Having a baby can be a wonderful experience. However, it can also destroy your body. Despite how you may have tried to keep your weight gain low and reduce your chances of stretch marks or swelling, these things are likely going to happen to you.
While some women can get back to their pre-pregnancy body quickly and easily, others find that their bodies will never quite be the same. But luckily, there are things you can do to try to reverse the toll having children has taken on your body.
To show you how this can be done, here are three ways to get your body back after having a baby.
Consider An Eventual Tummy Tuck
In some cases, despite all the work and effort you put into getting your body back into its pre-pregnancy shape, this just isn’t a possibility on your own. Especially if you had very large babies or had to undergo a c-section, you may find that no amount of diet or exercise can tighten up your skin. In situations like this, a tummy tuck might be the best option for you.
Ideally, Dr. Michael Weber, a contributor to Healthline.com, shares that you should only consider a tummy tuck if you’re done having children. Otherwise, you could find yourself right back in the same position just a few years later. But if you’re tried all the lifestyle changes that you can and still don’t see the results you want, a tummy tuck could be the solution.
Start Off Slow With Exercise
Before you immediately settle on having a tummy tuck, it’s wise to try to get your body to its best possible health through diet and exercise. However, if you’ve just had a baby, getting up and exercising may seem more like torture.
To combat this, Colette Bouchez, a contributor to WebMD.com, advises that you start off very slowly with your exercise routines. Typically, walking is a great first step to get your body moving without putting a lot of stress or strain on your recovery. But once you’ve been able to heal and have been given the approval from your doctor, there’s nothing stopping you from hitting your workouts hard to try to drop that baby weight.
Stock Up On Healthy Foods
Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, it’s important that you’re fueling your new mom body with healthy foods. But when the baby’s been up all night and you have zero energy, cooking something healthy will likely be the last thing you want to do.
Luckily, you can prepare for days like this by stocking up your home with healthy foods beforehand. According to Sophie Pachella and Suz Redfearn, contributors to Parents.com, by only bringing nutritious foods into your home, you’ll keep temptation at bay and avoid putting on even more weight.
If you’re worried about getting your body back after having a baby, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do just that.
