82 | Oh BABY! Getting your Body Back Dedication, patience, and perseverance are what every mom needs to get that pre-baby body back! If you want it, go for it, but get it back the healthy way! Here’s a few things every “new mom” needs to know about getting back into shape after baby. Forget about the celebrities who look like they were never pregnant just weeks after the baby! Let’s just say it’s not realistic, nor is it healthy – ask any expert. Celebrities statistically do not gain as much weight during their pregnancies as average women, they have resources the average women doesn’t have, and many of them go on crazy diets (wrong!). The worst thing you can do is try to do too much too soon. So, for the first six weeks after birth – DO NOT go on a diet – especially if you are breast-feeding. Your baby needs the nutrients and you need the energy. “You should be eating at least 1,800-2,000 calories a day while breastfeeding, and if you eat less you will not only be shortchanging yourself, you’ll be shortchanging your baby. You can’t produce quality milk if you are not eating enough,” says nutritionist Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy. “If you can lose a couple of pounds before then, that’s OK, but you really don’t want to cut your food intake dramatically during these early weeks. You need the energy, and you need the calories for breastfeeding,” she says. Awesome news: Breastfeeding burns calories! It can help mothers lose extra weight gained during pregnancy and if you’re not breastfeeding, Somer says, it’s OK to watch your caloric intake, but never aim to lose more than a pound a week. “Pregnancy is not unlike running a marathon every day for nine months. You have put your body through the wringer. So even if you ate well, several nutrients are still likely to be compromised. You need this postpartum time to restore your nutritional status and your energy,” she says. Exercise is highly recommended, it can not only help you whip into shape but also increase energy and may even reduce risks of postpartum depression.) Exercise is a key factor in the health of new moms, but before you start your exercise please ask your doctor if you’re ready (if you had a difficult pregnancy and/or complicated delivery especially) Most doctors will say start whenever you feel ready and work up your activity, if you can’t keep up with any program you do decide to start, you’re probably not ready or the program could be too extreme. Walking is a great recommendation, go on some stroller routes and the baby would love it too, you’ll get that one on one time with your little one, while getting exercise so it’s a win-win! Tip: If you didn’t have a C-Section you could also focus on core workouts! Don’t be in such a hurry to lose baby fat, be cautious about any exercise that puts major stress on your joints- examples like jogging, jumping, running. You could end up on the sideline for months with serious injuries. As exercising pay close attention to these warning signs and seek medical attention if they appear: Excessive bleeding, pelvic or abdominal pain, extreme shortness of breath, exhaustion even after mild exercise, muscle soreness that does not go away in a day or two. Besides that have fun, eat good and love your momma body!