Lose the Fight: How to bounce back after giving birth

As a mother of two, I’ve had the great privilege of experiencing the pregnancy process twice. Being pregnant is like being famous for 9 months. People open doors for you, let you cut in line, and (the best part) tell you that you look radiantly beautiful. (You do!) But when that bundle of joy enters the world and you finally look at yourself in the mirror, do you feel that way? I didn’t. I looked at myself and wondered how in the world I would ever get back to my pre-baby body. With a little research and trial-and-error, I compiled a list of helpful tips that helped me lose most of my baby weight in a reasonable amount of time. Remember: losing weight is an ongoing battle for most, and everyone’s body reacts differently to weight loss regimens! Here is what worked for me:

1. Don’t refer to your old diet plan

Your body has changed and using an old diet routine that may have worked wonders in the past probably won’t now. Not only will it not be effective, your body will feel even more fatigued because of your new mommy responsibilities!

1. Cook at home

This might seem like a pretty obvious guideline, but when you have a baby to take care of it seems much easier to just call in an order or have the husband go pick up take-out. You are only cheating yourself out of a good, healthy meal. Low-fat, easy dishes like broiled fish and chicken with steamed veggies will keep you healthy and away from all the sodium found in restaurant foods.

Helpful tip: Make a large portion that can be frozen or refrigerated for tomorrow’s lunch or dinner. This way you save time and calories.

1. Stroll!

Thank goodness for strollers. (And the outdoors!) When the kids are fussy, strap them in the stroller with their favorite toy and a pacifier and put on your walking shoes! More often than not they will fall right to sleep and you’ll get the workout you thought you couldn’t squeeze in. If you can’t fit in a 45-60 minute walk, even a 20-30 minute stroll around the neighborhood will make a visible difference you will see if you stick to it.

To all the mommies out there: good luck! On days when you don’t think you can push through, think of the army of other mommies out there just like you, fighting the same battles. You really can do it!

About the writer: Beth Waters is a mother of two, blogger, and freelance writer for medical companies such as Liberty Medical. She enjoys crafts projects, trying new recipes, and enjoying her family’s company.