A mother should be given ample time to heal, recover and adjust to the new phase of motherhood before anyone can talk about her postpartum weight loss process. Ideally, it should be a process she starts for her own health and fitness rather than a process done for external validation or an effect of body shaming.
The society expects a new mother to bounce back to her normal self as soon as she delivers the baby. You are also subjected to a lot of pressure to reduce weight as soon as possible. But, we understand that you should be given ample time to heal, recover and adjust to the new phase of motherhood, before anybody even talks about bouncing back. Let us look at some tips to follow to manage your postpartum weight and get fit after childbirth.
- Check with your doctor
- Focus on your fitness and not weight
- Be consistent
- Choose an exercise that you would enjoy
- Don’t fall for fad diets or quick weight loss
- Check with your doctor: You should check with your doctor before you begin any exercise regimen. The recovery period can be anywhere between 6-16 weeks. Your doctor is the best person to advise based on your individual health condition and recovery from childbirth.
- Focus on your fitness and not weight: If you are breastfeeding and consistent in your exercises, you would ultimately lose your postpartum weight. But, feeling fit and having a flexible body is more important than a slim figure. It is great if you manage to fit into your pre-pregnancy pretty dress. But that need not be your ultimatum.
- Be Consistent: You would have a lot of responsibilities when you are new to motherhood. So, sticking to a fitness regimen might be difficult. Follow a small, simple, doable routine and increase as you progress. You are more likely to be consistent if the routine is doable.
- Choose an exercise that you would enjoy: It could be putting your baby on a carrier or a stroller and taking a quick walk or run. It could be dancing for your favorite tune as your baby watches. It could be anything you enjoy. Again, if you enjoy, it is more likely that you would be consistent.
- Don’t fall for fad diets or quick weight loss: You need a balanced diet with all vital nutrients to recover yourself from childbirth and breastfeeding. Any day, a gradual weight loss without compromising on your health and fitness is definitely better than a quick reduction. Please never succumb to the societal pressures of getting back to pre-pregnancy weight and unrealistic norms.
At the end of the day, it is important to start a fitness regimen that is simple, doable and enjoyable to stay consistent. We wish you stay motivated to be fit through your pregnancy and postpartum journey.
