The 34-year-old spunky lady took to Twitter and Instagram, posting her post-pregnancy body as she wants other mums to realise that pregnancy brings about a lot of changes and it’s absolutely fine.
As she stated on this social media platform, “Our bodies go through so many changes growing a baby, it’s not easy, it’s tough on women. The trauma of childbirth, the sleep deprivation that follows, the ups and down. We never fully recover. Learn to love the wrinkly skin, the stretch marks, the deflated once perky boobs. Perfection doesn’t exist… it’s just an illusion. Imperfection is beautiful.”
Oh, how we love every word of that caption! And why not. Most young mothers I speak with say that the only thing they’d want to have, now that the baby is here, is their pre-pregnancy body.
To be honest, soon after my daughter was born, I went through a traumatic few months. First, I was sleep deprived courtesy an ever curious infant. Second, I was misled to believe (yes, I’m also rolling my eyes) that within a few days post-delivery I’ll lose all that extra weight I’d gained.
Here I was, two months post my baby’s birth, still standing at 22 Kg overweight. OUCH! It brought me down. I didn’t want to go out or meet friends. I didn’t want to go back to work. I wasn’t interested in shopping for new clothes… I kept dragging the days in my maternity wear till one day a friend dragged me out to buy some new clothes.
I realised, while my body had definitely changed, it was just a matter of grooming myself. Soon enough I gained my self-confidence back and I actually felt like doing something about all those extra flab that had gathered around my tummy.
I feel, sometimes we are too hard on ourselves. What we don’t realise is we can’t be just complaining about it. As soon as we make some effort, results show, as is the case with everything else. So here are some tips which helped me lose that ‘baby’ fat:
- Breastfeed that bub: Breastfeeding is an effective and one of the surest ways of losing calories (provided you don’t have any medical condition). According to this report, just the act of making breastmilk can burn almost 300 to 500 calories a day. Of course, this also means, that once you stop breastfeeding, there’s an inclination to gradually gain weight. That’s when you watch what you eat and workout.
- Get some exercise: Workout, ladies. Go for walks, practice yoga, or just climb those stairs and skip the elevator. Take your time before getting into serious exercise mode, though. Consult with your doctor for a good time to start incorporating exercise into your routine and stick to it.
- Eat healthy: You have to watch what you eat for more reasons than one! If you are breastfeeding your baby, junk food is anyway not a sensible part of your diet. This also helps in getting your body back in shape. Consult a dietitian or just stick to logic. Avoid chips and colas. Opt for lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products and plenty of water.
- Rest it out: Take breaks from mommy duties. Assign certain chores to the spouse, parents or friends and get some rest. Your body has gone through a lot already and just because you are a mother, doesn’t mean you need to be deprived of some essential rest. And while you are at it, don’t take that guilt trip.
Some of these weren’t easy for me, but it was just a matter of time and intent. Also, speaking with my doctor helped, as she gave me a realistic picture of what to expect and how soon to expect it. And before soon, I had lost the extra flab. Of course, the stretch marks are here to stay, but then so is the joy of motherhood!
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