Postpartum Weight Loss: How To Get Back In Shape Faster

The prospect of losing weight under normal circumstances is daunting for many. Imagine the plight of postpartum mothers! They have been accumulating fat for nearly nine months, consuming extra food for their unborn child, and barely getting any exercise in. Admittedly, a part of the weight is lost during childbirth, that of the baby, placenta, and the released fluids, but the body fat remains where it is. However, the major hurdle to getting yourself back in shape is stress.

Did you know that your stress levels are directly proportional to your appetite? The higher the stress, the greater will your cortisol levels be, thus renewing your appetite at faster intervals; and you don’t need us to tell you how stressful it is to take care of a newborn. How could you go about overcoming so many problems and getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight? The process won’t be easy, but it can be done.

Breathing Exercises

Increased stress usually results in rapid breathing. Whenever you realize that you are breathing too fast, take time out from whatever you are doing and spend a minute or two slowing down your breath. One effective exercise that brings your stress level under control immediately is to breathe in deep, hold it for five seconds, let it out, then hold it again for five seconds. Continue in that vein about five to six times.

It would be ideal if you were to perform breathing exercises like those early in the morning for elevated air quality. However, don’t hold your breath for too long. You have recently gone through an infinitely painful ordeal, beautiful though the result of which was. There is no need to incite any additional health problems.

Eat Healthily

Postpartum, it is a great idea to continue with your prenatal diet (eating for two). That is because you will have to breastfeed your baby, the nutrients to which will come from your body. Fix a diet with lean proteins, or you may click here to find the right postpartum supplement applicable to you. Switch to a vegetable diet, and don’t hold back on fruit consumption. At the same time, avoid anything too sweet or too salty.

Regular Exercises

By regular exercises, we mean indulging in light physical activities. You may have been able to sprint or skip for hours before getting pregnant, but you should refrain from doing so postpartum. Don’t add to the already existing stress. First off, check with your doctor if you can start exercising. You may be granted permission right away, or you may need to wait for a few months. It entirely depends upon how smooth your delivery was.

If you are allowed to work out, start by walking around your neighborhood for about an hour every morning—progress to a brisk walk after two weeks, followed by an easy jog after another two. Only then, if you are not facing any health problems, should you begin to indulge in the more rigorous kinds of workouts that tax your mind and body to a greater degree.

Achievable Weight Loss Goals

For any exercise routine, you need to have a goal or two in mind. Back in the day, you may have been able to achieve an acceptable physique within six months, but you cannot set similar goals postpartum. That is because you are eating for two and working out like an amateur. It is bound to take longer than usual to nurture your body back to that dream figure. However, the good news is that most of the fatty acids in your body will be accumulated in your breast milk to be consumed by your baby. That may even be the playing field a bit.

Here’s a small but effective tip – don’t work out with the goal to get back your original physique; rather, don’t set an appearance-based goal at all. Focus on increasing your inherent physical attributes like stamina, endurance, and strength. Choose one attribute each week and go from there. Your bodily appearance will improve simultaneously.

The one virtue that you should possess through all your weight loss efforts is patience. Adding to your stress will only make your exercise and diet routine more worthless. Try to be as calm while taking care of your baby as possible. Breathe wholesome and deep, periodically. Don’t fret over simple, everyday stuff like household chores. Ask your partner to help you out in your efforts. More importantly, don’t push yourself too hard. Build your workout regime from the ground up, one step and one day at a time. Be patient and take it slow; only then could you get back in shape faster than before.