For women who undergo a c-section, it can be challenging to recover from the surgery and regain your figure after delivering a baby. C-sections are surgical deliveries of babies that can limit your mobility for several weeks following the procedure. Many women need assistance with feeding the child or performing daily activities as they heal.
One of the most common challenges that come after having a cesarean section is losing the baby weight. Due to a lack of physical activity and the pain or discomfort that is involved, it can be challenging to lose weight. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can shed the excess pounds and feel more like yourself.
Here’s how to lose weight after having a c-section:
Use a Support Belt
One of the most useful products for c-section weight loss is a postpartum support belt that can ease discomfort and will offer support on loose abs and where the incision is located. The product is effective in compressing the uterus, which can make it shrink over time. It can also be used to help the muscles recover.
The support belt can be used as you recover for six weeks before you can become more mobile again. While wearing the belt, perform isometric abdominal contractions that include squeezing and holding your abs for 10 seconds before releasing. Performing repetitions of the contractions will firm the stomach as you work to lose the belly fat.
Eat a Clean Diet
The diet that you eat after undergoing a caesarian section will prevent you from gaining more weight as you practice a sedentary lifestyle while recovering. It will also allow you to provide your child with more nutrients while breastfeeding. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean meat, and legumes. Avoid cutting your calories, which can affect how much breastmilk you produce, making it necessary to consume 300 to 500 more calories each day. Avoiding processed foods will also allow you to naturally shed as much weight as possible for c-section weight loss.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is necessary after undergoing a c-section, which can combat belly fat if you’re drinking enough water during the day. Studies also show that drinking less water is correlated with obesity, making it essential to sip on water instead of snacking too much. If you want added flavor, consider adding strawberries or cucumbers to infuse the water. Avoid consuming sugary drinks or beverages, which can increase the number of calories that you consume and can result in dehydration.
Continue Breastfeeding the Baby
Although many women resort to feeding their child formula as they recover, it’s important to continue breastfeeding as long as possible to continue losing weight. Breastfeeding will allow you to burn an average of 300-500 calories each day without much effort involved.
Begin Moving
Although it can be challenging and uncomfortable to begin moving when recovering from a c-section, you’ll need to become more active to lose weight. Start by performing gentle exercises that aren’t overly strenuous in the comfort of your home. Perform exercises that help to build your core muscles, which will not only lead to weight loss but will increase your recovery time. Walking, bridges, and water exercises will all prove to be effective when you begin to exercise throughout the week. Allow yourself to take a day or two off to ensure your muscles have time to rest.
Performing yoga will also prove to be effective six to eight weeks after the c-section, which will allow you to become more flexible and stronger. The stretches are gentle and can be performed at home to ensure that you don’t push yourself too hard while staying active. Pelvic tilts are also necessary to regain the strength in your abdomen, which can be performed while lying down or standing.
Perform a Safe Detox
You can detox safely after undergoing a c- section to boost your kidney and liver function naturally. Although many detoxes can leave you malnourished, there are ways of doing it effectively to ensure you can continue to breastfeed your child. Detoxing will require you to drink plenty of water throughout the day and consume plenty of organic whole foods and vegetables, which can flush toxins in the body. Drinking lemon water, dandelion tea, ginger tea, and honey water will also prove to be beneficial. Excess toxins that are flushed out of the body can flatten the stomach quickly and will reduce bloating.
Although it can be challenging to start your weight loss journey after having a baby, there are ways to do it effectively and safely as you continue to breastfeed. With the right steps taken, you can shed excess weight and feel healthier as you recover from a c section.
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