After giving birth via C-section, you’ll need to rethink your approach to dieting. Not only will your postpartum body require less of those “guilty pleasures” that made you come back for more, but it also means you’ll have a bit more disposable income. With summer fast-approaching, this could be the perfect opportunity to tackle that weight loss plateau once and for all.
While it’s important to get plenty of rest and nourishment following baby’s arrival, you still need to eat to provide your little one with the nutrients they need to grow up healthy. That said, it can be hard to know how much weight to sacrifice given that your body has been through such a major change. Whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, you’ll likely experience a significant weight loss postpartum. So while it’s important to take it easy, it’s also important to eat right.
Here are five simple ways to shed the weight and maintain a healthy postpartum body.
Take Advantage Of The New Freedom You Have With Fewer Pains
Congratulations! You survived childbirth and are now a proud parent to a beautiful baby girl or boy. You’ll have to adjust to the new you in many ways, but one of the biggest changes will be in how you need to eat to provide your little one with the nutrients they need. Gone are the days of needing to eat three meals a day, every day. Now, you can have snacks between meals — or even meals sometimes, if you’re feeling indulgent. So while it’s important to get plenty of sleep and relaxation, you’ve also got a new source of energy inside your home — which is lucky for you.
For many mothers-to-be, this is a welcome change because it means they don’t have to struggle with feeling hungry or lacking in energy. Fewer feelings of deprivation means fewer trips to the vending machine. So while it’s great that your body has changed and that you no longer need to worry about weighing as much as you did before pregnancy, you’ll still need to be mindful about what goes into it. Eating wholesome foods will help you fuel your body with the nutrients it needs to produce more milk, so you can nourish your baby girl or boy.
In addition to being a great way to shed the weight, the extra freedom of having fewer demands on your time means you can set your own schedule. If you have a demanding job or a lot on your to-do list, this might not be a good time to re-enter the workforce. But if you’d like to switch off for a bit and not feel guilty about it, why not? You’re a new parent — the last thing you need is more responsibility! So if you’re feeling motivated, why not take a bit of a sabbatical and pursue your parental duties. It can be good for you both.
Get Physically Active
Whether you had a C-section or a vaginal birth, you’ll need to walk a lot following your baby’s arrival. So get moving! Even a slow walk around the neighborhood can help to boost your health and that of your baby. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, get the baby bike trailer and take them for a spin around the block. Studies have shown that motherhood is a time when your health really starts to decline, so it’s important to do everything you can to prevent this. Getting back in shape is a great way to ensure you’re still able to care for your baby when their needs change and their demands increase. Plus, if you’re active, it can also boost your mood. So not only will being a mother feel more like a blessing, but it can also make you feel happier and more content.
Whether you had a C-section or a vaginal birth, your body will have changed significantly in the weeks and days following the birth of your baby. While it’s great that you no longer need to worry about weighing as much, it can be hard to know how much weight you should lose given that your body has changed so much. Eating well and getting plenty of rest is key to both your physical and mental health. If you’re feeling motivated, it might be a good idea to get out there and enjoy those parent role rewards that come with parenthood. So while it’s important to get your body back into shape, it’s also important to eat right and make sure you’re providing your baby with the nutrients they need to grow up healthy. With summer fast-approaching, this could be the perfect opportunity to tackle that weight loss plateau once and for all.