Since having my little Louis I have had a lot of people ask me how I have gotten back into shape after giving birth? Well, truth is that I didn't actually have to do much to lose the "baby weight". You can put it down to genetics, breastfeeding, healthy eating or all of the above, and to be honest I think they all did play a massive role in me reaching my pre baby weight almost immediately after giving birth.
Before I continue, I just want to point out that I'm not writing this post to sound cocky, condescending, or because I think I have a good body! I have insecurities like everyone else, but I just wanted to answer a question that I get asked so frequently. :) sooooo here we go...
Answer: I've always lived a healthy lifestyle. I like to nourish my body with clean, whole foods and I've researched both "good" foods and "bad" foods extensively, so I know what foods I should and shouldn't be eating. To me, pregnancy wasn't a time for me to chuck all my good habits down the drain simply because "I'm pregnant" and I am "allowed to eat whatever I want". I didn't see it that way and quite frankly I never will. If anything, I feel that pregnancy is the ONE TIME you should try to be as healthy as possible to make sure you and your baby are both getting all the essential nutrients you both need. You, and you alone are growing this precious little life inside of you... as if you wouldn't want to do everything you can to help it grow healthy and strong!
Throughout my pregnancy I literally ate the same foods I ate pre-pregnancy (with the exception of avoiding those foods on the no-no list) and pretty much just followed my hunger cues. I added more calories as I felt the need, not because "I'm pregnant and I can" but because I knew my body, I knew what it needed and when it needed it.
I know a lot of people will argue with me on this one, but I don't believe in "pregnancy cravings". Pregnant or not, everyone craves particular foods at certain times, but it's up to you as to whether you want to succumb to the cravings or not. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying deprive yourself of naughty foods, I sure satisfied my junk cravings on the rare occasion that they popped up. As long as you eat well for the most past I don't see no problem with a little treat here and there. ;)
In terms of exercise, I walked occasionally, did a bit of yoga, and kept up my squats when I had the energy to do so! I probably didn't exercise as much as I should have, but to be honest, just finding the energy to work out was so hard sometimes, especially during those first and third trimesters.
By the end of my pregnancy I had put on around 13-14kgs which is within the recommended weight gain range. I had lost 10kgs by the time I left the hospital and the remaining few within KGs dropped off in the proceeding couple of weeks.
***I suppose I should also add, a lot of women do tend to retain a lot of fluid during pregnancy and become swollen, I was very lucky enough not to swell much during pregnancy but I know it can be a big problem for some women and can make them seem as though they have put on a lot more weight than they actually have.***
Anyway, back to the point :p, I had mentioned this previously in an Instagram post, but for those who didn't see it, I had a very severe diastisis rectis (abdominal muscle separation). It was around 10cms. It was crazy! My doctors didn't tell me til a few days after giving birth because they didn't want to scare me after just having gone through the birthing process and trying to recover from a cesarean. I could literally see and feel my intestines bulging out of my stomach! It was disgusting! I thought it was normal. I obviously had no idea at the time that they were in fact my intestines hanging out, but I was touching them and pushing on them, and was even showing my friends and family who were kind of grossed out. :p
To help pull my muscles back together I wore a tight support band religiously for 6 weeks, which bought my muscles together 8cms in that time. I'm 7m post natal and still have a 1cm gap because I haven't been doing my exercises to help the healing process. Until they are completely fused back together I am not allowed to do many exercises, however I try to walk daily.
So there you have it guys, that's how I'm back into all my old clothes. My top 3 tips for all you pregnant women or those wanting to become pregnant:
1) eat well before, throughout and after pregnancy
2) by all means, treat yourself occasional, however don't over eat or succumb to all those pregnancy "cravings"
3) remain active without over doing it. Walking and yoga are great :).
If not for yourself, do it for your precious little baby :).
Love to all & thank you for taking the time to read my post.
Martha xx
Ps I am more than happy to answer any other questions you may have, feel free to contact me privately via email at martha.vasiliou@gmail.com, or just through Instagram/blog comments! Xo
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