Losing a pregnancy belly takes time, dedication, and returning to a pre-pregnancy diet and exercise. Proper nutrition and exercise during pregnancy, breastfeeding, reducing calorie intake, and exercise are all factors that can help.
Despite what television and movies show us, a woman’s stomach doesn’t magically return to thinness immediately after the birth of her child. A pregnant belly can attract compliments during pregnancy, but many women want to get back to their original shape and weight as soon as possible after giving birth. Losing your pregnancy belly can take time, dedication, and returning to your pre-pregnancy diet and exercise.
During pregnancy, the belly stretches out to make room for the baby. Hormonal changes, increased nutritional needs, and decreased ability to exercise can all help create a postpartum belly that looks bloated and flabby. It is important to remember that as hormones return to normal and the uterus returns to its original shape, part of the pregnancy belly disappears on its own. This process can take up to a month, but it will likely remove some of the puffy, still-pregnant look.
One of the keys to losing that pregnancy belly is proper nutrition and exercise during pregnancy. Studies have shown that women who continue to eat healthily and maintain a light exercise regimen during pregnancy will gain less weight, giving them less to lose. Although weight inevitably goes up during pregnancy, the less additional fat accumulated from poor eating habits, the less take-off will be.
Another major factor in losing a pregnant belly can be breastfeeding. According to some health experts, breastfeeding will help burn additional calories in the milk production process, leading to faster weight loss. This theory isn’t completely foolproof, however; some experts also say that the body can maintain fat stores to help it produce healthy milk.
Since pregnancy essentially means one mom is eating for two, it’s important to pay attention to how eating habits have changed since before the start of pregnancy. It can be difficult to reduce your calorie intake to a non-pregnancy level, but this will undoubtedly help reduce your pregnancy belly. Start the diet change by replacing unhealthy foods with healthy ones and start working on reducing calories. Consult a doctor about maintaining proper nutrition after pregnancy, especially if you are breastfeeding.
The final major factor in losing your pregnancy belly is exercise. Due to the expansion in the belly, the abdominal muscles loosen and stretch, giving the belly a saggy appearance. While it may seem like a thousand sit-ups a day is the only answer, don’t panic. Consider adding a Pilates or yoga routine to your exercise regimen. These low-impact styles often involve extensive work without the tedium of endless crunches. Combined with some aerobic exercise to help burn off excess fat, that pregnancy belly could soon be a distant memory.
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