With so many celebs like Katie Holmes and Victoria Beckham showing off their picture-perfect bodies soon after giving birth, it’s hard not to compare our bodies with theirs and feel like a complete potato. I too felt the same way when I first gave birth to my little bundle of joy, especially after all the constant resting and lying down for the first couple of months.

While I was tempted to go running on a treadmill to shed the extra kilograms from my thighs, experts say it’s actually not healthy to try slim down so quickly. And realistically, we don’t have access to the same kind of resources that celebs have like personal trainers and nannies that help them stay in shape.

But not all is lost! You can get into shape if you follow the following tips:

Breastfeed

If you’re breastfeeding, it’s recommended to not even think about losing weight for now; newborns need quality milk, so we need the calories for breastfeeding. On the plus side, breastfeeding actually helps to burn calories. If you’re not breastfeeding, just eat normally and watch your caloric intake. As long as you avoid eating too much fatty foods and sweets, you should be fine.

Go walking

Once you feel fit enough, go for regular walks around the neighbourhood with your baby. This low impact exercise not only helps to burn calories but also improves one’s mood. I used to love taking my baby out in a covered stroller and go for a short walk around the park. It’s a great way to bond with your little one and get some fresh air at the same time.

Core strength training

One area that many mommies neglect to strengthen after pregnancy is their core muscles. Pregnancy causes our muscles to be all stretched out, especially after carrying our little one in our tummy for nine months. You can do pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the muscles around your bladder and vagina. These muscles can be felt whenever you try to stop peeing in the toilet. Find a comfortable chair and squeeze your pelvic muscles 10 – 15 times in a row. Always take a break after every set of squeezes. 

You can also try some modified basic crunches, lunges, or squats with shoulder raises. Note: if you had a C-section, you can do a modified push-up, using the wall as a support. The same goes for basic lunges, placing your hand against the wall for support. Also always check with your doctor before doing any exercises to help improve your core muscles.

Take it Slow and Easy

Overall, you shouldn’t try to rush into losing weight. Doing any high impact exercises after pregnancy such as jogging or running will actually put a lot of stress on your joints, which may cause injury. Remember: you just brought a human life into the world, so be proud of yourself! Get plenty of rest when you can to improve your metabolism, and give your body time to recover.  Before you know it, your body will be back to its normal weight.