In a world of social media where appearances are everything, coupled with celebrities who look absolutely stunning just weeks after having a child are what pressure new moms into thinking that they need to be a particular size by a particular week postpartum. However, it is not a contest and mothers should focus on healing rather than losing weight immediately after birth. However, after recovery, it’s time to reclaim your body and start looking at the most effective fat burners.
Check your diet
You’ve most likely been told that you can eat whatever you want when you are breastfeeding as the calories will go straight to your breast milk. This is a damaging notion as not only will this increase your weight postpartum, it might be more difficult to get your diet on track once you’ve gone off. However, it’s still possible for you to readjust your diet. Make sure you are getting the recommended ratio of carbs, fibre and protein. If you are still breastfeeding, you only need to incorporate an additional serving or protein at every meal – or fruit, if that’s your thing – as one day of breastfeeding burns about 200 – 500 calories, so there’s no need to overdo it.
Start slow and don’t push yourself
Before you got pregnant, your personal trainer is probably always asking you to push your body’s limit. However, you need to invert that mentality after having children. Regardless of whether you went for a cesarean or a natural birth, you need to listen to your body and not overexert it. Start with a slow walk and build it to a jog or opt for yoga instead of rock climbing – you need to rebuild your body up to it, even if you were a hardcore athlete before you got pregnant, you need to give your body time to get used to exercising again.
It’ll take time
Contrary to what social media influencers or celebrities will have you believe, you will not be able to bounce right back to your pre-pregnancy body. Don’t forget that celebrities have nutritionists and personal trainers who make sure they go back to their original shape. Furthermore, staying fit is part of their job description, and it isn’t a part of yours, so there’s no need to compare. Realistically speaking, you should be carrying around your pregnancy weight for at least a year or two so be gentle with yourself and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t see any changes in the first few months.
Remember, you’ve just grown a whole human being over the course of nine months, in a tiny space that is normally only 2-3 cm. Your body had to transform and stretch to accommodate a baby which is approximately 3kgs. Not only will you put on water weight, gain some fats, but your body will lose its original shape. Think about a piece of rubber that’s been stretched to its maximum, it will not go right back to its original shape without some help and conditioning.
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