HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT AFTER PREGNANCY

It has become a trend for women in showbiz to get back to pre pregnancy bodies 5 minutes after pregnancy abi?. Such quick weight loss is unrealistic for the average new mum and will cause a lot of harm than good. Disregard such stories of celebrities getting back into shape just few weeks after childbirth. These women do not have a 9 to 5 job and most of the time looking sexy comes before the child, that is showbiz for you.  so your approach toward getting back to your sexy body after childbirth should be gradual, safe and healthy. It’s important to keep your expectations in check.

CAN I GO BACK TO MY PREGNANCY BODY?

 Oh yes! you definitely can and it can also be totally healthy. Getting back to your pre pregnancy body is the dream of most Nigerian women, because the much expected baby fat and changes over the 9 months period can leave you having the grandma body you don’t really want right now. But don’t be fazed, because getting that sexy hot mama body after childbirth is highly feasible. And for those women who love the wider hips, bigger boobs and butt they got during pregnancy, Enjoy! Nothing do you.

WHEN CAN I SAFELY START TO LOSE WEIGHT?

Since your body needs time to recover from having your bundle of joy, you can safely start to lose weight 6weeks after delivery except those that had their babies through caesarean session. Women who had their babies through caesarean session will have to wait a bit longer.

WHAT EXERCISE CAN I DO?

 Having a baby is joyous and utterly overwhelming whether you a new mum or you have had a football team already, all babies come with their own wahala.  Finding time for exercise might be really hard for a Nigerian woman, so your best work out partner is actually your baby. They are numerous exercises you can do with your baby. A walk of 1-2 miles for 30 minutes can burn 150 calories, so you take your baby in her/his stroller and take such walks. It will not only help you lose weight but also help relieve you of a whole lot of stress.

15 minutes of running up and down the stairs can also help you lose 150 calories. You can do any of the two, but an outdoor walk is more exciting and a good stress buster.

Gentle exercises like walking, pelvic floor exercises, yoga and stretching are exercises you should begin with because you can do all this exercises and still keep an eye on your baby. After a while, you can begin more energy intensives exercises.

Exercise is a tried and trusted stress-buster. "Getting some form of exercise will help you feel alive again.

WHAT DO I EAT TO HELP ME ACHIEVE MY WEIGHT LOSS GOALS?

Combining healthy eating with exercise is the most effective way to lose weight after pregnancy, because it helps you to lose fat instead of lean tissue. This sort of lifestyle will also help you improve your overall health and fitness.

So throw away empty-calorie foods like chips and soda, as well as fad diets that eliminate entire food groups. Instead, fill your diet with variety of nutrient-rich meals containing lean protein, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetable and plenty of low-fat dairy products.

Taking in small, frequent nutrient-rich meals throughout the day is key. This will keep your blood-sugar level steady, help prevent you from overeating and keep your energy level up. When your calories are distributed throughout the day, they are metabolized more efficiently and are less likely to be stored as fat.

DOES BREAST FEEDING AFFECT WEIGHT LOSS?

Breastfeeding can help you lose weight without posing danger to your health or your baby’s health unlike dieting.

Your body requires energy to create breast milk, so  you burn calories to make breast milk every time you nurse. While your new healthy eating lifestyle is providing energy to produce milk, some of the additional energy needs will be gotten from your body’s existing fat stores.

This means that breastfeeding can help you to lose weight also if only you avoid taking in too much  calories than required for breastfeeding, while eating healthily and staying active.

WHEN WILL MY BACK TO NORMAL?

Give yourself time to get back in shape, and don't despair if the weight doesn't fall off immediately.  You should aim to return your pre-pregnancy weight by the time your baby is about six months old.

As long as you feel healthy and ready, as a rough guide, you should aim to return your pre-pregnancy weight by the time your baby is about six months old. If you're finding it takes longer than this, don't give yourself a hard time. Just set yourself a target of getting to the weight you want by your baby’s first birthday.

While it’s important to focus on your health it is also important not to set for yourself unachievable goals.