STAYING FIT AFTER PREGNANCY

The most beautiful time in a women’s life is pregnancy. She gets herself pampered and loved. All this care helps in putting on weight. After the delivery of the child, a woman starts to bother about getting a flat tummy and lose the extra kilos.

The best way to lose those flabs is by breastfeeding. There is a myth that breastfeeding stimulates the fat deposition, but it’s totally wrong. A woman can lose up to 500 calories in a day by breastfeeding. Women in a postnatal stage should try to continue it as long as they can because it’s equally helpful for both, child and mother for their fitness.

Most of the women tend to engage themselves in some diet restrictive weight loss programs during the early days of motherhood, but that’s not ideal.  After pregnancy the body needs nutrition and additional energy. A balanced diet meal and snacks, without too much fat or sugar should be taken, ranging from breads, pasta, cereals, rice, vegetables, legumes and fruits to cheese, milk, yogurt, lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds. Never ever skip meals, instead of that eat frequently. Divide food regime into small meals throughout the day. At least 10 glasses of water should be taken every day. Never confuse the thirst pangs with hungry pangs. Avoid snacking or over eating. Get enough sleep as it regulates the hormones that control the appetite.

After a birth to a child, the body needs time to recover. Normally a woman can start exercising after 6 weeks, but in a case of cesarean it might take a bit longer. Never indulge in any kind of heavy exercises as it can cause vaginal bleeding (lochia) or turn bright red. Gentle exercise including pelvic floor exercises and lower tummy muscles curls, accompanied with Kegel exercises are the best things to start with. All this will also help with evading bladder problems. If the mother is suffering from diastasis, then regular sit ups or oblique curls should be avoided. Instead of that Pelvic Tilt can be practiced. Every day try to go for a brisk walk for 10-15 minutes.

To look after the baby properly a mother needs a sound mind and body. So never forget to love your body as much as you love your baby. Stay fit!