Written By: Debjani Arora | Published : December 6, 2017 5:01 PM IST
Don't ignore your health post pregnancy ©Shutterstock
We know the usual excuses that every mother gives to avoid post-pregnancy weight lossI don t have time, I am too tired, I have to care for the baby and entire family to justify their lethargy and as a way to avoid exercise or any physical activity. Okay, we are not trying to tell them that they are wrong in stating these obvious things. But these are not the reasons why it gets difficult for them to shed pregnancy weight postpartum. Some mothers give up their honest efforts of dieting and exercising when they don't see the fruits of their labour resulting in weight loss even after being consistent for more than six months. Remember, it is one thing to lose weight and an entirely different ball game when it comes to getting rid of the pregnancy weight. So, we spoke to Dr Bandita Sinha, consultant gynaecologist, World of Women, Navi Mumbai to know why losing weight postpartum is so difficult. Here is what she has to say:
Stop eating for two during your pregnancy: Some women are cautious about their food choices during pregnancy; they eat right, exercise and prefer nutritious food over junk. On the other hand, some would give in to their cravings, become lethargic and start following the eternal myth eat for two. The women in the latter group find it difficult to lose weight post-pregnancy. Admittedly, food cravings, hunger and eating habits are triggered by hormonal changes but still, you can follow a healthy diet pattern if you stick to your daily caloric intake (approximately 2000 calories). Here is what diet during pregnancy should be.
If you go on a binge eating spree during pregnancy it increases your calorie intake, makes you put on weight faster increasing your risk for conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, etc. A weight gain of 10 to 12 kg is considered healthy during pregnancy. If you are gaining more than that it takes time for your body to get rid of that weight postpartum. Hormonal changes postpartum further slow the weight loss process. If you are lazy to get into the mode of physical activity it just gets worse. Here are few exercises you can do with your baby to lose weight.
Make your health your top priority, postpartum: Gaining or losing weight is entirely based on one s lifestyle and eating habits, it is a myth that women do not lose weight after pregnancy. Maintain a healthy balanced diet even post pregnancy. This means making no excuses for indulging in junk food or binge eating. Adequate sleep and physical activity are also important to lose weight post-pregnancy. It is a two-way thing: If you are feeding your body with right amount of carbohydrates and proteins, your body will not crave sugar and protein will give you enough strength to get going with your physical activity. Lack of protein in the diet makes one lazy, lethargic and sluggish.
Avoid making these two mistakes to ensure you get back to your pre-pregnancy shape postpartum soon.
Image source: Shutterstock
