Having a child can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, but it also comes with its own share of difficulties. If you’ve recently had a baby, you’re probably sleeping less and working a whole lot more. Naturally, this can have a negative impact on your body. Not only that, but you’ve also got to contend with the extra weight that mothers naturally put on during (and after) pregnancy.
Needless to say, this can be a very difficult time in a mother’s life. You want to remain in good shape for your baby and the rest of your family, but the stress of caring for an infant and the residual effects of pregnancy can make it really difficult to keep off the pounds. Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. In today’s post, we’re going to look at 5 tips to help new mothers lose the baby fat. So, let’s get started!
Record Everything You Eat
When you’re taking care of a little one, you probably have a tendency to just eat whatever you can, whenever you can. While this may seem like the easiest option, it’s not the best way to maintain a healthy BMI. So, be sure to take inventory of everything you eat.
All you have to do is make a list of the foods and drinks. You don’t have to worry as much about quantities at first, but if you want to include measurements or amounts, even better! Once you feel like you have a good understanding of your food intake, you can use that information to help the experts at RCMC Medical Center create a nutritional plan just for you!
Embrace Physical Activities
Pregnancy and giving birth can both take huge tolls on your body. You may feel that you need several weeks or months (if not longer) to fully recover, which is completely understandable and normal. You should allow your body to recover on its own time, without feeling like you’re trying to rush back into your normal regimen.
However, once you feel that your body is ready to go back to “normal,” you should fully embrace physical activities. You might feel more tired or lethargic at first, but you’ll need to push through these barriers to help you lose weight as you work. And don’t worry if you can’t afford a gym membership. Even activities like carrying your baby, walking up and down stairs, or going for a jog are more than enough to build a strong cardiovascular system and shed pounds at the same time!
Be Patient
Whenever someone (mother or not) endeavors to lose weight, they immediately want to see results. Unfortunately, this just isn’t how it works. Getting down to your target weight can take weeks, months, or even years. It all depends on setting a pace that is manageable for you.
For example, you may be tempted to jump right into intense cardio workouts. However, the sudden change in physical activity is a quick way to experience burnout. You may not want to continue after a few days, causing you to abandon the entire endeavor. Instead, start slow and set a pace that works for your needs and your schedule.