Thursday, February 27, 2014

First time mommies

Hello everyone,

While I am still doing the other story telling articles, one thought just passed by me, and it often does. This is more relevant to first time mothers and especially working ladies, and again belonging to our Indian society and culture.

During pregnancy, we will put on some good weight, and that is natural. If we don't put on during pregnancy, this additional weight is definitely added on during the postpartum period, because of the fat-rich food we eat and for the simple reason that the baby has to be nursed and can be healthy only if we eat well.

It is a natural phenomenon to put on weight anywhere from 12-20 kilograms depending upon your framework, etc. This happens during a course of 15 months. Working women usually rejoin office during the 5th month of the baby. They are mostly in the fatter side when they join, and their tummy is not completely normal. This usually causes a descent in the confidence level for any woman, and specially the first time mommies.

It surprises me when first time dads come and ask me, how should their wives lose their postpartum weight. Thankfully, I got back to shape in 12-15 months, so the questions I am often asked is what did I do to come back to shape. My only answer to them was/is and will be, to let time do the magic. It has taken 15 months to put on the weight and tummy, give it another 12 months to lose all that, and believe me, it happens. It is a natural process and an amazing thing to happen. We definitely have to hit the gym, but not before 5-6 months, and it is not that urgent to get back in shape. We are South Asians and our body structure is different. We are not actors who have nutritionists behind us to help us bounce back within 6 months. What is worst is, if the husbands are asking such questions, imagine the pressure on their wives. They can argue that they don't pressurize them, but being women, we can sense what our husbands want :)

My only small piece of advice to first time mothers would be, to let time do the magic, hit the gym in 6 months after delivery, and be focused to get back to shape, because the moment you lose the focus, you will get used to your body being that way. It is not easy, but definitely not impossible. Don't go on crash diets, eat normal, eat healthy (no junk please), be physically active, and don't succumb to pressures. Believe in yourself.

I welcome positive comments around this. So do share

Take care,
Ciao


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