Losing weight after having a baby is both exciting and challenging. Sometimes, it becomes hectic to take care of your baby and adjust to a healthy routine. However, it is common to gain weight as the hormones tend to change your body after pregnancy.
A lot of new moms experience stretch marks, increased belly fat, and a wider waist. People who have belly fats usually have a lower self-esteem than those who are fit and healthy. Unfortunately, holding on to pregnancy weight can lead to serious health conditions, such as heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
Patience is the key, folks. Since it took nine months for your abdomen to stretch and accommodate the baby, getting back to shape will take some time, too.
How to Get Back to the Pre-pregnancy State?
A post-pregnancy state is a blissful time for most moms. However, most of them are eager to shed those extra kilos and are keen on getting a slim body.
If you too are anxious to get the pre-pregnancy state back, consider making a few changes to your daily lifestyle. It will help you reduce belly fat easily and improve your overall health.
With that said, here are some of the simple ways for postpartum weight loss, including the best diets to follow and a timeline for a workout.
- Keep A Healthy And Balanced Diet
After pregnancy, proper nutrition is crucial – especially if you’re breastfeeding. Getting enough calories through a healthy diet is the best option for new moms to get extra energy and reduce belly fat.
Besides eating healthy food, you should control your cravings and avoid eating highly processed food, such as potato chips, soda, alcohol, salty foods, etc. If you’re uncertain about what to eat post-pregnancy, there are many small changes you can make in your diet. Instead of consuming high processed food, you should consider eating:
- Seeds and nuts
- Eggs
- Oranges
- Whole wheat bread
- Fish
- Lean beef
Eating more vegetables and fruits is the best way to kickstart your weight loss journey post-pregnancy.
- Consider Tummy Tuck Surgery
A tummy tuck has long been used to remove excess skin caused by pregnancy and other factors, such as lack of exercise, poor diet, stress, alcohol, etc.
The procedure is used to restore the abdominal wall in women who were once pregnant, often as a part of “mommy makeovers”. Some other procedures of mommy makeovers, include breast lift, liposuction, breast augmentation, etc.
If you too are keen on getting your pre-pregnancy body; going through some online resources of tummy tuck by Dr. Andrew Lyos can be your best bet. It is because it helps you get a deeper insight into how the procedure is done and what are the after-care surgery precautions.
In general, waiting for 6 months before undergoing surgery can be a wise decision. During this period, your body will heal, the weight will get stabilised, and hormone levels will be rebalanced.
- Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep with a new baby can be tricky. Studies show that women who compromise on sleep are more likely to shed their pregnancy weight.
So, your health is just as important as your baby’s health. Know that lack of sleep can cause stress, depression, fatigue, etc. When you feel fatigued, you may feel weak, tired, and dizzy. This excessive tiredness can lead to a low breast milk supply and cause breast infections. Consider getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily.
- Drink A Lot Of Water
Drinking water may increase your sense of fullness and boost your metabolism, resulting in weight loss. One way to help you get the fluids you need is to drink at least 1 to 2 litres of water each time you breastfeed your baby.
Drinking at least 1 to 2 litres of water a day is a great way to stay hydrated and satiate cravings for highly processed foods, alcohol, salt, and sugar.
- Know When To Start Exercising
Working out too soon after delivery may lead to injuries. Therefore, it is wise to consult a doctor before you start exercising. Once you get a green signal from your doctor, you can start aerobic activities, such as yoga, cycling, meditation, etc. to improve your overall health.
Also, you can start your weight loss journey with the following exercises:
- Ab curls
- Squats
- Lunges
- Crunches
- Pelvic tilts
The Bottom Line
Carrying some extra weight after pregnancy is common but it can negatively affect your overall health, such as obesity, type-2 diabetes, etc.
Making a few changes in your day-to-day lifestyle will allow you to spend quality time with your baby and help you retain confidence of having a desired body shape- like the pre-pregnancy one.
The above-mentioned ways can help you get your pre-pregnancy body back and maintain a healthier lifestyle.