Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss
This is a guest article written by pregnancy weight-loss expert Chelsea Duchene:
Mothers and expecting mothers, it’s time for a pop quiz. Have you ever:
- Told yourself with your hand on your swelling baby belly, “I’m eating for two now” and proceeded to scarf down your entire meal, then suggestively turn towards your best friend’s plate to ask, “Are you planning on finishing that?”
- Convinced yourself that your swollen “cankles” were simply a symptom of water retention and had nothing to do with giving in to late night, peculiar pregnancy cravings?
- Persuaded yourself that it doesn’t matter if you eat that delicious tempting morsel—after all, you’ll get back into your workout routine after the baby is born?
- Suddenly realized that the baby is here, and even though your doctor has cleared you to workout, you simply “can’t find the time?”
- Been asked how far along you were, even though you’d already had the baby weeks (or even months) ago?
- Decided that New Years sounds like the perfect time to start a new workout routine (even though it’s not even July yet)?
If, like me, you answered yes to one or more of the above, then chances are you’ve got some work to do to lose that pregnancy weight!
Because I am a fitness enthusiast and clean-eating-fan, people are often surprised when they find out that I am also a new mom. “How’d you lose the baby-weight so fast?” they ask, or my favorite: “You must not have gained as much as me, right?” Here’s the truth; I gained over thirty pounds during my pregnancy by eating whatever, whenever, but subsequently lost it after the pregnancy by adopting a “no-excuses” attitude and good old-fashioned hard work—hard work that fueled me to achieve my current dream physique. I’m here to encourage you to do the same. In fact, the sooner you stop making excuses for your health, the sooner you’ll experience the joy of results.
The truth of the matter is, it does not matter how much you’ve gained during your pregnancy or how many late night cravings you gave into. As long as you’ve gotten the go-ahead from your doctor, there’s no better time to start training than now. As moms, we’re constantly sacrificing for our children and families, leaving little energy for ourselves. I commonly hear women who have received medical clearance use the excuse of never having the time to work out or eat healthy. Believe me, I can relate! But, my jelly-belly and cellulite-ridden hamstrings were enough to convince me that if I really, truly had no time to get a full workout in without my baby, then I’d work out whenever I could with my baby, both in my home and out of it.
Aside from adopting a clean-eating lifestyle, there are plenty of body-transforming moves you can do in the comfort of your own home with your newborn. These moves are enough to kick your metabolism into high gear, which will start stripping away the pounds and provide you and your baby with essential mother-child bonding.
- Don’t put that baby down! Ditch the stroller and the living room baby-swing for a supportive and flexible baby wrap that allows you to wear your baby on your body all the time. Then, get moving! Clean your house, run your errands, and take your walks with that baby strapped to your chest like she’s going out of style. This full body workout will cause you to burn more calories simply by forcing you to recruit more muscle fibers to stay upright. My personal favorite is the Moby Wrap: http://www.mobywrap.com.
- Always keep that tummy tight! Your abdominals have had a nine month vacation, so they are long overdue for a serious “Boot Camp Barbie” makeover. In all that you do, from showering to shopping, practice what is known in the fitness industry as the “drawing-in maneuver.” Stand up straight, keep your shoulders back, draw your navel in towards your spine and flex your abdominals. This small move challenges your internal core stabilizers, which will help put you on the fast track to a flat tummy.
- Seize every opportunity to tone that tush! Have a baby who needs to be rocked or walked to sleep? Who doesn’t? Don’t miss an excellent opportunity to try some of these new-age rocking moves, all with your baby in your arms or a carrier. Perform all exercises for the indicated number of repetitions, for a total of three sets each with no more than a thirty second rest between each set:
- Sumo squat (toes forward) or plié squat (toes pointed straight out) to a slow rhythm for twenty repetitions.
- Forward lunge 15 times per leg before switching sides.
- Perform standing calf raises with your baby in your carrier. Keep the finger tips of one hand lightly against the carrier for balance.
- March with high knees, in place for one minute, rest 15 seconds, repeat.
Liked this article? For more information on fitness and nutrition and how I can help you reach your goals, please check out my free e-report and Fit Facts Newsletter, give me a call at 949-705-8663 or schedule your free fitness consultation today! Thanks for reading, and I encourage you to leave any comments or questions below!
