Bringing new life into the world after nine months of nurturing is arguably one of the most rewarding experiences any woman can go through. However, getting rid of the extra baby kilos can be difficult.
Gareth Powell, National Training Manager at Ultimate Sports Nutrition (USN) suggests the following tips on how to stay fit after giving birth:
Keep active
After giving birth, for the first few weeks, you may feel exhausted, overwhelmed and sleep deprived. Although exercise may be the last thing on your mind, it’s important to keep active. Start by walking around, whether it’s in and around your house, or even around the block.
Include your baby
Including your new born in your exercise routine can be a great way to get fit while still being a mommy. While walking the stroller, take a break and do a few lunges in between your walk.
Join other moms
Joining an exercise group for new moms, or other women who are eager to get back into shape, can give you the extra motivation needed to reach your fitness goals.
Keep track of calories and fat consumption
Try to stay away from unhealthy foods and the craving fixes you experienced during pregnancy. Focus on foods that are rich in nutrition, and remember, your body is repairing itself.
Breastfeed
By breastfeeding, between 600 and 800 calories can be burned a day.
Start slowly
Be gentle with your body in the very beginning. Weakened abdominal muscles, sheer exhaustion and the effect of relaxin (the hormone your body secretes in preparation for birth) means that your body cannot handle strenuous activity at first.
Take regular naps
Napping at regular intervals has been proven to help with weight control. To make sure you are not sleep deprived; take a nap whenever your baby is sleeping to ensure that your sleeping patterns are in sync.
Remember that the same healthy lifestyle guidelines apply as to prior to your pregnancy, which is to be consistent in your diet and training and to stay motivated so you can reach your personal goals.
