Pregnancy is a beautiful experience for every woman. Welcoming a little one into the world is the most precious thing a woman experiences. Although the journey is rewarding, it does come with its challenges like hormonal imbalance, dietary restrictions, etc. Moreover, it impacts almost every woman’s weight, which is pretty hard to lose after pregnancy.
It is excellent if you are comfortable with your post-pregnancy weight and your new body. Pushing unrealistic beauty standards on moms is not what we do here. However, if you want to lose weight after pregnancy due to medical reasons, to be your old self, or to maintain a healthy weight to start trying for a baby again in the near future, then we are here for you.
Keep your weight loss goals realistic
When it comes to losing weight after pregnancy, set realistic goals. Weight loss post-delivery takes time. You have to first let your body heal from the pregnancy, and then you should think about shedding those extra pounds. Depending on how much weight you have gained, it is better to set realistic goals after consulting with your doctor.
Don’t skip meals to lose weight after pregnancy
You can’t be more wrong if you think skipping meals will help you lose weight after pregnancy. Skipping meals after pregnancy will not only harm your body but even affect your baby’s health, especially if you are breastfeeding. You need to understand that since producing breast milk takes energy, your body needs more calories for it, which will not be possible if you skip meals.
Moreover, your body also needs energy to recover completely. If you skip meals, your body will lower its metabolism to store fat. Hence, make sure to have three big meals a day and three smaller meals in between to fulfill your calorie and nutritional requirements.
However, if you can, avoid deep-fried food and eat steamed, boiled, or sautéed vegetables along with salad and other dishes that are high in fiber. Overall, have a balanced diet that has protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and other nutrients. This way, your body will get all the essential nutrients, and you will not gain any additional weight. So, avoid any diets or skipping meals post-pregnancy.
Build an exercise routine to help with it
A healthy diet and exercise are essential for losing weight after pregnancy. Exercising boosts weight loss after pregnancy. However, don’t start immediately. Wait for at least 6-8 weeks post-delivery, then consult your gynecologist before you start jogging, running, etc. It is always important to prioritize your postpartum recovery over weight loss post-pregnancy.
Once you recover completely, start walking and gradually increase your speed and distance. Then, you can add swimming, cycling, moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, etc. to your workout regime. Even yoga can help you lose weight after pregnancy. You can start with low-intensity yoga to help with flexibility and light movement and then move on to more complex poses. Always remember to start slow, be consistent with your exercise routine, and do workouts you enjoy and can incorporate into your daily practice.
Apart from these tips, try to get as much sleep as possible and do not stress too much. Lack of proper sleep and unnecessary stress will affect your body and weight. So, mommies, recover, reset, and reduce your weight after pregnancy with these tips, but only if you want to. Were there any tricks that worked exceptionally well for you in your postpartum journey? Do let us know in the comment section below!