After pregnancy, the belly of every new mom seems a bit flabby. However, for new moms who had a C-section, lack of tone can be a bit more pronounced. Delivery through C-section leaves you with weakened abdominal muscles. Nonetheless, you can still tone your system and regain the definition and strength of the area with time. It is normal to feel the urge of getting back to your pre-pregnancy body almost immediately, but you must give your body time to recover from the process.
Additionally, you should also know that your body might not go back to what you looked like previously because it had to transform and change in order for you to deliver your precious bundle of joy. In spite of the fact that patience is required for your body to go back to its pre-pregnancy size, there are things you can practice to quicken the process. With the tips below, you will be able to tone and tighten your abdominal muscles much faster.
- Breastfeed
Mothers who breastfeed their babies have high chances of losing weight faster than mother who don’t. Breastfeeding is a process that demands a lot of energy and so, the body burns calories to facilitate the process. As a result, the body of breastfeeding mothers burns between 250 and 500 calories daily in order to produce milk. Additionally, breastfeeding is a process that triggers body contractions which facilitate the shrinking of uterine muscles. It is, therefore, a whole body workout.
- Take walks
One of the most beneficial things you can do after a C-section is taking walks. The walks should be easy and light, especially at the beginning. Walks increase your heart rate and facilitate proper blood circulation. It is an activity that comes with numerous benefits including; enhancing your moods and breathing. As you walk, you burn calories and to make this more effective, you can invest in a stroller and take your walks with your baby.
- Eat healthily
Health specialists recommend that you should be patient for at least 6 to 8 weeks before starting being on a diet or even exercising. It is very important to eat healthy right from the start by avoiding junk and processed meals. Going for whole foods will play a major role in facilitating weight loss rather than eating processed foods. Whole foods like legumes, lean meat, nuts, whole grains, fruits, seeds and vegetables have lower calories as compared to fried and baked foods.
- Do gentle exercises
Whenever it is about postpartum fitness, you should involve your doctor at first. The doctor will let you know when it is safe for you to start exercising. People recover at different rates but you should always start slow when it is time to start exercising. Stretching is a great way to start as it alleviates any possibility of developing a belly pouch. If ever you sense any pain in your abdomen when exercising, you should stop immediately.
Here are some of the gentle exercises that you should consider doing;
- Sphinx pose
- Plow pose
- Bridge pose
- Lower abdominal slide
- Kegels
- Forward bends
- Bridges
- Pelvic tilts
- Planks
The postpartum weight will definitely come off with time. All you need is patience and avoid being self-conscious. Before trying any exercises or diets, consult with your doctor first, to determine whether it is safe for you. It might not be possible to exercise immediately you are discharged, but you can make a decision to eat healthily. This will go a long way to ensure that you do not gain unnecessary weight as you recover. C-section underwear or belt are also great choices, but you should make sure that they are not hurting your incision.
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