As your pregnancy began there was
nothing you could do to stop your body changing as your little one grew inside
you. From your breasts growing and changing shape, to your ankles swelling and,
of course, you baby bump. Now that you have your bundle of joy in your arms,
you may feel you want to regain your pre-pregnancy body.
Don't panic, mums! Losing pregnancy weight needn't be the
challenge you think it is. The important thing is not to rush into changing
your body - after all, it's taken nine months to look this way. Use these seven
tips to get you started in your post-pregnancy body goals.
Breastfeed to lose baby weight
Some women are uncertain about the idea of breastfeeding;
about people seeing, what it could do to their breasts, or perhaps it seems
unnatural to them. But breast milk is considered the way forward. Not only is
it exactly what your baby needs, readily available and free, but the best news
is that it can help you shed the baby weight, as mums naturally burn calories
to produce breast milk every time they breastfeed.
Zumba for new mums
Zumba combines Latin dance, pumping music and aerobic
routines to help you trim down and tone up. Zumba is an excellent full body
workout which really burns the calories; up to 500 an hour in fact. Not only do
you lose weight but it's also a great time to de-stress; exercise releases
endorphins so you'll leave feeling more relaxed - the perfect state for a new
mum. It's also a time to socialise, as women of all ages can enjoy the classes.
Take an hour out of your parenting schedule and join the Zumba craze.
Eat your way to a better post-pregnancy body
It's the same whether you want to lose your holiday weight or
whether you're trying to get rid of your post-birth bump; what you eat affects
your weight. During the pregnancy you should aim to eat healthily to keep your
body and your baby's development in top shape. But the same applies after the
birth. While it may be tempting to save time by eating fast food, this won't do
you any favours in losing the baby weight or keeping you energised. Keep
wholegrain, fruit, vegetable, lean meat, fish and water intakes topped up and
try to maintain the pregnancy rules of no alcohol and limited caffeine.
Jog or power walk with your newborn
Jogging or power walking are not only excellent ways to keep
fit but they also aid weight loss; roughly each mile the average person will
burn around 100 calories. But what's better is that you can take your baby with
you in their pram. This provides your little one with some fresh air and change
of scenery, while you're able to slot in some calorie burning. Head to your
local park and be a yummy mummy lunging and power walking your way to a slimmer
body. Look out for prams designed for this kind of activity, called jogging
prams, which are streamlined and designed not to topple.
Swim your way to a better post-pregnancy figure
Straight after the birth, it's not advisable to jump
headfirst into an intense weight loss plan. Firstly, you won't have the energy,
and secondly, you won't have the time - even if you did, it would come at the
expense of your health and baby's care. Ease into weight loss by swimming,
which is gentle enough on your tired body (it's been through so much!) but
targets the areas you want to tone, such as thighs and stomach. The peaceful
atmosphere of the pool is a great time to relax and release some stress, but
you could also try water aerobics to exert your body further.
Sleep your way to a better post-pregnancy figure
As a new mum you will be sleep deprived and have an unusual
sleep pattern, so it's natural for your body to crave more food (usually of the
sugary or fatty variety) to give you the energy boost you desire. Aim to sleep
every time your baby does rather than using the time to do chores, as lack of
sleep can slow down your metabolism, increase appetite and makes you more
likely to give in to your cravings. Furthermore, lack of sleep can increase
stress levels, which can contribute to weight gain.
Relax your way to a post-pregnancy body
Perhaps the most important thing on this list is to remind
new mums that putting pressure on yourself to snap back into your pre-baby body
will do more harm than good. As mentioned, it's taken time for your body to
change, so it won't revert back overnight. Feeling self-conscious about your
tummy is natural, but stress can in fact hinder weight loss, particularly in
that area. The body responds to stress by releasing sugars into your
bloodstream, which are stored as excess fat if they are not used as energy.
Focus on your breathing and do one thing at a time to minimise stress.
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