Once you've had the baby, your effort is solely focused on devoting your time and energy to caring for the baby. You seldom have the time to do anything for yourself. Meanwhile, you're still recovering from giving birth and trying to let your body heal while nurturing a little human being.
Having a baby doesn't mean you have to neglect your appearance, health and self-confidence. There are several ways you can get your pre-baby body back and resume a somewhat normal life post-baby.
Each week, I get several emails from readers asking for tips on getting their pre-baby bodies back. I can tell you that it's certainly not an impossible task, but it is one that requires commitment and determination.
Before you start
For most moms (including myself) it can take months or years before your body looks the way it did before pregnancy. Some moms might achieve that earlier, but, for most of us, it takes more time as we adjust to being a new mom and our new lives.
If you've just had a baby, you need to give your body time to heal. After all; a lot has happened inside your body, and it needs to get "back to normal. Regardless of your birth method, your body requires ample time to heal. During that time, you need to build up as much energy and strength as possible. It's a given that will get little sleep, and so you're going to feel more tired than usual. It gets better. I promise.
Healthy eating
The first step is to eat healthy foods. It's good for you and good for your baby too, especially if you are breast feeding your newborn.
Maintain a well-balanced diet, and avoid eating lots of foods that contain empty calories and are bad for you. Examples include food with high fat, salt and sugar content. And don't forget to have breakfast in the morning; it's the most important meal of the day!
Exercise
You don't need to run several miles a day to get exercise. Even just taking your baby for a walk around the block in their stroller is adequate! Find an activity that you love and exercise will feel more like work than a chore. The key is to love your workouts.
Regular exercise ensures that you can tone your body and keep looking great. It's also a good way to burn off excess calories. Consider using apps on your phone to help you keep track of your daily exercise. For example, RunKeeper and My Fitness Pal show you how many calories you've burned doing a particular activity.
Beauty
A easy area to slack off in is the beauty department. We throw our hair in a ponytail and off we go. It's easy and takes seconds. But it won't take look before you take a look in the mirror and realize that you're not doing yourself any favors.A trip to the hair salon will get you out of the house and feeling like a million bucks. Whether you go for a new cut or a color update, you'll feel fabulous and your locks will look dazzling! Head to your local department store for a makeover from your favorite cosmetic brand. You can even hold your baby while the makeup is being applied.
Keeping on top of your beauty isn't just about making yourself look attractive. It's also a good way to build up your self-confidence and feel better about yourself.
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery isn't for everyone. Some people have strong feelings against it and others are all for it. If it boosts your confidence and makes you feel better about yourself, I say "go for it!" Many plastic surgeons now offer "mommy makeover plastic surgery" that is geared specifically towards new moms.
Of course, a professional consultation with a doctor is always a good idea before deciding on any a new nutrition plan, exercise routine or plastic surgery, no matter how minor.
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