5 tips to help you lose the post-pregnancy weight

We all know that giving birth comes with so many changes in the life of a mother that it becomes really hard to get back on track when it comes to fitness. Women go through bodily changes as well as emotional changes coupled with sleep deprivation. This combination of factors makes it next to impossible to lose that post-pregnancy flab.

If you have just given birth’ it’s understandable that your priorities in life have changed dramatically and now it’s more about the baby’s needs than yours. But that doesn’t mean you have to completely let go and not care about your fitness.

Here are some pro tips that will help you get back in shape and still spend time with your baby.

Note: Please refer to your doctor before following any of these exercises as everyone has different medical issues. Typically, 6 weeks after delivery should be fine for a woman to do these.

Keep moving

You don’t have to spend hours at the gym or take long walks in the park for this. You are good to go as long as you brisk walk as little as 20 minutes a day. Research shows that even simple exercise like walking is a great stress buster and reduces levels of Cortisol in the body. You will also greatly reduce your chances of having post-partum depression as well if you exercise regularly.

Work out with your baby

Keep your baby beside you and exercise away with these simple yet powerful exercises:

• • Crunches- start with 30 crunches a day and work your way to 100.
  • Planks
  • Lift weights
  • Squats (start with 30 and work your way up)

These are pretty easy exercises that you can build upon and do in the comfort of your own home. All you need to do is make a schedule and stick to it.

Eat right

You need to load up on all those vitamins and minerals in order to replenish your body and provide nutrition for your baby. You are still eating for two because whatever you will eat will affect your breastfeeding as well. So have as many fruits, vegetables and lean meats, nuts as you can because they will also help you stay energetic throughout the day.

Get some personal space

It is not selfish of you if you want to take a break from the baby. Just take out 15-30 minutes a day for yourself and give the baby to your spouse while you do anything that you enjoy. It could be meditating, listening to music, watching an episode of a sitcom or even taking a nap. This will reduce your stress levels and help you in losing weight as well.

Sleep

Women with babies don’t know what sleep is after giving birth. But you have to find time to sleep. The best way to go around is to sleep when your baby sleeps during the day. Go to bed early and adjust your sleep time with that of your baby’s. Babies sleep up to 18 hours in a day and so you can sneak in more sleep time for yourself.