For a new mother, giving birth is both rewarding and exciting. However, having a child also presents a number of new challenges, including how to lose the baby weight. Although you might be anxious to get back in shape after pregnancy and birth, the best route to take is to stay safe and practical while giving your body the time it needs to heal.
Set Your Objectives
Once your bundle of joy has arrived and you’re ready to get back into working out, consult with your doctor about starting personal training or participating in a new workout routine. With your doctor’s go-ahead, you also need to determine how much energy you have and how well you’re able to do certain things physically. Additionally, it’s important to take into account what your weight was like before you had your baby and how much time you can realistically dedicate to working out during the week.
Track Your Progress
Make sure that once you start personal training or participating in a new workout regime, you keep track of your successes. To do this, you may want to use a typical bathroom scale to record your weight weekly or bi-weekly, or measure yourself regularly to identify places where you’ve lost body fat.
Take Time to Prepare
Every week, grab your planner and figure out when you can work in exercising based on when you have the most energy during the day and when your baby eats and sleeps. Always try to have a backup plan in place, don’t be afraid to rely on family and friends to help you out with your fitness journey, and above all else, listen to your body.
Make Proper Nutrition a Priority
Once you’ve given birth, it’s easy to let nutrition go. However, keep in mind that eating a balanced diet will help you feel full, reduce cravings, and sustain your energy levels. When you do have a craving, try to eat a healthy replacement. For instance, if you’re craving chocolate and sugary desserts, try filling your diet with more fresh fruit.
The Final Takeaway
Once you start personal training or working out again, the most important things you can do are to stay consistent and remain positive. Try not to be too hard on yourself and remember that if you focus on one day at a time, you’ll find the motivation to keep working on your goals.