Motherhood is a complicated time for young mothers. It is divided between the immense joy of being a mother, the fatigue following the sleepless nights, and the extra pounds. Post-pregnancy, every woman often wonders if she will ever regain her figure and shape. Could I tuck into my favourite jeans again? Will my favourite dress always fit me perfectly?
If you’re a new mom and have been asking yourself these questions, don’t you worry! We got in touch with Shivani Sikri, Chief Nutritionist at Nutri4Verve to know how to lose the extra kilos after childbirth naturally and here’s what she had to say…
1. Don’t Rush To Lose Weight
Your baby starts to cry as soon as you fall asleep and you can’t take it anymore. You are already exhausted, but your baby is still hungry. This could be a drop in hormone levels, lack of sleep, the strain of childbirth, episiotomy, C section, loss of blood during pregnancy, etc. During your early post-partum days, there is nothing you can do about it and this can actually take several weeks. Thus, it is crucial to understand that your body still needs to recover from childbirth. Once you feel better, you can review your diet and possibly consider going on a healthy diet.
2. Gradually Decrease The Quantities
Like all women, you have certainly developed the habit of eating more during pregnancy and breastfeeding. You ate for two, as the popular saying goes. And it was also necessary! But now, it is time to revise the quantities down. Take food as you used to eat just before pregnancy came into your life. Concentrate on healthy foods to support your breastfeeding.
3. Take It Easy
- In your post-partum weeks, you are not necessarily in great shape. So even if you start a diet after pregnancy, do not go below 1500-1800 kcal/day. Remembering, you are feeding your little one too! It is recommended to start any ‘diet’ only after 60 days of your delivery. Do not rush to lose a lot on scales, as you may take up to six months to be back in your desired shape and it is completely fine.
- Further, do not cut out any food, but eat less fat and sugar while continuing to enjoy fruits and vegetables, starches, meat and fish, dairy products, and dried vegetables! Take overnight soaked walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds too.
- During the first two months of the diet, eat lots of seafood or fish, preferably fatty, which provide the fatty acids necessary to stimulate the emptying of the liver and allow the new and ‘old’ fats to be dislodged.
- Eat a bowl of starchy foods per meal—quinoa, whole wheat roti, brown rice, and without fat, and combine them with cooked vegetables. Starches, by generating the production of serotonin, are essential to avoid cravings for sweets, fight against fatigue and improve slow and deep sleep.
- Prohibit certain combinations—starch with fat (wheat and oil), starch with starch (bread and pasta), protein and sugar (chicken/meat/egg with prunes). They delay assimilation.
- Drink enough water and fluids. To stay hydrated, you need to drink in small sips throughout the day. If you wait until you’re thirsty, it’s too late, you are already dehydrated. There is no mandatory amount of water when you are losing weight. You can drink water (preferably still), herbal teas, coffee (not too much, as it can interfere with sleep) and green tea.
4. Get Moving
Physical activity is essential when you want to take control of your body, especially post-pregnancy. You now have to become a bit sporty even if you were never one. Why? Because sport helps to fight against stress and avoids being tempted to compensate with sweet. Contrary to popular beliefs such as “I am so tired that I do not have enough energy to jog”, know that by doing sports, you will regain tone because physical activity helps to fight against fatigue.
If you don’t feel like going to the pool or to the gym, you can go for a brisk walk by strolling your little one in a stroller at the park. It just needs to get the heart rate up a bit. You can simply find yoga exercise videos, stretching, Pilates, relaxation, abs-glutes, etc. on YouTube and work out while your kid’s napping. In the evening, practise breathing exercises to combat stress and prepare for falling asleep. Expert supervision is always solicited!
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