Attention New Moms: Losing Post Baby Fat

Question on any new mom’s mind:

    • Will I ever lose this tummy fat?
    • How much time will it take to get back to my old clothes?
    • Are there any simple, easy home remedies to reduce my huge belly after the delivery?

About 70% of women, who have conceived, are troubled by the thought of gaining weight. Getting your body back in shape after having a baby is not as hard as you might think. However, to keep feeling good all through their pregnancy, they have to keep in mind that their body will need time to recover from labor and delivery.

 

Most women, who face difficulty in this, may have not taken good care during their pregnancy by ignoring many important things like regular exercise and a healthy diet.

How to avoid putting on excess weight during pregnancy:

    • Start pregnancy at a healthy weight if possible
    • Eat small and frequent meals, every two-three hours
    • Eat some fiber and protein in every meal
    • Make sure that you are getting enough calcium
    • Avoid too much sugar. Consume things that have natural sugar like fruits, dates, honey, etc
    • Take what your body craves for but in moderation
    • Drink enough water
    • Continue routine work like cleaning, cooking, climbing stairs, etc
    • Start a simple walking regime and do it regularly

Mistakes new mums make:

    • Expect results too soon
    • Crash dieting
    • Hitting the gym without permission from their gynaecologist
    • Follow a stringent exercise schedule
    • Neglecting strength training and focusing more on cardio exercise

Steps to lose weight post pregnancy:

    • Keep your goals realistic.
    • Do not skip meals.
    • Eat breakfast. Even if you do not normally eat in the mornings, get into the habit of having breakfast. It will give you the energy to start your day and stop you from feeling tired later.
    • Walk as much as you can: start with light walking for about 15- 20 minutes daily and increase it gradually.
    • Begin yoga six weeks onwards, focusing on the pelvic area.
    • Include plenty of fibre-rich foods such as oats, beans, lentils, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and seeds in your meals.
    • Breastfeed as one can lose up to 500 calories in a day.
    • Eat in moderation.
    • Be choosy about foods and drinks.
    • Limit drinks like sodas, juices, and other fluids with added sugar and calories. They can add up and keep you away from losing weight. Avoid products with artificial sweeteners.
    • Choose whole fruit over fruit juice. Fruit juices should be taken in moderation because they can contribute extra calories. The whole fruit gives you vitamins and nutrients and contains more fiber, which helps you feel full with fewer calories.
    • Choose broiled, roasted, or baked rather than fried foods.
    • Eat slowly- When you take your time eating, you will notice that it is easier to tell that you are full. It is tempting to multitask, but if you focus on your meal you will be less likely to overeat.
    • Keep yourself well hydrated.
    • Limit sweets, sugar, and fat.
    • Stay positive: You took nine months to gain the weight you have now it will not go in a week or in a month’s time so relax, and keep a positive state of mind. Be happy and don’t lose hope. 

Enjoy this phase and remember that you can always get back in shape.

Give yourself time to lose extra kilos.