So you’ve had your little bundle of joy and now you’re starting to realize there’s still a little (or a not so little) bundle left on your midsection. Whether you call it your baby belly, pooch, jelly roll or muffin top, most of us would like it gone! Here we break down for you what it is and tried and true tips for getting rid of it.
First a few very important reminders…
You are unique.
It is vital to remember that every woman is different. Your age, starting weight, pregnancy complications, medical conditions, previous pregnancies and a host of other variables will all impact how your body responds to pregnancy and your post-pregnancy weight loss.
Be kind.
Your body just created, housed and birthed a human being! How amazing! And that process alone took 10 months. Plus, things are different now. Your body, life, sleep, hormones and free time also just got all shaken up and changed. Be kind to yourself and give yourself and your body time to adjust.
Okay, back to the belly….
What It Is
For the first few weeks after you give birth, there’s a good chance you’re still going to look and feel pregnant. Though the baby is out, your uterus doesn’t just snap back to its original size. Fortunately, your body is releasing hormones that will help shrink it down over the first 6-8 weeks. The extra fluid your body has retained during pregnancy will also be eliminated. (Goodbye cankles!) The part that doesn’t take care of itself? Those pesky pounds you may have put on.
What To Do
Let’s be honest – there is no magic key. You lose the post-pregnancy weight the same way you’d lose weight at any other time in your life – diet and exercise. These can be trickier though now that you have a tiny human that you’re caring for. So we went to the experts – the real experts – mom who have lost their pregnancy weight – for their real life tips.
Real Tips For Losing the Baby Weight
Start small. “I gained 47 lbs. with my second pregnancy. So I started walking down at the beach with the double jogger. After 2 weeks of walking at a pace that made me sweat, I started to jog about a mile at a time. Jogging a mile at a time and walking the rest of the 5 miles made me feel less stressed and more confident. After 2 months I was running 3 miles.” – ALV
Take advantage of free childcare. “The best way I lost the weight after having my son was the ‘all you can’ childcare at the gym. It provided a much needed break from the kiddos and I spent about an hour a day (sometimes more) attending strength training classes and using the elliptical.” – KH
Reward your progress. “Rewarding myself with a new shirt or pair of jeans when I lost some weight, even if I wasn’t at my target, helped keep me motivated. Dropping 10-15 pounds can make a big difference in how clothes fit, and it can be nice to acknowledge your accomplishment with a new outfit, even if you are hoping not to lose more weight over the long run.” – CM
Accountability. “I have only been able to really lose baby weight by doing it with a friend. It also helped to sign up for a 5K/10k race so that I had something to work towards.” – AM
Nap it off. “Sleep. A lack of sleep makes you lethargic and not want to exercise as well as increases your appetite. So don’t feel bad about grabbing a nap with the new little nugget.” – EC
Fit it in. “I walked hills everyday around my house during my kids’ morning naps. They slept in the stroller, and I got a good cardio workout in. “ – AO
Run it off. “I started running. When I ran, no matter how tired I was, ultimately I still needed to keep going to make it back home.” – AM
Veggie load. “When I have a minimum of 5 servings of veggies a day, it makes a huge difference in my diet.” – LN
Breastfeed. “After baby arrives, breastfeed, and breastfeed often. (It burns lots of calories!) But do watch what you eat. Breastfeeding also increases your appetite. Make sure the calories you put in your body are from nutrient-packed foods.” – KA
Run the numbers. “I kept a food journal and it made it real clear that 2800 calories a day was way too much. So I brought it down to 2100.” – ALV
Stealthy exercise. “Even little bits of movement, like a 10-minute walk around the neighborhood three times a days, adds up and helps get you moving. So even if you don’t have big chunks of time, take advantage of little ones.” – EC
Hydrate. “Drink water! Start the day drinking a big glass and one before each meal at least. Even the slightest bit of dehydration can be read by your body as hunger, not thirst.” – BC
Fake it. “I switched out of maternity clothes as soon as I could – they made me look and feel pregnant again. I wore a GlamourMom nursing tops under blouses and dark jeans which helped hold the pooch in. Plus I got a long-overdue haircut and color.” – MP
What’s your favorite tip for dropping post-pregnancy weight?