Oooh, the dreaded "mommy tummy". I don't like it one bit. I am now 7 weeks post-partum, and although I am proud to say I've lost most of my pregnancy weight, my tummy is flabby and squishy. Yuk.
Okay, enough complaining. Ladies, we've all been told it takes time to get your body back after pregnancy. What we don't know is how long it takes to get it back. Some say that it can take you as long to lose the weight as it did to put it on. Nine months of trying to get rid of a tummy seems like a long time. But it's not just the tummy: my hips are wider than they used to be. If they don't move back into place, I'll never fit comfortably in my pre-pregnancy jeans again.
As I've learned throughout my pregnancy, patience is a virtue. So, I will be patient, and I will be persistent.
How I Lost Weight Through Breast Feeding
Breast feeding does help you lose weight. My beautiful son has helped me whittle my waist down to a point where I have probably about 7 lbs left to lose (I haven't weighted myself yet). My appetite dropped dramatically after I gave birth, and it plateaued probably at the 4-week mark. Now, something altogether horrifying is happening: I'm getting hungrier again. Okay, so it's not the end of the world, but it's not encouraging.
The Real Deal About Breast Feeding and Weight Loss
Yes, breastfeeding helps you lose weight--to a point. I am still 2 cup sizes larger than I used to be. More boobs = more weight. On top of that, milk in boobs = more weight. Then, la piece de resistance: my body wants to store more fat to help provide milk for my baby. Breast milk is laden with fat because that's what our babies needs to grow. Therefore, after shedding a lot of the pregnancy fat, my body kicks into fat storage mode and makes me hungrier. What fun!
If You're Breast Feeding, You Still Have to Watch What you Eat To Lose the Mommy Tummy
Bye-bye yummy, calorie-dense foods that I ate during pregnancy. Hello, nutrient-rich, low-calorie foods. Not to say that healthy foods can't be yummy, but it's harder to avoid unhealthy foods when your cravings kick into high gear again. By 6 weeks post-partum, you're going to be pretty hungry, and if you're committed to shedding the mommy tummy fat, you're going to have to deny yourself those foods your craving, which is tough work (I admit, I don't always succeed in fighting them, either!). My only advice is this: find some calorie-free distractions. Go for a walk with your baby (never a bad thing), see other mommy friends, or watch a good movie.
My Workouts
I started working out 3 weeks post-partum. Don't be too impressed--I wasn't doing a whole lot. I stuck by my rule of listening to my body and doing what felt right. Now, being a fitness professional I can do stuff like this because I know what exercises are safe to do and when I should stop doing something that doesn't feel right. Some very fit women who had no other complicating factors like Cesarean sections or epesiotomies can start training even earlier than 3 weeks. However, I don't recommend anyone start working out 3 weeks post-partum unless they are cleared by their doctor.
Core Exercises for 6 Weeks Post-Partum
If you have been cleared by your doctor, start slow. Remember that your abs separated to some degree while you were pregnant, and you don't want to over-stress them in a way that separates them further. The best rule of thumb is to do core exercises that engage your transverse abdominis (since I became pregnant, it has become my favourite ab muscle!). Here are some great post-partum core strengthening exercises:
Vanessa, owner of Body Philosophy, blogs about staying fit during and after pregnancy.
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