoors.
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5. Schedule some ‘me-time in the gym
A structured environment does provide the motivation we all require to work – out. Some time alone in the gym without the baby will provide you a much-needed break while at the same time helping you work on your health and body. A half-hour walk on the treadmill is enough initially after which you can increase the intensity as well as the variety of your exercises. But taking out time may be difficult sometimes. You can try out some easy mat exercises at home at your own convenience.
You may want to read our article Mat exercises for a beginner.
6. Joining a workout class
This is something that helped me a lot. Being a lazy person at home, the exercises with a team of girls with the same goal made the entire process enjoyable. I had a team of excellent trainers as well who had helped with the diet and kept a constant watch on the weight loss process. Joining a class would give you the necessary guidance to help lose weight in an efficient manner. You can join Zumba, or an aerobic class according to your interest. Zumba is a fun way of losing extra weight while enjoying the music and the rhythm at the same time. Yoga is another effective way of losing weight.
7. Be patient
Time and again we have heard this advice to have patience while on the weight loss journey. And it’s very true and applicable. The way it took us months to gain the weight, it will take some time to lose weight as well. Also, a gradual way of losing weight after pregnancy with a proper and healthy diet is much better than starving yourself. Even if we are not satisfied with the way we look or cannot fit into the clothes we so eagerly want to, taking it easy ultimately helps. Just don’t lose the motivation and if you persevere you will get there.
Being a mother is not easy. At the end of the day what matters is the unconditional love we receive from the little ones. Do not get fixated about losing weight fast and get depressed. Not losing the determination and taking small steps every day towards the goal is the best way to go. A combination of a clean diet and regular exercise is all that we new moms need. Becoming a fitter version of ourselves is more important than being a thinner version. Take it slow and easy!
If you have any other fitness mantras that new mothers, as well as others, can incorporate, then let us know in the comments below. Share your weight loss journey so that it can inspire others who too are in this path.
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