The Top 5 Ways to Get Your Body Back After Baby
by Brandi
Most women would say that pregnancy is more of a blessing than a
burden. I know that I feel very blessed to have been able to
experience the gift of life through carrying my son for 9
months, and I continue to feel blessed through this current
pregnancy. But I also think that most women would say it is a
challenge getting that pre-pregnancy body back. In this article,
I talk about the five best ways to lose that "Mommy Belly" for
good (or at least until the next pregnancy).
The first way to get your body back after pregnacy is to breast
feed. Not only does your baby benefit from this, you burn an
extra 300 to 500 calories a day by just feeding your baby. If
you must go back to work soon after birth, you can always buy a
breastpump and pump on your breaks. (Don't worry, with a good
pump, this only takes about 5 minutes!) The main thing to
remember here is to not eat those extra calories just because
you know you are burning them. The second way to get that body
back is to, of course, eat right. You probably want to know what
that means because there are 1000s of diets out there, but the
best way to eat is to eat regularly. An example day of eating
regularly would be to wake up and eat a bowl of cereal. After an
hour or two, grab you piece of fruit. Then, around lunch, eat a
sandwich and a small bag of baked chips, and if you are getting
those afternoon muchies, have a handful of carrots or a protein
bar. End the day with a home-cooked meal (at home)! Try not to
eat out if all possible. Save the dine-in's as a treat. The
third way to get back into your skinny jeans is to do some sort
of exercise every day. I am a stay at home mom, and my one year
old keeps me running, but it is also healthy (both mentally and
physically) to do some sort of structured exercise. This could
be going for a walk/run with your baby (in a stroller of
course), a workout video, or simply climbing the stairs 15 times
a day. Whatever you do, don't just sit and watch tv all day.
It's not a punishment to exercise. We were created to move.
Next, find a hobby. If you liked hiking or swimming before your
baby was born, just because you are a mom now doesn't mean you
have to give up all of the things you love. Am I saying neglect
your children or spend all your extra money on yourself because
you like to shop. No. I am saying that if you do not enjoy your
life, your children will see that and suffer, and your body will
too. (Yes, I'm talking about that "I'm bored" eating.) Lastly,
find time for your quiet time. I believe in the power of prayer
and seeking the Lord everyday for strength and joy. You were
created for this too. Everyday, during nap time, I sit down and
read the Bible and pray. If I do not do this, my day is
stressful and seems insignificant, so I in turn, look to other
ways to make myself feel better, like eating. Start taking 10 to
20 minutes a day to sit at the feet of the Lord and relax. The
rest of the day, no matter how pressed and busy, will go more
smoothly.
Learning by experience is usually the best way to learn, and
through experience, I have found these five ways the best to get
back into the body I had before children. Remember though, just
because you are pregnant now doesn't mean you get to eat
whatever you want and not exercise. I am currently five months
pregnant, and I continue to do 4 out of the 5 tips I mentioned
above. (I was too chicken to breastfeed my son after he got four
teeth! Ouch!) From my experience they are the best!
About the author:
Did you find these tips useful? You can learn more about Brandi
and the products she endorses at
http://brandisrebates.blogspot.com