Well, it’s been 38 weeks since your pregnancy ended so you may be wondering why your body hasn’t bounced back yet. And why is it taking so long, when most celebrities seem to have rock hard abs just weeks after giving birth? And, more importantly, when are you meant to find the time to exercise when you’re caring for a nine month old baby who shrieks every time you leave the room? Here are five important things to remember about postpartum weight loss:
- Everyone is different
There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to postpartum weight loss. Your best friend might have shrunk back down in weeks, but that doesn’t mean the same will (or should) happen for you. Every body is different so you shouldn’t compare yourself to others. Don’t hold your body up to a beauty standard set by celebrities in glossy magazines.
- A lot of what your grandma says can be discounted
Grandmas are great, but they’re not always up to date on the latest scientific research. One popular old wives’ tale is that it takes nine months for you to get your figure back after having a child. Whilst this may be true for some, it’s certainly not a theory that can be applied to everyone. It is true that it takes a few months for your hips and ribs to move back to where they once were, but that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get your pre-baby body back then.
- Weight loss doesn’t need to be your main focus right now…
You probably haven’t slept properly in months, you barely have the time to drink a cup of coffee never mind cook a healthy meal. Your brain is muddled from lack of sleep, you spend most of your waking hours (ie, all the hours) attached to a clingy baby and you can’t imagine finding the energy to go for a run. That’s ok. It’s perfectly acceptable for you to be so immersed in motherhood that you can’t think about weightloss or fitness right now, you must do things in your own time.
- …But it’s ok if it is
Similarly, you shouldn’t feel guilty if you are starting to focus on getting fit and healthy. Leaving your baby to go for a run doesn’t make you a bad mom. In fact, taking some time to yourself and engaging in a stress-busting exercise could help you to feel like an even better mom. If you’re ready to get fit, then you should absolutely do that.
- Your body is amazing
It might not look exactly the same as it did before. Your boobs might be bigger or smaller than they once were. Your stomach might still look a little pouchy from the side. You may still have the odd stretch mark snaking across your tummy. But, your body is more amazing now than it has ever been before. Before you became a mom, you probably judged your body solely on its ability to look good. Now you know just how amazing your body can be. It’s hard to dislike something that brought you the person you love most in the world, isn’t it?
Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.