Congratulations to all the new moms out there! You are doing a wonderful job at being the best mom to your child. Your life must have been a roller coaster ride for the last couple of months. The physical and mental changes that come with pregnancy make one question their identity. We understand that the reflection you see in the mirror puts you in identity crises again and again. The first step towards breaking the cycle and feeling confident in yourself again is to lose weight after delivery.

The thought of weight loss after delivery also brings various questions and confusion. A new mom is already on high alert mode, questioning her every choice for the well-being of her child. Moms struggling with breastfeeding supply are afraid to go on any diet plan, or moms with diastasis recti are afraid to worsen their condition with exercise.

“Self-care is not a luxury. It is a necessity.” – Audre Lorde

This is the time when a mother requires complete guidance covering every aspect of their worry, and we are here to fulfil that need. We will discuss 7 tips below that will guarantee your safe weight loss after delivery.

7 Tips to Lose Weight Postpartum

Gentle Exercises

Every pregnancy/delivery is unique. It is important to get your doctor’s approval before starting any workout routine. First, start with little regular walks. Be mindful of your recovery, and once you feel alright, start with postpartum safe workouts. Remember that core-strengthening and pelvic muscle exercises are more important at this stage than weight loss. Only once your core and abdominal muscles are back to their original strength will strength training and cardio exercises begin.

Nutritious Diet

Remember that your body is recovering while also making meals for the little ones. It requires all kinds of nutrition to be healthy and fit. Weight loss after delivery does not require any crash diets or any diets that limit certain types of food. At this stage, the weight you lose through such diets is either fluid that you can soon gain back or muscle instead of fats.

What you can do instead is exclude all the junk and unhealthy items from your diet. Eat fibre-rich food, which evidently assists in weight loss. Break your daily intake into small portions instead of three-bid meals.

Protein and Weight Loss After Delivery

Protein is known for boosting your metabolism, reducing calorie intake and decreasing appetite. This happens because your body requires more energy to digest protein, resulting in more calorie burn. Some of the healthy protein options are below:

• Eggs
• Fish
• Meat
• Nuts and Seeds

Breastfeeding Assists Weight Loss after Delivery

Breastfeeding has multiple benefits; one of them is that it helps mothers lose weight. Your Body burns lots of calories to produce breastmilk. Initially, you may not notice weight loss due to less physical activity during the recovery period. Do not feel disappointed at that time, and remember that breastfeeding also reduces your risk for diabetes, ovarian and breast cancer, and blood pressure.

Stress Management and Resting

One thing that can help with weight loss after delivery is resting and sleeping. Weight retention is directly related to your stress level and sleep deprivation. With a baby, it may feel difficult, but the following are some practical ways to make it happen.

• Sleep when the baby sleeps.
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine for your little one.
• Avoid screens during the daytime and especially 30 minutes prior to bedtime
• Do meditation and exercise breathing
• Take some daylight and stay hydrated
• Ask for help and give yourself a break.

Be Real and Consistent With Weight Loss Goals

Losing your pregnancy weight can be difficult, especially if you are breastfeeding. During this time, it is essential to set realistic goals for your postpartum weight loss. Be graceful towards yourself, celebrate simple milestones in your journey and focus on healthy and steady progress.

Remember that you may notice lots of weight fluctuation due to water retention and breastfeeding. There is no need to panic or be obsessive on the weighing scale at such times. Be patient and set achievable goals while focusing on your recovery first.

Professional Support

For many mothers, the weight loss after delivery becomes difficult. There can be several reasons behind it, such as medical condition, baby’s responsibility, emotional trauma, etc. If you are also facing such issues, then we recommend you seek assistance from professional postpartum trainers, family members or the online mom community.

Conclusion

Weight loss after delivery is a long journey that requires patience, resilience, self-love and life balance. It is essential to keep your focus on your overall health, recovery and well-being instead of the numbers on the scale. Stressing over your gained weight will only worsen your situation, as being stress-free is important in a weight loss voyage. Be sympathetic and caring towards your body, as it has done some wonders by bringing new life into this world. Do not compare your goals and achievements with others as every pregnancy is unique and thus their weight loss journey.