The same body that you now feel awkward and uncomfortable about, was once home to your growing baby. Congratulations on your new baby! Your heart will never be the same…and neither will your body. Instead of committing to ‘getting your body back’, go easy on yourself and remember these three things:
3 things to remember about your post-baby body
1. You’ve just had a baby
Literally.
The same body that you now feel awkward and uncomfortable about, was once ‘home’ to your growing baby; the baby whose eyelashes you now can’t help but marvel at and whose fingers you count over and over again…
So, the next time you stand in front of a mirror and engage in negative self-talk, remember that for nine months, your body grew as your baby grew.
And? That’s pretty incredible.
SEE ALSO: 5 Ways to prepare your fruits & veggies for effective weight loss
2. Focus on what your new mom-body CAN do
Instead of placing laser-beam focus on your flaws, take a minute to appreciate what you are capable of with your new mom-body. Those bigger-than-usual legs will not fail you when you pull an all-nighter, pacing up and down with a fussy newborn. Those flabby arms will learn to hold a teething toddler for more hours than you think are possible.
And the overall roundness you can’t stand? That will become your little one’s comfort; the body he nuzzles into when he is sick and the safe space he turns to when he has trouble navigating the world around him.
3. Eat for energy, exercise for sanity
And that’s your mantra sis! Forget the three-day juice cleanse, or whatever other fad diet promises to deliver ah-mazing results. Being a mom is hard. It’s a 24-7-365, always-on gig, which means you need energy – and lots of it!
Load up on the good stuff (like whole grains and legumes, nuts and seeds, fresh fruits, leaves and veggies) and when you’re ready to exercise again – do it because it makes you feel good. The 30 minutes you spend on the treadmill, lifting weights or at a yoga class does as much for your sanity as it does for your butt!
SEE ALSO: 7 Steps to lose baby weight
Healthy eating tips to remember:
- Never skip breakfast
- Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits
- Consume nutrient-dense carbohydrates such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut, pasta, rice, beans and bread
- Choose soya proteins or lean meat options and avoid frying, but rather bake, boil, grill or steam
- Avoid foods high fat/oil, sugar and salt content
- Drink water according to thirst and avoid high-sugar drinks
Some realistic exercise tips for busy moms:
- Exercise early in the morning. What we mean is, get it out of the way before the excuses pile up
- Create a home gym: It’s easy (and more convenient!) to create your own at-home gym, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg!
- Exercise throughout the day: Do lunges while you shush baby to sleep, squat while you make supper, and do some sit-ups while baby lies under his play gym
- Subscribe to a fitness app: There are many online training programmes and apps to choose from.
This post first appeared on All4Women.
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