One of the things that bums us out about most post-baby body coverage
is the overwhelming focus on “bouncing back.” For some women it is just so easy while for others maybe not. The thing is, pregnancy changes women’s bodies, sometimes forever.
You grow a tiny person in there, and then your body does the incredibly
hard work of ushering him or her into the world. Some of the resulting
shifts are less welcome than others. It’s high time for a frank conversation
about real post-pregnancy bodies so that women, and men, can push back
against the notion that moms are supposed to magically appear as though
they never gave birth at all.
Here are 5 steps that I have applied after both of my pregnancies.
1. Wait it out
Nothing will motivate you to exercise like your first look at your
post-baby belly. As tempting as it may be, you can't start exercising as
soon as you leave the hospital. Some women can start exercising safely a
week or two after birth, while most are advised to wait until their
postpartum checkups at six weeks. Listen to your doctor. Having a baby
is a big deal, and your body needs time to heal. Doing too much too soon
can set you back even further. Personally, I waited a good year before really committing to a lifestyle change. Think about it, it took you 9 months+ to create a baby and your body shifted slowly but surly for almost a year and so it is fair to say that your body will need a good year to sort of shift everything back.
2. Ask for help
Once you feel ready for a change, ask for help!
Being a supermom isn't easy. If you want to get that pre-baby body
back, you're probably going to have to ask for help. Ask your husband to
watch the baby so you have time to cook a healthy dinner instead of
eating a microwave burrito with one hand while you feed her/him with the
other. This way the baby gets to spend some quality time with the father and really build a strong connection. I honestly feel that my husband has build such an amazing relationship with the kids just by spending 1 or 2 hours a day with them while I went to the gym. He would spend that time getting to know them while I would go workout, make dinner or even just organize the house.
3. Find your routine
The same thing doesn't work for everyone. You may need to find a
workout routine that lets you fit small 10-minute exercises in between
feedings and changings. If your baby sleeps in, you might find that
morning hours work best for you. Some women enjoy the fresh air that a
long walk offers, while others would rather exercise in the comfort of
their own homes. Find what works for you, and stick to it but in order to kickstart your lifestyle change you need to really gotta hit the ground running ... LITERALLY work hard and get the most out of that 1 hour everyday. Do cardio! The key to getting rid of that baby weight is burning calories, and
you'll need some cardio to do that. Go for a walk, push a stroller, jump
on an elliptical, take an exercise class or dance around the house with
your baby in your arms. What you do is your choice. Just make sure you
get your heart rate up and keep moving.
In a paper published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health,
experts reported mounting evidence suggesting that exercise not only
benefits depressive symptoms in general but pointed to two studies
indicating it may offer benefits specifically for women with postpartum depression.
To this end, many groups, including American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have not only significantly loosened
the reins on the number of activities a new mom can safely do but have
also begun promoting exercise as a key factor in the health of new moms.
4. Eat right
The last thing new moms should be doing is dieting. You need
nutritious food to help you heal and to keep your energy up while the
baby runs you ragged. Breastfeeding moms need those calories even more.
One thing you can do, no matter what your dietary requirements are, is
eat healthy. Go for lean meats, whole grains, fruits and veggies and
avoid fast food as much as you can.
Last but not least!!!
5. Be patient
Remember how long it took you to look like this? It'll probably take
you that long, if not longer, to get back to normal. Try not to get down
on yourself if you aren't seeing the progress you want it will
happen. Stay as positive and motivated as you can because it'll make the
whole process easier. I tell myself that exercise is something I GOT TO DO everyday not only to keep the body in shape but to really workout the internal organs. The heart needs to stay healthy as well. Once, you set your mind that this is a way of living, overtime you will notice the differences.
It took me about 6 months before I really started noticing differences. I committed to a routine 1 year after I had my second baby. I breastfeed for 12 months and after the baby hit 1 years old, I decided that I was ready to get my mind right and body tight. Daily exercise does the body and the minds good.
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My number one goal is to be able to help and motivate at least 1 mom and if that 1 mom decides to take control over her mind and body, I have done my job, I am fulfilled.!
Reach out if you have any questions!
Live well. Be well.
Marsida
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