HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT AFTER A C-SECTION  

Fantastic, you have a new little boy or girl! You are floating on a cloud! Hold on a minute! You wonder why you still look like you are four months pregnant. What in the world is going on? Don’t be concerned, it is normal, especially after having a C-Section. Thousands of women give birth every day; many of those are by cesarean section. Losing weight after pregnancy is difficult enough for those that deliver their baby normally (vaginally). For women that undergo a C-section, losing weight, especially stomach fat, can be doubly hard.

CLICK HERE FOR HELP NOW!!

You need to remember that you are not going to be able to obtain your pre-pregnancy weight right away. It took you 9 months to gain it, and it is going to take you awhile to get it back off.  You will continue to lose some extra weight during the first few weeks after you have your baby, as your body will continue to shed retained fluids. However, losing the stored fat that has accumulated will take extra effort on your part to accomplish.

Go here to check out videos and articles on how to lose weight after a C-Section from a real mother.

Your body has gone through a traumatic event. Having a C-section is an invasive procedure that requires time to heal. You will need to start slowly, and take several things into consideration as you attempt to lose weight after your C-Section, such as:  

Your genetics, and metabolism-this is different for each woman.  

Your incision and how you are healing. It will generally take about 8 weeks for your incision to heal, but everyone heals at their own rate. You will need to work with your healthcare professional on how soon, and what type of exercise is appropriate for you (especially at the beginning). 

Are you breastfeeding? If so you should not restrict your caloric intake until you are no longer breastfeeding. 

Here are some very general tips on how to lose your C-Section weight: 

Breastfeeding is a fast, normal, and comfy way to get rid of that pregnancy fat. It’s Mother Nature’s method of assisting to get you back into shape quickly. By breastfeeding, you assist your uterus to contract. This helps to get you back to normal rapidly. An extra bonus is burning up an extra 500-800 calories a day, without any dieting or calorie restriction involved. I don’t need to add that breastfeeding is ideal for your baby, and delivers many health benefits, as well as bonding you and your child together. 

You will also need to consume the right diet. Eat slowly. Have smaller, but more frequent meals. This helps to jump start your metabolism. Do not restrict your calories until your Dr says it is alright to do so. Your body needs nutrients to heal right now. Concentrate on lean proteins (such as cheeses, and lean meats), and lots of veggies, and fruits. All of the fiber and protein, in these foods; helps to jump start your metabolism, and control cravings. Don’t just drink the juice from fruits, eat the whole fruit. The fiber in whole fruits helps to give you that ‘full’ feeling. If you are having a difficult time getting enough of these, try adding them to things that you really enjoy eating. You can add zucchini to your sauces, or put some green peppers into a salad. While fiber is an important part of any weight loss plan, after a C-section, you may want to move a bit slowly at increasing your fiber intake. Fiber can cause gas, and a bloating feeling, that may cause some discomfort right after the C-section. Stay away from chocolate; it contains caffeine which is not beneficial for you, or your baby. Eat small portions often. Keep healthy foods about to snack on. 

So, how DO you lose weight after a C-Section??

FIT YUMMY MUMMY CAN HELP RIGHT NOW!!  

Drink a lot of water, at a minimum drink 8-10 glasses per day. It helps to clear out toxins from your system, and control your cravings. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime, and you will be refreshed as well. 

Verify with your physician to make sure you are ready to begin a workout program.  This will usually be about 8 weeks after your C-section. If your physician says it is OK, then start out slowly. Swimming is a great way to start. Swimming does not require you to bend or twist, which may pull on your incision. Do your warm up stretches. If you feel any pain or pressure on your incision area-stop and check with your physician. Many new mothers find it convenient to arrange their exercises right after a feeding. Your baby will probably be napping, and your breasts will feel less full. 

You can start your workouts many various ways. Swimming, as we’ve mentioned is great. Walking is wonderful as well. You can start out gradually, and raise your interval and speed. Taking your baby along is even better, as pushing that stroller provides you with some resistive training as well. Take the baby out at times, and carry them to afford you with some weight training. Just taking a brisk walk with your baby affords you with a really complete workout, if you think about it. Of course, why think about it. Just enjoy this time with your baby! Also, others will typically interrupt you to admire your new baby. How pleasurable is that?  

Investigate support groups in your area. I’m sure that there are other new mothers searching for some company on those walks. Start your own support group. Get in shape, and share ideas with others. Involve those you love. Encourage them to exercise, and consume healthful foods with you. Involve your family, and make new friends as well. 

Remember to always keep your Dr. updated about any difficulties or changes. If you experience pain in your incision area for extend period of time, there are Physical Therapists that specialize in a technique called gentle scar mobilization. You can ask for a referral.  

Many women have a difficult time losing the extra skin in their abdominal area after having a C-Section. The muscles have been cut during the surgery, and it takes a while for them to heal. Some women never lose this extra skin. Some will consider having surgery to correct this after they are done with their childbearing. If you are having this problem, and it is distressing to you, consult with your Dr. about using an abdominal binder during the day to make you feel more secure. 

YOU CAN BE A FIT YUMMY MUMMY TOO-FIND OUT HOW NOW! 

Start slow, but keep going. Remember, it took you 9 months to produce your baby; it will take you a while to get into shape. Be tolerant, but keep going. You will soon see the beautiful body that you want.