Fitness: 5 Reasons Why You Can't Get Rid Of The Baby Weight

By . - Friday, August 17, 2018

Good Hair & Beauty Diaries


Man, let me tell you something...

Losing the weight from baby number 2 ain't no joke! After my first pregnancy, I was smaller than my pre-pregnancy weight within a months time. I was also really stressed out and dealing with post-partum depression. Stay tuned for a complete post about that a bit later.

This time around I'm healthier and happier but this weight isn't budging as quickly. Some studies show that it can take, at a minimum, the length of a full-term pregnancy to get a new mom's body back to its pre-pregnancy size and shape. Who has time for that? 

Let's imagine that it's been a year since you've given birth. What could be sabotaging your weight loss? I'm going to take you through 5 reasons why you can't get rid of the baby weight.

Too Much Of Good Thing

I can't stress how important proper nutrition is, especially if you are exclusively breastfeeding like myself. You have to keep that milk coming with healthy foods and a balanced diet, but I think we tend to forget that healthy foods still have calories.Heart-healthy fats such as nuts, whole grains such as brown rice, and some gluten-free bakery items found in organic markets are examples of beneficial foods that support energy and bodily function for any new mom.

But when you're consuming more calories than your body can burn, even the calories in those so-called super foods, which—yes, do contain a heap of positive health properties— will be stored as fat. Be conscious of portions sizes, take time to read food labels, and, if you're having trouble with emotional eating, get support.


Lack of Z's

This mommy of two is bloody tired! It comes as no surprise that both the pattern and duration of a mother's restful sleep becomes instantly compromised when a new baby arrives home. As sleep decreases, cortisol levels increase, which results in a mom's inability to metabolize calories efficiently. Unfortunately, this is unavoidable and an honest expectation of new motherhood. To keep cortisol at bay, make sure you diminish cortisol spikes from other possible sources, for example, caffeine, stress and overexertion in the gym too soon after giving birth.

Also, napping when the children nap will always be my number 1 defense against exhaustion and general lack of sleep. The dishes and laundry will simply have to wait until you get some rest.


The Wrong Postnatal Workouts

Any tired, new mom is lucky enough to have the energy, let alone the time, to make it to a workout. Most postnatal women who have had vaginal delivery are urged to wait for at least 6 - 10 weeks before beginning any postnatal exercise program, but it's also crucial to get medical clearance from a doctor prior to starting back into a fitness routine. Doing too much, too fast, can lead to any number of complications, including Diastasis Recti--separation of the abdominal wall--or simply exercise overexertion, which itself can hinder all of your efforts.

Once you're approved for exercise after giving birth, consider consulting with a fitness expert to get educated on what formats and exercises are appropriate for most postnatal moms, and which ones should be avoided.


The Company You Keep

Weight-loss success requires support from those around us. My family showered me with homemade meals and desserts, which were dense in calories. It is natural to want to enjoy comfort foods and indulge in treats. On the contrary, some new moms, especially those who find luck with losing baby weight fairly quickly, can be faced with jealousy from friends, who may not see the same successes. Misery loves company...

It is crucial to communicate your wish to be the healthiest you can be, so those around you can best support your wellness goals. If that fails, do not be afraid to eliminate situations or people in your life who bring you down, create undue stress, or cause you to second guess your abilities to succeed in losing the baby weight.


Patience

Take a moment, breathe, and focus on what you can do today to move toward your end goal. Studies show the most efficient weight-loss plans are those that aim to create a loss of 1-2 pounds per week. This is a sane target for new, busy moms as well.

By setting realistic and attainable goals, such as walking for 30 minutes each day, or eliminating fatty and processed foods from meals, many postnatal moms should be able to jumpstart caloric conditions in order to safely lose up to a couple of pounds-per-week. Your positive affirmations to live healthier, will, in-time, result in a trimmer physique. Meanwhile, keep up the great work, and know that your healthy lifestyle will benefit both you and your beautiful new baby.

As a result, I am giving myself a 6-month window to get my body into a shape I am comfortable with. If it's not perfect in 6 months, that's really ok! I didn't spend a year eating poorly and being a gluttonous pig. I spent 9 months growing a healthy baby and it's going to take time to transform mommy back to her regularly scheduled hotness.

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