It is not uncommon for a pregnant lady to gain up to 18 kg. It’s easier said than done to lose this excess weight following birth. Stretch marks are one of the various side effects of pregnancy and delivery. They can become quite unattractive. Regaining the appearance of pre-pregnancy skin, particularly around the tummy, is still doable with minor plastic surgery. To know more about this, you can always talk to a renowned specialist like Miguel Delgado, M.D., about how surgical intervention can help restore normal skin appearance.
Reducing the excess abdominal fat after pregnancy can be simple. It all requires consistency while following the belly-reducing steps. These steps include:
1) Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is something doctors, and nutrition experts recommend. Usually, it’s because it has several benefits for the baby. However, it’s also helpful in helping the mother reduce the accumulated belly fat. Breastfeeding helps the mother’s body burn calories, a good thing about losing belly fat.
2) Keeping Hydrated
Drinking lots of water and other fluids is good for the body. Whether it’s juice or iced tea, the mother should drink plenty of fluids. Things like lemon juice and green tea are great for enhancing the process of burning calories because of their antioxidants.
3) Using Belly Wraps or Maternity Belts
Soon after giving birth, a mother should wear belly wraps. It helps to speed up uterus shrinkage and reduces fat in the surrounding abdominal areas. Of course, you should clear this with your doctor before wearing it.
4) Dieting
Mothers need to be careful about going on a diet immediately after birth. Many women choose to go on a strict diet after giving birth to lose belly fat quickly. While the logic is correct, it is not good. Breast milk is essential to the newborn baby. Going on a diet hampers the efficient and steady production of breast milk. However, eating a healthy diet minus excessive sugars and overly oily foods is a good thing to help reduce belly fat. A mother should never try to ‘starve’ her way to a slimmer belly.
5) Walking
Walking is a great, all-around exercise. It is simple to perform, unlike rigorous exercises like jogging. It doesn’t have to be for hours. A 20-minute brisk walk should burn enough calories. Doing three sessions of 20-minute walks every day can produce significant results by trimming down the tummy in a few weeks. For example, if you go shopping, you can park your car several blocks away and walk the rest of the way as part of exercising.
6) Massage
Massage can effectively redistribute belly fat, leading to a slimmer waistline and flatter tummy. This needs to be a tight massage, performed regularly for at least six weeks. Massage is also suitable for increasing metabolism, meaning the body burns fatter.
7) Adequate Sleep
Sleep is important for new moms. Getting 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night would be ideal for mothers that have just delivered. However, this may not be possible. It helps to find time during the day and squeeze in some sleep. For example, when the baby is sleeping, and there isn’t much to do, a mother can grab an hour or two of sleep. Sleep helps the body rejuvenate itself and burn more calories, a good situation for moms trying to lose excess belly fat.
8) Meditation and Breathing Exercises
Meditation and breathing exercises help the body relax and reduce stress. Whether it’s physical or mental stress, about 20 minutes of these exercises daily can make a significant difference. These deep breathing exercises aid the rhythmic contraction of belly muscles, hence increasing metabolism for burning more fat.
9) Maintaining Proper Body Posture
A poor body posture is normal after nine months of carrying a baby in the womb. After birth, this can persist. Maintaining good posture after delivery is something most moms don’t do consciously. However, with a maternity belt to provide support, keeping a good posture should be easier, all of which help to burn more belly fat.
10) Kegels and Cardio
Most women know about kegel exercises and their importance for tightening pelvic muscles. These exercises also help to reduce belly fat. When combined with some cardio exercises, they can enhance metabolism by burning extra body fat, leading to a reduced tummy if performed regularly.
Maintaining positive habits like regular exercise and proper dieting goes a long way toward helping mothers achieve a flatter stomach.