Lose weight after childbirth. 6 effective ways to get back in shape
Losing weight after childbirth may seem like a difficult "undertaking, but it is not. Getting back in shape after pregnancy simply requires patience and consistency: you shouldn't expect miraculous results right away, especially because, if you are breastfeeding or even if you are not breastfeeding, your body needs time to recover, especially in the case of a caesarean section. Discover our tips on how to lose weight in a healthy way, starting with this video of tips on how to behave in the first days, just back home from " hospital.
1. Follow an effective postpartum diet
The first piece of advice to follow to lose weight is obviously to follow an effective post-partum diet. You can also start immediately, but the important thing is not to go on fast diets, because they upset the hormonal balance, to be kept under control even in view of breastfeeding. In fact, many women wonder what is the best diet to follow while breastfeeding. Whether you are breastfeeding or not, you can follow a diet, as long as it is long-term, very varied and balanced. The Mediterranean diet is the best, with lots of fruit and vegetables, cereals, fish and white meat. It is better to avoid fats, such as those of sweets or fried foods, and dehydrating substances, such as coffee or excess salt.
Here are some book suggestions with precious tips to better enjoy the post-partum period:
- After giving birth, beautiful and fit by Annalisa Zocco - € 2.90 on Amazon
- Yoga during pregnancy and after childbirth by Miriam Wessels and Heike Oellerich - € 15.90 on Amazon
- MammaFit. Fit after childbirth by Elaine Barbosa and Monica Taranto - € 7.22 on Amazon
- Healing after childbirth by Claudia Sfetez - 11.90 € printed or free on Kindle Unlimited
See also Birth pains: how to recognize them and what methods to use to overcome them Postpartum sanitary napkins: which products to choose for losses after childbirth Postpartum diet: how to lose weight healthily after pregnancy
2. Start moving right away
To lose weight effectively and healthily after giving birth, it is necessary to accompany the diet with movement. During the early days, especially in the first 40 days, it is important to try to walk a lot, even around the house, if you can't get out. Don't overdo it with sports and exercises right away, give yourself time to recover and follow your own pace. When your strength will allow it, you will be ready to move on to real workouts, to get back to how you were before. Starting training at home will help you feel more comfortable, and it is important to exercise because it regulates your posture, benefits your back and limbs, increases your energy level and decreases stress. All these factors, not surprisingly, help to lose weight.
© iStock3. Eliminate the postpartum belly with abdominal exercises
After the first 40 days after giving birth, if you started walking and doing some small exercises right away, you are ready for exercises, especially those to tone the abdominals, in order to get rid of the excess belly. In this video you can find out what kind of exercises to do. You can start with the simpler ones, and when you feel less and less tired doing them, move on to the next ones. Greater caution is recommended if you have had a caesarean section: start these exercises only after removing the stitches and making sure the cut has healed completely.
4. Train with your baby!
If you think that training is impossible with the baby at home, you may not know the wonders of doing exercises involving the baby. There are many gyms that organize training courses with babies, first placed in the baby carrier, then in the stroller. We advise you to attend a group course, and not to train alone in this case, because the group stimulates the will to succeed, to go all the way, and then it is more fun with other mothers and children. Plus, working out with your baby will free you from the need to entrust him to someone, and then spend all the time alone worrying, wondering how he is.
© iStock
5. Limit sugars and snacks
Especially in the first months after giving birth, when you stay at home to take care of your baby, it is very easy to get hungry: a biscuit, a chocolate, a candy. You eat out of "boredom" and do it throughout the day. It is good not to fall into this trap: it is true, if taken individually they are few calories, but if added together they become several. In addition to this, foods full of sugars, while satisfying the palate, are poor in nutrients. Too much sugar creates excess calories that bloat instead of helping you lose weight. If and when you feel like a snack, choose a fruit or a cup of herbal tea instead of a packaged dessert.
6. Listen to your body
Wanting to return as before after giving birth is understandable, but be careful not to overdo it. Follow the rhythms of your body, and don't force yourself to do anything if you don't feel like it. Getting back to training is important to heal your back after pregnancy, or to regain muscle tone, but the most important thing is your well-being, on which your baby's depends. Take care of yourself, enjoy your free time with your little one, go for walks, stay outdoors, take afternoon naps when the baby also sleeps ... it will help reduce the inevitable post-pregnancy stress, and make you enjoy plus the precious moments that await you.
© iStockLosing weight after a caesarean section: what to do?
A caesarean section puts your body to the test, as it is a real surgery. Do not be afraid, however, as soon as you get home, you can try to move too, with the right prudence, to get back in shape as soon as possible and get rid of the postpartum belly with exercises.Find out in this video the first things to do if you want to lose weight after a caesarean section.