Almost as soon as the baby is born, most new mothers begin looking for a way to lose weight after pregnancy. It is a difficult time for women, often clouded with rampant emotions, new responsibilities, and a changed self-image that can feel somewhat defeating. The honest truth about losing weight after pregnancy is that it isn’t going to happen overnight. Just like it took nine months to gain the weight, it will take time, patience, and diligent attention to lose it. The upside is that gaining weight is not the end of the world—it’s totally natural with childbearing and can be an eye-opening experience in having realistic expectations of a woman’s ever-changing body.
It is baffling that at a post-natal visit, most OB-GYNs feel the need to actually weigh the mother. Certainly, there must be some medical explanation, but it almost feels cruel. If you are already concerned about your weight gain, it might be a good idea to refuse the scale at your post-natal appointment. Many women expect that a week or ten days after having a baby, they will be able to fit into their pre-baby clothes and feel disappointed when they don’t. There are some who do; but the vast majority does not. Be patient, relax, and try not to focus too much on your size and weight. Expert advice suggests buying yourself some comfortable, attractive clothes that fit your current body so you can at least feel presentable and pretty. Since you will be losing weight after pregnancy in increments, it’s wise not to purchase too many clothes in one size, as each week you’ll likely be shrinking.
Reconnecting with Your Body
Once you feel healed and have some renewed energy, take the time to enjoy not being pregnant. Thousands of women feel remorseful after having a baby and secretly wish they were still carrying their child. After all, things are much easier when the baby is inside the womb. Think back to the aches, pains, and nuisances that pregnancy may have brought you and delight in the fact that you once again own your body. You can run wild, bounce on a trampoline, drink a glass of wine, go skiing, dip in a hot tub, and do all those other activities that were restricted during pregnancy. Getting back in touch with the autonomy of your body will reconnect you to your physical self and make you feel like much more than just a “baby carrier.” This reconnection can renew your sexuality, give you freedom, instill sheer gratitude for what you just accomplished, and most importantly, motivate you to take control of how you look.
After pregnancy is a time when many women get motivated to be more health-conscious. They may join a gym or start a healthy diet program. They might also begin adding healthy habits, like walking or drinking more water, into their lives. Birth is a new beginning, and the birth of your baby is a new beginning for you as well. One of the best parts about this newfound energy and motivation is that you are bound to see results. Losing weight after pregnancy happens more consistently for most women, and each week you’ll be able to delight in your shrinking physique.
Doctors usually recommend losing 2-3 pounds per week in order to maintain long-term weight loss. However, most women find that in the first few weeks, they can lose anywhere from 5-10 pounds per week. This is largely due to the loss of fluids and the balancing out of hormonal fluctuations. Regardless of the reason, relish in these successes. Many women feel that nursing their baby helped their body bounce back more quickly, while others feel that nursing led to water retention. Either way, nursing is a healthy way to streamline your hormones, shrink your uterus, and give your baby the nourishment it needs. When you are nursing, it is important to continue taking prenatal vitamins and ensure that you are eating enough calories and drinking enough fluids to maintain adequate milk production and stay healthy. It is not recommended to diet per se; however, you can ensure that you are eating high-fiber, low-calorie, healthy foods that provide your body with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Just because you have a baby doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors. There are plenty of options for new mothers to incorporate exercise into their new life. Walking with your baby in a stroller, joining new mothers’ groups that get you outside and moving, or taking a “baby and me” yoga class can do wonders for getting your body back in shape. If the weather is cold and dreary, consider investing in a treadmill or exercise bike that you can use while your baby naps (which will happen a lot).
By the way, the pregnancy belly band, which many mothers buy during pregnancy, can come in handy for this type of load-free activity. The special belt consists of two parts: rigid and elastic. During gestation, the hard part supports the back, and after childbirth, it helps to support the abdomen, promoting faster recovery to its pre-pregnancy state. In short, it helps tighten the abdomen.
Exercising without pressure or stress to perform will not only help you lose weight, but it will also give you more energy, improve your cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and make you feel better overall. Taking care of yourself now is more important than ever! Losing weight after pregnancy can feel like a daunting and sometimes depressing task. The key is to understand that no one expects you to look exactly like you did before you got pregnant. The number on the scale should be used as a guide but not as the sole indicator of your body’s state. Many changes in shape take place, and there is always the possibility that a woman will never fit back into her pre-pregnancy clothes.
As a mother, it is important to not only be realistic but to adjust your views on weight and health so that they can include the body you have now. Losing the weight will come in its own time, and as long as you are making strides to eat healthy, the number on the scale will naturally shift. Give yourself a year to get back on track, and along the way, relish in the changes you are making—not just to your body, but to your lifestyle as well. Losing weight after pregnancy should not be your main focus, but you should make every effort to improve your health. Naturally, improving our health leads to weight loss and getting in shape! When all is said and done, the extra 10 pounds will be well worth the prize!
