LOSING THE BABY WEIGHT- PERFECTING THAT POST BABY BODY

Christina Milan working out....

LOSING THE BABY WEIGHT- PERFECTING THAT POST BABY BODY…

“They are considered the hardest pounds to shift…”

DOCTOR’S TAKE:  it can be very frustrating to realize that you’ve lost only 5 kilos of the 20 you put on during pregnancy. It is advisable to lose around 1 kg per week. Anything more, especially during breastfeeding, poses a health risk for you and the baby because you may be missing out on necessary nutrients. Keep the workout easy, around 3 times a week, for 2 months. After this, you can add a few exercises to your routine, and up the frequency to 4 times a week. Read some tips below of regaining that sexy body back…

Ø      Work with a trainer if you can afford it. It helps to have someone who keeps you motivated.

Ø      DON’T keep on checking on your weight- the way your clothes fit. The way you feel in general will show that you are either gaining or losing weight.

Ø      Walk. Leave for office a bit early and try walking to work. Morning walks also help.

Ø      Hit the gym. Discipline yourself, eat well and follow a timetable. Weight loss isn’t instant, so be patient. Consistency is also important.

Ø      Be more forgiving and loving to yourself incase you disappoint yourself in the process of losing weight.

Ø      Have fun attitude towards working out and have a goal weight that you want to achieve, don’t just work out for the sake of it.

Ø      Get off the couch, out of the house and moving. Be it, jogging, swimming, running, walking- anything to speed up your metabolism.

Ø      Take your training a notch higher every 8-12 weeks. If you started walking 3 times a week for 30 minutes, after 8-12 weeks you should start walking 40 minutes, 4 times a week.

Ø      DON’T starve or skip meals. The body senses when it is being starved and holds onto the fat in anticipation of another starvation period; this in turns slows down your weight loss process. And, if you don’t get enough nutrients, your baby may not get enough nutrients as well.

Ø      DON’T start a new exercise regime without consulting your doc first.

Ø      DIET: avoid junk foods, reduce your portion size and eat a balanced diet. Stick to fruits and veggies for lunch and up your water intake. Breastfeeding also helps a lot. Skip many of those African traditional delicacies fed to lactating mothers like porridge. Instead, in place of porridge go for soup and cocoa and brown bread. Then work on your cravings for food and opt for normal food, regulating your portion size.