We often talk about how to lose the baby weight. Marjorie Blach-Petersen has advice on how not only to lose baby weight but also how to look and feel hot.
How to lose the baby weight and become a hot mum!
Here’s the situation: Baby is out, but you still look like you’re 5 months pregnant. This is called the Mummy Tummy and is the source of much agony for new mums the world over. Your pre-pregnancy jeans don’t fit, and you still feel FAT. From Baby Bump, to Mummy Tummy, you’re still riddled with a bump, only this time there was nothing precious about it. So how to lose the weight and get back to You!
Inevitably it boils down to activity and diet. Here are a few things that worked for me.
Move
I’m sure those of you who delivered naturally are now traumatized by this word but I’m referring to pushing the pram! Push the pram and burn calories. Newborns love fresh air and are usually guaranteed to nod off, giving you some breathing space to enjoy your surroundings or shop for you & baby. There are numerous beautiful green spaces in London (Royal Hospital Gardens is my favourite), otherwise hit Kings Road or Sloane Street. When the weather was bad, I made a trip out to Westfield. Shopping for yourself is also a great way to gain motivation too. Buy a cute outfit which will inspire you to stay on track. At this stage there’s not much more exercise that you can do, and what better way to shed the pounds than to spend time with your little Munchkin? (Trusted Tip: walk with a friend or group of friends and chat away; it’s amazing the distances you’ll go without even noticing it!)
Feed Your Baby with Your Milk. As every sources of maternity authority would have drilled into your head over the 9 months, breastfeeding is the best source of nutrients for your baby. Yes, it’s a pain and you’ll feel like a Cow, but it’s actually not a bad deal for you. 500 calories per day are burned just breastfeeding! If you want your freedom back, Pump. Expressing works just as well – I’m a big fan of the Medela Swing: Swiss Quality and used in hospitals around the world.
So, leave the treadmill be (for now), and lounge around with your little one.
Work it!
Ease back into the world of working out by doing some Baby Yoga. It’s great for you to start building back tone and is also great stimulation for your Mini. Stetching out those back aches (from feeding of course) feels just amazing –TriYoga have a great class on Wednesdays – the majority is regular yoga for mum, followed by sing songs and baby massage for baby.
Swimming is also a great option for gently getting back into shape. The Virgin Gym on Fulham Road have an appealing pool plus the gym has a crèche.
Have you heard of Lomax? It’s the new location on Fulham Road for your one-stop shop for holistic health. This spacious, bright venue specialises in the personal approach to health- it offers classes (no bigger than 6), and work out private ‘pods’ with personal trainers to help, as well as a full range of spa treatments (including acupuncture) plus a café serving meals and drinks which have been concocted by their on-site nutritionist. The appealing part of all this is that there’s no membership fee- it’s all ‘pay as you go’, meaning you can try it out and if/when you get bored of it, there’s no obligation to stay. It’s on Fulham Road, at the crossing of Beaufort Street. Doors opened just 8 weeks ago so they are offering complimentary class/work out sessions and health&fitness consultation. Check it out: www.lomaxpt.com
Start Counting Calories (Again). Pregnancy was a wonderful period where you could get away with eating pretty much anything, pretty much anytime. Now that Baby has exited, the rules have changed. Itt’s time to start being conscious again of what goes in and kick those bad habits. For me, it was all about Pizza. I (no joke) had a full pizza at least 5 times a week when I was pregnant. After birth I realized this couldn’t continue if I were to care about my figure, so I had to moderate my pizza habit. You’ll know yourself which habits were borne during pregnancy and which really shouldn’t linger after…
Fill up
I didn’t follow a particular diet, just took note of what worked for me. Vegetables and fruits are a great way to fill up in a healthy way and they contain hardly any calories! Take the time to prepare them in a delicious way, mixing them with slow-release foods such as porridge, rye bread or pulses. This magical combination keeps you full in a non-calorific yet still healthy way. Also, add spices (if you like them)– they pack a punch and make your meal more satisfying, meaning you won’t want to eat more, in an attemp to grasp that elusive taste of bland food. Find inspiration at WholeFoods- my favourite place to do the groceries!
Drink UP. Staying hydrated will also ensure that you’re not tricked into feeling hungry when you’re actually thirsty. (Trusted Tip: if you have a yearning for that little pick me up, try going for a tea or a diet lemonade instead. It’ll stop you from snaking on extra calories)
Sweeten up
Cut out the sugar by using sweetners. Sweetners got a bad rep back in the day, but nowadays there are some great natural sweetners. Try brands such as Splenda, Truvia or Candarel Green.
The equation is simple to losing weight- don’t eat more than you burn. Stick to it and it will work! Guaranteed.
Set a goal
And be specific about the number on the scale & timing. Keep it real though – it took me a good three months to get more or less back, but some things are just never the same again, and I’m ok with that. Share your target with your husband, mum or friends– declaring it will keep you on the straight and narrow. Most importantly, make a promise with yourself.
SO: you’ve become a mum, congratulations! But you’re still You and please don’t lose that! It’ll only get harder with Baby 2, 3, 4 etc. As well as getting back to your original figure, keep up your beauty regimes, literally from head to toe– you’ll look and feel good, creating a positive cycle. So put down that cookie, and pick up your baby instead, because now you’re on your way to gorgeous!
More about life with new baby (for hot mums)
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Dr. Maureen Mendohlson
Monday 20th of August 2012
The best way to lose the baby weight is to not wait too long before you do something. Exercise regularly and eat the right foods and you should be fine.
I. Taner
Wednesday 25th of July 2012
What a wonderful article and very well written,expressing many new moms´feelings and showing how to manage worries in fun way.