Need to Lose Your Baby Weight? Victoria Personal Trainer reveals several solutions to help you get back into the shape you want, looking and feeling your best.
Most women expect that when the baby comes out, the weight is gone! Unfortunately, this is not the situation in many cases. Some of the weight will come off in the first few weeks, especially with mothers who breast feed, but it can take even up to a year for your body to bounce back into its pre-pregnancy shape. Stubborn fat and those extra pounds which came from consuming too many pregnancy craved burgers at three in the morning will need a real kick in the butt. A Victoria Personal Trainer can help you shed those pounds!
After the baby comes, stress and lack of sleep add on to the exhaustion your body is already feeling. You may be tempted to jump into an intense workout plan right away to rid the extra weight as soon as possible, but there are gentler ways to lose the weight without adding stress to your body. A Victoria Personal Trainer can set up a customized workout based on equipment you have around your home, your schedule, and the condition of your body after your baby. Women who have had a C-Section will need to take it slower and will need a lighter workout in the beginning. There are many Victoria Personal Trainers who specialize in post-natal workouts and can also set you up with a meal plan to ensure you are getting the right nutrients for your body and your baby, while lowering calories which helps to lose the weight.
Walking
You can start by pushing your baby in a stroller around the block. This gentle exercise is a good way to ease your body back into physical activity and still burns calories – in fact, you can burn around 150 calories in 30 minutes at a moderate pace! Walking is also a great way to alleviate stress and get some fresh air in the middle of your day. Now obviously you don’t need a Victoria Personal Trainer to teach you this, however imagine if you were to add walking lunges as part of your daily walk. You may not have even considered this, which is why we highly recommend consulting a Victoria Personal Trainer.
Stairs
Walking up and down your stairs is a great way to burn calories and tone, and you don’t even need to leave the house to do it! It can be done while your baby is sleeping and burns roughly 150 calories in just fifteen minutes!
Lifting Weights
After your six week post-baby checkup, your doctor may say that you can start to work out harder and do more than just light walking. Weight training is a great way to lose weight because as your muscles get stronger, your body burns more calories throughout the day when you aren’t active. You don’t have to hit the gym every day, or invest in some at home equipment; you can incorporate your baby instead! Try lunges or squats holding your baby to your chest, or lie on your back and lift your baby towards the ceiling for toning chest, arms, and shoulders. A Victoria Personal Trainer can give you a specialized exercise routine using your baby and other household items to get a full body workout for those days that you just can’t get out of the house. As a new mom, maybe you are having a panic attack at the thought of using your baby as part of your routine. We can assure you a Victoria Personal Trainer will only provide you direction which is safe and beneficial.
Taking Naps
Not enough sleep, especially when your body is already going through changes, is hard on your system. Lack of sleep is known to slow down the metabolism, which will slow down your weight loss process. Experts recommend you take a nap every time your infant does, and the extra sleep will help your body maintain energy levels. Also, it is especially easy to binge on sugar and unhealthy foods when you are overtired, so make sure you are getting your ZZZs!
Healthy snacking / small meals
Maintaining your energy levels is important when your body is going through these changes. A healthy diet is essential for losing weight and gaining strength, and you will find it easier to deal with stressors when your body is more balanced! A Victoria Personal Trainer will set up a special diet based on your needs, that will help you lose weight and still get contain enough calories to keep you going. It is also important that you are eating throughout the day so that your blood sugar levels stay constant rather than spiking and lowering. A Victoria Personal Trainer can suggest some healthy snacks with a perfect balance of carbs and protein for snacking between the larger meals.
Joining a new mom fitness group
There are many classes put on by Victoria Personal Trainers that are designed especially for new moms. There are running groups, outdoor activity groups, mom and baby classes, kickboxing for women, and aerobics. Not only are you staying active with other women who are dealing with the same body struggles as you are, but you’re also meeting new women that can be a great support for all those new mom questions and situations you’ll be facing!
Post Pregnancy Fitness DVDs
Between folding laundry and burping the baby, there are many fitness DVDs that focus on exercises fit for losing your baby weight. It is easy to throw on a DVD when you are at home with a little bit of time to spare, and even a half hour cardio workout is a great way to keep your body moving and keep those calories burning. A Victoria Personal Trainer can recommend great videos to meet your needs and interests.
Yoga
There are countless benefits of practicing yoga, and many of these will particularly appeal to new moms. In addition to gaining flexibility, yoga can help you reconnect with your body, tone your muscles, reduce stress, and give you new energy. There are many different types of yoga classes Victoria Personal Trainers teach or can give you direction. One of the classes we particluarly like is the Vinyasa Flow Class at Fierce Studio on Fort Street in Victoria, BC. Yoga is especially great for the postpartum exercise because you can go at your own pace and really feel what your body is ready for and what it isn’t. Even if you have never tried yoga before, you will quickly start to see an increase in strength and flexibility.
In conclusion, we highly recommend using a Victoria Personal Trainer to help you lose baby fat and regain the energy you will need to keep up with the new addition to your family.