Babies are bundles of joy that change the dynamics of the family unit. However, new mothers also battle postpartum weight gain. According to the NCBI, post-delivery weight retention increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and hypertension. Most importantly, baby weight exponentially increases the risk of new mothers suffering from postpartum depression.
Losing a postpartum belly is a gradual process that requires intentional lifestyle changes. Successful belly weight loss requires a positive attitude and mental fortitude. The following tips will help you lose postpartum belly:
Eat right and healthy
A balanced diet, eaten in the right portions, will nourish your body and help in shedding off those extra pounds. Eat a variety of foods to ensure your body has adequate nutrients. Include healthy snacks in your diet while also spacing out the meals throughout the day. Replace highly processed foods, snacks, and drinks with healthier alternatives. Understand the caloric value of the meals you take and go for foods high in fiber. Therefore, consider eating mostly home-cooked meals, which give you greater control during cooking.
Avoid a sedentary lifestyle
An inactive lifestyle increases the risk of obesity and overweight in all demographics. For new mothers battling postpartum belly, the risk is even greater. Adopting a healthy and active lifestyle, including simple exercises around the house, will help you burn those extra calories and lose those few pounds you gained while pregnant. Opt for less rigorous and simple exercises, including taking the stairs whenever possible or walking to the local store. The few minutes walking around with your baby on the stroller can make a lot of difference.
Go for fat removal treatment
In chronic cases where postpartum belly might become a health risk like postpartum depression, consider fat removal treatment. Studies have shown that some of these procedures, including Coolsculpting, effectively remove those extra fat cells in the belly. However, before you consider this treatment, you should wait for at least six months after delivery. Additionally, understand any underlying side effects of any procedure before you commit yourself.
Keep your body hydrated
Keeping your body hydrated after delivery will improve your metabolic rate, a vital factor in weight loss. For breastfeeding mothers, drinking water is also vital in milk production. Water helps you replace those valuable fluids lost during milk production. While drinking 2 liters of water per day is considered a minimum, spread the glasses throughout the day. As a standard practice, avoid taking a lot of water at night for uninterrupted sleep.
Sleep and rest properly
While motherhood is a challenging journey, try and create time to rest and sleep. Therefore, ask your loved ones for support and take a deserved break. Inadequate sleep is associated with stress, depression, and obesity. A minimum of 7-hour sleep is recommended.
A postpartum belly can overshadow the joy of having a baby. Many new mothers struggling with weight loss after delivery tend to suffer from obesity and postpartum depression. Losing the extra weight is a journey that requires support and personal commitment to eating healthy, staying active, and hydrating.
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