Losing Your Baby Weight – Why wait?

After you have a baby your body feels a lot like it’s been re-arranged. And basically, it has. The first few weeks after delivery (natural or C-section) you will be in no state for exercise, bar some very specific post-natal exercises. Post-natal recovery will take you at least 6 weeks or more.

After you’ve been given the all clear by your doctor, exercise is a fantastic relief both physically and emotionally. Start out by pram walking. Your baby should sleep more soundly in the pram anyway, so why not? Try to schedule feeds to make this possible. Feed baby, then put him or her straight in the pram and GO! The “GO” part, straight away, is so important because it could be only an hour before baby wants another feed. Don’t let other things such as washing or phone calls get in the way. Fitting in exercise with a new little person in your life takes a lot of re-prioritizing.

If you learn to fit exercise into your day, it is amazing how much more you are capable of. Exercise gives us more energy and zest all throughout the day. Sluggishness will only make you feel more sluggish. Get moving early in the day, to boost your energy and your mood. Exercise endorphins fight the dreaded baby blues. Simply by fitting in a little workout in your day, you benefit, as well as your baby, partner and family.

If you can’t get out to walk because of weather or because the area you live in is not great for walking, there are other alternatives. A lot of gyms have crèches, catering from as little as 6 weeks of age. Breathing space from your baby may seem impossible at first, but could also be the best thing for you mentally. There are a great range of exercise DVDs available and online exercise programs to follow if a gym doesn’t take your fancy.

British News Reader Clare Nasir lost 15 kilos of her baby weight in 4 months!! Sure most likely, she had a PT and a Nanny to help her out. But she was the one who sweat it out day after day. Weight loss and sustaining that weight loss is not just handed to you. You have to work hard and stay focused on your goals. Why not use this new role to inspire you to be the best Mother you can be. As a fit, strong, healthy woman you can be inspiring to your child. You no doubt, would want your children to lead fit, strong and healthy lives.

After a baby comes along there is no need to put your body on the back burner. There is absolutely no reason why you can’t lose weight and have an even better body after baby.

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97 Comments

- - mom81879 said
  - 13 Nov 2015
    2:38 pm
I was so exhausted for months after having my babies that exercise was on the very back burner, last thing on my mind. I wish I had put more effort into it then do I wouldn’t be struggling so much now

- - talwin said
  - 27 May 2015
    3:31 pm
I have to admit that I didn’t try to lose it straight away. I wanted to enjoy my baby more as I know I only have 6 month before I go back to work. It took a while but I did lose the baby weight, with a bit of self-control and walking .

- - mom111362 said
  - 12 Feb 2015
    1:14 am
I haven’t done any exercise and ive been eating crap! thanks to bf I lost all my weight and more within 2 months! need to tone though…

- - jess said
  - 24 Jan 2015
    3:52 pm
very good for some, i lost all of my baby weight twice now third time around i am doing the sam things and just cant quite kick that last 7 – 10kg, not to mention the amount of stretched extra skin i seam to have, i hope that i get rid of this las at least 5kg to feel better but that skin is never going anywhere and that is what i need to learn to deal with.

- - MummyJessy90 said
  - 05 Jan 2015
    3:10 pm
After having my 1st baby, I did a lot of walking. I was lucky enough with my first 3 babies, my body snapped back. With walking and getting out, I certainly feel much better about myself because 1. I did something good for my body and 2. It got the kids out and active as well. My oldest LOVES going for walks now. Think I better get into it, so I can feel much better – my youngest (4th child) is just about to turn 1 year old.

- - ginoula5 said
  - 12 Aug 2014
    1:44 pm
New mums shouldn’t worry too much initially about shedding the weight, eventually they will when they are in the right head space, can be overwhelming with a new bub.

- - kazh said
  - 06 Aug 2014
    10:38 pm
Those are some bizarre photos, why is she wearing so much less in the before shot?

- - eestigirl said
  - 28 Jun 2014
    6:18 am
Too much emphasis on looking like you haven’t just had a baby! Taking care of baby is always going to change the options for most mums. Working hard and sweating it out by keeping up daily fitness is a wierd expectation to push onto mums who are trying to keep on top of a whole range of changes in their family and personal situations. Do your best to take care of your health and emotions in whatever ways your sleep deprived days allow and be a happy mum.

- - 3timesamum said
  - 16 Jun 2014
    2:10 pm
Seems so much pressure about losing the baby weight, not about being a healthy mum in a good headspace .

- - christial said
  - 30 May 2014
    11:46 pm
Don’t pressure yourself to lose weight if you haven’t got everything else under control yet!

- - mom57522 said
  - 30 May 2014
    9:55 pm
I started by putting bub in a pram and walking.

- - catgrrl3 said
  - 22 May 2014
    7:32 pm
its never too early to start shifting the excess,

- - scottie said
  - 05 May 2014
    9:04 pm
better to get the feeding and healthy eating in place first i think

- - teak said
  - 30 Apr 2014
    11:03 pm
I always feel better after I exercise. Walking is definitely the easiest when you have a baby.

- - mle00 said
  - 22 Mar 2014
    10:06 pm
It’s also important not to let too much baby weight build up, excercising during pregnancy is pretty important too