Losing Weight After Pregnancy – 6 Things You Need To Know
For many new moms, there’s a certain joy in being able to reclaim their bodies. On the other hand, there are a lot of hormones, emotions, physical changes, and lifestyle changes that have a considerable impact.
Starting a weight loss journey after pregnancy can be a long and frustrating process. Here are six tips to help simplify the journey so that you can enjoy the fleeting early days with your baby.
Practice Mindful Eating
When you have a baby, getting things done is often a juggling act. When the baby naps, do you take the time to eat, sleep, shower, exercise, or clean? As a result of these conflicting priorities, mothers often eat quickly to get in as much food as possible while they can.
When trying to lose weight, it’s vital to slow down and practice mindful eating. By slowing your eating habits, you allow your body to get back in touch with its hunger cues. Some simple mindful eating practices include:
- Removing distractions (such as your phone) and focusing on the food.
- Drinking a glass of water before eating and taking sips regularly between bites.
- Setting your utensils down between every bite.
- Taking time to think about what you enjoy about the food (spices, texture, etc.)
By eating mindfully, you reduce the risk of overeating, which can often happen in the early days when your schedule is out of sync.
Take Breastfeeding Into Consideration
Breastfeeding can impact your postpartum weight loss. Some women find that the calories expended by breastfeeding are helpful. Others find that to keep their milk supply up, they’re eating more than they would otherwise. Some have no problem with intense exercise, while others find it causes their milk to dry up.
Generally, when a woman faces an issue with postpartum weight loss as a result of breastfeeding, it’s a deeper underlying issue. For example, a lack of hydration or nutrients or a physiological difference. Understanding that this may have an impact will help you adjust your plan accordingly.
Don’t Skip Meals
As previously mentioned, finding time to eat can be a juggling act. That being said, you mustn’t skip meals. Even if it’s just something simple, like a sandwich with apple slices, you need the nutrients to keep going.
Try to have things that are easy to throw together, like pre-cut veggies and roasted chicken from the prepared food aisle at the grocery store. Nuts and seeds offer a hefty dose of protein and healthy fat that will help hold you over when mealtimes are tough.
Start with Gentle Exercise
If you were an avid athlete before getting pregnant, it could be tempting to jump back in full-tilt. Unfortunately, a lot of athletic moms experience injury or disappointment when they try this approach. Instead, try a few weeks at a lighter schedule and journal about how it impacts your body.
For moms looking to start a new exercise routine, start light. Baby-friendly exercises, like walking, hiking, and yoga, are great if childcare is a challenge.
Prioritize Sleep
The thought of prioritizing sleep probably seems laughable for a lot of new moms. However, rest may play the most significant role in achieving your postpartum weight loss goals.
Sleep deprivation contributes to hormonal regulation and metabolism. If your body determines you’re in sleep deprivation mode, it will hold onto extra weight as a survival tactic. Cleaning can wait, and napping should always trump exercise if your baby isn’t sleeping through the night.
To accomplish good night sleep it’s important to have your body in a comfortable position. Right choice of mattress should help you to provide that.To learn more about the benefits of right mattress chek an article to best cooling mattress.
Celebrate Yourself
The final tip for postpartum weight loss is to cut yourself some slack. You’ve just created a human from scratch and pushed your body’s capabilities to the max. Take a moment to appreciate and celebrate your body for what it can do!