Get Back In Shape Without Hitting The Gym

If you look into the mirror every now and then wondering why you still look pregnant, bloated, patchy and in one word “shapeless” (which somehow is not visible to anybody else but only to our self) you are a #Newmom ! Welcome to the #sisterhoodofomotherhood darling where we share little gossips and huge fears of new and first time mothers. Believe in me this too shall pass (I’ve been through all that you are going through right now). Just be confident that nobody else is better at bringing up your baby than you mummabear!

If you love and respect your body, post partum you yearn for your previous body and want to soon fit in your clothes which are hanging in your wardrobe for months. That phase would come with time… after 3 to 4 months to be precise!

Being a new mom is challenging, right from feeding to checking newborn’s bladder and bowel movements, defining their sleep patterns, helping them regulate body temperature etc. & if you’re one of those lucky mothers who could nourish their babies with breast milk, exclusively for 6 months, honey you should be focusing on getting as much calories for 2 people right now. Forget about gaining pounds, focus on giving that nutrition to your little one!

Enough of lecture already, what about that shapely sexy sultress who used to slip in all those flaunting maxi dresses, LBD’s, crisp chiffon saree with midriff blouses?

Wearing our clothes which have been hanging in the closet for almost a year gives us such a kick that’s far stronger than a tequila shot I tell you. At least that’s what happened to me when I tried to squeeze in my denims after 2 months of delivery (yes I still was wearing that waist belt to support my posture and reduce pain after c sect) and was in tears when I could barely walk due to the pain in my pelvic area. That very day I decided to come out of those nursing gowns and leggings that were a part of me now!

My mother advised that I should go slow and should NEVER try dieting, instead start walking at first and eat healthy food with lots of proteins and calories at the moment (as I needed to recover from my postpartum weakness and my son was exclusively breastfed).

After a few months, a lot of my friends asked me what did I do to lose that chubbiness post delivery and how am I able to walk so fast carrying my son in my lap all the time, well the answer was simple! I do stretching which make my body flexible and relieves the pain and I do Pranayam to let all my cells filled up with oxygen!

I felt an earnest desire to share my experience with all the mothers out there, who in initial months or years can’t make it to go to the gym, or like me, are just too lazy to hit the gym and workout diligently, lol. These exercises boost not only our morale but our moods too!

So, what should you do to curb out that stubborn fat by not hitting the gym? Stay active and follow these

1. Basic exercises

Start simple and strengthen your body first to prepare it for step wise training.

2. Walk

Walking is the first form of exercise you could do just a week past you delivery. If you had a C section, start walking for 5 to 10 minutes once a day and gradually increasing it up to 30 minutes a day by the onset of 3rd month post delivery. Try to breathe in deeply while you walk.

3. Pranayam and anulom-vilom

Pranayam is a breathing exercise with deep inhaling and exhaling from one nostril at a time. You should do it with a set of 10 inhale and exhaled, preferably in morning hours in fresh air. This removes toxins and deep breathing gives day long freshness. While doing this, try to sit in Vajrasan, if you had a C-section it shall be possible to sit comfortably in this pose after 2 months

4. Kegels

This pelvic floor exercise not only helps during pregnancy but is equally beneficial after that. It strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, which support the uterus, bladder, small intestine and rectum.

Tighten your pelvic floor muscles, hold the contraction for 10 seconds, and then relax for 10 seconds 3 to 4 times a day. If you experience no pains in lower abdomen or back after doing this exercise for 3 days, you are good to go for some stretching. But still you should consult your doctor first!

#NINJATIP

You can do most of these exercises while you are breastfeeding your baby, or rocking them in your lap, stand up, hold him/her while feeding and continue with these easy stretching and breathing techniques.

I even used to sweep my legs while walking my son to sleep in my lap

I’ve tried to cover most of the areas I focus on, if you can’t do all these together, try to club one stretching exercise from all the areas (covered in my next posts) and make a regime of 20 to 30 minutes daily. If your baby doesn’t give you even a half an hour time alone, do 3 to 4 sets of the world famous #Suryanamskar 2 times daily.

If you’ve got a little more time, follow the routines I’ve devoted my time and energy writing down for you!

Also read: My Weight Loss Journey From XXL To XL

Explore the entire collection of articles: Mom Fit

#healthybody #postpartumweightloss #mommyhacks #weightloss