Remember the days when you proudly displayed your baby bump for all to see as a sign of how thrilled you were about your soon-to-be-born bundle of joy? Now that Baby is in your arms instead of your tummy, that extra pregnancy weight isn’t nearly as attractive. Wishing it away isn’t working, so exactly what can you do to get your pre-pregnancy groove back?
AVOID COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS
No doubt, you have seen how quickly many celebrity moms such as Angelina Jolie and Katie Holmes seem to have returned to their svelte, pre-baby bodies. That is a very high bar to aspire to, particularly because these famous ladies have the financial wherewithal to pay for personal trainers, chefs and nannies. If you make your goal too difficult to attain, you will quickly become discouraged and might end up gaining even more weight in an attempt to comfort yourself.
DON’T GO OVERBOARD WITH DIETING
Especially during the first six weeks after giving birth, your body requires extra calories, particularly if you are breastfeeding. A breastfeeding mom needs 1800 to 2000 calories each day in order to keep up her energy and produce nourishing milk. One piece of good news is that nursing your baby burns calories and often leads to weight loss. Even if you are feeding Baby with formula, stay away from heavy dieting during those first few weeks. After all, the past nine months have put your body through quite an ordeal, and it needs time to heal and restore itself.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO EXERCISE
While strict dieting may be off limits, postpartum exercising is strongly encouraged. As long as you do not feel over-taxed, you can begin a mild workout soon after giving birth. Just listen to your body, scaling back if you get too worn out or tired. One of the best beginning workouts involves walking. This is all the more practical because you can bring Baby along in a stroller as you make tracks around the neighborhood. An additional side benefit is that you get numerous chances to show off your beautiful baby to the bedazzled strangers you meet along the way. As a new mom, you can never get tired of people telling you how adorable your baby is, can you? In addition to walking, also consider doing exercises that will strengthen your core muscles, which you had no choice but to neglect during your pregnancy.
HOW A MOMMY MAKEOVER CAN HELP
In addition to a healthy diet and exercise regimen, an increasing number of moms are electing to have what is known as a mommy makeover. Taking place in a single session or more than one, this set of procedures is designed to bring your body back to its pre-pregnancy form. Often included in this surgical bundle are tummy tuck, liposuction and breast lift or augmentation. Some people also elect to have skin tightened or stretch marks or cellulite removed while they are under anesthesia. Generally, plastic surgeons don’t recommend performing a mommy makeover until at least six months postpartum and after you have stopped breastfeeding. Furthermore, since another pregnancy might undo all the work that is done, it makes sense to wait until you are finished having children before having a mommy makeover.
How do you know if a mommy makeover is right for you? One of your first steps should be to go online and view mommy makeover and tummy tuck videos on the websites of reputable plastic surgeons. While you’re there, you can read honest testimonials and reviews from many women. Doing so will help you to come up with your own list of questions and concerns that you can take with you when you visit a plastic surgeon for your free consultation. Whatever you decide, be sure you feel confident in your doctor and don’t be shy about asking whatever questions come to mind.
Whatever strategies you implement in an attempt to get your body back, be patient with yourself. Remember that it took nine months to get this way, and it may well take more than that to reverse the changes. And as for any slight imperfections that remain even after your best efforts, consider them a gift from Mother Nature and a badge of honor.
