After birth, you expect your belly to deflate back to its normal size, but such change doesn’t happen as quickly as you may imagine. It takes around 6 to 8 weeks for your womb to contract the way it was pre-pregnancy. Sometimes, it may take longer, especially if you have elastic skin.
However, this shouldn’t make you worried. With some effective tips, you can lose that pesky belly fat sooner than anticipated and go back to slaying in those beautiful well-fitted gowns.
How to Lose Belly Fat After Giving Birth: 4 Effective Tips
Types of Belly Fat
Many women are aware of belly fat, but only a few know that there are two different types of belly fat.
Subcutaneous fat: Subcutaneous fat is located directly underneath the skin. It is a result of overeating and not exercising enough. Unlike visceral fat, subcutaneous fat is what people often refer to when they complain about their weight.
Visceral fat: visceral fat is a fat found around body organs. Of course, since it is inside your body, you cannot always see or feel it. But it’s there!
Causes of Belly Fat after Child Delivery
Usually, after delivery, you expect your bulging tummy to return to its normal size. But that is not always the case. After child delivery, your belly would still retain some of its fat thanks to:
- Genetics
- Hormone levels and stress
- Poor diet choices
- Abdominal separation
How to lose belly fat after child delivery
1. Build a healthy eating habit
During pregnancy, you are often advised to stay on a strict diet that may consist of fruits, vegetables, legumes, dairy products, and other meals that’ll benefit you and your child and not contribute to weight gain. However, after childbirth, things change. You start eating unhealthy meals because you need to focus on your baby. Of course, this is a big mistake!
You shouldn’t only prioritize your diet during pregnancy but after childbirth also. An unhealthy diet can cause you many problems, such as weight gain, diabetes, some types of cancer, etc. On the other hand, a healthy diet will ensure that you and your baby get the nutrients you need.
2. Cosmetic procedure
If you want to lose that stubborn belly fat fast and aren’t afraid to go under the knife, why not consider a cosmetic procedure?
Unlike exercises and dieting, which could take a long time to manifest, cosmetic procedures like mommy makeover by Dr. Shim Ching can help eliminate your body fat with a single surgery. If you like, you can also get rid of body fat in areas like your hips, thighs, and flanks via liposuction. There are also solutions for saggy breasts, vaginal laxity, etc.
Note: Due to the stress associated with childbirth, you may have to wait for six months after delivery before undergoing any surgery.
3. Start with a simple walk.
It isn’t wise to hit the gym immediately after childbirth. Of course, such an idea may come to mind when you think of the fastest way to lose belly fat. However, journeying down this road isn’t advisable, especially if you gave birth through a C-section.
Rather than rush things, why not consider starting slow. You can begin with a simple stroll. Then, speed up your walk slowly. It’s possible to come along with your baby, who you can strap in a front bag to add extra weight and maximize the benefits of this simple physical activity.
4. Breastfeed if you can
Breastfeeding your baby is another effective and simple way to lose belly fat.
Why? Simple!
Breastfeeding helps the uterus return to normal size, shrinking any unsightly bulges and returning your tummy to more natural size. While you consider implanting this tip, ensure you get enough calories to produce breast milk. Consider eating the following meals to up your breastmilk production.
- Whole grains
- Dark green vegetables
- Fennel
- Garlic
- Almond
- Nursing teas
Nothing is more satisfying than burning calories even while at rest.
Conclusion
You can get rid of your belly fat after delivery. But the process isn’t always as easy as it seems. For the above tactics to work, you need to be consistent, determined and focused. Ensure you seek guidance from your doctor if required.
