I am often asked by mums, what are my top tips to help kickstart helping them lose their baby weight.
While I know this is a really important part of the process for a lot of women, it’s also important to not put too much pressure on yourself to lose your baby weight.
Living a healthy lifestyle so that you have plenty of energy is a great place to start. Think about everything you put.
I am a big fan of quality nutrition and this is even more important if you are breastfeeding. Healthy fats such as nuts, avocado are examples of amazing foods that support energy and body function for new mums BUT keep in mind that they are extremely high in calories.
When you consume more calories than you can burn, you are going to put on weight. Nuts and Avocado (for example) contain a whole heap of positive health properties, so I don’t suggest that you avoid them altogether but if you go overboard the excess calories will be stored as fat.
Be aware of portion sizes, take a bit of time to read food labels and if you are finding that emotional eating is becoming your go to way of dealing with stress then make sure you get support.
This is a tough one, because as a new mum sleep may feel like a distant memory for you.
As sleep decreases, cortisol levels increase which unfortunately results in a mum’s inability to metabolize calories properly. As I am sure you are aware this problem is unavoidable now that you are a mum but there are ways that you can avoid making it worse so to keep cortisol at bay make sure you reduce cortisol peaks from other sources.
Some examples of this are caffeine, stress and going too hard with your exercise routine too soon after giving birth.
I talk to so many new mums that are keen to start working out as soon as they give birth however if you have had a normal vaginal delivery we recommend you wait at least 6 weeks before starting low impact exercise and a minimum of 12 weeks if you had a c-section.
It’s crucial to get checked out by a doctor for medical clearance before you embark on any kind of exercise program post birth.
Doing to much too quick can actually have a negative effect on your body and lead to a number of post-natal issues such as abdominal separation, lower back issues from a weak core, sore wrists and all over body pain from too much movement while your body still contains the hormone relaxin.
Once you do get medical clearance to exercise make sure you work with a post-natal fitness expert that understands what is going on with your body and what movements are going to be safe for you to do
Weight loss success requires support from the people around you. It’s so important to talk to your friends and loved ones about your desire to be the healthiest version of yourself and ask them to support you in achieving your goals.
Don’t have the foods in your house that you know you shouldn’t be eating and ask you partner to support you by not eating “unhealthy” foods around you.
If you find someone is negative or even sabotaging your efforts by showering you with cakes, cookies, lollies and treats then don’t be afraid to eliminate situations or people in your life that are bringing you down.
There is no denying that having a healthy and happy baby is super important and learning how to cope with life with your new responsibilities can be extremely overwhelming.
Putting your baby’s needs is important (of course) but it’s also important to make sure you are looking after your own needs at the same time, after all happy mummy, happy baby.
If you are feeling overwhelmed talk to your partner, friends or family. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
If you need a bit of time out for a massage or even just to go for a walk on your own – make sure you ask to keep your own sanity alive.
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