Lose Weight After a C Section
Most moms are eager to return to their pre-pregnancy weight after giving birth. This can be difficult for any mom to achieve, but women who give birth via C-section are faced with additional obstacles and must follow specific rules in order to lose their pregnancy weight safely and successfully. Since a Cesarean section requires making an incision in the lower abdomen, it can be six to eight weeks before the incision is fully healed and an exercise program can even begin.
Instructions
1. Wait for your incision to heal. While it can be tempting to begin an exercise regimen within a few weeks after surgery, it is critical to wait until the incision has completely healed before starting even the lowest intensity of physical activity. Just because there is no longer abdominal pain does not mean it is safe to exercise. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting any exercise routine to ensure the incision has completely healed.
2. Breastfeed. Breastfeeding not only benefits your baby by meeting all her nutritional needs, but it also burns calories. When breastfeeding, your body releases the hormone oxytocin, which increases the shrinking of the uterus. On average, a woman can burn 300-500 calories per day while breastfeeding.
3. Eat smart. Eating several small, well-balanced meals throughout the day will help increase your metabolism. Three meals per day and at least two healthy snacks will keep energy up and fight off hunger. Drink water to stay well hydrated and to keep your bowels regular.
4. Start a cardiovascular program. Begin by walking 20 minutes a day three times per week. This will burn additional calories and begin to build stamina for more intensive cardiovascular workouts. Once you are no longer feeling challenged, increase the walking time or frequency of walks to burn extra calories and build muscle.
5. Don't forget the abs. After nine months of pregnancy, the abdominal muscles can separate due to the growth of the baby. Once you have been cleared to begin exercising, start doing basic crunches at home or sign up for a yoga class at your nearest gym or yoga studio. Yoga provides strength training through a variety of poses and postures and focuses on strengthening the abdomen.
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