Close to 48 percent of women gain more than the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy, according to CDC data. Gaining weight in pregnancy is not only expected but also encouraged by medical professionals, as it promotes the health of the mother and baby. But, when a woman gains too much weight, it increases the amount of weight they retain after giving birth. This leads to various changes in a woman’s body shape, and for many, these changes are permanent. But, just because it happens to most new moms doesn’t mean that you have to accept it as ‘a part of life’; these are some of the things you can do to get back to your pre-pregnancy shape sooner rather than later.
Come up with an exercise routine
There’s no escaping it; if you want to recover that perfect body shape you had a year ago, you’ll have to work for it through post pregnancy exercise. You can start by going back to the gym. Many gyms are now offering classes specifically tailored for new mothers where qualified fitness trainers can guide you on the best types of exercises for your unique body.
If you don’t have the time or will to get back to the gym, you can find many ways to get your daily dose of exercise even without leaving your room. For example, bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups are highly effective and can be done anywhere in your home without the need for any gym equipment. If you have access to a bike, cycling is a great exercise that works on multiple muscle groups in your body and at the same time, helps you relieve built-up stress and anxiety. For the best results, come up with an exercise routine that includes strength training, cardiovascular, and stretching exercises.
Try body contouring
Even after coming up with a great workout routine, you may find it hard to permanently get rid of fat in some areas such as the abdomen, back, love handles, neck, thighs, and arms. One of the best new ways to deal with excessive fat in such areas is through body contouring. Also referred to as body sculpting, body contouring is a non-invasive, state-of-the-art solution for fat reduction that combines light vacuum pressure, deep tissue heating, and radiofrequency energy to get rid of underlying fat. During the procedure, the heat melts fat and tightens your skin while the energy pulses and vacuum pressure reshape your body. Best of all, the results of a body contouring procedure are permanent since it’s non-invasive, you can resume your daily activities immediately after.
Watch your diet
Another way to keep your weight in check and maintain a good figure is by watching what you eat. First of all, be mindful of how much food you are consuming. Spending too much time at home can lead to mindless eating when you have easy access to food and snacks. Without you realizing it, those snacks will add up, and before you know it you’ve gained a lot of weight.
Try to stick to a regular meal schedule, preferably one that starts with breakfast at the same time daily, lunch and an afternoon snack to eliminate midday cravings, and a light dinner. You must also be mindful of the content of your meals. Stick to healthy, low trans fat, and low-calorie home-cooked meals and avoid fast food at all costs. It’s also a good idea to reduce your carbohydrate intake especially if you’re spending most of your time at home.
Just because you just had a baby doesn’t mean that you say goodbye to your pre-pregnancy body shape forever. By exercising more, staying on top of your diet, and finding clever ways to get rid of stubborn fat, you can get back in shape which is not only good for your physical health but also your mental and emotional well-being.