Gaining Weight After Childbirth? Do Not Blame Your Pregnancy, Say Researchers

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Post pregnancy is a period of several changes, of which weight-gain is a prominent one. While you are relieved that the baby is out, the extra weight that sags out from your body is depressing, and the fact that it’s so tough to get rid of it is demotivating.

However, if you thought that all the additional weight that you have put on three to four years after delivery is due to the retention of pregnancy weight, you might be wrong. A recent study (1) says it is due to reasons other than pregnancy weight.

A study, conducted in the US on 32,187 women who had two children within a span of eight years, compared the weight gain among mothers against the normal age-related weight gain among women.

It was found that at the end of five years, the predicted annual weight gain due to aging was 1.94 pounds (152.79lb or 69kg to 163.76lb or 74kg), and the weight gain among the mothers was 2.89lb (168.03 lb or 76kg) after a five-year period.

The study concludes: “Pregnancy weight gain did not contribute to the aging-related trend, but lifestyle changes of parenthood may later exacerbate the long-term trend.”

What could be those lifestyle changes? While there could be many reasons, here are some of them (2):

  1. Sleeplessness: Being a new mom is so stressful that you don’t want to part with your baby for fear of something going wrong or she being unattended. Stress can cause hormonal imbalance, and that in turn leads to gaining weight. Stress will also make you overeat.
  1. Depression: Postpartum blues can depress you like none other. The changes in your body can be overwhelming and lead to depression. You might over-eat during depression resulting in excess weight.
  1. Don’t eat for two: As much as you will be flooded with advice on eating more so that there is enough milk produced for the baby, you might end up eating more than required.
  1. Sedentary lifestyle: Sitting for a long time while feeding your baby, or reading or watching a movie with your child, and lack of exercise and self-care will eventually make you put on pounds.
  1. Eating leftover food: Most mothers try finishing off the leftover food from their kid’s plate, simply to avoid wastage. The intention is good enough, but it’s not good for your body.
  1. Thyroid: Post-delivery, there are chances of developing a thyroid problem. Hypothyroid can cause weight gain in a few mothers. So, talk to your doctor, check your thyroid levels and take the prescribed medication.

Having understood the reasons for weight gain, you might want to know how to shed that unwanted weight after childbirth. Here are few ways to do that:

  1. Get adequate sleep: Get a good amount of sleep (a little more than six hours) to stay fresh, fit and healthy.
  1. Breastfeed: Breastfeeding helps you burn up to 500 calories in a day, so balance the calories you eat with the calories you burn. Breastfeeding is good for moms; it helps you get back to your normal weight (pre-pregnancy weight).
  1. Exercise: You can start off with mild exercises when you feel your body is ready for it. Go for regular walks at least for half-an-hour in a day. You could take your baby in the stroller or take a walk up to the grocery store instead of driving in your car.
  1. Healthy diet: Have a balanced diet with the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Have a serving of fruits and vegetables daily. Include fiber-rich foods in your diet. Don’t fall into the temptation of easy food like chips, burgers, and pizzas.
  1. Water: Drink plenty of water as it cleanses your system and flushes out all the toxins from your body.

Take it easy and slow; you are not competing for a fabulous figure. Be practical, set realistic goals, and have a fixed routine.

So, all you moms out there masking your weight as post-pregnancy weight, it’s time to bring the change and lose some pounds. Tell us how you shed that extra flab post your delivery. Do leave your comments below.

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