There are so many beautiful and wonderful things about pregnancy and starting a family. If only it were as easy to fall in love with your post-baby body as it is to fall in love with your new bundle of joy.
Some of our bodies drastically transform after pregnancy with weight gain, stretch marks, and loose skin. And learning to love and accept your post-pregnancy body is something that may take some getting used to.
In addition, being pregnant and having a baby can also throw off the fitness routines you engage in that keep you happy and healthy.
Motherhood often inspires us to be the best versions of ourselves and that means taking better care of our health. So, you’ll probably want to be clued into a few tricks that can improve your postpartum health.
Here are our favorite post-pregnancy hacks to keep you healthy and happy:
The Power of Positive Thinking?
The first step to being in a body that you love is getting your mind right. It might not be perfect, but loving and accepting your body as it is is the first step to getting the body you want. Positive thoughts are key to using the Law of Attraction. This method puts you in the correct mindset for getting healthy and allows you to attract whatever you are focusing on into your life.
One way to summon the Law of Attraction is to look into the mirror and repeat positive mantras or affirmations to yourself every day such as I am confident in my body, I love my body, I am beautiful, or ” I feel ____ about my body image and acknowledge my improvement in ___ aspect of it.”
You can find 20 body-positive affirmations here. This positive affirmation practice can help you transform your body and motivate you to reach your goals.
Breastfeed
If you’ve got a newborn, one of the best things you can do for both your body and baby is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding actually helps you burn additional calories (some say anywhere from 380600 per day) because your body is working harder to create milk and pass that energy onto your little one.
Unless you supplement with extra calories, you’re likely to be burning more than you take in.
With that said, it’s not recommended that you heavily restrict your calorie intake while breastfeeding, as too few calories can negatively affect your milk supply. Instead, eat a nutritious, robust diet that includes lots of healthy fats (like avocado or walnuts), fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and leafy greens.
The number of calories you need will depend on your metabolism and activity level, but most breastfeeding moms should still take in around 1,8002,200 calories per day.
Get Moving
Exercise is crucial for maintaining both our physical and mental health in the long term. Consider these postpartum exercise tips:
For easing back into your routine: One of the simplest things you can do to get moving after childbirth is walking. Take the baby on a casual stroll to the park. Walk to the convenience store instead of driving. For an extra workout, you can babywear the additional weight will help you burn more calories.
Post-baby pooch: Our bellies grow during pregnancy to nourish and keep our babies safe, and that baby belly doesn’t completely disappear after we give birth. Carrying a child and giving birth can also do a number on your back and muscles. Try Pilates-inspired pelvic floor exercises to strengthen your core, lower back, and pelvic muscles.
Excess Weight: Excess weight can weigh us down and make us feel unhealthy and sluggish. Short bursts of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) have been shown to burn more calories than slow and steady cardio in less time. Could anything be more mom-friendly than saving time.
Take a Class, Get the Right Gear: Starting a gym program can help new moms stay disciplined and prioritize their health. Lots of gyms offer classes that are perfect for moms, such as easy exercise classes or yoga for new mothers classes. These classes are designed specifically for our bodies after we’ve had a baby, so they’re gentle and safe.
You may even want to consider something more challenging, like a self-defense class, after consulting a medical professional. Wearing clothes that are easy to put on and work well for different types of exercise can make a big difference. To make the transition easier, we can invest in comfortable and supportive gym equipment like Revgear MMA gloves.
Consider a Little Extra Help
Sometimes, pregnancy causes our skin and muscles to stretch beyond what can be repaired through diet and exercise. And that’s okay, it’s a reality of motherhood! But if this is something you’d like to change plastic surgery procedures like tummy tuck and liposuction can help.
According to the website of Cosmetic Surgery Associates of New York, a plastic surgery practice offering tummy tuck in Westchester, women who want to improve the parts of their body affected by childbirth can choose what is referred to as a mommy makeover surgery.
This includes a combination of procedures such as liposuction, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation or breast lift. Mommy makeovers are extremely effective and popular earning a 97% worth it rating on Realself.
It takes time for your body to recover from pregnancy and childbirth. So, don’t try to do too much too soon. This could lead to injury and actually set you further back in your health and fitness goals.
Slow and steady wins the race. You’ve got this!
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