Lose Pregnancy Weight
While pregnant it’s easy to throw nutritious caution to the wind and enjoy eating oversized portions of food you would usually stay clear of, but once the baby is born, reality sinks in the moment you look in the mirror and step on the scales. The baby’s out, but the fat remains. So what are you going to do about it?
According to Dr Judith Reichman, a contributor on the “Today” Show, you need to regain control of your body within 6 months, or you’ll probably be still moaning about the extra pregnancy pounds as your “baby” blows out the candles on her 10th birthday cake! Once the baby is born your body needs approximately 6 weeks to rest after the trauma of delivery (more if you had a c-section), so that leaves you with about 4.5 months to put some serious effort into losing the extra pregnancy fat.
What you eat now has to count. If it has no nutritional content, don’t eat it. You need to ensure that your body receives the right kind of nourishment in the shape of fresh fruit and vegetables, that you take vitamin and mineral supplements to replenish what was taken during the pregnancy and of course to keep your energy levels up. Talk to your doctor at your post-natal check-up about what supplements you should take, this is especially important if you are breast feeding as you don’t want pass onto your baby something that is good for you, but potentially harmful to her.
Having a newborn can be exhausting but getting an hour or so at the swimming pool by yourself once or twice a week could be the best thing for everyone. You get an hour of “me” time where you can gently work at toning up your muscles while your baby is spending some quality time with daddy, or a grandparent. If your local swimming pool has some kind of sauna, take advantage of this between dips in the pool as the heat will help you detox your body as well as help getting rid of the unwanted pregnancy fat.
Doing some form of resistance training can also help with the pregnancy fat. If you don’t want to go to the gym, you can easily learn how to lift small hand weights at home. Alternatively, learn how to spend some fun floor time with your baby by lying on your back, holding the face down baby securely with one of your hands on either side of the baby’s waist, then slowly lower her so that her nose gently touches yours, and then raise her away from you until your elbows lock, and then lower again. Repeat this as many times as you are able – you’ll find that both you and baby have so much fun that it doesn’t even feel like exercise!
Most pregnancy fat is around the tummy/buttocks area. Abdominal crunches are the best way to get rid of this. Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor (knees bent), and place your hands either behind your head or folded across your chest. Breathe out as you slowly raise your head, and breathe in as you gently lower it again. You should aim for about 20-25 repetitions, and work up to 3 sets of these. Focusing on your breathing will not only help you to get rid of the fat, but it will also help you to stop thinking about the other things going on in your life and focus on yourself for those few moments each day.
Make sure that you get out and about with the baby. Get a stroller or buggy and get into the habit of going out for walks. The fresh air will do you both good and you can alternate between normal pace walking where you interact with the baby about the environment around you, and faster paced power walking that will raise your heart rate.
Unwanted pregnancy fat might not be something you feel you have the energy for after a sleepless night, but remember Dr Reichman’s prediction of still fighting the fat 10 years down the road? If that’s not something you want to see in your future, you’ll find that energy somewhere!
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