CELEBRITY HUB

Jul 12, 2008

Jennifer Lopez, post-delivery Care


Battling POST-BABY flab?
Like JLo, are you determined to get rid of the calories you’ve accumulated post-delivery?

Singer and Hollywood actress, Jennifer Lopez, was recently caught holidaying with her husband Marc Antony in Italy togged in a bikini and accessorised with ungainly post-pregnancy flab. That needn’t be you, for the good news is while most Indian women gain about 10 to 12 kilos during pregnancy, if they take proper care, they can manage to lose eight kilos within a month of delivery.
For one, breast feeding aids weightloss, as with every feed, the mother burns about 200 to 300 calories. Also, it propels hunger and a need for balanced diet with an emphasis on calcium and iron. However, in the haste to lose weight, a crash diet or vigorous exercise could pose several problems too. But here’s how you start to lose those extra calories accumulated over time along with your bundle of joy.

LOSING FLAB
You can begin your fitness routine ten days after natural delivery. However, if you’ve had a caesarean delivery, you’ll have to wait for 30 to 35 days. In both cases, it is important to get the doctor’s approval before starting.

STEP ONE:
Take 20 to 25-minute mild walks in the open or on the treadmill. Remember to start at a leisurely pace. You can also resume light household chores. Avoid lifting heavy objects.

STEP TWO: You can begin with some asanas 15 days after giving birth. Concentrate on your back, abdomen and hips for these are the areas that undergo the most drastic changes during pregnancy. For instance, Bhujang asana stretches the spine and strengthens the back, Trikon asana stretches the back muscles, Uttanasana stretches the legs, back and arms. Breathing exercises are also recommended for lactating mothers. Another option is Pilates – this focuses on revving the stressed core muscles and provide support to the spine that has supported the baby’s weight for nine months.

STEP THREE:
Once the stitches have healed, you can begin swimming. Urgent exercising can cause injury, especially to the knee and back. Swimming therefore is the least risky workout method. But make sure your wounds have healed completely as the chlorine in the water can cause an infection.
Begin with three to four laps and gradually try different strokes and increase the number of laps. Water aerobics is also a good idea.

STEP FOUR:
You can hit the gym after two to three months, but do not jump into vigorous workout programmes. Work out thrice a week and continue your yoga and swimming routine too.
Post-pregnancy depression can also creep in because of hormonal imbalances and very often, a woman feels upset about the fat on her body. In such cases, joining a dance class is advisable. Dancing elevates the mood while burning calories. Remember, vigorous workouts are a no no.

source:timesofindia

0 Comments: