After giving birth, most women struggle to lose their postpartum tummy fat. New mothers must take care of their bodies and minds in addition to caring for the infant, dealing with sleepless nights, and making future plans. Even while there is nothing wrong with post-baby belly fat, we can help if it is causing you any discomfort. After all, your round, squishy stomach could make you believe that you will never be able to lose belly fat. But don't worry; with the correct exercises, dietary alterations, and lifestyle adjustments, you can return to shape more quickly. The stomach can become flat after pregnancy with the right diet and exercise, according to nutritionist Barbara Kovalenko. The body needs time to repair and recover from pregnancy, therefore this procedure requires patience and time.
What's Written Here
- Why Still Look Pregnant to You?
- How soon will my stomach reduce back?
- Infographic: The Top 10 Ways To Lose Belly Fat During Pregnancy
- Questions And Answers About How To Lose Belly Fat During
Why Still Look Pregnant to You?
You may still appear to be pregnant for the following reasons.
Imagine your stomach as a balloon. Your belly gradually extends as your child grows. Now, the balloon won't pop when your baby is born. Instead, the air within the inflatable slowly releases. And if you've observed, balloons often retain a small amount of air even after being compressed and having most of their air sucked out.
The alterations in hormones in the body following childbirth allow the uterus to gradually contract back to its before pregnancy shape. However, the uterus doesn't return to normal size until 7-8 weeks.
The excess food you consumed while pregnant to support your unborn child is kept in the form of fat. And as you know, belly fat is stubborn – it will take time and proper care to shed that fat.
How soon will my stomach shrink back?
Rarely does a new mother's stomach return to normal in a matter of days. It takes a few months for the majority of new mothers to return to normal size. Sadly, some women fail to shed the pregnant pouch.
You can easily get rid of the mommy tummy if you maintain an active lifestyle, eat wholesome foods, and adhere to a few helpful guidelines.
Let's find out what you may do to lose abdominal fat after giving birth.
The Top 10 Strategies For Losing Belly Fat During Pregnancy
Breastfeeding not only strengthens your child's immune system but also helps you shed the baby weight and slim down after giving birth.
It accomplishes this by quickening the uterus's contractions (1), (2). To lose that tummy pooch, discuss breastfeeding with your doctor.
2. Walk
Walking is one of the most basic low-impact exercise methods, not only after childbirth but in general. It might not seem like much at first, but it is especially helpful when you are getting over persistent physical pains, headaches, and discomfort. The fun aspect is that your child might accompany you as well. It's a great idea to spend the evenings taking leisurely strolls in the park. It's also a smart idea to front-pack your infant. You can change things once you have power of your body. Visit the doctor frequently to monitor your progress, then act properly.
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Numerous new mothers commit the little yet fatal error of skipping meals or substituting dietary supplements for a satisfying meal. You must maintain your nutrition in order to make enough milk.
Micronutrients that support the newborn's body's metabolic cycle and promote healthy postnatal development should be added to it.
When doctors and dietitians suggest that you need energy, believe them. Increase your water consumption to flush out the toxins and consume more green leafy vegetables, other colourful vegetables, lean protein, fiber-rich meals, complex sugars, healthy fats, herbs or spices, and green tea
as well.
4. Workout
After childbirth, you must sneak in at least 20 to 30 minutes of brisk cardiovascular exercise as well as strength training if you want to eliminate that stubborn belly fat.
When your infant is quite asleep, do it. Exercise when your child is napping. Perform exercises like the crunches, push-ups, timbers, tricep dips, high knees, spot jogging, jumping jacks, lunges, squats, Russian twists, leg raises, etc. Within the first six to twelve months after birth, core abdominal exercises may aid in treating diastasis recti, a condition in which the six-pack ab muscles divide as a result of stretching during pregnancy. However, you must first speak with your doctor to find out if there are any stomach workouts or kegels that you must forgo.
5. Take Anulom-Vilom lessons
The virtues of yoga and its contribution to the control of bodily functions are extolled in the Vedas and Puranas. Yoga produces outcomes because it targets the target organs very precisely. In the breathing exercise anulom-vilom, you draw air up from your diaphragm and hold it in your abdominal muscles. Your upper and lower abdomen are toned by the regular rhythmic contractions, which involve significant tightening (during inhalation) and relaxation (during expiration). Maintain a straight posture and lengthen the duration you can hold the air as you get stronger. Additionally, it enhances peristalsis, or stomach movement, which helps with digestion. It helps with stress management and mental stability.
6. Take a nap
Insufficient rest leads to a buildup of toxins in the body, which results in inflammation. The location of the fat receptors shifts to the centre when the body is constantly inflamed. Additionally, the fat molecules are retained in the abdominal area (3), (4). It can be a little challenging to get enough sleep when there is a newborn in the house, but try to get as much rest as you can. In fact, a C-section recovery necessitates it much more.
7.Avoid drastic diets.
Sometimes after giving birth, new mothers experience panic and depression. And in an effort to regain their shape, they engage in extreme behaviour and diets, such as portion control diets, which deprive them of nutrition and ultimately harm the health of the unborn child. Starving yourself won't solve anything; it'll only make things worse. To learn what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat it, consult a nutritionist.
8. Use Meditation to Reduce Stress
A newborn baby is highly demanding, and for a few months you won't be able to relax by doing the activities you enjoy (like painting, reading, etc.). To focus, reduce background noise, let go of bad energy, and increase the quality of your sleep, it is therefore recommended that you practise meditation. Most importantly, you won't annoy your infant while they sleep.
9. Try Belly Wraps
Belly wraps or maternity belts may assist you tuck your abs and hasten the uterus's process of shrinking back to its former size, similar to body wraps for total body weight loss. Although there isn't enough scientific proof to support it, this is one of the most traditional methods of losing belly fat. But according to study, belly bands might aid in enhancing posture and easing back pain (5). You need to wrap a soft piece of cloth around your midsection. Verify that it is not excessively tight or loose. But you can also utilise pregnancy belts that are sold in stores. To reduce the uterus to its original size, you could also use waist trainers, shapewear, and compression clothing.shapewear, or wrapping your tummy with a soft cloth.
10. Get a complete body massage
Without needing to work out at the gym, a massage can help you lose weight extremely effectively (6). Get a massage that focuses on your stomach to help you lose belly fat. It will increase metabolism, release, and distribute fat throughout the body, aiding in the loss of baby fat. To get the finest effects, have a massage once each week. While there is some evidence that massage treatment aids in weight loss in those who are obese, more research is required to confirm the effectiveness of targeted massage for fat loss. Additionally, postpartum metabolism stimulation and hormonal balance regulation by acupuncture may help women lose weight.