Giving birth to a new, wonderful being is one of the happiest moments in a womans life. Its the mothers ultimate reward for the difficulties encountered during her pregnancy. However, after birth, the extra weight gained is often tough to shed off. To help you with this problem, here are 5 easy ways you can adopt to lose weight after your pregnancy.
#1 Eat the proper diet
You need to recoup the nutrients you have lost during your pregnancy, but at the same time, you have to lose weight as well. How can you eat more but not gain weight? Its a dilemma that assailed most mothers after childbirth. When the mother is breastfeeding, it becomes a greater problem. The mother has to take in the necessary nutrients for her baby.
The solution to this is to choose foods that are nutritious but have fewer calories. These foods are vegetables and fruits. Fruits and veggies contain the essential nutrients, fibers, and vitamins that the body needs, and at the same time, you dont have to worry about obtaining unwanted calories because they contain fewer calories.
You have to reduce your fat and dairy products intake by avoiding meat. Fats contain lots of calories. If you need protein, you can derive protein from your veggies (beans, tofu) and fish. You must eat three servings of veggies and fruits per day. You can eat lean meat once or twice a week.
Avoid alcohol because it affects your brain and your liver. Its a central nervous depressant and a pro-cirrhotic substance (enhances the destruction of hepatic cells) Proper metabolism of food occurs in the liver and when the liver is impaired, illnesses occur.
In extreme cases, irreversible alcoholic liver cirrhosis can result, which would lead to death. Also, avoid nicotine from tobacco smoke because it can cause respiratory illnesses. Excessive coffee intake can also cause palpitations.
In addition, you can opt for the best shake for women to help you lose weight. You may want to take in safe food supplements that could provide your nutrients, while keeping you away from the calories.
#2 Hydrate yourself often
The body needs water for the cells to perform their physiological function properly. So, you have to hydrate yourself often. Water could also facilitate excretion of the toxic waste products of metabolism, helping the body stat fit and healthy. Its not true drinking often will make you fat. It has the opposite effect; it helps eliminate unwanted fats in the body through the excretory organs (promotion of sweating through the skin and excretion of toxic substances through the urine).
#3 Exercise regularly
Before you commence with your postpartum exercises, you have to consult your doctor about what exercises are appropriate for you. Eating the correct food is not enough to lose weight; you have to exercise regularly to enhance the process. An hour a day, or two hours every other day can do, for starters.
Remember to perform your warm ups and cooling down exercises to ensure that your muscles wont be injured. Brisk walking is a recommended exercise that is safe and convenient. You can walk in place at home, or walk around your neighborhood during early mornings.
Abdominal crunches are recommended to slim down the abdomen. This is the body part that is most affected during pregnancy, because it expands together with the growth of the baby. Take note, however, that mothers who have undergone caesarian sections are not allowed to do abdominal crunches, unless the doctor has approved of the activity.
Example of an abdominal crunch:
- Lie down on your back and bend both knees with the soles of your feet, flat on the floor.
- Place your hands at the back of your head with both palms supporting your head.
- Lift the upper half of your body and bend to reach your knees using the top of your head. You may not be able to do this during the first try, but with practice you an easily do more than 10 crunches in one set. Dont overdo it. If you feel tired, then stop.
- You can do this simple exercise daily. You can perform 1 set daily (1o crunches). Then increase the set as your body adjusts to the exercise.
Other recommended exercises:
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Jogging
- Dancing
- Other light aerobics
- Tai-chi
- Calisthenics
#4 Get enough sleep
What does sleep got to do with weight loss? Well, it triggers a chain reaction. When you dont get enough sleep; you tend to splurge on food. You may also resort to alcohol. Both of these would increase your chances of becoming overweight or obese.
People who are alcoholics are prone to acquire a beer belly, in which fats are formed in the abdominal area. Alcohol prohibits the fats proper metabolism by impairing the function of the liver. The liver is the major metabolic organ of the body. When its functions are prohibited, this would result to various pathological conditions.
#5 Have a positive frame of mind
Yes, your frame of mind can help you lose weight. Did you know that when you believe firmly that you will get well then you can? The firm belief must be 100%, without any doubt or hesitation. Thats what others call a miracle. Scientists say that cancer is incurable. But there are a number of cancer survivors, who have lived to tell the tale.
Your frame of mind can do wonders to how you can accomplish your goals. A positive outlook can prompt you to accomplish the impossible. It is the mind that controls your body. Hence, psyche yourself every morning that you would lose weight and you would. Look at the mirror and say: I will lose weight. I can perform my exercises for today. I will lose weight Its all in your mind.
Conclusion
These are the 5 easy ways to lose weight after your pregnancy. You could quickly implement the method and benefit from them. Keep in mind that consistency and perseverance is the key to the success of this endeavor. This success lies entirely in your hands.
