When you’re pregnant, you’re urged to gain somewhere between 20 and 25 pounds. But we all know that babies are not 25 pounds when born, and so it makes you wonder where the rest of that weight is supposed to go after the baby is born. Much of the weight comes off pretty quickly, but there are always a few stubborn pounds that refuse to melt away.
For some moms it is easier than others; depending on your genetic makeup you may find that losing weight after you have a baby is fairly effortless. But for the vast majority, the weight comes off over a period of a few months, and takes some time, good eating habits, and exercise. If you’re desperate to lose the weight and gain your pre-pregnancy body back, here are some tips.
Exercise can be as, if not more, effective than medication in the case of PPD. It is shown that exercise increases endorphins, which can make you feel happy. If you have trouble finding time to exercise, find ways to do so around your home. Climb stairs while holding your baby in a baby sling, do some crunches or leg lifts while down on the floor with him, or follow a workout DVD. You don’t have to go to the gym to reap the benefits of exercise, which would be nearly impossible with baby in tow anyway.
Take a grownup time out. When you find your temper reaching boiling point, it’s time to take a minute to breathe. If you can, get a babysitter for an hour or see if a relative wouldn’t mind watching the kids for an hour, and go shopping, go to the library, or grab a coffee. It doesn’t need to be anything more than an hour, but if you spend some time doing something that you like to do on your own, you’ll come back recharged and ready to jump in again.
Skin-to-skin therapy is when you rest your baby on your bare skin. You can do with while your baby is in a baby sling. It has been shown that skin-to-skin therapy can help your baby to grow, and help you to bond with him.
Crafts are a great way to keep kids occupied. Whatever you love to do, make sure you make the time to do enjoyable things; not everything has to be about the children.
Try writing a blog. A blog is an online journal through which you can relay your triumphs and frustrations as a mother. This can help you put your feelings into words. Blogs can be totally anonymous, so you can write what you want and use it as a creative outlet for your stress that builds up during the simple day to day.
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