Today’s society creates unnecessary and unfair dilemmas for women. On the one hand, they are pressured into having children. Friends and relatives cannot wait to see a “baby bump”. After you have your baby, your whole body is completely worn out with the birthing process. The last thing that you have on your mind is weight loss.
Then, you are expected to snap back into the same lean body that you had before the pregnancy. Even celebrities, such as Tori Spelling and Leah Remini were publicly shamed until they lost their baby fat. No wonder so many new mothers feel pressured and fall into postpartum depression. Here are some common mistakes women make trying to lose weight after birthing:
1. Fad Dieting
There is a reason that there are new fad diets every time you turn around. They just do not work. New mothers need extra vitamins and minerals to rebuild their bodies after birth. They also need about 500 more calories if they are breastfeeding. Fad diets do not take any of these needs into consideration.
Why do fad diets not work after pregnancy? Your body needs calories to produce energy. If it does not get them, your body will stop burning fat and will keep it stored in your hips and abdomen. Your body thinks that it is starving and will go into survival mode. It will keep every ounce of fat you have.
Another bad thing about fad diets is that they are often restrictive and boring. They are not practical for everyday living. You probably will ditch a diet that has a bunch of complicated steps for each meal. You will find all kinds of diets online. However, you should be aware that you cannot rely on every diet you read about on the Internet.
Recommended reading: How To Reduce Tummy Fat With A Belly Fat Detox
2. Not exercising or exercising too much
The mathematics to weight loss is simple: you must burn more calories than you consume. This cannot be done with diet alone. Before you start any postpartum exercise regime, you should consult with your doctor. You would need a time of healing if you gave birth with a C-section.
It is normal to feel exhausted after giving birth. You also must deal with the erratic schedule of a newborn. You probably feel like collapsing into bed and never getting up. However, your body needs exercise to lose weight, stay limber, and to create the energy you need.
On the flip side, some women are ready to bust back into their ninja workouts and marathon runs after birthing a baby. You cannot expect your body to snap back so quickly. You can easily get hurt. When you start out slower, the better you will be.
Even a simple exercise like walking the block can be beneficial. Put your baby in a stroller, and you have created a little resistance to your walk. Light exercises like yoga and Pilates help your body stretch and regain some of its former limberness. If you feel you’re not doing enough, try a portable spin bike, it will be both fun and helpful to keep moving while you’re at home and want to do something else in the meantime.
Recommended Reading: The Wonders Of Detox Yoga To Enhance Cleansing & Weight Loss
3. Hitting the supplements instead of naturally detoxing
If you are breastfeeding, your baby will be consuming everything that you do. It is possible to get too much of a good thing. Taking too many vitamins may make you and the baby sick. Do not assume that you can take something just because it is natural.
Turning to natural remedies isn’t always a good alternative. Kava kava, an herb used for its relaxing benefits, isn’t recommended while breastfeeding because it inhibits milk supply. New moms should also avoid rhubarb, St. John’s wort, and fenugreek. There are certain herbs that can be toxic to babies. Discuss any vitamins, minerals, or herbal supplements with your doctor and pharmacist.
What is a healthy and good alternative to supplements is eating sensibly. If you want to detox and slim down this summer, try watermelon, avocados, and whatever you feel would be beneficial for you and your baby. A sign of danger is anything extreme, so don’t overdue anything for immediate results
4. Getting hooked on processed diet food
When you visit any supermarket, you will be overwhelmed by the hundreds of diet products on the shelves. They may be advertised as diet, lite, all-natural, low-fat, low-carb, or sugar-free. You would think that these are the things that should fill your cart.
That is what the manufacturers want you to think. There is a lot of ambivalence in the food labeling laws. Some labels are outright lies. Most of these “diet” foods are highly processed and often do not resemble their original state. When they take out something like gluten, they may fill it with fat and sodium instead.
For healthy postpartum weight loss, become a careful label reader. Find out exactly what you are eating. Ask yourself if this is something that you want your child to be ingesting (if you are nursing). If you cannot pronounce the ingredients, do not buy it. Beware of artificial sweeteners. They are not good for you or your baby.
The best rule of thumb is to eat things as close to nature as possible. Stock your cabinets with fresh produce. Avoid processed junk food in your diet.
Recommended reading: Sugar Detox – Supercharge Your Health In 5 Simple Steps
5. Not drinking enough water
When you are caring for a newborn, you must have a lot of energy. Unless your body stays properly hydrated, your battery will always be running low. You need at least 1/3 to ¾ ounces of water per pound you weigh every day. It is even more important when you are nursing. Your breast milk is made up of almost 90% water. By drinking water, you’ll not only help your body, but you’ll also take care of your newborn.
If you find plain water boring and unattractive, try infused water. You can use fruits, herbs, or vegetables. Besides the benefits or hydrating your body, you’ll consume vitamins and antioxidants. Stay clear of diet sodas. They can send sweet sensations to your brain that will cause you to crave sugar. Do not drink caffeine or alcohol.
Recommended reading: Detox Water Recipes For Everyday Drinking
Conclusion
Since most women gain between 25-30 pounds during pregnancy, it is a good idea to lose weight. Be patient and kind to yourself and do it the right way. Ignore what Hollywood says and follow a healthy diet and exercise regime approved by your doctor. You will lose weight at a safe rate and will stay healthy for you and your baby.
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